BIOS Update Frequently Asked Questions A BIOS upgrade will usually contain one or more of the following: additional BIOS features, fixes for various bugs and/or compatibility problems, and additional CPU support. The newest BIOS upgrade will always contain the fixes from earlier revisions (so you do not need to flash every BIOS revision between your current revision and the latest revision). However, if your system is working without problems or conflicts, then it isn't recommended that you flash your BIOS. If it isn’t broken, don't fix it! Trying to fix a working system might result in a non-working one. If you are not sure about your BIOS update, please contact your vendor and let them perform this task. You may make your main board defective if you fail the BIOS update task. 1. What should I do before I update (flash) my main board’s BIOS? Please record all the setting in the CMOS BIOS screens. 2. The BIOS update utility hangs my system before it tries to flash the BIOS. What should I do? First of all, you should check the "Chipset Features Setup" in your CMOS. Make sure "System BIOS Cacheable" is turn OFF. If it still doesn't work, please download the latest Flash Utility and try again. 3. How to do the BIOS update? a) Make sure all caches and shadows inside the current CMOS is ALL OFF. Especially the "System BIOS Cacheable" settings in "Chipset Features Setup". You may "kill" your main board if you haven't turned it off. b) Boot the system clean (eg. No Himem.sys, No Emm386, No TSR etc.), by pass all TSR programs. c) Have the BIOS update utility program (AWARD OR AMI) and the motherboard binary file (with the extension BIN or ROM) copied to a floppy disk. d) Change you system prompt to the floppy drive prompt (eg. A:\>). e) Type the following: A:\>FLASH FILE.BIN {press Enter} (Note: the word "FLASH" should be substituted with the flash program for your particular motherboard and the word "FILE" should be substituted by the BIN file name you downloaded) f) The first question will ask you that do you want to back up the original BIOS from your system to a file. g) The second question need you to confirm to update the BIOS (you need to press "Y" to let the system to update) h) DO NOT POWER OFF WHILE THE SYSTEM IS UPDATING YOUR BIOS FILE - IF YOU DO - YOUR MOTHERBOARD WILL NOT FUCTION AGAIN. i) Once the update is done, you need to power off and on for the system. j) Go back to CMOS and double check all the setting in the BIOS to see it match to the setting you had before. At this point, you can re-enable the caches and shadows you have been enabled before. 4. Some of the features don’t work after I flash the BIOS. What should I do? Please go the BIOS Setup Screen to load the "Setup Default" again. Also, please double-check all the settings to make sure they are same as before. Furthermore, some bios updates may have features either enabled or disabled. 5. Can I use a BIOS from a different motherboard model on my motherboard? No, each BIOS is special written for one model only, and they are not inter-changeable. Warning: Using the wrong BIOS may damage your motherboard or peripheral cards. DISCLAIMER: By flashing your BIOS you accept the consequences outlined in this document. Any damage caused by your actions will not be accepted as a warranty claim. No further support or warranty will remain on your motherboard if flashed incorrectly. Improperly flashing your BIOS voids all future product warranty.