Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Denholm on January 21, 2009, 10:21:47 PM
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Hey there,
I was going to experiment and flash my system's BIOS. It's outdated and there is a potential fix for an issue I've been encountering. My question is if I have to download and flash every BIOS update in-between before I download and flash the BIOS update I want?
Just trying to make sure I don't mess up the system. Thanks in advance! :)
ECS K7S5A 1.0
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No. Just the latest.
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What he said
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Certain ASUS BIOS updates require you to have BIOS X.xx pryor to going to the newest BIOS. Check with the MB maker before and make sure there are no restrictions of this kind.
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Ugh, you're still hanging onto that K7S5A board? I've known from buddies that have had nightmares with that board.
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Evertime I hear a bios flash I hear a screach in the distance! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
Denholm, if you do not have any problems, I would not recommend it. Experimintation would not be a good reason to flash your bios unless you have a problem or are overclocking and upgrading the bios. Make sure the issue may not be curable though other means.
GL
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Just make a boot disk and do not flash in windows.
Make sure you back up your current bios on a boot disk before you do it.
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:aok Delirium
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Just make a boot disk and do not flash in windows.
Make sure you back up your current bios on a boot disk before you do it.
Since my first Asus board in 2003, I've always flashed through Windows.
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Only flashed my BIOS once, and is on my current Biostar Board. I skipped 2 updates and went to the newest, and flashed through Windows. Gotta say it was the easiest thing I've done with computers in a long while. I just open the File with the Biostar Flash program, let it run 2 minutes, restart PC, done.
Never had troubles, but always check with the Board maker, or manual to check the best way. :aok
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Only flashed my BIOS once, and is on my current Biostar Board. I skipped 2 updates and went to the newest, and flashed through Windows. Gotta say it was the easiest thing I've done with computers in a long while. I just open the File with the Biostar Flash program, let it run 2 minutes, restart PC, done.
Never had troubles, but always check with the Board maker, or manual to check the best way. :aok
Flashing bios can be risky and is usually not recommended. If you have no issues why flash bios? There is no reason for the average user. Sometimes new versions on older boards may introduce incompatabilities.
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Only tried to flash my BIOS once. It was when I had my XFX 680i LT. Got it off the XFX website and put it on a CD like they said(don't own a floppy drive) and tried to flash. Mobo kept telling me it wasn't the kind for that mobo so I just gave up.
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Flashing bios can be risky and is usually not recommended. If you have no issues why flash bios? There is no reason for the average user. Sometimes new versions on older boards may introduce incompatabilities.
The only real risk involved is a power-off failure during the flashing process. There are many reasons to flash; resolution of current motherboard issues, compatibility with newer technologies, faster speeds, cooler temps, etc.
A BIOS update is tailored to a specific motherboard so how would a BIOS made for a specific motherboard be incompatible with that motherboard (regardless of it's age)?
I've flashed my board 3 times since I built my machine in April. Once to repair a graphic corruption issue and once to enhance compatibility with 1066 memory (even though I'm running 800). THe final flash had no particular use to me but it's such an easy process there's no reason not to remain up to date.
Only tried to flash my BIOS once. It was when I had my XFX 680i LT. Got it off the XFX website and put it on a CD like they said(don't own a floppy drive) and tried to flash. Mobo kept telling me it wasn't the kind for that mobo so I just gave up.
Did you burn it as an ISO image? If you didn't it wouldn't work.
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Challenge in your case correct but it seemed 170 just did it cause there was an update. If there are no issues there should be no reason to flash. If there is any power interruption the user can have a probelm which is unlikely. The point of BIOS updates is that the manufacturer will fix a problem. Sometimes BIOS updates give a significant performance boost from it but usually the performance boost will be in overclocking not default settings. If there are no issues with a persons system, I feel it is best to leave it alone. Novice users may misinterpret this information and create a potential problem by flashing their BIOS when there may be no need. I do agree with the cooler temps but generally temps are not bad at default settings even if there is an issue. The manufacturers website will have a list of issues corrected with the BIOS flash and it is wise to read.
I was wondering if you had a quick explanaition on how to update the bios on video cards. The updated bios on most of the 3800 and 4800 series ATI cards does update heat issues. If I am not mistakin, the manufacturers absolutely recommend no bios update on a video card. Callenge, I have no idea how to update a BIOS on a video card.
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Well, thanks for that tip Delirium. Now I just have to find that BIOS... :(
The reason for updating the BIOS is that there's a potential for me to overclock (Currently can only get 1.33 GHZ) and the potential for support of HDs over the size of 160GB. Currently there is no work-around that I know of other than a BIOS update. Here are the pages I was looking at for information on flashing the motherboard BIOS:
Bios downloads and Flashers: http://www.lejabeach.com/ECS/ez.html
Guide to Flashing the Motherboard: http://k7s5amotherboardforum.yuku.com/forum/viewtopic/id/888
Thanks again for the help, I'll see if I can find my old BIOS so I have a backup.
EDIT: Belarc Advisor reports that I have the, "American Megatrends Inc. 07.00T 04/02/01" BIOS, however, no such BIOS is listed on the website I mentioned above. As an added bonus, ECS does not list the K7S5A v 1.0 on their website, only the 1.1 and above. Is there a way to backup my active BIOS without having to download it? The problem is I don't have the manual or original BIOS files for this motherboard since my neighbor built this computer for me and kept all the materials.
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Did you burn it as an ISO image? If you didn't it wouldn't work.
Yep, exactly like I the instructions told me to. That aside I've burnt ISO's before so it wasn't my first time doing it so I wasn't sure what the problem was since it didn't tell me to do it in any odd way. Oh well, using a different mobo now anyways.
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Okay.... I flashed the BIOS, all was well. But then.... I decided to use the 166/166 setting for the FSB which I forgot was non-bootable. Well, now the freaking thing won't even activate the monitor so I can change the setting to a lower frequency. I tried resetting the CMOS as is explained here (http://k7s5amotherboardforum.yuku.com/forum/viewtopic/id/888), however it didn't work. I have not yet tried a new video card (which will take a while to get out of our family computer) and so therefore was wondering if any of you knew how to flush the BIOS settings back to default so I can start the system.
Just to confirm, the BIOS installed just fine. It was when I altered the default clock settings after the install of the BIOS when I messed it all up. :rolleyes:
Man... I hope I didn't nuke my system...
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Are you sure you got the jumpers back in the right place?
You should be able to re-set the CMOS by removing the battery from the motherboard for a couple of minutes then replacing it. Of course make sure it's disconnected from power and that you discharge static electricity from your body first.
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I am going to leave the battery out for a day and keep the power cord unplugged. Thanks for the suggestion.
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Man this sucks...! I pulled out the battery (After shutting off the PSU and pulling out the cord) leaving it out for about 25 hours. After attempting to start up the system (After inserting the battery and plugging in the PSU power-cord) I get the same results.... Nothing. I also tried the recommended method to reset the CMOS, again. Still, nothing.
When I say nothing, I mean the system powers on (fans are spinning as are HDs and CD-ROM drives) but I don't receive any BIOS beeps or visuals on the monitor. I checked to see if the processor was fitting right, it's sitting just fine. I checked to see that all power cords are plugged in the right way, they are. Still nothing makes sense about this.
Any other ideas about this, since this thing is not cooperating? :(
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Are you 100% absolutely sure --ALL-- cords/parts are plugged in the way they should be?
Nothing got knocked, bumped, pulled or fell out of place?
Did you make sure you grounded yourself before touching anything?
If this applies, have you tried using on-board video instead of a add-in Video Card?
Have you tried only using one (1) stick of RAM?
Do you have any spare parts that can be tested with? Ex. spare Motherboard, CPU, GPU or RAM.
These are just steps the Tech guy at the store always suggests. Of the four stores only one actually knows anything, and I trust 'em. :)
Would hate to think you may have had a part die.
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I'm 97% certain everything is plugged in correctly. Some of the cords don't seem to fit too well since they're old (no, it's not a modular PSU.) Well, while trying to take off the CPU fan and heatsink the tool I was using to lift off the clip that ties the heatsink to the motherbaord snapped and poked the motherboard. I don't know how hard it struck the board or if it did any damage, certainly none was visible to me (even with glasses on). I tried one stick of RAM, a different video card (which didn't use the AGP port), and unplugging other components, just to ensure something else wasn't messing up. I'm not sure what you mean with, "Did you make sure you grounded yourself before touching anything?" I assume it meant discharge any static electricity by touching something else. If that was what you were suggesting, yes and no. Two times I touched my sound-card and the static electricity discharged. It wasn't anything powerful, though.
I don't have onboard video.
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170 please don't confuse the situation. :furious :furious The mobo is grounded to the case so him grounding himself should be a non issue. Denholm you probably did not nuke the system. Most processors will not boot(post) if you have overclocked too high and will definitely not boot if messed up a setting. Usually a CMOS reset will solve the problem. LOL, when I originally overclocked my cpu, I had to reset CMOS many times till I got it perfect. My old Athalon needed just a battery pull and reinstall. Newer Mobos have a jumper. I can reset my CMOS with no light I did it so many times when I o'cd. :rofl
To properly reset CMOS follow these instructions.
Turn off computer and unplug.
Uninstall Battery
Next is important. There will be a "jumper" that is on 2 pins of a 3 pin config on the mobo. You need to switch the jumper to the opposite pins.This will ground out the mobo.
Next move the jumper to original position.
Re-install battery.
Plug-er in-get-r-done
Here is an illustration of pin config
JUMPER ON 2 BOLD DOTS(original config)
V V
. . .
JUMPER MOVED TO GROUND MOBO
V V
. . .
JUMPER BACK TO ORIGINAL CONFIG
V V
. . .
(http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq77/AAdeath/cmos_jumper.jpg)
There are 3 pins in this illustration. The jumper is over 2 in the original config.
Let us know how you did!!! GL
Death
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The mobo is grounded to the case so him grounding himself should be a non issue.
Lets see winter time... dry air, static. YOU ALWAYS ground yourself before working with electronic parts. Does not matter if the MB is grounded to the case or not. If it does not matter why do they make grounded wrist straps, antistatic bags for shipping items like ohhhh memory, hard drives etc etc. One little static discharge and poof a component is dead.
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Always thought if the mobo was grounded it would be OK. Sounds like he didn't reset the bios properly and also seems like its the 1st time he did it.
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Lets see winter time... dry air, static. YOU ALWAYS ground yourself before working with electronic parts. Does not matter if the MB is grounded to the case or not. If it does not matter why do they make grounded wrist straps, antistatic bags for shipping items like ohhhh memory, hard drives etc etc. One little static discharge and poof a component is dead.
Yep, you always need to ground out on the computer chassis (preferably with your shoes off) before touching any of the electroic components within. It may seem like a small discharge to you but that instant surge can kill a component dead. I think capacitors are particularily susceptable but I could be wrong about that.
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Always thought if the mobo was grounded it would be OK. Sounds like he didn't reset the bios properly and also seems like its the 1st time he did it.
No. When you touch a component the charge travels through the component's circuits to reach ground and causes damage along the way.
When you touch the chassis you ground out immediately without the charge travelling through any components.
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Wish we could find out if Denholm had any luck.
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Hey guys, I'll try what Dr Death suggested, as I did not set the jumper to the reset position with the battery out. However, I attempted resetting the CMOS so many times as explained here (http://k7s5amotherboardforum.yuku.com/forum/viewtopic/id/888) to no avail... I don't think it will work, yet it is still worth a try. I'll let you guys know later this afternoon.
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If it isn't broken.................
I have only flashed a MoBo once. It worked. I wouldn't do it again unless it was absolutely necessary, on a system that I rely upon for anything. Too many things can go wrong.
As far as the static goes, a grounding strap setup anytime you work on a computer for any little maintenance is still cheaper than most any part inside your tower.
An ounce of prevention................... .
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I'll try to find one some time. I won't be flashing the BIOS of that motherboard again, as that was the latest release and probably the last release. I was trying to fix two issues. The first issue was that my motherboard would not recognize all of my HD. The second issue was that it wouldn't let me speed up my processor some. Well, I finally got the option to speed it up, but set it a frequency which was, "non-bootable." :(
No, I haven't tried resetting the CMOS again. As I mentioned before, I'll try that later this afternoon.
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Well, it didn't work. :(
I started off checking to see if the computer's PSU was unplugged. If it were plugged in, I would've disabled the power-flow by switching the PSU off, then unplugging the cord from the PSU. Afterward I removed all cables connecting the computer to any devices. Then I opened the case. Afterward I touched the chassis to, "ground" myself. I popped out the battery and afterward switched jumper 4 to slot 1-2 (reset). I waited about 2 minutes then switched jumper 4 back to slot 2-3 (default). I then popped the battery back in, closed the comp side, plugged in all cords connecting the computer to other devices, plugged in the PSU, enabled power-flow to the PSU by turning the PSU on.
I then proceeded to turn on the computer. It started and began spinning CD-ROM Drives and Hard Drives. Once again, the monitor did not activate and there were no BIOS beeps. Same idle state as before.
Any other ideas before I confirm the death of my motherboard?
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Always thought if the mobo was grounded it would be OK. Sounds like he didn't reset the bios properly and also seems like its the 1st time he did it.
Gets my vote, Ive never pulled a battery, unplug, flop the jumper, wait, flop the jumper back, good to go
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do you have onboard video as well as an a video card? when you reset the bios you may have turned the onboard card back on. If so try your vid cable in the onboard socket, you may have to pull your add on vid card first
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...I don't have onboard video.
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Watch it be something really stupid like "Hey, I forgot to turn the monitor on" :D
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I spoke with him on the phone. We went through several reset attempts. Seems he used a 3rd party BIOS and when he tweeked it, it failed. I, IMHO, think the BIOS rom chip is failed and he has to send this MB in to EliteGroup for repair or buy a new ROM chip and replace it himself.
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I spoke with him on the phone. We went through several reset attempts. Seems he used a 3rd party BIOS and when he tweeked it, it failed. I, IMHO, think the BIOS rom chip is failed and he has to send this MB in to EliteGroup for repair or buy a new ROM chip and replace it himself.
There's ALWAYS something that isn't told.
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Bios is something people shouldn't mess with in the first place. Now installing a 3rd party bios is just asking for it.
Some people have unrealistic expectations with bioses that date to i286 times when bios tweaks and updates sometimes made a difference. Nowadays things are way more advanced and people should update their bioses only in one case:
If the current bios doesn't support some of your current hardware.
Otherwise do yourself a favor and leave it alone. Unless you want a dead motherboard.. Live and learn I guess..
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I'm happy because my MB has dual BIOS chips, main and backup. There's a jumper that'll allow you to boot from the backup chip in case of a meltdown. :D I don't know why this isn't a standard today.
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Evertime I hear a bios flash I hear a screach in the distance! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
Denholm, if you do not have any problems, I would not recommend it. Experimintation would not be a good reason to flash your bios unless you have a problem or are overclocking and upgrading the bios. Make sure the issue may not be curable though other means.
GL
Picture of Denholm after BIOS FLASH
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
(http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq77/AAdeath/man-pulling-hair-out-2.jpg)
:rofl just kidding Denholm... I was rootin for a quick fix!
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There's ALWAYS something that isn't told.
I figured it was irrelevant as the BIOS flash worked and the comp booted. However I reset the FSB to a frequency which was listed as, "non-bootable." Non-bootable to me means it won't start Windows yet will still POST. Therefore I didn't consider it to be as critical as it really was.
I do believe I have a backup ROM chip, as I see two on my board (At least I think it's the ROM chip).
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I figured it was irrelevant as the BIOS flash worked and the comp booted. However I reset the FSB to a frequency which was listed as, "non-bootable." Non-bootable to me means it won't start Windows yet will still POST. Therefore I didn't consider it to be as critical as it really was.
I do believe I have a backup ROM chip, as I see two on my board (At least I think it's the ROM chip).
Obviously you have the BIOS you flashed from. Why not try to boot from it and flash again to see it if restores defaults? Of course a BIOS from your motherboard manufacturer's web-site would be better.
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That's something else I tried. Unfortunately the system was unresponsive when I attempted doing that. How long do you think it would take for the system to recognize the disk? And would the screen activate or would I have to flash it blind?
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That's something else I tried. Unfortunately the system was unresponsive when I attempted doing that. How long do you think it would take for the system to recognize the disk? And would the screen activate or would I have to flash it blind?
Not sure how it would respond but I would think it would do something pretty quickly.
Do you have a Windows boot disc you can try?
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I have the 3 1/2" floppy from when I flashed the BIOS originally just before I nuked the system. I think it is a boot disk, see the quote below for the instructions given me on how to make it. Maybe that will tell you if it is a boot disc or not. However when I stuck it in and let the system run for about 2 minutes there was no response.
- If you are using Windows 2000, you can make a DOS 7.0(win95) boot floppy by inserting a blank formatted floppy disk and your Windows 2000 installation CD and go to the folder [CD drive letter]:\VALUEADD\3RDPARTY\CA_ANTIV and run MAKEDISK.BAT
Afterwards, Delete the extra programs from the floppy. It is important that there are no memory mangers or any kind of CD drives etc. on the disk. To ensure this, delete everything on the floppy disk but these files:
command.com
io.sys
msdos.sys
(Tell Windows not to hide system files or files with "known extensions", so you can see all files on the floppy).
That means that except for the AMI Flash utility and the .ROM file, the following files are all that exist on the floppy:
command.com
io.sys
msdos.sys
Would that be a boot disc?
By the way, I got a response from ECS and they do not have any .ISO images available for the BIOS. They apparently won't make me one, either.