Problems with BIOS Update

[ed.]

Hi, All

I piecing together a MB from componets and without hesitating Flashed the
BIOS to the latest edition. The upgrade displayed "success", I then
rebooted the computer and I directly went into the CMOS. And it looks like
two items are missing.

The CMOS does not show any temperature readings, yet the manual says it
should.

Also, I cannot adjust the cpu multipler. The manual shows mulitplier
settings from 3X to 8X for processors from 200 to 800MHz. When the computer
boots up, the initial display shows the multiplier to be 6X. I would like
to set the multiplier to 8X. The CPU is an PIII-800.

Is this unusal? In other older BIOS, I could find the temperature readings
and also adjust the multiplier, but for this MB I cannot. For that matter,
did I Flash the BIOS correctly?

As a sidenote, the MB does not have jumper setings for CPU mulitplers.

Any and all thoughts on the matte would certainly be appreciated.

ed.


Particulars:
CPU: PIII-800EB
memory: 512MB of SDRAM at 133MHz
DTK MotherboardRM-27i
Award BIOS
BIOS version: 1.06 (the latest from DTK)



multipost:

alt.comp.hardware
alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt
alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt
microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware

 

[Yves Leclerc]

I've some BIOS updates that re-arrange/add menu items.

 

[Michael W. Ryder]

Hi, All

I piecing together a MB from componets and without hesitating Flashed the
BIOS to the latest edition. The upgrade displayed "success", I then
rebooted the computer and I directly went into the CMOS. And it looks like
two items are missing.

The CMOS does not show any temperature readings, yet the manual says it
should.

Also, I cannot adjust the cpu multipler. The manual shows mulitplier
settings from 3X to 8X for processors from 200 to 800MHz. When the computer
boots up, the initial display shows the multiplier to be 6X. I would like
to set the multiplier to 8X. The CPU is an PIII-800.

Is this unusal? In other older BIOS, I could find the temperature readings
and also adjust the multiplier, but for this MB I cannot. For that matter,
did I Flash the BIOS correctly?

Your CPU uses a 133 MHz FSB so the times 6 multiplier is correct. I
don't think Intel allows you to override this setting. As for the
temperature readings most boards of that age required a separate
temperature probe, like the one I created for my P2B-S.

 

[kony]

Hi, All

I piecing together a MB from componets and without hesitating Flashed the
BIOS to the latest edition. The upgrade displayed "success", I then
rebooted the computer and I directly went into the CMOS. And it looks like
two items are missing.

First, double-check the markings on your board to confirm
that you do in fact have the correct bios.

Next, IF you had the correct one, redownload it and compare
the CRC checksum between the first downloaded file and this
newly downloaded file to confirm it's same.

The CMOS does not show any temperature readings, yet the manual says it
should.

Perhaps it should, but, sometimes it's fairly obvious a
manufacturer just copied and pasted info from one board's
manual into another to create it. Sadly, this means there
are occasional errors in manuals.

Do you "need" a temp reading in the bios?
If it seems cool enough, you might try installing the OS
then a hardware monitor software to check temps.

Also, I cannot adjust the cpu multipler. The manual shows mulitplier
settings from 3X to 8X for processors from 200 to 800MHz. When the computer
boots up, the initial display shows the multiplier to be 6X. I would like
to set the multiplier to 8X. The CPU is an PIII-800.

You couldn't set the multiplier even if the setting were
present. It may be hidden or omitted for this reason as
well. P3 CPUs are locked and none (save a few quite rare
engineering samples) allow multiplier changes. If you
wanted to overclock it, or underclock (whatever), your only
option is changing the FSB speed IF the bios or jumpers
allow it.

Is this unusal? In other older BIOS, I could find the temperature readings
and also adjust the multiplier, but for this MB I cannot. For that matter,
did I Flash the BIOS correctly?

As a sidenote, the MB does not have jumper setings for CPU mulitplers.

Any and all thoughts on the matte would certainly be appreciated.

ed.


Particulars:
CPU: PIII-800EB
memory: 512MB of SDRAM at 133MHz
DTK MotherboardRM-27i
Award BIOS
BIOS version: 1.06 (the latest from DTK)

What is "usual" does not necessarily apply to generic
boards... generally a good board would have the temp
working, but you could not adjust multipliers on any board
with that CPU so it's not a detail worth any further
thought.

 

[S.Heenan]

Hi, All

I piecing together a MB from componets and without hesitating Flashed
the BIOS to the latest edition. The upgrade displayed "success", I
then rebooted the computer and I directly went into the CMOS. And it
looks like two items are missing.

The CMOS does not show any temperature readings, yet the manual says
it should.

Also, I cannot adjust the cpu multipler. The manual shows mulitplier
settings from 3X to 8X for processors from 200 to 800MHz. When the
computer boots up, the initial display shows the multiplier to be 6X.
I would like to set the multiplier to 8X. The CPU is an PIII-800.

Is this unusal? In other older BIOS, I could find the temperature
readings and also adjust the multiplier, but for this MB I cannot.
For that matter, did I Flash the BIOS correctly?

As a sidenote, the MB does not have jumper setings for CPU mulitplers.

Any and all thoughts on the matte would certainly be appreciated.

ed.


Particulars:
CPU: PIII-800EB
memory: 512MB of SDRAM at 133MHz
DTK MotherboardRM-27i
Award BIOS
BIOS version: 1.06 (the latest from DTK)

kony makes some good points. I'll add the following:

27i106.zip
MD5 sum: e42b0d77d4c915e3eea283657fbfa086
http://www.nullriver.com/index/products/winmd5sum

Did you flash from Windows ? If so, create a DOS bootdisk and try the
following:


awdflash xxxxxxxx.bin sn/py/cc/cd/cp/LD/E will delete all old BIOS info
during a flash.
awdflash xxxxxxxx.bin /py/cc/cd/cp/LD/E will do the same and prompt
to backup the old BIOS.


Where awdflash is the name of the flashing utility and xxxxxxx.bin is the
name of the ROM file. Change the name and/or extension as needed. Note: all
spaces on command line are single spaces.

 

[David Maynard]

Hi, All

I piecing together a MB from componets and without hesitating Flashed the
BIOS to the latest edition. The upgrade displayed "success", I then
rebooted the computer and I directly went into the CMOS. And it looks like
two items are missing.

The CMOS does not show any temperature readings, yet the manual says it
should.

Did it before the flash? Sometimes manuals have information for features
only on some versions of the motherboard.

Or it might be in a different place with the revised BIOS.

Or it might not have worked right to begin with and was removed.

Or you might have gotten the wrong BIOS, or a bad download.

Also, I cannot adjust the cpu multipler. The manual shows mulitplier
settings from 3X to 8X for processors from 200 to 800MHz. When the computer
boots up, the initial display shows the multiplier to be 6X. I would like
to set the multiplier to 8X. The CPU is an PIII-800.

It's apparently a 133.3MHz FSB P-III 800, which uses a 6x multiplier.

As for being able to change it, doesn't matter as the P-IIIs are multiplier
locked and will ignore the setting anyway.

 

[GHalleck]

Michael W. Ryder wrote:

Your CPU uses a 133 MHz FSB so the times 6 multiplier is correct. I
don't think Intel allows you to override this setting. As for the
temperature readings most boards of that age required a separate
temperature probe, like the one I created for my P2B-S.

True, Intel PIII CPU's are multiplier-locked. However, some
motherboards are capable of reading the temperature directly
from a temperature-sensing diode in the CPU itself. The ASUS
P2B does not, however, use this feature.

 

[Bob I]

Did you "Clear the CMOS" as per the instructions? A BIOS upgrade can and
will change the way things are laid out, and read.

 

[John McGaw]

Hi, All

I piecing together a MB from componets and without hesitating Flashed the
BIOS to the latest edition. The upgrade displayed "success", I then
rebooted the computer and I directly went into the CMOS. And it looks like
two items are missing.

The CMOS does not show any temperature readings, yet the manual says it
should.

Also, I cannot adjust the cpu multipler. The manual shows mulitplier
settings from 3X to 8X for processors from 200 to 800MHz. When the computer
boots up, the initial display shows the multiplier to be 6X. I would like
to set the multiplier to 8X. The CPU is an PIII-800.

Is this unusal? In other older BIOS, I could find the temperature readings
and also adjust the multiplier, but for this MB I cannot. For that matter,
did I Flash the BIOS correctly?

As a sidenote, the MB does not have jumper setings for CPU mulitplers.

Any and all thoughts on the matte would certainly be appreciated.

ed.


Particulars:
CPU: PIII-800EB
memory: 512MB of SDRAM at 133MHz
DTK MotherboardRM-27i
Award BIOS
BIOS version: 1.06 (the latest from DTK)



multipost:

alt.comp.hardware
alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt
alt.comp.hardware.pc-homebuilt
microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware

Have you tried clearing the CMOS? Quite often when there is a change in
BIOS versions the data about BIOS setting in the CMOS no longer
corresponds to the proper locations in the BIOS code. When that happens
almost anything, the more weird the better, is likely to crop up.

I'd suggest clearing CMOS and then rebooting and selecting "Safe
Defaults" for all settings and working from there.

 

[Ardent]

X-No-Google-Store: yes

awdflash xxxxxxxx.bin sn/py/cc/cd/cp/LD/E will delete all old BIOS info
during a flash.
awdflash xxxxxxxx.bin /py/cc/cd/cp/LD/E will do the same and prompt
to backup the old BIOS.

Why use the Award flasher which is cryptic? You can use uniflash which
is much more informative and helpful.

http://www.rainbow-software.org/download/

It has a detailed list of chip sets it is compatible with.

HTH

 

[kony]

X-No-Google-Store: yes



Why use the Award flasher which is cryptic? You can use uniflash which
is much more informative and helpful.

http://www.rainbow-software.org/download/

It has a detailed list of chip sets it is compatible with.

Use it because it's supplied and (supposedly) guaranteed to
work?

Use it because the cryptic command line-switches are
available by typing "/?" at command line (or that they're
provided above).

Use it because uniflash has the ability to flash the wrong
EEPROM while it would be quite rare (practically unheard of)
for awardflash to do that.

Use it because it's right there, and does the job. Not even
the minor additional effort to get, learn, make boot floppy
for uniflash.

Nothing against uniflash, it does serve a useful function
for some needs but there's little point in choosing it
instead when the supplied flasher does the job fine.

 

[JAD]

Use it because it's supplied and (supposedly) guaranteed to
work?

supposedly guarenteed? could you show the 'license' where its shows that?

Use it because the cryptic command line-switches are
available by typing "/?" at command line (or that they're
provided above).

Use it because you don't want to mess with your comfort zone,
stepping out may make you insecure and fearful..................

Use it because uniflash has the ability to flash the wrong
EEPROM while it would be quite rare (practically unheard of)
for awardflash to do that.

Use it because it's right there, and does the job. Not even
the minor additional effort to get, learn, make boot floppy
for uniflash.

Nothing against uniflash,

really?

it does serve a useful function

 

[kony]

supposedly guarenteed? could you show the 'license' where its shows that?

Surely a little common sense will tell you that this is why
the motherboard manufacturers provide it.

Use it because you don't want to mess with your comfort zone,
stepping out may make you insecure and fearful..................

How about because it's the industry standard way of doing
it, that there is no need to use anything else if you
already have it.

really?

Yes, I use it myself for emergency hotflashes or some video
card moddin'. I am familiar with both and find no reason to
use it for a typical motherboard bios upgrade.

 

[JAD]

Surely a little common sense will tell you that this is why
the motherboard manufacturers provide it.

I want to sue then, as over the years I have had bios flashes go very bad
using it

How about because it's the industry standard way of doing
it, that there is no need to use anything else if you
already have it.

industry standard, where do you dream this crap up? on the crapper
obviuosly. You would mean 'Awards standard' as they are not the only bios
manufacturer around. Far from a INDUSTRY standard.

Yes, I use it myself for emergency hotflashes or some video
card moddin'. I am familiar with both and find no reason to
use it for a typical motherboard bios upgrade.

yes everyone should have software redundancy in thier system. How else would
you fill up a 320 gig hard drive?

 

[kony]

I want to sue then, as over the years I have had bios flashes go very bad
using it

Well I did write "supposedly", and I don't feel you are
guaranteed any degree of success with other alternative
flashers either, so what's the point?

It's not just that awdflash is provided by the manufacturer
but is the correct tool by the bios writer too. I never
wrote that you "have" to use it, but it seems a bit
pointless to chose something else when there is no real gain
rather than using the tool that they at least used and
intended for this very purpose.

industry standard, where do you dream this crap up? on the crapper
obviuosly. You would mean 'Awards standard' as they are not the only bios
manufacturer around. Far from a INDUSTRY standard.

I mean it IS THE INDUSTRY STANDARD. The bios company wrote
it as the specific tool to flash their bios. Go to any
motherboard manufacturer whose boards have award bios. What
flasher do they provide? Uniflash? No. Awdflash or a
motherboard-rebranded version of it. That is the industry
on this planet Earth, where are you?

I do not suggest using it to flash a non-award bios, but did
anyone else? I would consider that off-topic.

yes everyone should have software redundancy in thier system. How else would
you fill up a 320 gig hard drive?

I agree about redundancy, and have practically all
awdflasher versions in multiple archives, as well as both
old and new variants of uniflash. Uniflash is great, just
not needed for a routine m'board bios flash and in that
scenario is only more time and trouble to use. Not
difficult, just relatively the wrong tool compared to the
specific tool written for the job, release by bios company
for the job, and used industry-wide for the job because they
know this, too.

 

[JAD]

Well I did write "supposedly", and I don't feel you are
guaranteed any degree of success with other alternative
flashers either, so what's the point?

sorry...i want to supposedly sue................

 

[kony]

sorry...i want to supposedly sue................

It would be nice if there were no liability on the flasher
(person), and it is troubling that motherboard manufacturers
don't provide a more automated way that doesn't rely on
windows. Even so, do you really have that many failed bios
flashes? Its' quite rare for me and I always flash to
newest bios on a board before ever installing OS or
stability testing.

I suppose if your board doesn't work right and you have no
guarantee with a flasher, you can just return the board for
refund if you find the flaw soon enough. Otherwise, sure,
it's a small risk.

 

[David Maynard]

sorry...i want to supposedly sue................

ROTFLOL