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View Full Version : Whats the safest way to flash a motherboard BIOS?

ShadowFold
03-03-2008, 07:12 AM
I downloaded the latest bios for my P35A and I have the FoxLiveUpdate whitch updates it and installs the bios automaticly but is it safe? I know its from the manufacturer them selves so it must but is it the safest way? I heard you can kill the mobo if you flash it and it goes bad or something so I really wanna be safe. :toast:
erocker
03-03-2008, 07:21 AM
Using thier utility is probablly the easiest as it doesn't require you going into the BIOS and using a floppy or flash drive.
sam0t
03-03-2008, 07:36 AM
Safest way to flash MB BIOS is doing it in DOS mode in my mind. Either create a bootable floppy or USB stick. I find TR USB flashing method the easiest way to create bootable USB stick, link below:

http://www.techpowerup.com/articles//overclocking/vidcard/34/5
ShadowFold
03-04-2008, 03:26 AM
Ok im about to let the foxconn tool flash my bios should I be scared :(
spud107
03-04-2008, 03:28 AM
yes
ShadowFold
03-04-2008, 03:29 AM
I dont think I will then I wont be overclocking for awile..
spud107
03-04-2008, 03:34 AM
its not that bad, iv flashed a few mobos, all went well, one was even forced to take a diff bios,
does the foxconn utility flash in windows? make sure as much stuff is shut off if you do,(av, etc)
ShadowFold
03-04-2008, 03:35 AM
its not that bad, iv flashed a few mobos, all went well, one was even forced to take a diff bios,
does the foxconn utility flash in windows? make sure as much stuff is shut off if you do,(av, etc)

Yea its from windows, im using XP X64 tho so idk if I should or not. I dont have any flash drives or floppy drives either :(
spud107
03-04-2008, 03:39 AM
cd drive? theres ways of doing it that way,
edit - if its an award bios post the file,if you want i could take a look thru it with modbin to see if theres anything locked.
ShadowFold
03-04-2008, 03:40 AM
no I dont have a CD drive :p j/k is that safer than windows flashing?
spud107
03-04-2008, 03:45 AM
same as floppy, its just putting dos an the flash utility on disk.
ShadowFold
03-04-2008, 03:47 AM
Is it safe to flash from the May 2007 BIOS(what im on now) to the Feb 2008 ones or do I have to do the individual ones?
spud107
03-04-2008, 03:48 AM
just get the latest one, no need to go through all the older versions.
Mussels
03-04-2008, 03:49 AM
to make this thread more fun - think of the OTHER kind of flashing.
Its best done in the privacy of your own home, with no cameras or children present.
Trenchcoat optional.

Personally i prefer DOS with a flash drive, its harder but far less likely to go wrong. floppies are just too scary to think of using.
spud107
03-04-2008, 03:53 AM
hp's usb disk storage format tool is quite handy.
also msi has a tool http://forum.msi.com.tw/index.php?topic=108079.0

and if you want to make a rescue disk incase of bad flash make an autoexec.bat file on the disk with this command
AWDFLASH.EXE xxxxxx.BIN /CC /CD /CP /F /R /PY /SN
will flash without pressing anything or if its the correct bios