G
Guest
all i would like to no is how i can start Xp in msdos mode so i can update my
bios!!! thanks.
bios!!! thanks.
C
Chris Priede
IneedHelp said:
XP will allow you to create bootable DOS startup floppy (using actual files
from MS-DOS) which is exactly what you need. To do so, place a potentially
blank floppy disk in the drive, open "My Computer", right click the floppy
drive (A
and choose "Format". Under "Format options", check the lastcheckbox -- "Create an MS-DOS startup disk".
When finished, copy the BIOS image and flash utility files to the floppy as
well, and restart your computer (you may have to change the boot sequence in
BIOS setup first, to get it boot from the floppy).
Other than that, there is no "DOS mode" for Windows XP to be started in.
S
skot
in short, you don't. it doesn't have a dos mode. usually,
though, for flashing a bios, you put it on a bootable
floppy and restart your computer. most vendors that i've
dealt with have detailed instructions for flashing your
bios be it motherboard, cdrom, or vga.
some vendors make an install program. you run it and it
makes the floppy for you. simply restart with the floppy
in the floppy drive and follow the instructions and hit
'ok' after reading warning messages saying that bios
flashing is dangerous and you shouldn't attempt it unless
you know what you're doing.
furthermore, don't attempt a bios flash until you've read
entirely about how to do it. don't be afraid to try, but
be smart about it. i mean, you gotta start sometime.
though, for flashing a bios, you put it on a bootable
floppy and restart your computer. most vendors that i've
dealt with have detailed instructions for flashing your
bios be it motherboard, cdrom, or vga.
some vendors make an install program. you run it and it
makes the floppy for you. simply restart with the floppy
in the floppy drive and follow the instructions and hit
'ok' after reading warning messages saying that bios
flashing is dangerous and you shouldn't attempt it unless
you know what you're doing.
furthermore, don't attempt a bios flash until you've read
entirely about how to do it. don't be afraid to try, but
be smart about it. i mean, you gotta start sometime.
A
Alan
Okay, I'm not too proud to ask. I've been seeing this phrase for many years,
and never had it explained to me.
What exactly does it mean to "flash a bios?" And why would someone want to?
Alan
and never had it explained to me.
What exactly does it mean to "flash a bios?" And why would someone want to?
Alan
K
Ken Blake
In
You can't. But you can start the *computer* from a DOS boot disk,
which will let you flash your BIOS.
IneedHelp said:
You can't. But you can start the *computer* from a DOS boot disk,
which will let you flash your BIOS.
K
Ken Blake
In
It means to install a new version of the BIOS osftware. Do it
only if the new version is known to fix a problem you are
experiencing.
Alan said:
It means to install a new version of the BIOS osftware. Do it
only if the new version is known to fix a problem you are
experiencing.
A
Alan
Thanks, Ken. Another mystery in life has just been cleared up. :>
Alan
Alan
B
Barry Watzman
The bios is stored in "flash memory", which is a type of ROM (read only
memory) that can be erased and reprogrammed.
To "Flash a BIOS" means to do just that -- erase the flash memory
(hence, the existing BIOS), and reprogram it (presumably with a new BIOS).
The reason to do it is either that the old BIOS has become corrupt
(however, if this happens, you probably CAN'T do it), or because a newer
version of the bios has been released (typically by the motherboard
mfgr.) that either adds features or fixes bugs or [most commonly] both.
The ONLY safe way to do this is to boot from an MS-DOS boot device, most
commonly a floppy diskette, but it could be a bootable CD, a USB memory
device or even your hard drive (but NOT booting Windows). Some if not
most motherboard mfgrs. do offer windows programs for reflashing the
bios but my advice to you is not to use one, even if it exists. A
failure during BIOS reflashing essentially ruins the motherboard itself
in most cases, and such failures are FAR more common (like more than 10x
more common) when people try to do this under Windows.
[There is one other option, SOME motherboards have a flash function in
their setup programs, you don't boot ANY operating system at all, but
you do need a data "disk" (meaning any storage device recognized by the
BIOS) with the actual new BIOS to be burned on it. This is perfectly
fine and safe, but it's only available on some motherboards]
Note, XP has NO way to boot to a pure DOS prompt itself, however it can
format a DOS-bootable floppy diskette.
memory) that can be erased and reprogrammed.
To "Flash a BIOS" means to do just that -- erase the flash memory
(hence, the existing BIOS), and reprogram it (presumably with a new BIOS).
The reason to do it is either that the old BIOS has become corrupt
(however, if this happens, you probably CAN'T do it), or because a newer
version of the bios has been released (typically by the motherboard
mfgr.) that either adds features or fixes bugs or [most commonly] both.
The ONLY safe way to do this is to boot from an MS-DOS boot device, most
commonly a floppy diskette, but it could be a bootable CD, a USB memory
device or even your hard drive (but NOT booting Windows). Some if not
most motherboard mfgrs. do offer windows programs for reflashing the
bios but my advice to you is not to use one, even if it exists. A
failure during BIOS reflashing essentially ruins the motherboard itself
in most cases, and such failures are FAR more common (like more than 10x
more common) when people try to do this under Windows.
[There is one other option, SOME motherboards have a flash function in
their setup programs, you don't boot ANY operating system at all, but
you do need a data "disk" (meaning any storage device recognized by the
BIOS) with the actual new BIOS to be burned on it. This is perfectly
fine and safe, but it's only available on some motherboards]
Note, XP has NO way to boot to a pure DOS prompt itself, however it can
format a DOS-bootable floppy diskette.
R
Rock
Alan said:
First you get a long trench coat. Then you wait in an out of the way
place for the BIOS to come walking by. Then you....
A
Alex Nichol
IneedHelp said:
You do not start XP in MSDOS mode - it does not have any real mode DOS
at all. What you do is make a startup floppy; in My Computer r-click
the floppy drive icon, and with a disk in the drive take Format. Select
MSDOS Startup disk, and carry on.
Then open the resulting disk and copy to it the BIOS flash program and
data file. Reboot, booting the floppy.
Always then start by using the flash program to back up the present BIOS
and if then running the flash gives any indication it did not fully
succeed, immediately run it again to restore the original. DO NOT
reboot until that is done
K
Ken Blake
In
You're welcome. Glad to help.
Alan said:
You're welcome. Glad to help.