Intel BIOS Update Does Not Update

I've got an Intel DP35DP Mobo. For some reason the last 2 BIOS updates have not actually been able to update. I use the conventional .EXE version that instructs user to simply 2X click the .exe, click Finish, AND DON'T TOUCH UNTIL UPDATE IS COMPLETE!

I'm currently on ver. 0413, that was released 3/6/08. That one updated fine because I remember doing it right after I finished building my system. I've tried installing the latest ver. 0507 twice that was just released 12/2/08 with no luck. When I click on the Finish button for it to execute the update, it shuts down XP, and I heard the drives and fans spin down briefly, but it never actually shuts down the machine, even though the OS is down. I waited maybe 20 min. both times, then I eventually turned the master power switch off for about 15 sec., then reboot. It says it was successful, but both the Sys Info screen, and the actual BIOS say NOT.

Also, I'd like to update the Intel NIC drivers with that latest ver., but I get an error msg when I 2X click the .exe file that says it's not a valid Win32 application. There's also a companion "PART" file that came with it. Of course, since that doesn't have an app association I get an error there as well.

HELP!
GPLEA

 

Hi gplea,

Is there any particular problem that requires you to update the BIOS?

Can you post links to the BIOS update and NIC drivers you're trying

 

You may be right, but it's about 4 ver. old. There were some issues (I can't remember exactly right now) that I thought were at least pertinent. What is really EXCRUTIATINGLY frustrating though is that NONE of the "EZ" .exe update files actually work. I even viewed their online tutorial video, and they did it exactly how I did. I even tried that in Safe Mode, after taking the battery out to see if maybe the CMOS had been corrupted. I've also tried the IB iFlash ver., but they only show you the Thumb drive procedure (which I don't have), not the CD Bootable, (which I've wasted 4 CD's trying to do) nor do they give very good instructions on exactly how to do that. I use CDBurnerXP (latest ver.) which has it's own Bootable image file that I created a Boot CD, then expanded the iFlash files in a folder on my hdd, and burned them onto that CD. If that's not the right way, then Intel ought to be more clear and less presumptuous that everyone can read their minds. To top it off, Intel doesn't provide any kind of actual tech support ph. #.

It's not just me either. My best friend that has an Intel has had the same problem, and he's been building PC's since 1980.

Thanks for letting me vent...
GPLEA

 

What happens when you boot to the CD? Is the CD/DVD drive set to boot before the HDD in the BIOS settings (watch out for USB CD drive, that's an external)? It may pause at a screen "Press any key to boot from CD... ". I also wonder if it may require having SATA controller drivers present.

Try www.bootdisk.com for a bootdisk image.

Some motherboard manufacturers recommend that you have the BIOS upgrade files prepared on the HDD. After booting to the CD, run the upgrade files from the HDD.

Matt

 

Thanks Mattman,

I did set my BIOS to see the CD 1st. It just goes right past it. I've got SATA drives as well. I'm really tired of wasting good CD's, especially when the simple EXE file should work fine. So, I'm just going to work with what I've got until I find something that has ALL the steps.

I went to Bootdisk.com, and saw the Boot CD for BIOS updates, but I couldn't tell whether I need to download ALL 3 of those files, or what.

Thanks,
gplea

 

"Driver Free Disk For BIOS Flashing 1, 2 ,3" refers to making bootable floppy disks. Use the instructions "Bootable CD ".


Matt

 

I got it. NO THANKS to Intel! Those geeks are FAR too geeky for their own good. NONE of their EB .exe files/updates worked. I ruined 5 CD's trying to create a bootable like they suggest in the IB procedure, but never show you how.

Then FINALLY my friend suggested using the Recovery, which just that name suggests WHAT? That the BIOS update had crashed or something quite dreadful. Not something very easy and logical, like putting the freakin' file on a CD, take the jumper cover off, and boot. Even though that part went fine, so to speak; when I rebooted in NORMAL, it took no less than 20 min. Something the supergeeks in their presumptuous mode conveniently forgot to mention. So, I'm thinking "what to do now?" I shut it down during the phase where you see nothing but the black behind WindowsXP, and the little spinning bar beneath that. Once I rebooted this thing FLIES like a B2 Bomber.

You might say, well so at least you got it going! Yea, but NOBODY appreciates having to spend an accumulated 12-16 hr.s on something like that. Between me (I have A+) and my VERY PC-educated friend that was building PC's in 1980 (YES, that far back!) a FREAKIN' BIOS UPDATE should NOT take that much effort!

Thanks for your help, guys. I just hope somebody from Intel sees this since they don't care enough about their customers to either provide a support ph. #, or even a forum for folks like us.

gplea

 

Good you got it going. Thanks for letting us know how it went.