Flashing Bios question

Danny H · 22nd May 2003

O.k chaps any help appreciated here.

I have One computer working as a Digital Audio workstation.

It is running Win xp pro on a Asus A7s333 Mobo.

Asus have new Bios update at their site ( and it seems to address concerns I have ).

Problem is this, a friend of a friend set my computer up and optimised the whole thing for the applications I planned to use.

If I flash the Bios is there a way of keeping the bios settings he has set up.

If I press default after Flashing I assume it will go back to Factory state, or am I wrong.

I would rather not run through all the multiple pages and sub pages, writing all the settings down if I can help it.

all the best

Dan

reboot · 22nd May 2003

AFAIK, the Asus flash utility does not reset the BIOS, it simply updates it, and all settings should remain the same.
This is mostly true of all Award (and award based) BIOS'.
AMI BIOS flashes DO reset BIOS to defaults.

**Rockster2U** · 23rd May 2003

Another little beauty that you may want to try is a piece of hardware called a bios savior. This will permit you to piggy-back a second bios chip and switch between your original chip and those specific settings and a second, identical chip with updated bin files and different settings if you are so inclined.

Alex Ethridge · 23rd May 2003

I have done many BIOS updates and the user-selectable settings have always remained the same as far as I know. To be clear, I have never noticed a change in user-selectable settings.

However, I have seen one time there was a reason for me to go in after an update and make a new selection. I had a board that supported registered mempry. The BIOS did not. The BIOS update enabled support of registered memory and I had to simply go in and enable that setting in the newly-updated BIOS.

So, unless your BIOS update enables a new feature, there will be nothing for you to do after the update.

Danny H · 23rd May 2003

Thank you all very much, here goes then!!

tric171 · 23rd May 2003

Hi Everyone,
I have downloaded the updated files for my BIOS but am not sure how to go about it.
Can anyone tell me what to do,I don't want to muck it up as I have never done anything like this before.

TIA for any help

**Christer** · 23rd May 2003

Hi tric171!

Flashing the BIOS can be done in different ways. Either by a built in flash function or by a simple boot disk with the flash program and binary file.
My BIOS can be flashed eiter way. I´ve never used the built in function because if I use a boot disk it will create a backup copy of the previous BIOS version which can be reinstalled if the new BIOS version doesn´t work well.
Each BIOS manufacturer recommends a certain way that they think is the best. Search the site where You downloaded the new files for information on the procedure.

Regards,
Christer

Alex Ethridge · 23rd May 2003

If you'll post the brand of BIOS, I'll give you the DOS commands to type at the keyboard.

tric171 · 23rd May 2003

Thanks Alex and Christer,
I can't get help from the website as it seems phoenix no longer lists it!
Here are the Bios settings from aida32..

BIOS Properties
BIOS Type Award Modular
Award BIOS Type Award Modular BIOS v4.51PG
Award BIOS Message GA-6VA7+ F8
System BIOS Date 03/21/01
Video BIOS Date 03/15/99

BIOS Manufacturer
Company Name Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
Product Information http://www.phoenix.com/en/products/default.htm

Problems & Suggestions
Suggestion System BIOS is more than 2 years old. Update it if necessary.
Suggestion Video BIOS is more than 2 years old. Update it if necessary.

I hope this is what you needed Alex!!

thanks very much!

Danny H · 23rd May 2003

One more question on top of this please.

is there a command anywhere in Windows Xp that will allow me to physically print out my bios settings ?

**Rockster2U** · 24th May 2003

I'd approach this a little differently. Whenever I flash, I make a boot disk with DrDOS, AWDFlash and the bin file. Then I boot from the disk and run AWDFlash.

You should do a little homework before flashing and if you fail, you can buy a new chip from Jack@BadFlash.com

**Rockster2U** · 24th May 2003

Another quick note - contrary to an earlier post, my experience has been that quite often one will have to reset individual Bios settings after a BIOS update. You won't even be able to boot some of the newer Soyo MB's after a flashing the BIOS unless you first clear your CMOS. ABIT Athlon boards will all default back to the slowest processor and memory settings. Also, if you have any kind of Raid controller on the MB, there are several other issues to be dealt with before you flash.

reboot · 25th May 2003

It's an Award, 4.51PG (one of the best), and will retain all the user settings after flash.
To flash:
Make a bootable flopppy.
Put the AWDFlash.exe file on it.
Put the xxxxx.bin file on it.
Put it in the drive and boot to it.
At the A:\ prompt type: AWDFLASH xxxxx.bin (the xxxxx being the actual name of the file.
Let it run. You MAY be prompted to back up the olde BIOS. If so, just type in the name "oldbios.bin" and it will be saved on the floppy.
Restart when it's done.

talidyce · 26th May 2003

Hello Tric171,
Your mobo is a giga-byte one and they have an over the internet flash utilitity on their web site. It will determine what you need and do it online, then tell you what to do next.

uberclueless · 26th May 2003

When a new BIOS update releases, is it necessary or beneficial to update it (flash it?).

I just bought an ASUS a7v8x-x motherboard...currently on version 1.3...on the ASUS website it is up to 1.5...should I flash?