Simviation Forum - Do I dare? (Asus P5B question)

Reply #30 - Jan 11^th, 2008 at 6:35pm

Brett_Henderson Offline
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According to the website.. the EZ Flash 2, is done outside of the OS..

Quote:

Simply update BIOS from a USB flash disk before entering the OS
EZ Flash 2 is a user-friendly BIOS update utility. Simply launch this tool and update BIOS from a USB flash disk before entering the OS. You can update your BIOS only in a few clicks without preparing an additional floppy diskette or using an OS-based flash utility.

It sounds like what Nick was mentioning earlier in this thread. That's what I'd do

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Reply #31 - Jan 11^th, 2008 at 6:53pm

NickN Offline
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FSX runs fine... the problem
is you or your system

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beaky wrote on Jan 11^th, 2008 at 6:26pm:

Everyone's been very helpful- thanks a lot.
But God, no...no more hardware changes!!! Shocked

If it comes down to making do with it as is, so be it... I don't have much time as it is to just sit back and fly a nice flight; since I built this rig I've spent more time farting around with it, FS9, and the OS than I have flying the sim (which is why I built this thing in the first place!).

Sometime this weekend I will delve further... I may go with the floppy; seems simplest and most likely to succeed. Kinda smarts to buy a floppy drive; maybe I should get a tape drive while I'm at it. Roll Eyes

BTW, if anyone is wondering, here are the details I neglected to post initially:

P5B Deluxe (no wi-fi but two LAN ports)
Chipset: Intil P965

got it

OK, if you have a USB stick it will work better than the floppy. The website confirmed the board has that feature. I need to check your MB manual to make sure this is not an older version that does not have the feature but I am sure it does, so you do not need a floppy just a USB stick drive... they cost the same and hold 10,000x more data

I will get a look at the motherboard manual this weekend. What I would really like to know is which BIOS you are on now.. download this software, unzip and run CPUz.exe

http://www.cpuid.com/download/cpu-z-143.zip

When the interface appears, check the 3rd tab for the BIOS revision AND the revision of the motherboard

dont worry, we will have you fixed up in a jiffy but do make that drink and have it standing by

Grin

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Reply #32 - Jan 12^th, 2008 at 2:26am

Keep It Simple Offline
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The P5B Deluxe does support their " Crash Free BIOS utililty" that allows you to install the initial BIOS from the support CD that came with the MOBO in the event of a failed BIOS flash.

Also, you are supposed to be able to recover from a failed flash by bootting with a USB flash drive containing a BIOS file . There are a couple of conditions as outlined in the manual

So, even in a worst case senerio, you are supposed to be able to recover by booting from the CD or USB flash..

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Reply #33 - Jan 12^th, 2008 at 6:35am

freedomhays Offline
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Here's one for ya,
I have been using the asus update utilitiy to flash bios for a long time, no problem.
Nick says this can be dangerous, I agree, so I thought I would get familiar with the floppy/dos method, the problem is a floppy only holds 1.44 MB and the bios .rom file is 2048 KB

Whats up with that,

&&&&

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Reply #34 - Jan 12^th, 2008 at 8:45am

NickN Offline
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FSX runs fine... the problem
is you or your system

Posts: 6317

freedomhays wrote on Jan 12^th, 2008 at 6:35am:

Here's one for ya,
I have been using the asus update utilitiy to flash bios for a long time, no problem.
Nick says this can be dangerous, I agree, so I thought I would get familiar with the floppy/dos method, the problem is a floppy only holds 1.44 MB and the bios .rom file is 2048 KB

Whats up with that,

[img]

New BIOS files are exceeding 2meg. I was unaware the P5B was doing that. I know the newer chipset boards do such as x38 and x45.

EDIT: You are on the P5E so yes the x38 will exceed 2mb for the BIOS

All you need is a burned CD or a USB stick, USB being the easiest way, or a super floppy drive which also uses the USB boot protocol.

As for the crash free BIOS, that is true and it does work as long as the boot-block part of the BIOS chip programming is undamaged and will continue to function even if the main BIOS programming is wiped.

Usually the boot-block is locked out for protection during a flash but if there is a bug or a glitch, it can be damaged as well leaving the board dead and unable to auto-recover.

Also, some BIOS upgrades, upgrade the boot-block as well. More than likely the BIOS Asus mentions for the P5B that can not be downgraded and requires the use of a new tool includes a boot-block upgrade... which poses an even greater risk because if it glitches, the entire BIOS chip and its recovery support is wiped.

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Reply #35 - Jan 12^th, 2008 at 9:32am

freedomhays Offline
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I'll take on that chump,
and you fight the other
Catonsville, Md.

Posts: 650

P5E, I have this MB also, It's my main rig....

&&&&

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Reply #36 - Jan 12^th, 2008 at 9:53am

NickN Offline
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FSX runs fine... the problem
is you or your system

Posts: 6317

I know Asus puts that Windows flash tool out there and I know it makes the process easier, especially for those who are not DOS or BIOS savvy but really, its best to do it from a clean boot. The Windows tool can be used and I have used it in a pinch on older boards that did not support USB flashing and did not have a floppy installed.

Just be aware that the odds of you seeing a black screen on reboot are 50% higher with the Windows flasher over a clean boot flash.

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Reply #37 - Jan 12^th, 2008 at 10:55am

NickN Offline
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FSX runs fine... the problem
is you or your system

Posts: 6317

I have to leave unexpectedly but I will finish reading the manual and post the process and BIOS file needed this weekend.

Driver updates may not be a bad thing to look into and confirm, especially chipset drivers, after the BIOS installs. We will go over that after the BIOS has been flashed and you have had the ceremonial drink Grin

later

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Reply #38 - Jan 12^th, 2008 at 11:38pm

NickN Offline
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FSX runs fine... the problem
is you or your system

Posts: 6317

This is the latest BIOS for the P5B Deluxe

http://dlsvr03.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socket775/P5B%20Deluxe%20Wifi-AP/P5BD1226.zi...

Its exaclty 1MB so it will work on a floppy. Most of the older chipsets still have small BIOS files. the newer ones are very large. The USB stick would be the easy way to do this, although I am reading a downgrade may not be possible, only upgrades using a flash stick.. still reading though

There are 2 manuals one dated 03/22/07 and another dated 04/24/07 but the basics appear the same.

I need to see the BIOS number the board is currently running. Use the utility I posted above to get the revision of the board and the BIOS.

EDIT: One other thing too... check the memory tab in that tool and post the exact model number for the Gskill sticks with theior timing specs (SPD, dropdown box and memory tabs). If its easier, just snag an image of the tabs and I will look them over. I want to research the memory before we do anything.

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Reply #39 - Jan 13^th, 2008 at 3:26pm

NickN Offline
Colonel
FSX runs fine... the problem
is you or your system

Posts: 6317

I would prefer to have the info I posted about above before you start. It will finalize some things and then we can proceed

I just went through the manual and I see no conflicts in the instructions

Section 4. 1. 3 Page 4-5 Asus EZFlash 2

Use a USB stick, place the unzipped BIOS on that stick then reboot and follow the directions in the manual

The USB will be recognized automatically and use the TAB key to nav the utility. Hit B to backup the current BIOS just in case and name it BACKUP, then proceed to flash

My recommendation after the flash has completed is to SHUT DOWN, unplug the tower, open it and reset the CMOS via the jumper (as instructed via the manual) close it up, power up and boot.

If it boots, get on your knees and thank God, then down that drink, take a deep breath and continue.

The first time it boots you should get an F1 error, enter the BIOS go to the EXIT menu and select LOAD SETUP DEFAULTS then F-10 and exit

reboot and re-enter the BIOS to make any changes needed. You will need to rested time/date and all the other items that are specific to your setup.

From there you are on your way however it may still require those Gskill sticks be manually set in the BIOS for timing and voltage. It may not.

If you have any problems you can do an emergency recovery by simply using the CRASH FREE utility. READ section 4. 1. 5. in the manual on the use of the DVD or the USB stick for a bad flash recovery.

NOTE: the file on the USB stick must be named: P5BDELUXE.ROM

you can use any BIOS as long as you name it what I posted above. You can rename the BACKUP bios you made to that name and use it, or just run the DVD method.

Any questions?

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Reply #40 - Jan 13^th, 2008 at 3:53pm

freedomhays Offline
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I'll take on that chump,
and you fight the other
Catonsville, Md.

Posts: 650

NickN wrote on Jan 13^th, 2008 at 3:26pm:

I would prefer to have the info I posted about above before you start. It will finalize some things and then we can proceed

I just went through the manual and I see no conflicts in the instructions

Section 4. 1. 3 Page 4-5 Asus EZFlash 2

Use a USB stick, place the unzipped BIOS on that stick then reboot and follow the directions in the manual

The USB will be recognized automatically and use the TAB key to nav the utility. Hit B to backup the current BIOS just in case and name it BACKUP, then proceed to flash

My recommendation after the flash has completed is to SHUT DOWN, unplug the tower, open it and reset the CMOS via the jumper (as instructed via the manual) close it up, power up and boot.

If it boots, get on your knees and thank God, then down that drink, take a deep breath and continue.

The first time it boots you should get an F1 error, enter the BIOS go to the EXIT menu and select LOAD SETUP DEFAULTS then F-10 and exit

reboot and re-enter the BIOS to make any changes needed. You will need to rested time/date and all the other items that are specific to your setup.

From there you are on your way however it may still require those Gskill sticks be manually set in the BIOS for timing and voltage. It may not.

If you have any problems you can do an emergency recovery by simply using the CRASH FREE utility. READ section 4. 1. 5. in the manual on the use of the DVD or the USB stick for a bad flash recovery.

NOTE: the file on the USB stick must be named: P5BDELUXE.ROM

you can use any BIOS as long as you name it what I posted above. You can rename the BACKUP bios you made to that name and use it, or just run the DVD method.

Any questions?

Nick, I mean no harm, but I thik you are nuts......
USB flash does not exsist..........in ASUS Flash Ami bios, back or forward.............
manual means nothing

&&&&

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Reply #41 - Jan 13^th, 2008 at 5:47pm

NickN Offline
Colonel
FSX runs fine... the problem
is you or your system

Posts: 6317

Maybe I am nutz I did it twice on my own before posting to be sure the manual was correct Cheesy

If I am nutz, it didnt work and I just imagined it

ALT-F2 and it reads the stick just fine, backed up and also read the Eflash process

It can not be formatted to anything other than FAT32

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