how can I tell if Abit bios update worked?

[weshuang]

Hi all,

I've been having problems with an upgrade to an Abit BH6 mobo, so I tried ugdating the bios. Abit's site shows the appropriate latest bios (JJ), dated 2/8/99. When my computer boots up, it identifies the bios with a date of 1/19/98.

I flashed the bios to cmos, successfully I believe. However, the bios line at the bottom of the screen is unchanged. The string begins with 1/19/98. Does this mean that I was unsuccessful in updating the bios?

 

[weshuang]

morning bump - any Abit users out there know the answer?

 

[chemos]

why are you updating it? normally, it's a good idea not to update your bios unless you're having problems. if this is the case, did the problem go away? if so, the bios update was successful.

i'm currently running a BH6 at home, with the original bios. haven't had a reason to update it, so i can't really verify whether it worked for you or not. i can say, though, that the mobo has taken up to a PIII proc and a 45G hdd without needing updating. avoid updating your bios unless you have to in order to fix a problem or support new hardware, as it can possibly cause damage to your motherboard.

sorry i can't help much past that. haven't updated the bios on my BH6, or any other abit boards.

 

[Agamar]

If the bios version number did not change at boot up, then the bios flash did not work. What is the version you are trying to flash to?

 

[Slikkster]

when you look at the string of numbers/letters identifying the bios at the bottom of your screen at bootup, it should end with the two letters of the bios you're upgrading to...so it should be a long string of numbers/letters ending in JJ.

I don't necessarily agree with the poster who said never to upgrade unless there's a problem...If you backup your current bios there's very little reason NOT to upgrade when a new bios comes out. There's frequently performance enhancements and bug fixes with subsequent bios releases. You can always read the bios update info file to see what's changed in it.

 

[weshuang]

Slikkster,

Yes, the string of numbers at the bottom of the screen ended in JJ, just as you described. The thing that puzzled me is that the string began with a date, 1/19/98, which did not change after a flashed (or thought I did) the update.

Does anyone know whether that date at the beginning of the line means anything?

 

[weshuang]

Chemos,

Unfortunately, I am having a persistent problem with the mobo. Ever since changing mobo's to the BH6, win98se has been having difficulty with one of the IDE controllers. I have been troubleshooting for about 3 weeks now, with tons of help from all of you guys in other threads.

I'm trying hard to avoid reformatting and reinstalling. Last night I remembered the odd thing with the date string on the bios.

Thanks,
Wes Huang

 

[weshuang]

Agamar,

The line at the bottom of the screen showed version JJ at the far right, as Slikkster described, and a date at the far left. I updated to the latest JJ bios on Abit's site. However, the date didn't change. Any idea if that is significant at all?

 

[Slikkster]

Weshuang, here's something to try with your IDE controller issue.

Take a look at this page. It's about a particular controller issue, but the fix might help you, too:

IDE Controller Fix

Essentially, you're changing the input/output address range on the controller even if it's not showing any conflicts. Give it a try.

Additionally, here's another ms page for ya:

Troubleshooting compatibility modes

 

[weshuang]

Slikkster,

You guys on these boards never cease to bowl me over. I really appreciate the links -- I'll see if they help me tonight!

Thanks,

Wes Huang

 

[boomerang]

Abit's BIOS dates listed at their site do not always show up the same after the flash.

The JJ Bios will be the only JJ BIOS regardless of date. The next and newer version will be JK or whatever they choose to identify it with. Could be JL, or JM, whatever they choose.

 

[weshuang]

Doh?

So you mean that I should choose the version with the latest alphanumeric code that is listed under the BH6 menu? That the dates don't mean anything?

Ah so....

 

[boomerang]

Yep. So, looking at the Abit site, it looks as if the latest BIOS for your board is the SS.

 

[weshuang]

Thanks, everyone. Looks like I flashed the exact same bios!

The thing that confuses me, is why wouldn't Abit make the latest bios for any one board available? While make every older bios available? Does this suggest that there is some reason not to slavishly go to the most recent bios?