Pure DOS to flash BIOS

[Guest]

I need to flash my BIOS and have downloaded the latest one (fb51s037.bin).
The instructions say – “Extract the file into a bootable floppy disk or into
hard drive. Start the system with a bootable floppy disk or bootable CD into
PURE DOS mode. When DOS prompt, type awdflash fb51s037.binâ€

However my PC does not have a FDD drive.

The OS is Win Vista Ultimate. Can I perform this operation by starting in
Safe mode with command prompt or how else can I start in “Pure DOS†mode to
flash the BIOS

 

[Richard Urban]

You have to boot to "pure DOS". It can not be accomplished when in Windows.
If your M/B is accommodating, you can possibly boot from a USB thumb drive.
You could then flash the bios from there. If this is possible on your
particular computer you would have to hunt down this methodology using
Google.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Frank]

I need to flash my BIOS and have downloaded the latest one (fb51s037.bin).
The instructions say – “Extract the file into a bootable floppy disk or into
hard drive. Start the system with a bootable floppy disk or bootable CD into
PURE DOS mode. When DOS prompt, type awdflash fb51s037.binâ€

However my PC does not have a FDD drive.

The OS is Win Vista Ultimate. Can I perform this operation by starting in
Safe mode with command prompt or how else can I start in “Pure DOS†mode to
flash the BIOS

You may be able to burn it to a CD and boot into it.
Frank

 

[Guest]

He could also use a friends computer to make a bootable DOS CD from a
bootable DOS floppy.

Mick Murphy in Australia(QLD)

 

[DevilsPGD]

In message <[email protected]> rene

I need to flash my BIOS and have downloaded the latest one (fb51s037.bin).
The instructions say – “Extract the file into a bootable floppy disk or into
hard drive. Start the system with a bootable floppy disk or bootable CD into
PURE DOS mode. When DOS prompt, type awdflash fb51s037.bin”

However my PC does not have a FDD drive.

The OS is Win Vista Ultimate. Can I perform this operation by starting in
Safe mode with command prompt or how else can I start in “Pure DOS” mode to
flash the BIOS

Likely not from any form of safe mode, or anything else from Vista.

The easiest solution would probably be to use FreeDOS, which has a
LiveCD available, http://www.freedos.org/freedos/files/

look for fdfullcd, which is under 50MB and is bootable. From there, you
can probably access a USB stick, or with a bit of creativity you could
add the files to the ISO. Worst case, burn a second CD, and swap CDs
once you hit the command line.

 

[DevilsPGD]

In message <[email protected]> Mick

He could also use a friends computer to make a bootable DOS CD from a
bootable DOS floppy.

Heck, I could make one -- To the original poster, contact me off-list if
you can't figure it out, I could build an ISO for you that you can burn
that will give you a bootable minimal install including the BIN file
you'll need.

 

[Guest]

Hey boy, I can do all that; I'm trying to help someone

 

[Guest]

Thanks - I have downloaded the file - fdfullcd.iso (all 152 MB of it) Please
can you help me with what I do now - burn it to CD as is?

Then I guess boot with the CD

My HDD has two partitions could I put the .bin file on the D drive?

Thanks for your help

 

[Marcin Domaslawski]

Hi,

On Shuttle site you can download WinFlash - check if will work with your
motherboard.

Marcin Domaslawski

 

[Guest]

I tried the Shuttle winflash utility and get the message that the BIOS is not
an Award one (it is a Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG 12/26/2002) and
that's it - it will not flash the BIOS so I guess I have to do it under DOS

 

[Marcin Domaslawski]

Hi,

Right, or under FreeDOS if you've already downloaded it.

Marcin Domaslawski

 

[Michael Chare]

I need to flash my BIOS and have downloaded the latest one (fb51s037.bin).
The instructions say – “Extract the file into a bootable floppy disk or
into
hard drive. Start the system with a bootable floppy disk or bootable CD
into
PURE DOS mode. When DOS prompt, type awdflash fb51s037.binâ€

However my PC does not have a FDD drive.

The OS is Win Vista Ultimate. Can I perform this operation by starting in
Safe mode with command prompt or how else can I start in “Pure DOS†mode
to
flash the BIOS

Asus provide a Bios flash utility for my mobo that will work when Vista is
loaded.

I suggest that you look at your PC manufacturers web site to see if they
provide a similar utility.

 

[Guest]

Some Phoenix/Award Bios Setup files contain the Flash utility built into them.

Try this:
Copy the .BIN file to a USB drive and plug it in.
(This should be the only USB inserted.)
Reboot
Press DEL during the inital screen to enter BIOS Setup
Arrow Keys to Find Flash Utility
Enter to Start
You will be prompted with possible files to use, or you may need to
provide the box with C: (You're USB device is now C
Save the original BIOS first.
Then flash the new BIOS.
Reboot.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for all the advice folks but I have embarked on the FreeDOS route and
have downloaded the file - fdfullcd.iso (all 152 MB of it)

What I really need now please is to know what I do now - burn it to CD as is?

Then boot from the CD?

My HDD has two partitions could I put the .bin file on the D drive or is a
pen drive better?

Thanks

 

[Guest]

While this method may work, it has a dangerous side to it:

You can't save the original BIOS image to the CD.

If the process is interrupted, or successfully fails, you will have a dead
machine.

If you insist, use ImgBrn or Nero or any other capable of burning .ISO files
to CD.
(It cannot simply be placed on the CD as a file.)

To boot from the CD, you must enter BIOS Setup
(Press DEL during the initial screen after reboot)
Select Boot Priority and set the 1st device to CDROM.
(When you're all done, set this back to HDD)

 

[Bob Eyster]

If your Drive is formatted NTFS, no, NTFS format cannot be read in regular
DOS.

Your CD/DVD RW software should have a option to burn an ISO file to a CD

 

[Guest]

Thanks - very useful and understood. Is there any way to extract & save a
copy of the current BIOS so if the update goes wrong I can re-load the
original setup?