Win98 BIOS Flash

Hope this is not off topic here but.........
Have downloaded a BIOS flash update, for a Biostar m/b that is about 5 years
old, with an Award chip.
The size of the update is 74kb (released back in 2003) and is a .exe file.
Not being a fully fledged and competent user of DOS how do I apply this
update? There is no facility within the BIOS to update from there. Do I copy
to a floppy disk and let the computer boot? Or do I boot to a dos command
and run it from there? Thanks

From: "Geoff"

| Hope this is not off topic here but.........
| Have downloaded a BIOS flash update, for a Biostar m/b that is about 5 years
| old, with an Award chip.
| The size of the update is 74kb (released back in 2003) and is a .exe file.
| Not being a fully fledged and competent user of DOS how do I apply this
| update? There is no facility within the BIOS to update from there. Do I copy
| to a floppy disk and let the computer boot? Or do I boot to a dos command
| and run it from there? Thanks
|

Most BIOS' are binary images (ROM). Some will have an extension such as BIN or ROM. You
usually have to use an appropriate program to flash the BIOS which will recognize the ROM
(PROM) chip of the motherboard. You would boot off a naked DOS disk (not loading CONFIG.SYS
and AUTOEXEC.BAT) and run the BIOS Flash program that will take the binary image and write
that image to the ROM chip. So there are usually two parts to flash a BIOS. The executable
which flashes the BIOS and the ROM imgae file. Some may use a commandline such as;
awdflash.exe BIOS.ROM or when you execute the BIOS updating software you have to type in
the name of the BIOS image file.

Newer motherboards may have a Windows (Win32) based program so that you can update the BIOS
from within the Windows GUI. ASUS is one such company that does this.

--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

Thanks David. From what I understand then, I can execute the exe file under
windows to extract the image file? Then place this on a floppy and let the
machine boot. The update I have downloaded is awardflash_826g_dos.*xe
(being exe).


"David H. Lipman" wrote in message
...
From: "Geoff"

| Hope this is not off topic here but.........
| Have downloaded a BIOS flash update, for a Biostar m/b that is about 5
years
| old, with an Award chip.
| The size of the update is 74kb (released back in 2003) and is a .exe
file.
| Not being a fully fledged and competent user of DOS how do I apply this
| update? There is no facility within the BIOS to update from there. Do I
copy
| to a floppy disk and let the computer boot? Or do I boot to a dos
command
| and run it from there? Thanks
|

Most BIOS' are binary images (ROM). Some will have an extension such as
BIN or ROM. You
usually have to use an appropriate program to flash the BIOS which will
recognize the ROM
(PROM) chip of the motherboard. You would boot off a naked DOS disk (not
loading CONFIG.SYS
and AUTOEXEC.BAT) and run the BIOS Flash program that will take the binary
image and write
that image to the ROM chip. So there are usually two parts to flash a
BIOS. The executable
which flashes the BIOS and the ROM imgae file. Some may use a commandline
such as;
awdflash.exe BIOS.ROM or when you execute the BIOS updating software you
have to type in
the name of the BIOS image file.

Newer motherboards may have a Windows (Win32) based program so that you
can update the BIOS
from within the Windows GUI. ASUS is one such company that does this.

--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

I would be very wary of using a BIOS update file that was not supplied with
full installation instructions.

If it's a self extracting archive then running the EXE will create several
files, possibly including installation instructions. Another possibility is
that it will create the boot floppy that runs the upgrade automatically when
you boot to it.

OTOH, it might be designed to be executed as part of a startup process with
a specially prepared floppy, in which case running it from within Windows
might have very strange, possibly dangerous, results.

The best option might be to make more effort to find out from the download
site exactly what you are supposed to do with this file.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"Geoff" wrote in message
...
Thanks David. From what I understand then, I can execute the exe file
under windows to extract the image file? Then place this on a floppy and
let the machine boot. The update I have downloaded is
awardflash_826g_dos.*xe (being exe).

Exactly what features or fixes are in the BIOS update, that you specifically need?
Is there a reason you are trying to update the BIOS? Unless there is a needed
capability in the update, there is no good reason to update it.

Where exactly did you download the update? Did you download it from the Biostar
support pages and is it the one specifically listed for your motherboard?
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Geoff" wrote in message
...
Hope this is not off topic here but.........
Have downloaded a BIOS flash update, for a Biostar m/b that is about 5 years
old, with an Award chip.
The size of the update is 74kb (released back in 2003) and is a .exe file.
Not being a fully fledged and competent user of DOS how do I apply this
update? There is no facility within the BIOS to update from there. Do I copy
to a floppy disk and let the computer boot? Or do I boot to a dos command
and run it from there? Thanks

The update was downloaded from Biostar's website (and it was the only one
listed for this particular motherboard) but I did not see any installation
instructions. Nor are there any features or fixes stated that the update
covers
:-(
At present Windows does not turn off the computer, power management for the
computer is only APM and no ACPI, I cannot seem to load any drivers for USB
card reader (no disk was supplied with the KonicaMinolta digital camera) and
thus I felt that the BIOS update may rectify some or all of these issues.
I do appreciate comments to date and would look forward to any further
assistance. Thanks




"glee" wrote in message
...
Exactly what features or fixes are in the BIOS update, that you
specifically need?
Is there a reason you are trying to update the BIOS? Unless there is a
needed
capability in the update, there is no good reason to update it.

Where exactly did you download the update? Did you download it from the
Biostar
support pages and is it the one specifically listed for your motherboard?
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Geoff" wrote in message
...
Hope this is not off topic here but.........
Have downloaded a BIOS flash update, for a Biostar m/b that is about 5
years
old, with an Award chip.
The size of the update is 74kb (released back in 2003) and is a .exe
file.
Not being a fully fledged and competent user of DOS how do I apply this
update? There is no facility within the BIOS to update from there. Do I
copy
to a floppy disk and let the computer boot? Or do I boot to a dos
command
and run it from there? Thanks

If you downloaded the file from
http://www.biostar-usa.com/mbdownloa...odel=3Dk8vga-m , it is a
self-extracting executable containing the flash program and =
instructions,=20
but not the BIOS image itself. I suggest you open the file with WinZip
and read the instructions. Please be advised that flashing the BIOS=20
with the wrong image can result in a condition that is very difficult
from which to recover.

Ben

"Geoff" wrote in message =
...
Thanks David. From what I understand then, I can execute the exe file =
under=20
windows to extract the image file? Then place this on a floppy and let =
the=20
machine boot. The update I have downloaded is awardflash_826g_dos.*xe =

(being exe).
=20
=20
"David H. Lipman" wrote in message=20
...
From: "Geoff"

| Hope this is not off topic here but.........
| Have downloaded a BIOS flash update, for a Biostar m/b that is =
about 5=20
years
| old, with an Award chip.
| The size of the update is 74kb (released back in 2003) and is a =
..exe=20
file.
| Not being a fully fledged and competent user of DOS how do I apply =
this
| update? There is no facility within the BIOS to update from there. =
Do I=20
copy
| to a floppy disk and let the computer boot? Or do I boot to a dos =

command
| and run it from there? Thanks
|

Most BIOS' are binary images (ROM). Some will have an extension =
such as=20
BIN or ROM. You
usually have to use an appropriate program to flash the BIOS which =
will=20
recognize the ROM
(PROM) chip of the motherboard. You would boot off a naked DOS disk =
(not=20
loading CONFIG.SYS
and AUTOEXEC.BAT) and run the BIOS Flash program that will take the =
binary=20
image and write
that image to the ROM chip. So there are usually two parts to flash =
a=20
BIOS. The executable
which flashes the BIOS and the ROM imgae file. Some may use a =
commandline=20
such as;
awdflash.exe BIOS.ROM or when you execute the BIOS updating =
software you=20
have to type in
the name of the BIOS image file.

Newer motherboards may have a Windows (Win32) based program so that =
you=20
can update the BIOS
from within the Windows GUI. ASUS is one such company that does =
this.

--=20
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

=20
=20

Thanks for that Ben, much appreciated.


"Ben Myers" wrote in message
...
If you downloaded the file from
http://www.biostar-usa.com/mbdownloa...?model=k8vga-m , it is a
self-extracting executable containing the flash program and instructions,
but not the BIOS image itself. I suggest you open the file with WinZip
and read the instructions. Please be advised that flashing the BIOS
with the wrong image can result in a condition that is very difficult
from which to recover.

Ben

"Geoff" wrote in message
...
Thanks David. From what I understand then, I can execute the exe file
under
windows to extract the image file? Then place this on a floppy and let the
machine boot. The update I have downloaded is awardflash_826g_dos.*xe
(being exe).


"David H. Lipman" wrote in message
...
From: "Geoff"

| Hope this is not off topic here but.........
| Have downloaded a BIOS flash update, for a Biostar m/b that is about 5
years
| old, with an Award chip.
| The size of the update is 74kb (released back in 2003) and is a .exe
file.
| Not being a fully fledged and competent user of DOS how do I apply
this
| update? There is no facility within the BIOS to update from there. Do
I
copy
| to a floppy disk and let the computer boot? Or do I boot to a dos
command
| and run it from there? Thanks
|

Most BIOS' are binary images (ROM). Some will have an extension such as
BIN or ROM. You
usually have to use an appropriate program to flash the BIOS which will
recognize the ROM
(PROM) chip of the motherboard. You would boot off a naked DOS disk
(not
loading CONFIG.SYS
and AUTOEXEC.BAT) and run the BIOS Flash program that will take the
binary
image and write
that image to the ROM chip. So there are usually two parts to flash a
BIOS. The executable
which flashes the BIOS and the ROM imgae file. Some may use a
commandline
such as;
awdflash.exe BIOS.ROM or when you execute the BIOS updating software
you
have to type in
the name of the BIOS image file.

Newer motherboards may have a Windows (Win32) based program so that you
can update the BIOS
from within the Windows GUI. ASUS is one such company that does this.

--
Dave
http://www.claymania.com/removal-trojan-adware.html
http://www.ik-cs.com/got-a-virus.htm

Execute the file downloaded in a temp directory.
Using windows explorer, format, full not quick, a floppy diskette. Then,
create a system diskette from this floppy. Verify that you can boot from
this diskette.
Copy the results from the above directory to this floppy.
Go get the proper "bin" file for your particular motherboard at the same
website. Copy to this same diskette.
Do not perform the following if bad weather is imminent or present, a
brownout is anticipated, and if you do not have an UPS.

Boot from the floppy.
Type in the name of the file for flashing including the extension. After it
opens, type in the name of the flash file including the extension. If it
asks if you want to save your current bios indicate so, and give it a
pertinent filename with a bin extension. Do not turn off the PC or attempt
a reboot at anytime until it indicates that its done. Be prepared, in the
event of bios flash failure, at a a minimum, to purchase a new, preflashed
bios chip and prom removal tool.
"Geoff" wrote in message
...
Hope this is not off topic here but.........
Have downloaded a BIOS flash update, for a Biostar m/b that is about 5
years
old, with an Award chip.
The size of the update is 74kb (released back in 2003) and is a .exe file.
Not being a fully fledged and competent user of DOS how do I apply this
update? There is no facility within the BIOS to update from there. Do I
copy
to a floppy disk and let the computer boot? Or do I boot to a dos command
and run it from there? Thanks

Thanks Lil' Dave for those instructions, very definite and to the point and
I can follow that. The BIOS update will be my last 'line of defence' if all
else fails.


"Lil' Dave" wrote in message
...
Execute the file downloaded in a temp directory.
Using windows explorer, format, full not quick, a floppy diskette. Then,
create a system diskette from this floppy. Verify that you can boot from
this diskette.
Copy the results from the above directory to this floppy.
Go get the proper "bin" file for your particular motherboard at the same
website. Copy to this same diskette.
Do not perform the following if bad weather is imminent or present, a
brownout is anticipated, and if you do not have an UPS.

Boot from the floppy.
Type in the name of the file for flashing including the extension. After
it
opens, type in the name of the flash file including the extension. If it
asks if you want to save your current bios indicate so, and give it a
pertinent filename with a bin extension. Do not turn off the PC or
attempt
a reboot at anytime until it indicates that its done. Be prepared, in the
event of bios flash failure, at a a minimum, to purchase a new, preflashed
bios chip and prom removal tool.
"Geoff" wrote in message
...
Hope this is not off topic here but.........
Have downloaded a BIOS flash update, for a Biostar m/b that is about 5
years
old, with an Award chip.
The size of the update is 74kb (released back in 2003) and is a .exe
file.
Not being a fully fledged and competent user of DOS how do I apply this
update? There is no facility within the BIOS to update from there. Do I
copy
to a floppy disk and let the computer boot? Or do I boot to a dos
command
and run it from there? Thanks