BIOS flash - ASUS MoBo

[LiquidSnak]

I am looking at ASUS' support, and am planning to flash my BIOS to an updated version, as I have exhausted all other attempts at stabilizing my system.

The instructions tell me to make a boot floppy. As there is no logical way for me to do this, as my board does not have a floppy cable present, this proves impossible. Anyone flashed the BIOS on an ASUS M4 series? Tips?

 

[Orbital Shark]

Have a look Here and see if the info helps

It's relating to creating a boot cd instead of using a floppy


OS

 

[brianzion]

I am looking at ASUS' support, and am planning to flash my BIOS to an updated version, as I have exhausted all other attempts at stabilizing my system.

The instructions tell me to make a boot floppy. As there is no logical way for me to do this, as my board does not have a floppy cable present, this proves impossible. Anyone flashed the BIOS on an ASUS M4 series? Tips?

this is a good read you should find good advice here as well
How to Update Your Computer's BIOS - wikiHow

 

[Bill2]

Dude, it aint rocket science. Make a bootable usb, put your extracted bios files on it, then run the manufacturer provided utility. Having said that, there might also be an .exe updater available which you can run inside windows, although I'm not a great fan of flashing inside windows. If you are jittery, post the download link for the updated bios and I'll take a look.

Again- make sure the new bios give you the benefits you're looking for, also find out whether your system boots from usb at all.

 

[alphanumeric]

I flashed my Asus M2N68-AM SE2 from Windows. Piece of cake compared to making a bootable CD or flash drive, or even using my USB flash drive. My motherboard also doesn't have a floppy controller.

 

[TVeblen]

The following is from Asus. They may know something about flashing a BIOS:

Revised February 4, 2010.

Updating BIOS is serious business!
Every precaution should therefore be taken to prevent that anything goes wrong. Above all: DO NOT USE ASUS UPDATE!!! AFUDOS is the only good alternative to EZ Flash 2.



EZ Flash 2 is a built-in function of BIOS. It is the safest way to update BIOS, because one is not dependent on the operating system, any application, internet connection, firewall settings, antivirus or anything else that can put the vital BIOS update at risk.

On a new build, BIOS can be updated to the latest version before installation of the OS, which may possibly make the installation go smoother and safer.


Note: All what's said below about loading BIOS defaults also applies to the other BIOS update methods (ASUS Update and AFUDOS)!

The PC must never be overclocked during the BIOS update! Always load and save BIOS defaults before and after a BIOS update (press <F5>). By loading and saving BIOS defaults before the update, CPU frequency, memory frequency and voltages are set to default (Auto).
Memory timings are set to SPD values which ensure that a PC with high performance memory that need a higher voltage than 1.8V for DDR2 or 1.5V for DDR3 is able to boot on the standard Memory Voltage. Save the default settings (press <F10>) before starting the update.

When these instructions are carefully followed, there will be no need for a CLRTC.

Preparation:

• Document all your preferred BIOS settings (i.e. the settings you have changed from the default setting).
• Download the BIOS file, which normally is compressed (zipped).
• Unzip the BIOS file to a FAT/FAT32 formatted USB Flash Disk with only one partition (or to a Floppy Disk or a CD-ROM). If the unzipped BIOS file is named like e.g. 'P5B-ASUS-Deluxe-1101.ROM', you can rename it to 'P5BD1101.ROM'. Otherwise a truncated name will appear as 'P5B-AS~1.ROM' due to a limitation to max 8 characters in the filename (8.3).

Update:

• Reboot.
• Press (tap) <DEL> during POST (Power-On Self Test) to enter BIOS Setup.
• Load BIOS Defaults (press <F5>).
• Insert the USB Flash Disk containing the BIOS file P5BDxxxx.ROM. (Note that the USB Flash Disk has to be inserted before boot to enter BIOS, otherwise it won't be detected).
• Save and Exit <F10>. (BIOS will now restart).
• During BIOS restart, press <DEL> to enter BIOS Setup again.
• Under Tools menu, select ASUS EZ Flash 2. It may take 20 seconds for the drives to show up. Select a drive in the left pane <Tab>. Use <Up> and <Down> arrows and <Enter> to select a drive. If you don't see the BIOS file in the right pane, check the other drives. Note that the drive letters may not be the same here as in Windows.
• Select the BIOS file (e.g. P5BD1101.ROM) and press <Enter> to start flashing. Supervise the update, which includes the following stages: Erasing - Flashing (writing) - Verification. BIOS will automatically restart when the update is ready.
• Disconnect the USB Flash Disk before/during the restart.
• Perform a C.P.R. (CPU Parameter Recall) which resets the chipset. Power down, remove power cord from the PSU for 2 minutes and then power up.
• Enter BIOS and load BIOS Defaults <F5> again.
• Reenter your preferred BIOS settings - if you are using AHCI or RAID mode, don't forget to set 'Configure SATA as' to [AHCI / RAID]. Also remember the settings for the JMicron Controller, Audio and Memory Voltage. Check also that the Boot Device Priority is ok.
• Save and Exit <F10> (automatic restart).
• Press <DEL> to enter BIOS Setup and make a final check that all BIOS settings are ok. Save any changes.

Hope that helps!

 

[LiquidSnak]

During BIOS restart, press <DEL> to enter BIOS Setup again.
Under Tools menu, select ASUS EZ Flash 2. It may take 20 seconds for the drives to show up. Select a drive in the left pane <Tab>. Use <Up> and <Down> arrows and <Enter> to select a drive. If you don't see the BIOS file in the right pane, check the other drives. Note that the drive letters may not be the same here as in Windows.

I wish they just had that on their website. It would eliminate 10,000 steps.

Thanks, everyone, I'm delving into the flash now

 

[Orbital Shark]

That's good to hear, let us know how you get on

 

[stormy13]

I wish they just had that on their website. It would eliminate 10,000 steps.

It is,

ASUSTeK Computer Inc.

may not say how there but it is in the manual, or at least the PDF version for your board I downloaded a long while ago (have almost a 100 saved motherboard manuals ), page 2-2 in chapter 2 in the PDF.

 

[LiquidSnak]

Well I guess I should just be more organized and not lose my manuals.

Thanks everyone! Updated from bios revision 0219 to revision 2005

 

[Orbital Shark]

All seems well then, glad to hear (read) it

 

[LiquidSnak]

So far my computer seems faster, I think my CPU wasn't fully supported by my old BIOS (very likely as there has been tons of CPU support and Memory enhancements added since 2009/08/14 when revision 219 came out) And I'll give the stability update tomorrow. I have been getting freezes sporadically, and can't tie them down to anything, so BIOS is my last option.

 

[stormy13]

Well I guess I should just be more organized and not lose my manuals.

Here you go,

View attachment E4820_M4A785TD-V EVO.zip

Keep it in a safe place.

 

[Orbital Shark]

Let us know how you get on

 

[TVeblen]

Let's hope that will do it then.

Might also be a good idea to see if any of the other motherboard drivers have been updated since you first installed them too.

 

[TVeblen]

FYI: My info actually comes from the ASUS support forum. It is a sticky here: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Forum- EZ Flash 2 - the safest way to update BIOS

I guess they get tired of hearing from people bricking their boards doing "easy" BIOS flashes!

 

[LiquidSnak]

Up Time 1:12:09:35

Thanks again for everyone's help

 

[nvr2amzd]

Do NOT rely upon ASUS tech support for the RIGHT directions!

After beating my head against a brick wall (VERY painful, too), I discovered this forum. I have a new ASUS desktop (CM 6870) that is totally unstable. The first tech I heard from via ASUS directed me to make a bootable flash drive (huh?) from a non-existent Windows 7 installation disk. Hey, we all know the manufacturers no longer provide OS installation disks...or any disks, for that matter...with their new computers. I found numerous articles on the 'net on "how to" make bootable flash drives...to no avail. The tech's directions on how to install the update for the BIOS were way off, too. After many days of trying anything and everything, I found this forum and this thread. I used TVeblen's directions (mostly, anyway)...and SUCCESS! My BIOS is now updated (and it was easy, of course!)...and I'm a Happy Camper who says, "Phooey (to put it politely!) to ASUS tech support, especially to the second tech who told me to do a Windows 7 Recovery procedure (I was smarter than THAT!!)...

So, thanks to all of you, especially TVeblen, for making this BIOS update a POSITIVE effort! Now I can only hope this update works...and my computer problems are not due to a bad motherboard...