Asus P7P55D-E How do I update the Bios?

[JETninja]

I downloaded the lastest Bios and the DOS Bios updater. Instructions don't mean much to me. Can anyone explain the process so a DOS newb can understand?

This is what the readme says:

BUPDATER.EXE V1.12

How to run the utility under DOS
-------------------------------------------
1. Run the file BUPDATER.EXE

Usage
-------------------------------------------
bupdater.exe /i<ROM filename> [/o<backup filename>] [/pc] [/g]


Greek to me!

Thanks!!!

 

[BoomerD]

I have the "Pro" version of that board. Here's the procedure from AS?US, and is the way I've updated my BIOS:::


Updating BIOS is serious business!
Every precaution should therefore be taken to prevent that anything goes wrong. Avoid ASUS UPDATE!
There are a couple a DOS alternatives, AFUDOS and BUPDATER (newer motherboards), that also are good and safe to use.

Note: AFUDOS (floppy drive) can only be used for BIOS files up to a size of 1 MB due to the limited storage capacity.

EZ Flash 2 is a built-in function of BIOS. It is the safest way to update BIOS, because one is not dependent on the operating system, any application, internet connection, firewall settings, antivirus or anything else that can put the vital BIOS update at risk.

On a new build, BIOS can be updated to the latest version before installation of the OS, which may possibly make the installation go smoother and safer.

Note: All what's said below about loading BIOS defaults also applies to the other BIOS update methods (ASUS Update, AFUDOS and BUPDATER)!

The PC should not be overclocked during the BIOS update! Always load and save BIOS defaults before and after a BIOS update (press <F5>). By loading and saving BIOS defaults before the update, CPU frequency, memory frequency and voltages are set to default (Auto).
Memory timings are set to SPD values which ensure that a PC with high performance memory that need a higher voltage than 1.8V for DDR2 or 1.5V for DDR3 is able to boot on the standard Memory Voltage. Save the default settings (press <F10>) before starting the update.

Preparation:

1. Document all your preferred BIOS settings (i.e. the settings you have changed from the default setting).
2. Download the BIOS file, which normally is compressed (zipped).
3. Extract (unzip) the BIOS file to a FAT/FAT32 formatted USB Flash Disk with only one partition (or to a Floppy Disk or a CD-ROM). If the unzipped BIOS file is named like e.g. 'P5B-ASUS-Deluxe-1101.ROM', you can rename it to 'P5BD1101.ROM'. Otherwise a truncated name will appear as 'P5B-AS~1.ROM' due to a limitation to max 8 characters in the filename (8.3).

Update:

1. Reboot.
2. Press (tap) <DEL> during POST (Power-On Self Test) to enter BIOS Setup.
3. Load BIOS Defaults (press <F5>).
4. Insert the USB Flash Disk containing the BIOS file P5BDxxxx.ROM. (Note that the USB Flash Disk has to be inserted before boot to enter BIOS, otherwise it won't be detected).
5. Save and Exit <F10>. (BIOS will now restart).
6. During BIOS restart, press <DEL> to enter BIOS Setup again.
7. Under Tools menu, select ASUS EZ Flash 2. It may take 20 seconds for the drives to show up. Select a drive in the left pane <Tab>. Use <Up> and <Down> arrows and <Enter> to select a drive. If you don't see the BIOS file in the right pane, check the other drives. Note that the drive letters may not be the same here as in Windows.
8. Select the BIOS file (e.g. P5BD1101.ROM) and press <Enter> to start flashing. Supervise the update, which includes the following stages: Erasing - Flashing (writing) - Verification. BIOS will automatically restart when the update is ready.
9. Disconnect the USB Flash Disk before/during the restart.
10. Perform a C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) which resets the chipset. Power down, remove power cord from the PSU for 2 minutes and then power up.
11. Enter BIOS and load BIOS Defaults <F5> again.
12. Reenter your preferred BIOS settings - if you are using AHCI or RAID mode, don't forget to set the SATA mode to [AHCI / RAID]. Also remember the settings for other controllers, Audio and Memory Voltage. Check also that the Boot Device Priority is correct.
13. Save and Exit <F10> (automatic restart).
14. Press <DEL> to enter BIOS Setup and make a final check that all BIOS settings are ok. Save any changes.

 

[JETninja]

Wow, thanks! So a CDrom can be used as well? Don't think I have any empty USB drives.

PC has been bullerproof for months, then this last week its been BSODing. Whocrash shows mostly memory issues, newer Bios mention memory improvements, so figure its worth a try before pulling the sticks...

 

[BoomerD]

One of the most important parts of that procedure is:

The PC should not be overclocked during the BIOS update! Always load and save BIOS defaults before and after a BIOS update

ALWAYS un-do any overclock before updating your BIOS.

 

[JETninja]

Not a problem, not found any reason to over clock this system yet.

 

[NumericalMethods]

A word of warning before you flash. If you are experiencing crashes due to memory corruption then there is a chance that this could occur while flashing your BIOS. Worst case scenario is you brick the board and have to send it in for repair.

If your system has been "bulletproof for months" then I doubt it is and issue that will be solved with a BIOS update. By all means reset the BIOS using the CMOS jumper on the motherboard and then load optimised defaults to see if that helps your problem. But don't flash the board until you have a reasonable level of confidence in the system's stability.

My next step would be to download and burn to CD a copy of Memtest and run that overnight on your pc. If it is failing you need check your RAM settings and test each stick individually to rule out a faulty DIMM. Good luck!

 

[JETninja]

Thanks, been thinking the same thing. Ran Win7 Mem test couple times, found nothing. Then it BSOD. LOL!. I killed it, unplugged it for a few minutes, have it up now. The only updates between the week it was solid and the week it started acting up were Silverlight and an update to Visual C++, neither which I think were to blame. Has since updated more with quite a few new Win 7 updates...but still 2 BSOD's in the past 2 days. Guess I need to pull it out of the cabinet and pull a stick at a time. Then it means dealing with GSkill...

 

[JETninja]

Well last night I removed the ram stick nearest the CPU and so far its been running fine. (Prior I had re-seated the ram, blew out the system..and it still BSOD) I'll keep running it for a few days to make sure the stability is there before updating the Bios.

I'm still on the Bios it shipped with (got it last October) and have to say it is the slowest loading bios I've ever seen. Really quite strange, though my experience sample just included various MSI's and Abit boards 5+ years ago...but this MB takes minutes before it loads Windows. Quite odd from what I'm used too.

 

[JimW1949]

You may be right, it may be a bad memory module. But I have seen so few memory modules go bad that I just think it is something else causing your problem.

I am going to stick my neck out here and say that I don't think the problem is a bad memory module. I am going to say that I think the problem is a bad driver, although I don't which driver it would be. My suggestion is to update your drivers, and do one of them at a time. When you update a driver, wait to see if you get a BSOD. If you do, then update another one and wait.

 

[JETninja]

Well its been 24hrs and no BSOD so far running on one stick. And no drivers were updated or changed in the last month except the video driver and I did that after the BSOD stuff had started.

WhoCrashed says memory issue, but also says its rarely a memory module. That said, they do go bad....

 

[JETninja]

Hmm..weird double post.