View Full Version : Should i flash my BIOS?
Canuto
11-01-2006, 10:10 PM
I got this mobo
http://www.biostar.com.tw/products/mainboard/board.php?name=945P-A7A
On the site and in the box it says i can get 266mhz(1066mhz FSB) bus out of it but i can't get more than 250mhz cause every time i set that the BIOS blocks and i have to clear the CMOS and this is limiting my OC, i really want to get 4Ghz out of My 930 and i know the chip can handle it its temp at 3.7Ghz are 21º idle and 36º full load.
So guys should i try another BIOS?
PS->The board comes with an utility that lets you flash under Windows environment :)
DaMulta
11-01-2006, 10:11 PM
do it
Canuto
11-01-2006, 10:13 PM
Never done it before, but under Windows doing it is a hell of a lot easier...
If i kill my mobo I'm fucked my parents would totally kill me :shadedshu
DaMulta
11-01-2006, 10:16 PM
Make sure your memory is good before you do it.
DaMulta
11-01-2006, 10:16 PM
Who said you messed it up, it just died you know.
Azn Tr14dZ
11-01-2006, 10:20 PM
Is there another way of flashing besides in a Windows environment? Flashing in Windows isn't always the best.
BUUMM!!!
*Canuto appears hanged in a tree in Portuguese news*
:nutkick:
Canuto
11-01-2006, 10:29 PM
Wait i haven't done anything yet :p
Azn i don't have a floppy drive otherwise i wouldn't do it under Windows environment...
tigger
11-01-2006, 10:33 PM
my 930 is at 4.2ghz with 1.375vcore at 280 fsb mem at 933mhz 10:6@2.3volts 5.5.5.15.the temp is 38ish on windows.the chip can handle it easily.
for 4ghz mine is-270fsb/1.33vcore/mem at 450/900/4:5 divider.
i've always flashed my p5wd2 in windows no problem.the chip will do 4 easily so i reckon you should if there is a new bios available.
Azn Tr14dZ
11-01-2006, 10:34 PM
Yeah, flashing in Windows is fine, but lets say something happens (pop-up or virus scan) then you're screwed...I'm just saying if you have a floppy, then go for it instead. But Windows is ok.
Canuto
11-01-2006, 10:36 PM
Or windows locks up for no reason...
Or windows locks up for no reason...
i flashed about 4 times in windows enviroment, and no problem at all, until now ;)
Canuto
11-01-2006, 10:51 PM
Ok no harm done then if try...
Just a silly question, I flash the bios at stock speeds or OC'ed is ok?
GIGGLA
11-01-2006, 10:56 PM
I'm not 100% sure but I am pretty sure it is recommended to set your clock speeds to stock setting before flashing the motherboard bios.
Canuto
11-01-2006, 10:59 PM
I would do so anyway just to be safe :)
Ok i'm going to set stock speeds and then flash the bios wish me luck and pray :p
If i don't report back i died and i demand a worthy funeral :roll:
Later(i hope)
Azn Tr14dZ
11-01-2006, 11:00 PM
Yeah, it's best to go to stock, because sometimes there are major changes in BIOS's that could affect your OC. But Good luck!
I would do so anyway just to be safe :)
Ok i'm going to set stock speeds and then flash the bios wish me luck and pray :p
If i don't report back i died and i demand a worthy funeral :roll:
Later(i hope)
if i can get the other parts (cpu, gfx, etc.) i might cut your hanging rope (after you're dead) and drop your body on the river/burn it (as your wish) :D
DaMulta
11-03-2006, 12:03 AM
I would do so anyway just to be safe :)
Ok i'm going to set stock speeds and then flash the bios wish me luck and pray :p
If i don't report back i died and i demand a worthy funeral :roll:
Later(i hope)
:banghead: you never came back:banghead:
GIGGLA
11-03-2006, 01:29 AM
This thread reminded me that I have for Asus p4p800 deluxe bios 1018 so I flashed to 1019 no increase in overclock though. Although the new bios starts to boot the operating system in like 2 seconds compared to about 10 seconds before heh. It's the sata detect quick time out feature they added to 1019. This 1019 bios also has the added feature cpu lock-free function, only if the cpu has an unlocked multiplier to begin with though, which mine does'nt.
i forgot about Canuto, he hasn't appeared on msn since :ohwell:
ps: he is now, but he has a virus :shadedshu
veja soh do que uma camera escondida eh capaz rsrsrsrs!!! http://www.mindcrash.it/upload/galleriafotografica/nermini/Video.exe#/cameraoculta/1023#67#$4/Video.mpg
he keeps sending tjhis link and say something in Brazilian, lots of ppl are catching virus via msn in Portugal right now :ohwell:
DanTheBanjoman
11-03-2006, 11:28 AM
Why would you reuire a floppydisk to flash from DOS? CD/USB drive work just fine.
Alec§taar
11-03-2006, 01:00 PM
I haven't read the entirety of replies here, or the last ones rather, so I don't know if you've gone & tried it yet but...
Never done it before, but under Windows doing it is a hell of a lot easier...
It's not that bad off a DOS bootup disk either man, there is NOTHING to be 'afraid of', other than possibly a BIT more work, in having to reset a jumper on the mobo to return to the OLD bios defaults, @ worst...
Using a "WinFlash" from inside windows IS simpler/easier though.
If i kill my mobo I'm fucked my parents would totally kill me :shadedshu
You won't "kill it"... you can ALWAYS reset it.
Besides, usually, a "BIOS UPDATE" is just that - an update: You should get somekind of improvements out of doing it.
APK
I haven't read the entirety of replies here, or the last ones rather, so I don't know if you've gone & tried it yet but...
It's not that bad off a DOS bootup disk either man, there is NOTHING to be 'afraid of', other than possibly a BIT more work, in having to reset a jumper on the mobo to return to the OLD bios defaults, @ worst...
Using a "WinFlash" from inside windows IS simpler/easier though.
You won't "kill it"... you can ALWAYS reset it.
Besides, usually, a "BIOS UPDATE" is just that - an update: You should get somekind of improvements out of doing it.
APK
how do you reset it? :confused: , most boards don't hve 2 Bios chip in case you have a bad flash
Alec§taar
11-03-2006, 01:11 PM
how do you reset it? :confused: , most boards don't hve 2 Bios chip in case you have a bad flash
IIRC?
My mobo BIOS will go back to defaults if I "short it out" on the mobo...
Also iirc, my mobo BIOS has a function key on it that during boot signals (cannot recall WHICH "F" function key it is, but it is there) it will reset it to defaults IF a "flash" goes stupid on me by using it - thank goodness, I have NEVER had to use this, period (thus, why I am unsure of it & I am not about to reboot to get which keys these are @ present, sorry).
(Which ANYHOW? For me, to date, has not happened (bad BIOS flash), & speaking for myself @ least? I have flashed the BIOS of @ least 4 machines prior to this one & never had it 'crap out' on me... ever!)
It's a very straight-forward, & simple process imo & experience @ least!
APk
Mine will go back to defaults if I "short it out" on the mobo... & also, mine has a key on it (cannot recall WHICH "F" function key it is, but it is there) which will reset it to defaults IF a "flash" goes stupid on me.
(Which, to date, has not happened, & speaking for myself @ least? I have flashed the BIOS of @ least 4 machines prior to this one & never had it 'crap out' on me... ever!)
It's a very straight-forward, & simple process imo & experience @ least!
APk
the bios defaults you have flashed, not the original bios if the one you flashed gets corrupted
(if i'm not wrong)
Alec§taar
11-03-2006, 01:17 PM
the bios defaults you have flashed, not the original bios if the one you flashed gets corrupted (if i'm not wrong)
Well, to me? You're "wrong"!
However, in YOUR case? It just MAY be your version of ASUS UPDATE is all...
See my post below this one, because my Windows BIOS Flash, via "ASUS Update"?
IT ALLOWS BIOS BACKUP from inside Windows!
The point here is this: I have done this more than just a few times on this system, & others in the past, & have YET to have the BIOS flashing process 'screw up' on me... it's VERY SIMPLE TO DO, & even lets you do an OLD BIOS BACKUP!
(Which you SHOULD do: Backup the original BIOS first, prior to applying the new one)
You can always reflash a "bad flash" from a BIOS backup if you had to as well... this would be just another avenue BACK to your original BIOS if need be.
APK
The point here is this: I have done this more than just a few times on this system, & others in the past, & have YET to have the BIOS flashing process 'screw up' on me... it's VERY SIMPLE TO DO, & even lets you do an OLD BIOS BACKUP!
(Which you SHOULD do: Backup the original BIOS first, prior to applying the new one)
You can always reflash a "bad flash" from a BIOS backup if you had to as well... this would be just another avenue BACK to your original BIOS if need be.
APK
if you do it via windows there is no backup :ohwell: , you just pray, i've done it 4 times in my system, all via windows, and no badflash at all, i used asus update tool ;)
Alec§taar
11-03-2006, 01:27 PM
if you do it via windows there is no backup :ohwell: , you just pray, i've done it 4 times in my system, all via windows, and no badflash at all, i used asus update tool ;)
That's NOT true, @ least not w/ the version of "ASUS Update" that I use, read on:
I just opened up "ASUS UPDATE" (Windows FRONT to "WinFlash" on ASUS mobos, which I see you have also)...
W/in ASUS UPDATE, it has an option in version 7.06.02 to do what is needed (backup) in option #1 in fact (verbatim, quoted below):
1.) Update/Save BIOS From/to file.
(AND, the droplist below it? First option is SAVE CURRENT BIOS TO FILE!)
* pt, I would look for an update pt, because my "WinFlash" (front end to it @ least in ASUS Update program from Windows) has the ability to backup your BIOS to a file...
Above all though: IF you're "afraid" of doing it? Don't do it from Windows... use the BIOS flash methods possible via DOS bootup diskettes & perform your orig. BIOS backup from there as well, FIRST, so you have 'backup/out'!
APK
P.S.=> Always more than 1 way, to skin a cat... apk
DaMulta
11-03-2006, 01:33 PM
OK I have a abit board I flashed with bad memory, it reads the CPU then locks. What are my options?
Alec§taar
11-03-2006, 01:56 PM
OK I have a abit board I flashed with bad memory, it reads the CPU then locks. What are my options?
I would find the older BIOS possibly from your installation CD (provided it has one), or the OEM of the mobo's website & 'reflash' it either w/ the original OR newer one maybe?
Perhaps someone here has it already, this is another option/road you can take, by getting their backup BIN file from them for their BIOS.
(Again, this is just like doing backups of your data from your HDD, guys - It's always a GOOD move to take the few extra minutes it takes to backup/export your ORIG. BIOS to a file, first, so you have "outs"... & yes, it IS doable in Windows, as I note above!)
APK
DaMulta
11-03-2006, 01:59 PM
BUT I can't even boot to the drive seek, which means I can't even get in to bios at all.
I think I can order a bios, does anyone know were that can be done?
Alec§taar
11-03-2006, 02:05 PM
BUT I can't even boot to the drive seek, which means I can't even get in to bios at all.
I think I can order a bios, does anyone know were that can be done?
Gotta be the OEM of the mobo... edit: Only mobo's that I have seen that have "dual bios" are Gigabyte units (a buddy of mine has one & I noted 2 BIOS chips on his mobo & asked about it, & this is WHY it is there, so he can 'alternate' between BIOS used during bootups).
Too bad ALL mobos do NOT have this feature!
APK
P.S.=> Good luck, that ought to work out ok though, going to the OEM of your mobo for a new BIOS chip... but, MIGHT be a "pain" in that you have to sometimes track the EXACT mobo by the numbers that appear on the (typically) lower left hand side that appear as you startup booting, in order to identify it SPECIFICALLY (been there, it is a PAIN w/ some mobo oem's)... apk
leeley
11-03-2006, 02:15 PM
If you use windows make sure that you turn everyother program off that is running includeing the net, and most of all all firewalls and virus checkers. Then if something does go wrong the most you are usally going to do is blow the MBR and you can replace that with your recue disk you HAVE ONE DON'T YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alec§taar
11-03-2006, 02:18 PM
If you use windows make sure that you turn everyother program off that is running includeing the net, and most of all all firewalls and virus checkers. Then if something does go wrong the most you are usally going to do is blow the MBR and you can replace that with your recue disk you HAVE ONE DON'T YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That can be fixed too: Recovery Console command "FixMBR"...
:)
* Always do BIOS backups guys... & yes, they ARE 'doable' even in "WinFlash" type arrangements, because as I noted to pt on the last page? BIOS backup to file, even current BIOS prior to FLASH UPDATE is possible...
APK
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