cusl2 aflash.exe - must be dos mode?

[harpomx]

I'm trying to run the aflash.exe to upgrade to 1003 final from 1001A. I don't want to use the windows flash. I know that it must be run in DOS mode, but when I restart the computer in DOS mode and try to execute the program, it tells me that the program cannot run in protected mode and restarts windows. I'm not just going start->progs->msdos mode, I'm actually restarting. I can't think of any other way to get to a clean DOS mode now that the OS is installed. What am I doing wrong?
Also, I was told to set BIOS settings back to default before flashing the BIOS. That can't be right, can it? I was also told to change VGA BIOS Sequence to PCI/AGP instead of AGP/PCI, to eliminate the no-video problem so many people get when they flash the CUSL2's BIOS. If I change the VGA sequence, then the settings won't be default anymore. So which is correct - set to default or change VGA Bios Sequnce?

Thanks!

PS I have an 800EB to go with the CUSL2, and I'm thinking of OC'ing a little. If there's anyone else out there that has this chip/mobo combination, how high do you have your CPU? How did you do it?

 

[harpomx]

Heh heh, I forgot about a boot disk - that's the dos mode you need to run the flash, right? Duhhhh.

 

[rectifire]

Yup, when windows gives you the option to boot into MS-DOS, that is a no go for BIOS flashing. In this mode, Windows still has Memory Managers and other devices loaded, which are a no go with BIOS flashing. That is why your flashing program gave you errors and did not flash.

You must have a clean boot into MS-DOS, which is usually performed by making yourself a boot disk. You can do this by sticking a disk in drive A: , then going to the Start button> run. At the command prompt type Format A: \s
After it's finished, you have a boot disk. Exit the MS-DOS window. Then just copy your BIOS flashing program and your new BIOS onto the same floppy.

Restart the computer with your new boot disk in drive A, and you should boot right into DOS. Then startup your flashing program and flash Away!

 

[harpomx]

thanks!
How about BIOS settings? Defaults all around, or VGA Bios sequence = PCI/AGP?

 

[rectifire]

Quote from ASUS tech support BIOS download area:

CUSL2 (ATX, 6 PCI, 2 CNR, 2x UDMA/100, 3x DIMM)

- BIOS Upgrade and Road Map :
Notice:
If you are going to upgrade BIOS from BIOS version 1001.A (and earlier) for CUSL2, please make sure the following item in the BIOS setup menu is set at [PCI/AGP] before updating the BIOS with v1.27 flash tool.

Advanced -> PCI Configuration -> VGA BIOS Sequence

In case the system is unable to start up properly after performing BIOS upgrade, please remove all the add-on VGA adapters from the system and start up the system with the onboard AGP graphics controller or clear CMOS. The add-on VGA adapters then can be installed after loading the setup default from the BIOS setup menu.

The above advice says to change the VGA BIOS sequence to [PCI/AGP] before you flash (to hopefully avoid the no Video problem). This is in order to tell your BIOS to use your add in Video adapter instead of the onboard one. However, during flashing, this setting may be changed to the incorrect setting. This is a result of the actual process of flashing the BIOS itself, and is not something that can be helped. If this problem does happen, then you will get no video from your add on video card. You will only be able to get video out of the onboard video connector.

If this happens, you will need to actually hook up your monitor to the onboard video (so you can see the BIOS) in order to change that setting back to PCI/AGP, in order to use your add in video card. Asus recommends that you reset all the settings to default parameters after you flash if you end up having this problem. I think the only reason they want you to do this is because it will reset the VGA BIOS Sequence to [PCI/AGP], and so will allow you to use an add on video card. Just my opinion Good luck! =D

 

[Bartman39]

Dont be afraid of the Windows flash I just set to the defaults and bingo it worked perfect... I was a lot simpler and very easy... I jumped from 1001.a to 1003 final with not a problem one, no battery pull or having to use the onboard video nothing just rebooted and set all to default with a couple of minor setting changes... Just do it!

 

[harpomx]

Thanks everybody!
I used the DOS flash (without setting to default first, just the PCI/AGP), upped to 1003F, THEN I set everything to default (by accident, heh heh). No muss, no fuss. I love this board. After my last board (FIC VA503+, argh) this one is a real piece of cake. Gained over 100 points in 3DBenchmark2000.

 

[Dugite]

I want to upgrade my BIOS from 1.002 and despite these postings and the ASUS manual, I remain a little confused, hence the following questions:

Do I have to remove my AGP card or do I just change the BIOS sequence to = PCI/AGP and plug the monitor into the motherboard VGA socket while installing?

Where do I find 1.003? The ASUS FTP sites that I've looked at only have 1.002.

Thanks

 

[Bartman39]

www.cusl2.com

 

[harpomx]

Dugite,

I just switched the bios setting to PCI/AGP instead of the other way around, which is the default. Get 1003F (without Onboard Audio) from cusl2.com. Called 1003.bin or .zip. Create date is Oct 4/00. Unzip, and put 1003.bin and aflash.exe on a bootable floppy.

I actually left my monitor plugged into my agp card, worked fine. I think that PCI/AGP is just a priority order, so it'll check PCI first, see that nothing's there (in my case), then check AGP. Hope this answers your questions!

 

[Dugite]

Thanks

 

[Smbu]

I just use the asus update utility to do the flash in windows and I have never had a problem. It's less of a hassle than doing it in dos.