Upgrading Bios

FyrmnJ · 02 Nov 2009

I am also not able to utilize all of my 4GB of memory (can see only 3GB) using my Asus P5B premium motherboard on my 64bit operating system. At the Asus web site there is a bios upgrade that corrects a problem as stated in the next sentence below.
"P5B Premium BIOS 1201
1. Fix CPU VID cannot be adjusted when using certain CPU"

Is it POSSIBLE that this bios upgrade (Fix CPU VID) MIGHT correct that problem? I'm reluctent to flash my bios but if flashing the bios MIGHT correct the problem its worth a try.

FyrmnJ

SIW2 · 02 Nov 2009

I flashed my Asrock bios a couple of times. They provide a very easy way to do it from within Vista/7.

Not sure about Asus - imagine it is the same.

Snufffed · 02 Nov 2009

There is a patch to allow X86 to use the FULL 4GB. It might work for your system. But If ASUS has a BIOS Patch to allow the FULL 4GB then I would recommend the BIOS UPGRADE.

bobkn · 02 Nov 2009

FyrmnJ said:

I am also not able to utilize all of my 4GB of memory (can see only 3GB) using my Asus P5B premium motherboard on my 64bit operating system. At the Asus web site there is a bios upgrade that corrects a problem as stated in the next sentence below.
"P5B Premium BIOS 1201
1. Fix CPU VID cannot be adjusted when using certain CPU"

Is it POSSIBLE that this bios upgrade (Fix CPU VID) MIGHT correct that problem? I'm reluctent to flash my bios but if flashing the bios MIGHT correct the problem its worth a try.

FyrmnJ

Strikes me as farfetched. VID is "voltage information digital", which is used to supply the proper core voltage to a specific CPU. I doubt that it would affect the amount of RAM detected, even if you had one of the CPUs which gave a VID error.

When you say that it "can only see 3GB", can you be more specific? For example, in the Windows Task Manager, on the Performance tab, the correct physical RAM in my system is reported (Win7 X64 Home Premium). Less is listed as available, and even less as free.

You can launch the WIndows Memory Diagnostic Tool from Windows Help & Support (a reboot is required). That may tell you whether you have any hardware problems.

Should you decide to update the BIOS anyway, I suggest that you do it using the Asus EZFlash 2 utility. I prefer not to flash the BIOS from Windows, and EZFlash doesn't require a floppy.

whest · 03 Nov 2009

I use the windows flash (Asus Update), and think its easy - use to use the floppy. Would definitely try the latest bios, as they only list the major fix, and what have you got too loose. I have a P5E running bios 1201, and works perfect, but couldnt guarantee it will fix the memory problem. Also the latest bios includes all the previous fixes.

nate42nd · 03 Nov 2009

I posted a video on YouTube about flashing your BIOS if it would help to watch it.

I was looking for something similar and could not find it so I videoed myself flashing.

It's a Gigabyte board but it's probably about the same with Asus boards if they provide a way to flash with a USB drive.

If you want to watch it just search "flash BIOS" or "Flash Gigabyte BIOS" and it will come up. I like learning visually. Good luck!

Dave76 · 03 Nov 2009

Have you checked:

Start button, type 'msconfig' hit enter, Boot tab - advanced Options,

Is the 'Maximum memory' box checked?

Un-check the box, click 'OK' , in the System Configuration window click Apply.

whest · 03 Nov 2009

Go into your bios - advanced - chipset - memory remap feature - and enable it.

Memory Remap Feature Dilemma. - Overclock.net - Overclocking.net