Where do i find the BIOS version in a P4C800-E?

[Michael S.]

This is really a dumb noob Q, but where do I find the BIOS version in a
P4C800-E mobo? The BIOS number as shown in the BIOS setup is 08.00.09 and
after I used the EZ Flash method to update this new mobo to BIOS ver. 1016,
the BIOS number in the Setup (after rebooting) remains 08.00.09---obviously
I am looking in the wrong place. Somebody point me in the right direction
please. TIA

MikeSp

 

[Canus_Lupis]

Download and install AIDA 32 and it will tell you everything you need to
know about your computer.
A question though. Why do you want to update your bios when you clearly know
nothing about it ?

www.badflash.com

Copy this address down on a piece of paper because if you continue trying to
flash your bios using EZ Flash etc, you will need it.
The safest way is to flash using the bootable floppy.
Read your motherboard manual.

 

[Michael S.]

Mr Wolf--I appreciate the heads-up to AIDA 32. I wanted to update the BIOS
to the latest since it would have fixed a few issues and IMHO, the time to
do so would be before I add more hardware, load drivers and all of the
software.

The P4C800E has Crashfree BIOS 2 which enables a recovery from a crashed
BIOS so, unless the data from Asus is incorrect (and it might be), a
permanent screwup of the BIOS thereby causing a replacement of the BIOS chip
is unlikely.

MikeSp

 

[Michael S.]

Mr Wolf--apparently, Aida 32 is no longer supported, but some downloads are
still out there (found one) and another program called Everest appears to
have taken its place. Thanks again for the heads-up

MikeSp.
--------------------------------------------

 

[Dick]

BelArc Advisor will also give you the information you are looking to see.

 

[Paul]

Mr Wolf--I appreciate the heads-up to AIDA 32. I wanted to update the BIOS
to the latest since it would have fixed a few issues and IMHO, the time to
do so would be before I add more hardware, load drivers and all of the
software.

The P4C800E has Crashfree BIOS 2 which enables a recovery from a crashed
BIOS so, unless the data from Asus is incorrect (and it might be), a
permanent screwup of the BIOS thereby causing a replacement of the BIOS chip
is unlikely.

MikeSp
----------------------------

Crashfree only works as long as you are _not_ updating the boot block.
Sometimes, Asus includes a wrapper file, which specifically flashes
the boot block. If the boot block is updated, either by the user
selecting that option, or by the Asus wrapper file, you have no
protection against a bad flash. So, Crashfree is fine, as long
as only one section of the flash is being updated. If both are
being updated, then the exposure is the same as it was in the past
before Crashfree.

Only the Gigabyte dual flash chip solution or a BIOS Savior, have true
protection against a bad flash. As long as Asus insists on updating
the boot block, this exposure will remain.

Paul

 

[Canus_Lupis]

Crashfree only works as long as you are _not_ updating the boot block.
Sometimes, Asus includes a wrapper file, which specifically flashes
the boot block. If the boot block is updated, either by the user
selecting that option, or by the Asus wrapper file, you have no
protection against a bad flash. So, Crashfree is fine, as long
as only one section of the flash is being updated. If both are
being updated, then the exposure is the same as it was in the past
before Crashfree.

Only the Gigabyte dual flash chip solution or a BIOS Savior, have true
protection against a bad flash. As long as Asus insists on updating
the boot block, this exposure will remain.

Paul

Michael, when you have your computer running just the way you want it and
you have a bit of time, hop onto Jack`s site (badflash) and read what he has
to say about bios chips and their weaknesses.
Cheers,
White Wolf.

 

[Canus_Lupis]

Just as a matter of interest, Everest is AIDA 32 but with a new coat of
paint and a new badge on the front.
Only the home version is free now and they have the temerity to put a fee on
the Pro version.
Astalavista.box sees it diffrently if you are that way inclined though and
the version is 1.10.106.
The programme is still as useful as ever.

 

[Michael S.]

My thanks to Paul and Wolf for a valuable education on Asus BIOS
upgrades--while I have years of experirence supporting a few hundred
computers before I retired, I had only a rare occasion to ever even need to
flash a BIOS, am a quasi noob at building P4 computers and had no idea of
the dangers involved. Apparently luck was with me in flashing my new
P4C800-E motherboard to BIOS ver. 1016 using the boot floppy method since it
APPEARS to be working fine. Now I am paranoid about updating the BIOS but
should not need to do so again.

MikeSp
--------------------------------------------------

 

[Rocky]

This is really a dumb noob Q, but where do I find the BIOS version in a
P4C800-E mobo?

To answer your question [ ) ] ....

Start>Programs>Asus>Asus Update>Asus Update

In the drop down box next to number 4 select the second last item *Check
BIOS Information*.

This will reveal your BIOS version.

Note that this utility should update itself to the latest version (currently
5.28.01) if it does not, you should update it before using it for anything.

Hope that helps.

 

[Michael S.]

Rocky--guess my noob Q's get worse (and I used to support 400 PCs, but doing
a complete new build today with RAID 0 HDDs with a P4 is a lot different
than just swapping parts to 486's through P2's and bringing them onto a
network).

I found the Asus Update program on the Asus CD, but there is no readme.txt
file, so I have no clue as to what it does. If you or somebody else would
clue me in on what the Asus Update program does, it would be appreciated (I
am gunshy of installing programs before I understand what they do).

MikeSp
--------------------------------------------------

This is really a dumb noob Q, but where do I find the BIOS version in a
P4C800-E mobo?

To answer your question [ ) ] ....

Start>Programs>Asus>Asus Update>Asus Update

In the drop down box next to number 4 select the second last item *Check
BIOS Information*.

This will reveal your BIOS version.

Note that this utility should update itself to the latest version (currently
5.28.01) if it does not, you should update it before using it for anything.

Hope that helps.


--
Rocky
www.ghostrecon.net | www.agr-s.com | www.tactical-elite.net

__

 

[Rocky]

I found the Asus Update program on the Asus CD, but there is no readme.txt
file, so I have no clue as to what it does. If you or somebody else would
clue me in on what the Asus Update program does, it would be appreciated (I
am gunshy of installing programs before I understand what they do).

It updates your BIOS without having to fart around with floppy disks and
booting into safe mode etc. Update your BIOS from windows, that is it's job.
I used it to update to 1016 and it worked fine.

You can install it and take a look, it doesn't *do* amything unless you tell
it to )

 

[Michael S.]

Thanks Rocky--I loaded it and found that I had, indeed, updated to 1016
using the old-fashioned boot disk DOS method. After reading part of a
thread that I started about flashing the BIOS, I became gunshy about what
happens when things go wrong... thanks again

MikeSp
-----------------------------------------