Noob needs to know how to flash BIOS to the newest.

[Cheeko Papa]

Hello,

I'll be getting my new system soon and I need instructions on how to flash the BIOS. I have never flashed/updated a BIOS before. I'll be getting a 3200+ Venice so I'm assuming I'll need to update the BIOS when I get my board.

I need the most detailed way to flash a BIOS. With every little step and how to do each step. I'm totally noob when it comes to flashing BIOS.

 

Anyways, I found these links here:

 

I do this first:

http://www.dfi.com.tw/Support/mb_faq_us1.j...TYPE=US&SITE=US

 

and then I do this?

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showpost.p...964&postcount=4

 

Is it necessary to pull out the battery and clear the CMOS? (never done this)

 

I need a dummy proof way of flashing the BIOS because I'm soo scared of screwing anything up. But I'm willing to learn and take the time.

 

If someone could please take the time and write a step by step guide on how to properly flash a BIOS, I will be forever greatful.

 

Thanks a lot.

[cpuz]

look in my signature there is a link for nf4 board help, you will find a link there on how to flash bios.

[StephenC]

1. Clear cmos. use A_G's procedure.

2. Boot system, and press delete key when promted to enter bios.

3. Choose optimized default, place floppy with bios ver (diamond flash one)

Save and reboot.

4. Will boot to floppy and flash bios. When asked to press F1 key, remove floppy and press F1 key.

5. When your system starts to post hold down the power button to shut system down.

6. Follow this procedure after flash.

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showpost.p...964&postcount=4

 

Edit: Slow on the keyboard.

[Sunserrae]

You can do it one of two ways.

 

One as recommended with Diamond Flash. Another in the NVIDIA utility, which has a 'clear CMOS' option if that works for your better.

 

Start>Programs>NIVIDA>nTUNE>Update BIOS

 

(or any of the other features for some performance, and monitoring if you do not have other third party apps you prefer).

 

:drool:

[Cheeko Papa]

look in my signature there is a link for nf4 board help, you will find a link there on how to flash bios.

What is "Awdflash? I downloaded one of the BIOS' just to check it out and I see "AWDFLASH.EXE." What exactly is this?

http://home.no/nickeh/How-To-Flash/how_to_...th_awdflash.htm

 

1. Clear cmos. use A_G's procedure.

Where is Angry's clear CMOS procedure?

Here? --- http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showpost.p...964&postcount=4

 

3. Choose optimized default, place floppy with bios ver (diamond flash one)

What is the difference between Diamond Flash Image and just the regular one?

Which of these BIOS'es should I use with my setup?

 

I just want something stable at first.

2005/06/23 or 2005/03/10......(i think DFI ships out with 2005/03/10?)

You guys need to be crystal clear on which BIOS I download. Link me to the direct one if you can.

http://www.dfi.com.tw/Support/Download/bio..._FLAG=A&SITE=NA

 

If I use the Diamond Flash Image, I follow these instructions...

http://www.dfi.com.tw/Support/mb_faq_us1.j...TYPE=US&SITE=US

 

but then I DON'T follow these instructions?

http://www.dfi.com.tw/Support/mb_faq_us1.j...TYPE=US&SITE=US

 

6. Follow this procedure after flash.

From Angry's directions...

9. boot back to bios and now you can change settings to your liking.

I don't really want to mess with the BIOS settings at first, I just want it up and running with stability. Do I have to change anything or can I just load the "optimized defaults" and just boot up?

 

Another in the NVIDIA utility, which has a 'clear CMOS' option if that works for your better.

I heard that you aren't suppose to install nvidia drivers from the CD?

 

One more question:

When do I do this BIOS update? When I'm building my computer? Before XP Install? or After XP-Install?

 

Sorry for all the questions. I just want to be really, really, really clear how to flash the BIOS correctly.

 

Thanks for your replies and time.

[Sharp]

Hello,

 

Sunserrae, never recommend nTune.

nTune = harzard and can totally f-up your board.

 

Cheeko Papa

You should flash before you install windows.

 

This should help you understand what the BIOS files are, awdflash.exe and N4D623-3.BIN are.

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showpost.p...91&postcount=11

 

Diamond flash = makes a boot disk with the BIOS flies on it.

Then you boot from the disk and type, eg

awdflash n4d623-3.bin /sn /cc /f

 

With the zip file that you can download, it is just the 2 files, awdflash.exe and n4d623-3.bin.

No boot disk which is needed in order to flash the BIOS.

 

There are a few ways to flash the BIOS.

You can use

 

* Diamond flash

 

* A bootable CD (Pershoot made the CD)

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21751

 

* Or make your own Boot disk + download the zip version.

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showpost.p...264&postcount=6

 

* Or use FlashXpress (does what I said in the above link but automatically)

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showpost.p...9&postcount=158

+ Just download the "ready made" BIOS file that you want.

+ Extract the exe file

+ Run the exe file and it will make the bios boot disk.

+ Boot from the disk and wait.

 

I think I have covered everything

 

You do need to install some nvidia drivers once you have installed windows.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_nf4_wi...2_amd_6.66.html

 

+ Do not install the nvidia firewall/NAM software (network access manager)

+ The IDE driver has been known not to work/cause problems.

Works fine for me and many other people but you decide.

 

And never flash the BIOS if you have not tested the PC with MEMTEST86+

[Cheeko Papa]

Thank you sooo much Sharp. <3 I can't believe that there isn't a sticky on flashing the BIOS.

 

Ok. Now there are 4 ways you listed on how to flash the BIOS. I don't want to go with the CD method since I've had problems with bootable CDS and such.

 

Now out of the 3: Which one is the easiest and safest method of flashing the BIOS?

- Diamond flash

- Make your own Boot disk + download the zip version.

- FlashXpress

 

Diamond Flash

I just follow this guide and that's it.

http://www.dfi.com.tw/Support/mb_faq_us1.j...TYPE=US&SITE=US

 

Make your own Boot disk

I follow either this

http://www.dfi.com.tw/Support/mb_fa...TYPE=US&SITE=US

OR

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showpost.p...264&postcount=6

(yours looks a lot more simpler and easier to read)

 

FlashXpress

http://www.dfi-street.com/forum/showpost.p...9&postcount=158

 

 

Questions:

 

1. So Diamond Flash Image is just a Boot Disk with BIOS files on it? So you just use 1 disk instead of using 2 separate disks? (boot disk and BIOS disk)

 

2. If I use FlashXpress, it automatically boots itself and starts to flash? I don't need to type any DOS commands?

 

3a. Do I need to follow these instructions for the FlashXpress?

How to make it work with any BIOS

+ Download Source version

+ Copy the flash.exe and bios.bin to the BIOS folder.

+ Edit the SETRAMD.BAT (use notepad)

+ Change the title to your motherboard descritption.

+ Edit the Flash.BAT (use notepad) in the BIOS folder

+ Change the instructions and flash procedure commands.

+ Then create self extracting floppy image using FloppyImage

Floppy Image creator

+ Test and distribute for everyone to use.

 

3b. Do I need to download "FlashXpress Source?" Or can I just download this "FlashXpress DFI_LANPARTY_NF4_BIOS_623-3 (official)"

 

4. Prior to flashing the BIOS, do I need to do anything at all?

1. Clear cmos. use A_G's procedure.

2. Boot system, and press delete key when promted to enter bios.

3. Choose optimized default

If I do, where is Angry's "Clear CMOS procedure?"

 

5. After flashing, I follow Angry's instructions here?

1. pull power

2. pull battery

3. clear cmos jumper for minimum of 30-60 seconds

4. replace cmos jumper to normal position

5. replace battery

6. replace power

7. boot to bios and load optimized defaults

8. save and exit

9. boot back to bios and now you can change settings to your liking.

OR yours?

 

- Once the BIOS flash has finished, turn the PC off.

- Clear the CMOS using the JBAT jumper, leave it there for 10 minutes.

- Then put the CMOS jumper back to the save postion

- When you Power the PC enter the BIOS.

- Load optimised defaults

- Save and exit.

- Enter the BIOS and go to CMOS reloaded.

- For each profile, save the current settings.

- Then save and exit.

- Now you can enter the BIOS and change the settings.

 

As you can you see, there are differences such as

- pulling out the CMOS battery

- putting the Jumper back into the "save position"

putting the Jumper back into the "normal position"

- For each profile, save the current settings.

 

I need some clarification on these steps.

 

Once again, Thank you VERY much Sharp.

[Sharp]

Hello,

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Now out of the 3: Which one is the easiest and safest method of flashing the BIOS?

It has to be FlashXpress

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

1. So Diamond Flash Image is just a Boot Disk with BIOS files on it? So you just use 1 disk instead of using 2 separate disks? (boot disk and BIOS disk)

Yes

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

2. If I use FlashXpress, it automatically boots itself and starts to flash? I don't need to type any DOS commands?

Yes but it will ask to to if you want to flash, press Y or N.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

3a. Do I need to follow these instructions for the FlashXpress?

 

How to make it work with any BIOS

+ Download Source version

+ Copy the flash.exe and bios.bin to the BIOS folder.

+ Edit the SETRAMD.BAT (use notepad)

+ Change the title to your motherboard descritption.

+ Edit the Flash.BAT (use notepad) in the BIOS folder

+ Change the instructions and flash procedure commands.

+ Then create self extracting floppy image using FloppyImage

Floppy Image creator

+ Test and distribute for everyone to use.

No, that is only if you want to make FlashXpress work with another BIOS.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

3b. Do I need to download "FlashXpress Source?" Or can I just download this "FlashXpress DFI_LANPARTY_NF4_BIOS_623-3 (official)"

You do not need the souce files. Just download the ready made one.

FlashXpress DFI_LANPARTY_NF4_BIOS_623-3 (official)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

4. Prior to flashing the BIOS, do I need to do anything at all?

Yes, test the memory performance/stability with memtest. If you flash the BIOS and your memory is full of errors, you may end up corrupting your BIOS.

 

- Make sure that you are not overclocking anything.

- You can load optimised defaults if you want, not a bad idea but run memtest too.

- You dont have to clear the CMOS before you flash.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

5. After flashing, I follow Angry's instructions here? OR yours?

- I forgot to put remove the power cord from the PSU (unplug it from the mains)

- You can remove the battery but it is not essential, if you want to be sure that the CMOS has no power, remove the battery.

 

- Definately clear the CMOS for 10 minutes, 30-60 second can be too little.

- Definately clear all the CMOS RELOADED profiles.

 

So I would say use my set of instructions + 1 and 2(=optional) of Angry's.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

Ok?

[Cheeko Papa]

Thanks a lot Sharp! You're the best! No more fear when it comes to flashing BIOS!

 

Just one last question:

If the unthinkable should happen and something happens during the BIOS flash and it screws up, what should I do? Is the BIOS totally screwed up?

 

I hope you don't mind if I link this information to my friends.

 

You've been a great help. Thanks again.

[Sharp]

Hello,

 

If the BIOS flash does go wrong, you may be able to recover it.

 

The board might ask to to insert a system disk and press enter when you restart. (after the flash)

If it does, download the Recovery FlashXpress disk. (run the exe to make the disk)

And put that in the floppy drive and press enter.

Then wait.

 

I don't mind

[Guest Tmod]

Cheeko Papa,

 

You may also want to consider the flash CD that I created.

 

According to the members that used it there ws never any problems.

 

Tmod's Bios Flash CD

 

Tmod

[Cheeko Papa]

Thanks Sharp.

 

Tmod: Since I'm quite a noob at flashing BIOS. I'll hold off on other ways and custom flashing for now. But I'll definitely give it a try in the future.

 

I downloaded the DFI Manual the other day and was reading it. I came across on how to flash the BIOS on page 122 & 123 and would just like to share it with others.

 

Thanks for all the help.