Boot CD to update BIOS?

[Nigel Molesworth]

A bit OT perhaps, but may be of interest to others.

What is the best way to make a generic bootable CD so I can read a
file on my hard drive to update the BIOS? I've got Roxio software, but
I need an image file that will read NTFS disks, MS-DOS won't work.

I realise I could add the BIOS file to the CD, but that's a PITA.

 

[Mike Hall - MS MVP]

The majority of systems require that a diskette containing the BIOS 'bin'
file and appropriate 'flash' program is run at boot up.. go to the
motherboard manufacturer support page to find out how the BIOS is upgraded..

A bit OT perhaps, but may be of interest to others.

What is the best way to make a generic bootable CD so I can read a
file on my hard drive to update the BIOS? I've got Roxio software, but
I need an image file that will read NTFS disks, MS-DOS won't work.

I realise I could add the BIOS file to the CD, but that's a PITA.

--


Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

 

[Guest]

It truly depends on the motherboard's manfacturer.

Having just gone through this, I couldn't get it to work with a floppy or
CD. Although it would boot from either, it couldn't find a "BIOS hook" to
perform the update. Then, through a bit a research (read the manual) I found
that ASUS has a built-in flash utility in the BIOS Setup routine. (You can
also use one that works from within Windows, but I didn't trust the potential
"compatibility" issue with Vista.)

All I had to do is stick the update on a USB thumb drive, select the utility
from BIOS Setup and voila... It saved the old BIOS to the stick and loaded
the new one.

Good Luck!

 

[Nigel Molesworth]

The majority of systems require that a diskette

Diskette?

 

[John Barnes]

Remember? Bootable floppy. If you go to help in Roxio, they have a way to
make a bootable CD, if you have a full version. Not sure if you have one of
the pared down versions that come with players. Just search their help for
bootable.

 

[Chad Harris]

Hi Nigel--

While as has been said this is MOBO specific, I haven't ever seen a computer
manufacturer's site that doesn't have bios updates for your model and mobo,
unless you custom built your pc and then it would be the mobo site or just
google bios updates and some sites have multiple downloads.

CH

 

[Nigel Molesworth]

Remember? Bootable floppy.

Yes, of course, but why would I want a floppy drive?

If you go to help in Roxio, they have a way to
make a bootable CD...

Yes, and I know how to make one. The problem is that a bootable CD
based on MS-DOS can't read NTFS volumes.

 

[Nigel Molesworth]

I haven't ever seen a computer
manufacturer's site that doesn't have bios updates for your model and mobo,

That in not the problem. It is getting an OS on the disk that can read
an NTFS volume. I can't be the only one who wants to do this, surely?

 

[David B.]

As long as you don't need write access to the NTFS partition this should
work
http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/NtfsDos.html

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[Mike Hall - MS MVP]

Nigel

Updating the system BIOS doesn't require access to any hard drive, be it
NTFS or FAT32.. it matters not whether you use a diskette, CD or flash
drive, but I will say this.. it is far easier to make a bootable BIOS
upgrade diskette or a flash drive than ever it is to use a CD..

So having booted successfully with whatever media, you will be presented
with the 'A' prompt.. at this point, you type the name of the BIOS flash
program and then hit the enter key.. the BIOS flash program will then lead
you through the process..

If you are really lucky, the flash program will update BIOS without any
intervention from you, and at the end of the process, you will be asked to
reboot.. obviously, you take out the upgrade media for this part..

A note regarding the use of a CD for this process.. there is, as far as I am
aware, no way to save the old BIOS to the CD in the event that the upgrade
doesn't work too well.. best use a diskette or flash drive..

Yes, of course, but why would I want a floppy drive?


Yes, and I know how to make one. The problem is that a bootable CD
based on MS-DOS can't read NTFS volumes.

--


Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

 

[Rick Rogers]

Hi Mike,

I think what Nigel was driving at is whether he can create a bootable CD
that can read the .bin file from the hard drive rather than copying it to
the CD during creation (referring back to the original post). What would
essentially be needed is something that can read the NTFS file system once
the CD is booted.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[John Barnes]

The .bin file is read by the BIOS update program on the medium that is being
used if that is what he means and it will only look on that medium. I have
never seen one that gave you an option to browse anywhere. You just name it
in the program and it accesses the one on the same medium. I have used both
floppies and CD's to update my BIOS's

 

[David B.]

I have seen many that allow or even require you to enter the path along with
the bin file name.

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[Rick Rogers]

Yup, me too. I was just trying to clarify what Nigel was asking.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Mike Hall - MS MVP]

Rick

As John has pointed out, the files have to be on the same medium and within
the same folder, whether one boots from cold with whatever or when using a
Windows capable BIOS flash process..

Hi Mike,

I think what Nigel was driving at is whether he can create a bootable CD
that can read the .bin file from the hard drive rather than copying it to
the CD during creation (referring back to the original post). What would
essentially be needed is something that can read the NTFS file system once
the CD is booted.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

--


Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

 

[Chad Harris]

Nigel--

Sorry you're losing me now. You have a Vista DVD? You have a preinstalled
Vista? I don't understand. Maybe the others will on this thread. You say
the problem is "getting an OS on the disk" what disk? "that can read
NTFS". Windows Vista is NTFS--a modified one called "transactional NTFS."
MSFT has many resources on this, and MSFT bloggers and other bloggers have
blogged extensively on it.

MSDN Webcast: The Revolutionary Windows Vista Transactional NTFS (TxF)
Infrastructure (Level 200)
http://msevents.microsoft.com/cui/W...lture=en-US&EventID=1032294095&CountryCode=US

NTFS Beta Team Chat
http://blogs.technet.com/filecab/pages/457811.aspx

If I haven't helped you, post up clearly what you're after and I guarantee
you the others on the thread can fix you if I can't.

CH

CH

 

[pete]

Everyone thinks you are trying to Flash your BIOS to a newer
version............are you??
Then you do not need an OS on the CD.........you copy the .bin file as well
as the flash utility provided by your Mobo manufacturer to a Bootable
CD.Then you start your system with the CD in place and push an F?..as is
specified for your particular Mobo and the Flash.EXE program runs from the
CD.It does NOT care what files system is on your HD..it never gets that far.
Need to make a bootable CD...
http://www.bootdisk.com/
follow their instructions.

If you are not trying to flash your BIOS.........please do explain exactly
what you are trying to do.
peter

 

[Dave B.]

Do a Google for ntfs dos

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[Mike Hall - MS MVP]

BIOS flash programs look for the 'bin' file in the same folder as the flash
program itself.. there is no alternative way.. all files must be on the same
media..

Do a Google for ntfs dos

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Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

 

[Dave B.]

I would disagree, I've done updates that allow the entry of a path. Can't
recall which BIOS vendor it was however.

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