Flashing BIOS

Hey there, I am trying to update my BIOS, but when I create an MSDOS boot disk and reboot my system, it says there is an error in my MSDOS.sys file, and I need to specify my command interpreter. How can I fix this? Flashing the BIOS shouldn't be a problem, but how do I get around this issue?

As an edit, I can't seem to find the file, although all my files, including system files, are shown. Any idea why I can't see the file?

 

I would go to www.bootdisk.com and get a Windows 98SE boot disk there. Include the fllash program and binary file to flash.

 

What OS and how are you creating your boot floppy?

 

Windows XP Pro, and with the format floppy option when you right click the drive in My Computer. There's a check box that allows me to create a boot disk.

 

You don't want a full boot disk to make a boot disk for flashing - you only want some of the files. My suggestion is to get Dr Dos (drdflash.exe) and download it to a folder on your hard drive. Then put a blank fomatted floppy in your A drive and run drdflash.exe - it will build your boot floppy. Then copy awdflash.exe to the same floppy and then extract your bios files (the new one you want) to the same floppy. Now you have your boot disk with the flash utility and your bin files - have at it. Should you mess it up, get out your pocktbook and email jack@badflash.com - quick turn around and 100% reliability. This guy is simply, the best.



Note: Sparrow post undoubtedly to follow with another alternative

 

Well, if I were to mess it up, I can install the original BIOS off the MOBO CD, since my particular board is an ASUS one with the Crashfree BIOS system.

Thank you very much for the help.

*edit* instead of AWDflash, can I use the afudos tool that I got from asus.com?

 

Yes, you're going to have to use that instead. Just used it myself last week to flash the latest beta release for an SK8V. Good call .......



edit: In fact, think all you need is that and the extracted Bios on a floppy - don't recall because I made 3 different disks with the 1002 & 1003 releases. If you hit a glitch - holler and I'll go look at the disks.

 

I hit a glitch. It says at this link (http://www.asus.com.tw/support/english/techref/bios/afudos.aspx), that I am supposed to extract the files from the .zip folder that I d/l it in, and then rename the file from .005 to .ROM. Yet when I get the floppy to boot, and am at the command lines, it says that it cannot read the .ROM file. I don't know how to get around this issue.

 

I am wondering why you don't use the utility from Asus and flash the BIOS while in windows?

 

Try it again - sure worked for me. I extacted to a seperate folder, renamed and then copied to a floppy. And, copy all of the files.

 

There is only one file in the .zip that I have. Maybe that's the problem. I have d/led it twice also.

 

Not necessarily - I just checked. With the utility and the renamed .rom file there should be 6 files total. And, the more I think about it, the one I used I renamed the original extension to .rom while it was on the floppy in my main machine. I then removed the floppy and used it to boot the machine I flashed. Not sure what else I can tell you.

 

With the tool and the BIOS, I only have 2 files. I don't know what to do. I guess it will have to stay the way it is.

 

I just wonder...if you using the same floppy disk each time and seem to be getting problems, try using a brand new disk.

Matt

 

Getting lazy because I'm doing other things and just occasionally popping onto this machine but re: the tool - you may need to run it from a local folder with a disk in the A drive to get it to build the boot disk and then put the bin or rom folder on the disk - sorry, i just can't remember and its only been about two weeks. Could I be getting old too? Nah - still feel 19 and bullet-proof. I'm just so used to DRDFlash and that was the first Asus that I ever did with that tool - major brain cramp. If you can't get it, holler and I'll take a break from what I'm working on.

 

Idle Mind,

The 'startup disk' made by XP contains too many files to be used for flashing a BIOS:
A:\COMMAND.COM
A:\CONFIG.SYS
A:\DISPLAY.SYS
A:\EGA2.CPI
A:\EGA3.CPI
A:\EGA.CPI
A:\IO.SYS
A:\KEYB.COM
A:\KEYBOARD.SYS
A:\KEYBRD2.SYS
A:\KEYBRD3.SYS
A:\KEYBRD4.SYS
A:\MODE.COM
A:\MSDOS.SYS
If you delete all but:
A:\COMMAND.COM
A:\IO.SYS
A:\MSDOS.SYS
You will have a proper boot disk for this purpose. Then add the flashing program and bios file.

 

Never heard back so I figured Idle Mind figured it out or throttled himself back into his namesake. Actually just did another flash using the same tool and contrary to the norm (my old fashioned way), the necessary command for this one is:
afudos.exe /i[xxxxxx.rom] where [xxxxxx.rom] (no brackets) is the name of the file.



Sparrow - where've you been? Was looking for you a couple few days ago on this one.

 

Rockster2U,

been workin'
Thanks for careing.

 

Sorry, I still haven't got it, but I have yet to try again. Got too busy with my school work. Will try again in the next couple of days and let you guys know how it worked out.