Updating BIOS

~*McoreD*~ · #1 8th Feb 03, 01:23 PM

Hi,

I am looking forward for a step-by-step guide for updating BIOS in my PII computer. The following is the information available about its BIOS. Version 4.51 (7/05/1999) is quite old as I had version 6.00 (24/2/2002) in my new computer.

BIOS Version/Date: Award Software International, Inc. 4.51 PG, 7/05/1999

Anyways, I am not sure whether this is possible? I mean can I update my BIOS from version 4.51 (7/05/1999) to version 6.00 (24/2/2002) or above? Or else should I have to buy a new BIOS chip?

Thanks in advance.

unicorn · #2 8th Feb 03, 02:47 PM

Such a guide is usually included (as a txt-file) in the zip you retrieve from the mobo manufacturer. What you need is a flash-tool (usually included in the package together with the new BIOS-file and the mentioned textfile), the new BIOS datafile and some patience to create a bootfloppy. Stay away from shortcuts...

Then, what's the proble? A good rule says "If it works, don't fix it!".

~*McoreD*~ · #3 8th Feb 03, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by .unicorn@Feb 8 2003, 09:47 PM
Then, what's the proble? A good rule says "If it works, don't fix it!".

Standby is not supported in my computer. So I doubt this (updating BIOS) would help. That's the only reason.

Furthermore, the computer is 4 years old and the mobo manuals or the floppies (specially the floppies) are nowhere.

I was looking for someother alternative...

unicorn · #4 8th Feb 03, 04:05 PM

Basically there aren't any options.
All you can do is to go to the mobo manufacturer's homesite, check for BIOS updates and see if they mentioned a fix of your problem. There were quite a lot of fixes regarding hibernation and powerhandling at the time of the release of WinXP, chanses are that they made a BIOS update for your mobo.
The floppy is no problem, you need a bootfloppy loading the computer into pure DOS. A bootfloppy for nearly any DOS-version will do and you can download it or borrow it.

Options? Buy a new BIOS? Well, it can be done. Now BIOS chips are made for every single version of mobo and you are not likely to find a BIOS for your mobo. Also, the price of them (incl mounting and soldering) don't make them an option really.

If it is a no-name mobo you can probably find the manufacturer by the code in the down left corner during bootup.

But buying a new BIOS... I think it's easier to live without stand-by, go get some beer for the money instead.

~*McoreD*~ · #5 8th Feb 03, 04:14 PM

Thanks .unicorn for the reply. That's something positive I was hoping to hear from someone. The reason why I need Standby was mentioned in my previous question:
http://www.betaone.net/forums/index....T&f=19&t=21130
I would like to hear from you there as well.

~*McoreD*~ · #6 8th Feb 03, 04:28 PM

Program: Unicore BIOS Agent Version 1.9
BIOS Date: 05/07/99
BIOS Type: Award Modular BIOS v4.51PG
BIOS ID: 05/07/1999-i440BX-ITE867-2A69KV3IC
BIOS Eval: BIOS-I-2M (90507)
Chipset: Intel 440BX/ZX rev 3

http://www.unicore.com/biosagent/ba.exe

unicorn · #7 8th Feb 03, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ~*McoreD*~@Feb 8 2003, 04:14 PM
I would like to hear from you there as well.

Ok. Go there.

~*McoreD*~ · #8 9th Feb 03, 02:45 AM

Finally I got hold of the appropriate BIOS bin files with me. But there are three in the zip file with a Note.txt. The Note is as follows:

Quote:

440BX/ZX-MicroATX/ATX-
.BXAS1-928/BXMS1-929/BXAS3-931/BXMS3-932/BXAS1-951/BXAS13-948
.ZXAS1-934/ZXMS1-935/ZXAS3-937/ZXMS3-938/ZXAS1-952

Award BIOS

B1120IAG.BIN For Super IO = ITE 8671
 Clock Gen IC : Winbond-39A
 (Nov/2000 built)

B1213IAG.BIN For Super IO = ITE 8671  
 Clock Gen IC : ICW-W144
 (Dec/2000 built)

B0504NAG.BIN For Super IO = N.S.
 Clock Gen IC : Winbond-39A
 (May/2001 built)

.2Mbit (256KByte) Flash IC
.Fix Windows boot up problem for some PS/2 mice

*** Important ***

Please identify the clock generator IC on your motherboard, and the Super IO IC types,  before updating the BIOS. Upgrading with a wrong BIOS file may result in failure to power up after the upgrade !

My question is:

How to identify the clock generator IC on my motherboard and the Super IO IC types?

For the clock generator it will be either: Winbond-39A or ICW-W144 in my mobo. And for the Super IO it will be either ITE 8671 or N.S. But I dunno from where to get that info from...nothing relevant in BIOS Setup.

~*McoreD*~ · #9 11th Feb 03, 11:01 AM

Got this from Mobo Tech Support.

Quote:

Dear Sir,

Please refers B1120IAG.BIN       For Super IO = ITE 8671

                       Clock Gen IC : Winbond-39A/Winbond-39

                       (Nov/2000 built)

But my question still valids to anybody.