Originally posted by: Sc4freak
You can't switch BIOS chips like that - unless you manage to rip out the old BIOS chip without damaging the motherboard and soldering the new one into place.
To update the BIOS, download the BIOS from Asus, then you need to create a boot disk, and use it to flash the chip.
Do any of you actualy OWN this board you are talking about? (I do).
(1) to the guy talking about revisions 303 / 304... that has to do the the INTEL BadAxe board, NOT the asus board
(2) The bios chip on the P5W DH is on a raised socket. You CAN pop it in and out quite easily and safely and people ARE getting bios chips sent from ASUS if the one theirs shipped with has too old a version of the bios for them to post.
(3) 701 should work for most Conroe chips ENOUGH to post and get you into the BIOS. The x6800s are supposedly a bit more finicky and may need 901-903. The most current version of the BIOS that I'm aware of is 1101.
I've run 1101 on my e6400 very nicely. Mine came with 0502 when I got it, but I then stepped through all the upgrades (they had a lot in the last few weeks) while waiting for the e6700, using my older P4 single core chip.
If you get the mobo and can't even get into the BIOS (DO install your CPU and memory), then call ASUS and ask for an upgraded bios (assuming you don't have another 775 socket chip lying around). You will need to make a floppy/cdrom/or USB key with the newer bios on it (plain file -- doesn't need to be a bootable disc)