Bios flash without flasher

P

p.mc

Hi

I need to flash the bios on a WinXP NTFS machine and the flash file name
is.."2K0925s.ROM"...
but it doesn't have a flash utility to go with it. I made a boot disk
using..."drdflash"...
Which puts you in pure DOS mode and I extracted the flash file on the boot
disk created by drdflash. After re-booting into DOS mode I get the command
prompt ..."A:\"... And that's where I'm stumped, I just haven't
a clue what to type to get the file "2K0925s" to run or install??

It took me forever before I realised the probs with XP boot discs problems.

MOBO manufacturer AMIBIOS V1.4
build date: jul,15,1995
build tag: M583LMR
 
R

Robert Moir

p.mc said:
Hi

I need to flash the bios on a WinXP NTFS machine and the flash file
name is.."2K0925s.ROM"...
but it doesn't have a flash utility to go with it. I made a boot disk
using..."drdflash"...
Which puts you in pure DOS mode and I extracted the flash file on the
boot disk created by drdflash. After re-booting into DOS mode I get
the command prompt ..."A:\"... And that's where I'm stumped, I just
haven't a clue what to type to get the file "2K0925s" to run or
install??
Click to expand...

You _definately_ need the flash utility program from the motherboard
manufacturer, There is no way to flash the bios without this, and
instructions on how to use it to flash your bios will come with that program
itself.


--
--
Rob Moir, MS MVP
Blog Site - http://www.robertmoir.com
Virtual PC 2004 FAQ - http://www.robertmoir.co.uk/win/VirtualPC2004FAQ.html
I'm always surprised at "professionals" who STILL have to be asked "Have you
checked (event viewer / syslog)".
 
P

Pegasus \(MVP\)

p.mc said:
Hi

I need to flash the bios on a WinXP NTFS machine and the flash file name
is.."2K0925s.ROM"...
but it doesn't have a flash utility to go with it. I made a boot disk
using..."drdflash"...
Which puts you in pure DOS mode and I extracted the flash file on the boot
disk created by drdflash. After re-booting into DOS mode I get the command
prompt ..."A:\"... And that's where I'm stumped, I just haven't
a clue what to type to get the file "2K0925s" to run or install??

It took me forever before I realised the probs with XP boot discs problems.

MOBO manufacturer AMIBIOS V1.4
build date: jul,15,1995
build tag: M583LMR

--


Regards
p.mc
Click to expand...

That's a big cross-post for a tiny question . . . What
exactly are the file names you have on your floppy
boot disk?
 
P

p.mc

That's a big cross-post for a tiny question . . . What
exactly are the file names you have on your floppy
boot disk?
Click to expand...

The disk was created using "drdflash" which hasn't put any files on the
boot disk. And I extracted the file "2K0925s.ROM" to it, and that's all
thats on the disk.
I got the flash zip from "PCchips" archives.

p.mc
 
A

Alan

p.mc said:
The disk was created using "drdflash" which hasn't put any files on the
boot disk. And I extracted the file "2K0925s.ROM" to it, and that's all
thats on the disk.
I got the flash zip from "PCchips" archives.

p.mc
Click to expand...

I'd seriously be considering whether I should do this update if I was you.
If you don't properly understand what you are doing - YOU risk making your
computer unusable. Consider getting a knowledgeable friend help, or pay a
computer workshop to do it for you.

Consider if you *need* to upgrade. Does it do something extra that you
really need. Or is it just a case of 'it's newer'. If it doesn't offer
anything you need don't do it.

*If* you decide to go ahead remember damage is *your* risk- *NOT* the
motherboard maker or whoever sold you the motherboard/computer. You may end
up with an unusable machine.

Read the instructions on how to flash the BIOS on their website. Follow
their instructions TO THE LETTER or you may completely disable your
motherboard. Don't try and come up with your own way or mess around. If you
find their website too complicated to navigate to find the utility in the
download area then email their support for help.

If you do attempt it remember just what is happening, and what you are
doing. Record the relevant BIOS settings or you may end up with unusable
devices- things like hard disk parameters (although most use automatic
detection now it is always possible manual parameters have been used that
are different). You may not need them, but ..............
 
M

Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)

P

One really has to have a clue when flashing BIOS.. without one, there is a
good chance that the motherboard could be lost forever.. I am not being mean
here.. this is simple truth..

I have found a website where you can download the Flash utility.. obviously,
you will need the one marked 'AMINF332.ZIP'..
http://www.rebios.net/biosdown/PCchips.htm

You must first make a bootable diskette, NOT a Win 98 boot diskette.. format
a diskette in XP, and check the box 'make an MS-DOS start-up diskette..

When finished, leave the diskette in the drive, and open the AMINF332.ZIP
file.. running the executable should extract the utility to the diskette..

Now copy the BIOS file to the diskette.. 2K0925s.ROM..

Reboot the computer from the diskette..

Type DIR at the prompt.. you should be able to see the name of the
executable flash utility.. enter the name of the utility and press ENTER..

When asked which file to program, you type the name of the BIOS file in
full, and then just follow on screen instructions..

During that time, you hope and pray for two things.. #1 is that you are
using the correct BIOS upgrade.. #2 is that you don't get a power failure
half way through the process..

There is no such entity as luck.. there is only a choice..
 
P

p.mc

Note that you need to be 100% sure you have the right BIOS update before
doing this, and that updating the BIOS is not recommended unless there is a
specific fix that you need.
Click to expand...


Hi all, "please bear with me"

The reason I am flashing the bios is because after an upgrade the display
will only stay at 640X480 pixels, and Lowest (4) bit colour quality, and I
have had a similiar event on another machine that a bios flash sorted.

I ran "Ami motherboard ID utility" ...and that gave me the information;

bios build date: jul 15 1995
MOBO Manuf code: 1437
amibios build tag: M583LMR
amibios project id: M583LMR not listed in tag.dat file

smbios info;
manuf: pcchips
prod name: M583LMR
version: 1.0
serial #:00000000

I DL the M583LMR flash zip which had the file containing ..."2k0925s.ROM"

I've now DL AmiFlash as Rick Suggested but if someone could doublecheck with
me before
I commit!!
The file has 2 applications and 2 read me's
AMIFLASH...MS-DOS APPLICATION

AMIFLASH.TXT;
"Must be in dos on boot up
cannot flash within any operating system

run amiflash.com from floppy or hard drive by typing
when prompted to enter

01..."SAVE EXISTING ROM" "Y" OR "N" ***If (Y) can save to hdd or do I have
to put a floppy in***
02..."ENTER BIOS FILENAME"...PATH OF FILE, EXAMPLE (C:\ROMFILE.ROM)
***(in my case C:\2k0925s.ROM)***
03..."PROGRAM BOOTBLOCK" "Y" (YOU MUST SELECT Y)
04..."PRESS Y TO CONTINUE" "Y"
05...AMIFLASH WILL THEN PROCEED TO UPDATE THE FLASH PART.
AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION, PRESS ANY KEY TO RESTART.

important note
when running amiflash.com do not add rom file name in running program.
just run amiflash.com and enter romfile name during setup of the bios
upgrade.*****(I don't understand this part!! shouldn't I type C:\2k0925s.ROM
at point (02)***

F82741.exe application****(do I not do this one??)*****

Quick flash instructions text;

Quick Flash Instructions For AMI Motherboards:
(FLASH UTILITY NOT REQUIRED)
- Unzip file, copy the "ROM" file to a diskette in "A" drive.
(Diskette does not have to be bootable).
- Make sure you are using the on board floppy controller.
- With system powered off and diskette with "ROM" file in "A" drive.
- Hold down on the "CTRL & HOME" keys and then power on system.
- There will be no video and notice floppy drive being accessed.
- You should hear 1 beep let go of keys.
- Then you will hear 2 beeps and then 3 beeps.
- System should reset and notice new BIOS release date at top of screen.
- Enter BIOS SETUP run the OPTIMAL SETINGS OPTION.
- Change BIOS SETTINGS for your configuration.

"WARNING" etc.etc



Regards
p.mc
 
J

Jim

p.mc said:
Hi all, "please bear with me"

The reason I am flashing the bios is because after an upgrade the display
will only stay at 640X480 pixels, and Lowest (4) bit colour quality, and I
have had a similiar event on another machine that a bios flash sorted.
Click to expand...
Isn't this a driver issue rather than a BIOS issue? I see that you fixed a
"similar event on another machine" by flashing the bios, but it does not
necessarily mean that flashing the bios fixed the problem.

After the upgrade, did you reinstall the video drivers?
Jim
 
S

Steve N.

p.mc said:
Hi all, "please bear with me"

The reason I am flashing the bios is because after an upgrade the display
will only stay at 640X480 pixels, and Lowest (4) bit colour quality, and I
have had a similiar event on another machine that a bios flash sorted.
Click to expand...

Assumptions in technology are always dangerous...

Unless a BIOS update is _known_ to correct a specific problem it is not
worth the risk, IMO.

I believe you are facing a display adaptor driver issue, not a BIOS
issue, however you did not specify what the "upgrade" was. That would be
salient information in assisting you.

Steve N.
 
R

Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers

I would suggest that you copy the .rom file to the floppy and use that. If
C:\ is formatted as NTFS, then the boot floppy will not be able to read from
it.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
A

Alan

p.mc said:
Hi all, "please bear with me"

The reason I am flashing the bios is because after an upgrade the display
will only stay at 640X480 pixels, and Lowest (4) bit colour quality, and I
have had a similiar event on another machine that a bios flash sorted.

I ran "Ami motherboard ID utility" ...and that gave me the information;
Click to expand...

It is unlikely that the computers BIOS is the cause, read the notes that go
with that update- does it say it fixes Display driver issues? It should
advise what the changes are.

Start by getting your graphics card drivers. Install them. Then try and
change the resolution. That process does not have much to do with a computer
BIOS update. It seems from what you have described that you either do not
have your graphics card driver installed, or that it isn't correctly
configured.
 
D

D. Spencer Hines

I see a potential disaster shaping up here.

It's like watching a team of slightly inebriated surgeons on vacation in
Miami telling a layman in Chicago by telephone how to take out his own
appendix.

DSH
 
A

Alan

I don't see any advice to the OP from you.

Are you a troll or do you have any help to offer?

It seems the first at the moment so perhaps you should crawl back under your
bridge- unless you can help with the posters question?
 
D

D. Spencer Hines

I see a potential disaster shaping up here.

It's like watching a team of slightly inebriated surgeons on vacation for a
conference in Miami telling a layman in Chicago by telephone how to take out
his own appendix.

Trying to flash the BIOS -- WITHOUT the flasher -- by HAND -- when you are
not even sure the BIOS NEEDS flashing -- is a VERY DUMB IDEA.

"Above all, do no harm."

'Nuff Said.

DSH
 
P

Plato

p.mc said:
The reason I am flashing the bios is because after an upgrade the display
will only stay at 640X480 pixels, and Lowest (4) bit colour quality, and I
have had a similiar event on another machine that a bios flash sorted.
Click to expand...

Does the new bios address this problem? BTW. I created the drdflash.exe
file.
 
H

Heather

He is a *disliked denizen* of the mediaeval genealogy news
groups.....patronizing and totally boring. Never thought I would see
him on any help groups.

As he would say...."how amusing".

Cheers....Figgs

Tom [Pepper] Willett said:
From what I've seen over the past couple of weeks, he is a troll.

Tom
Alan said:
I don't see any advice to the OP from you.

Are you a troll or do you have any help to offer?

It seems the first at the moment so perhaps you should crawl back
under your bridge- unless you can help with the posters question?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 

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