Asus releasing dual-core BIOS updates

[imported_Technomancer]

http://www.amdzone.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2988

 

[ProviaFan]

What I'm still waiting to know is if the A8N-E or A8N-SLI will boot with an X2 long enough on the old BIOS to flash the new BIOS...

<-- doesn't have any existing A64 processor to update the board with

 

[imported_Technomancer]

Yeah, it's an issue for me too. But, if you look at my sig you'll see what I'm upgrading from. I want my mobo to ship WITH the dual-core BIOS already uploaded so I don't have to waste $200 for a single-core just to load the new BIOS.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: Technomancer
Yeah, it's an issue for me too. But, if you look at my sig you'll see what I'm upgrading from. I want my mobo to ship WITH the dual-core BIOS already uploaded so I don't have to waste $200 for a single-core just to load the new BIOS.

We'll be waiting some time for motherboards with dual core BIOS support to ship. What I have asked many times (and got a really snooty reaction from DFI support over at their forums, which is why I'm going to buy an ASUS board now) and not discovered yet, is whether one can boot long enough to install the new BIOS on a board without it. I will patiently wait and see (or maybe I'll order the A8N-E now and be a guinea pig).

 

[DJMiX]

you can always just order a new bios chip, problem solved. :laugh:

 

[zetto]

If I get into such problems, I'd go to Fry's to get a cpu.. I think they'll take it back for full refund w/o any problems.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: ProviaFan
What I'm still waiting to know is if the A8N-E or A8N-SLI will boot with an X2 long enough on the old BIOS to flash the new BIOS...

<-- doesn't have any existing A64 processor to update the board with

Josh, if you get into that situation, PM me and I'll lend you my 939 Winchester via Priority Mail

 

[GuitarDaddy]

If getting new mobo and CPU, why not just by a combo with the CPU and HSF installed and tested from Monarch or Newegg or others? If you don't want the stock HSF, just replace it when It gets to you, and look at the $8-20 they charge for the stock fan as a service fee for updating the bios and some places bundle free games and stuff

If your not getting both at the same time, have the E retailer update the bios on the board. Many will do this for a fee if you ask, I ,m pretty sure Monarch does this.

 

[The Pentium Guy]

Can't you ask ASUS for a bios chip?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: ProviaFan
What I'm still waiting to know is if the A8N-E or A8N-SLI will boot with an X2 long enough on the old BIOS to flash the new BIOS...

<-- doesn't have any existing A64 processor to update the board with

You won't have a problem with the Asus, worst case if it won't boot

Save the appropriate bios and AWDflash utility to a floppy, pop it in boot up to floppy, and flash. The board comes shipped with "floppy seek at boot" enabled, and it will boot to floppy prior to the CPU test in the post process.

 

[bob661]

tested from Monarch or Newegg or others?

Newegg will bundle and test CPU's and motherboards?

 

[akugami]

You can flash the BIOS from a floppy on ASUS boards (or at least this one). Worst case scenario you have to reset the CMOS so everything is factory default. Load up the necessary flash utility and the BIOS you need onto a floppy and you're done.

 

[imported_Technomancer]

So I need not just the BIOS, but ALSO the proper flash utility? How do I determine which utility to use?

 

[GuitarDaddy]

The readme file that comes with the bios tells which version of AWDflash that you must use. And look for the newer versions in the General download section of the Asus website, not the download page for your specific board

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: bob661

tested from Monarch or Newegg or others?

Newegg will bundle and test CPU's and motherboards?

Well, it looks like I mispoke, it appears NewEgg doesn't offer this service. Monarch does as well as some smaller retailers.

 

[imported_Technomancer]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
The readme file that comes with the bios tells which version of AWDflash that you must use. And look for the newer versions in the General download section of the Asus website, not the download page for your specific board

Uhh, possible problem.

The zipped AWDflash takes 1.42 Mb memory, taking the whole floppy. Unzipped it takes 1.60 on disk. That's more than a floppy can handle, unless I roll the flash utility and BIOS onto two floppy disks somehow. Is that how it's done? Because without the CPU it's not even going to read a zipped file.

 

[ryanv12]

Originally posted by: Technomancer

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
The readme file that comes with the bios tells which version of AWDflash that you must use. And look for the newer versions in the General download section of the Asus website, not the download page for your specific board

Uhh, possible problem.

The zipped AWDflash takes 1.42 Mb memory, taking the whole floppy. Unzipped it takes 1.60 on disk. That's more than a floppy can handle, unless I roll the flash utility and BIOS onto two floppy disks somehow. Is that how it's done? Because without the CPU it's not even going to read a zipped file.

I gotta know the solution to that problem before I sell my current CPU/motherboard to get my X2

 

[Rustler]

I flashed my Asus board to the 1010 bios, I am ready for the dual cores.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: Technomancer

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
The readme file that comes with the bios tells which version of AWDflash that you must use. And look for the newer versions in the General download section of the Asus website, not the download page for your specific board

Uhh, possible problem.

The zipped AWDflash takes 1.42 Mb memory, taking the whole floppy. Unzipped it takes 1.60 on disk. That's more than a floppy can handle, unless I roll the flash utility and BIOS onto two floppy disks somehow. Is that how it's done? Because without the CPU it's not even going to read a zipped file.

There should be several folders in the zipped file, the only thing you need to put on the diskette along with the bios is the file AWDflash.exe it should be in the DOS folder.
Read all the readme files and/or read the AWDflash instructions on the Asus website.

And keep in mind that you only have to do it this way, if it won't boot. It may very well boot right up with the shipped bios

 

[akwizeguy]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
If getting new mobo and CPU, why not just by a combo with the CPU and HSF installed and tested from Monarch or Newegg or others? If you don't want the stock HSF, just replace it when It gets to you, and look at the $8-20 they charge for the stock fan as a service fee for updating the bios and some places bundle free games and stuff


fyi to you guys, I did the monarch pre tested mobo combo. DFI SLI-DR with a 3000+, when i recieved the package the cpu and HSF was installed on the mobo, so i assumed it was pre tested. But it DID NOT have the new BIOS installed for the Venice chips recognition. Thank god my friend had a winchester so i could install the new BIOS. hope this helps you guys out.

PS. My system wouldnt even POST or boot up with the venice chip installed with the old bios, only the winchestor would.

 

[Muggy]

What is the need for the AWDFlash utility when the BIOS can be updated by inserting a floppy with the desired BIOS .bin file and pressing Alt+F2 during POST. My A8N-E came with the 1001 BIOS and I flashed the 1003 and the 1004-002 BIOS using the above procedure of pressing Alt+F2 during POST.

 

[Peter]

Simple: By far not everyone is still using legacy floppy disk drives.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

"fyi to you guys, I did the monarch pre tested mobo combo. DFI SLI-DR with a 3000+, when i recieved the package the cpu and HSF was installed on the mobo, so i assumed it was pre tested. But it DID NOT have the new BIOS installed for the Venice chips recognition. Thank god my friend had a winchester so i could install the new BIOS. hope this helps you guys out."

PS. My system wouldnt even POST or boot up with the venice chip installed with the old bios, only the winchestor would.



Thats bad I would have been on Monarchs arse like white on rice!

Because if it wouldn't post you know they didn't test it! That really surprizes me, In my dealings with them they have been really good.