Flashing Bios without a floppy?

[sswingle]

Someone mentioned it in another thread, but it was a few months old so I started a new one.

Originally posted by: DAVIDS
Some companies like Asus and Abit have programs that allow you to flash over the internet, rather than relying on a floppy.

Where can I find this? I have an Asus board that I need to flash for my new CPU I ordered.


Thanks

 

[Vette73]

Don't know about over internet, but you can use a CD-r. Juts make it bootable and put your Bios on there

 

[sswingle]

Nevermind, I found it. Asus has a program called Asus Update. Install the program, then it connects to the internet and finds the latest bios version, flashes it, and then restarts the computer.Easiest BIOS update I've ever done 😀

 

[Doh!]

I think most major mfg. (Asus, Abit, MSI, etc. ) have them now but I assume most tweakers here at anand go w/ the floppy method.

 

[sswingle]

Why would most go with the floppy method? It seems to me like a lot more work for no reason. I never even use floppys for anything else anymore, so why should I rely on a crappy floppy and crappy DOS to upgrade my BIOS, where if even the slightest thing goes wrong my motherboard is turned into a $100 paperweight??

 

[Buz2b]

Originally posted by: pwddesign
Why would most go with the floppy method? It seems to me like a lot more work for no reason. I never even use floppys for anything else anymore, so why should I rely on a crappy floppy and crappy DOS to upgrade my BIOS, where if even the slightest thing goes wrong my motherboard is turned into a $100 paperweight??

I've seen a lot more instances of BIOS frying happening from apps like ASUS Update than using the floppy or CDR methods. There are more things that can go wrong with those apps than can with the other methods. Most that have any serious degree of experience will still use the floppy method. If you know what you're doing, about the only thing that can go wrong is a power outage and a good UPS solves that. It doesn't mean you are tied to a floppy either. I've done this by just hooking up a floppy drive outside the machine; flashing the BIOS and then disconnecting the drive. Also, in the event of a misshap on a "$100" MB, you can always pay $20 for a new, programmed BIOS chip from BadFlash.com.