FragTek
New member
This little guide should help you on your way to flashing your BIOS if you've never done it before, so lets take a closer look....
First thing, lets understand what BIOS and FLASH BIOS are:
BIOS : Basic Input/Output System wich is the part of the system software of the IBM PC and compatibles that provides the lowest level interface to peripheral devices and controls the first stage of the bootstrap process, including installing the operating system. The BIOS is stored in ROM, or equivalent, in every PC. Its main task is to load and execute the operating system which is usually stored on the computer's hard disk, but may be loaded from CD-ROM or floppy disk at install time.
Flash BIOS : means that the BIOS was written on a rewriteable memory chip and it can be updated inorder to get the best out of your system.
Ok, why would you want to FLASH your BIOS:
1.Will usually solve bugs and problems that you are having.
2.Will add more features and options in the BIOS.
3.Will add support for new devices that aren't supported by the curant ver. of the BIOS , eg.: larger HDD...
Ok, lets get started:
Definitions:
---------------------------------
* Uniflash :
"UniFlash is a flash program, used to write a new BIOS on your FLASH ROM Chip.
What's new there? , you may ask, there are already programs like this on
Internet made by BIG BRANDS like AMI, AWARD or MR. Well... there is only a
little difference: COMPLETE, WORKING SOURCE CODE IN PASCAL IS GIVEN FOR FREE!!"
* Boot block :
Most flash BIOS's incorporate something called a 'boot block'
and UNIFLASH will not normally overwrite it so it remains intact.
The boot block contains just enough code to boot up your computer with basic
peripheral support to enable you to flash in a working BIOS in case something
went wrong , you wont see anything at the screen and you must use a floppy disk as the boot block only supports the floppy drive, no harddrive access!
---------------------------------
1. If u have the type and name of ur mobo, go to this webpage and download the newest BIOS version: Motherboard Manufacturer List
2. If u don't have the type/name of ur mobo , right down the full ID string of ur BIOS wich apears when u first start ur system and then go to this site and find the type/name of ur mobo:
the Award or AMI BIOS Numbers are located here : Award AMI
3. Ok, now that u have the new BIOS data file, we need a program that will write the file in the BIOS chip, such programs are found here : Here
4. After getting the latest BIOS ver. for that old BIOS, download Uniflash from Rainbow Software's website:
http://www.pppr.sk/rainbow/programs.html#UniFlash
then make a bootable DOS disk. To make that disc, go to www.bootdisk.com and download the right version for you then delete all the files on the floopy except "IO.sys" , "Msdos.sys" and "command.com".
having the bootdisk made, unzip Uniflash into the bootdisk (you can keep Uniflash and the bios.bin file on the Harddrive, but i prefer on the floppy), and then copy the new BIOS bin file to the floppy...
So the floppy now has the bootup files, Uniflash, and the new BIOS file.
5. Making an emergency disk:
To create an emergency disk, runn Uniflash on the harddrive with the command: "C:\uniflash -save oldbios.bin"
Uniflash writes the system's BIOS to "oldbios.bin", next insert a clean floppy disk (format it with c:\format a: if format is needed), copy Uniflash to it and the oldbios.bin file. Now you will need a file that well tell the computer that this is an emergency disk because we wont be able to do that when there is a bad bios flash to the system due to the boot block not having support for PCI and AGP video cards. This means you won't be able to SEE anything in the process unless
you replace your PCI video card with an old ISA one, that file is called autoexec.bat. To make it type this in the DOS console:
"C:\Edit A:\autoexec.bat"
the edit program opens, in it we write:
"@UNIFLASH -E <name of BIOS image file> -REBOOT" (without the " ").
-E: Flashes BIOS image from file fname including bootblock without any user input.
-Reboot: Reboot after flashing.
Next in the edit program choose File -> Save and then exit the program.
add the "IO.sys" , "Msdos.sys" and "command.com" to the floppy disk (copy them from the 1st floppy to HD and then to the 2nd floppy).
Now remember that this is a different floppy disk and by this time you have 2 floppy disks, one with Uniflash and a new BIOS file (floppy disk number 1) and the other has Uniflash and the backup BIOS file with autoexec.bat (floppy disk number 2)!
Ok next, insert floppy disk number 1, and go to A:\
type "uniflash" to start Uniflash 1.28, in the program choose to write a bios from a bios file to the Flash ROM chip, hit enter and type in the new bios file name ***.bin, hit enter and choose yes to save, then wait untill it flashs the file to the chip.
Commands for other flashing programs:
awdflash xxx.bin (for Award BIOSs)
amiflash xxx.bin (for AMI BIOSs)
mrflash xxx.bin (for MRBIOSs)
*where xxx is the name of the BIOS file you downloaded.
Some things to note:
1. If the flash program asks to save the current BIOS choose yes so u can go back to the old BIOS if something goes wrong.
2. Some manufacturers may use their own utilities to upgrade the BIOS
3. Disable the System BIOS Cacheable option in the BIOS before flashing
4. By using the switch /? (eg. awdflash /?) the flasher will display all available switches
If you get an "Insufficient memory" error, try the following:
1. In CMOS Chipset Features Setup, disable every form of caching and shadowing you can find, ie: Video Bios Cacheable. Save and exit.
2. Reboot and hit Ctrl+F5, when you see "Windows Starting" (This temporarily prevents Drvspace.bin from loading-making 108K more Memory available.)
3. Award 7.x flashers now have a switch /tiny . If you use that switch (eg awd7xx /tiny newbios.bin) the Award flasher will need less free memory.
After applying the new BIOS file, reboot and check if everything works fine in the BIOS (hit "del" when the system first starts).
If for any reason the flash was a bad flash and the new BIOS didn't work properly then read on...
If you don't see anything at the screen and/or you hear high-low beep sounds then something is wrong with the new BIOS file, the emergency disk comes to help you!
Award: The boot-block BIOS will execute an AUTOEXEC.BAT file on a bootable diskette. Copy an Award flasher & the correct BIOS *.bin file on the floppy and execute it automaticly by putting awdflash *.bin in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
AMI: The AMI boot-block BIOS will look for a AMIBOOT.ROM file on a diskette. Copy and rename the correct BIOS file on the floppy and power up the PC. The floppy doesn't need to be bootable. You will see the PC read the floppy, after about 4 minutes you will hear 4 beeps, this means the transfer is done. Reboot the PC and modify the CMOS for your configuration.
If you are using an Awars BIOS, this is the Award recovery method:
**Remember: This is using Uniflash 1.28!
Reset the pc and insert floppy disk number 2 (emergency disk) and wait tell it works, if the floppy works fine and the pc identifies the disk as an emergency disk, it will start Uniflsah and you'll hear one beep, then you'll hear another beep which means that the backup bios file is being flashed to the chip. You will then hear a happy beep telling you that the Flashing ended successfully and the system will reboot. Remove the flpopy disk (right away) and watch your pc getting resurrected back to life after a bad flash...!
If for any reason the emergency disk didn't work, you'll have to use some other methods to fix the BIOS chip...
The emergency disk that you have created SHOULD be all that you need to fix any flashing errors.
Some extra tips and tricks:
To clear the BIOS to it's defaults (for AMI and Award BIOS's) :
Type the following at a clear DOS prompt, don't do this in DOS-box in Windows!
C:\DEBUG
-O 70 17
-O 71 17
Q
Other ways to recover from a bad flash if the boot-block didn't work:
1. Buy a new BIOS chip.
2. Buy a pre-flashed BIOS chip.
3. Hot-swap
4. For intel motherboards - Change the Flash Recovery jumper.
---------------------------------
special thanks goes to :
Rainbow (Ondrej Zary) from Rainbow software (the company that is developing new versions of Uniflash)! :wavey:
"WimsBios Forums"
http://rainbow.ht.st
http://rainbow.host.sk
Wim Bervoets: Thank you for the wonderful and helpful website
http://www.wimsbios.com/
First thing, lets understand what BIOS and FLASH BIOS are:
BIOS : Basic Input/Output System wich is the part of the system software of the IBM PC and compatibles that provides the lowest level interface to peripheral devices and controls the first stage of the bootstrap process, including installing the operating system. The BIOS is stored in ROM, or equivalent, in every PC. Its main task is to load and execute the operating system which is usually stored on the computer's hard disk, but may be loaded from CD-ROM or floppy disk at install time.
Flash BIOS : means that the BIOS was written on a rewriteable memory chip and it can be updated inorder to get the best out of your system.
Ok, why would you want to FLASH your BIOS:
1.Will usually solve bugs and problems that you are having.
2.Will add more features and options in the BIOS.
3.Will add support for new devices that aren't supported by the curant ver. of the BIOS , eg.: larger HDD...
Ok, lets get started:
Definitions:
---------------------------------
* Uniflash :
"UniFlash is a flash program, used to write a new BIOS on your FLASH ROM Chip.
What's new there? , you may ask, there are already programs like this on
Internet made by BIG BRANDS like AMI, AWARD or MR. Well... there is only a
little difference: COMPLETE, WORKING SOURCE CODE IN PASCAL IS GIVEN FOR FREE!!"
* Boot block :
Most flash BIOS's incorporate something called a 'boot block'
and UNIFLASH will not normally overwrite it so it remains intact.
The boot block contains just enough code to boot up your computer with basic
peripheral support to enable you to flash in a working BIOS in case something
went wrong , you wont see anything at the screen and you must use a floppy disk as the boot block only supports the floppy drive, no harddrive access!
---------------------------------
1. If u have the type and name of ur mobo, go to this webpage and download the newest BIOS version: Motherboard Manufacturer List
2. If u don't have the type/name of ur mobo , right down the full ID string of ur BIOS wich apears when u first start ur system and then go to this site and find the type/name of ur mobo:
the Award or AMI BIOS Numbers are located here : Award AMI
3. Ok, now that u have the new BIOS data file, we need a program that will write the file in the BIOS chip, such programs are found here : Here
4. After getting the latest BIOS ver. for that old BIOS, download Uniflash from Rainbow Software's website:
http://www.pppr.sk/rainbow/programs.html#UniFlash
then make a bootable DOS disk. To make that disc, go to www.bootdisk.com and download the right version for you then delete all the files on the floopy except "IO.sys" , "Msdos.sys" and "command.com".
having the bootdisk made, unzip Uniflash into the bootdisk (you can keep Uniflash and the bios.bin file on the Harddrive, but i prefer on the floppy), and then copy the new BIOS bin file to the floppy...
So the floppy now has the bootup files, Uniflash, and the new BIOS file.
5. Making an emergency disk:
To create an emergency disk, runn Uniflash on the harddrive with the command: "C:\uniflash -save oldbios.bin"
Uniflash writes the system's BIOS to "oldbios.bin", next insert a clean floppy disk (format it with c:\format a: if format is needed), copy Uniflash to it and the oldbios.bin file. Now you will need a file that well tell the computer that this is an emergency disk because we wont be able to do that when there is a bad bios flash to the system due to the boot block not having support for PCI and AGP video cards. This means you won't be able to SEE anything in the process unless
you replace your PCI video card with an old ISA one, that file is called autoexec.bat. To make it type this in the DOS console:
"C:\Edit A:\autoexec.bat"
the edit program opens, in it we write:
"@UNIFLASH -E <name of BIOS image file> -REBOOT" (without the " ").
-E: Flashes BIOS image from file fname including bootblock without any user input.
-Reboot: Reboot after flashing.
Next in the edit program choose File -> Save and then exit the program.
add the "IO.sys" , "Msdos.sys" and "command.com" to the floppy disk (copy them from the 1st floppy to HD and then to the 2nd floppy).
Now remember that this is a different floppy disk and by this time you have 2 floppy disks, one with Uniflash and a new BIOS file (floppy disk number 1) and the other has Uniflash and the backup BIOS file with autoexec.bat (floppy disk number 2)!
Ok next, insert floppy disk number 1, and go to A:\
type "uniflash" to start Uniflash 1.28, in the program choose to write a bios from a bios file to the Flash ROM chip, hit enter and type in the new bios file name ***.bin, hit enter and choose yes to save, then wait untill it flashs the file to the chip.
Commands for other flashing programs:
awdflash xxx.bin (for Award BIOSs)
amiflash xxx.bin (for AMI BIOSs)
mrflash xxx.bin (for MRBIOSs)
*where xxx is the name of the BIOS file you downloaded.
Some things to note:
1. If the flash program asks to save the current BIOS choose yes so u can go back to the old BIOS if something goes wrong.
2. Some manufacturers may use their own utilities to upgrade the BIOS
3. Disable the System BIOS Cacheable option in the BIOS before flashing
4. By using the switch /? (eg. awdflash /?) the flasher will display all available switches
If you get an "Insufficient memory" error, try the following:
1. In CMOS Chipset Features Setup, disable every form of caching and shadowing you can find, ie: Video Bios Cacheable. Save and exit.
2. Reboot and hit Ctrl+F5, when you see "Windows Starting" (This temporarily prevents Drvspace.bin from loading-making 108K more Memory available.)
3. Award 7.x flashers now have a switch /tiny . If you use that switch (eg awd7xx /tiny newbios.bin) the Award flasher will need less free memory.
After applying the new BIOS file, reboot and check if everything works fine in the BIOS (hit "del" when the system first starts).
If for any reason the flash was a bad flash and the new BIOS didn't work properly then read on...
If you don't see anything at the screen and/or you hear high-low beep sounds then something is wrong with the new BIOS file, the emergency disk comes to help you!
Award: The boot-block BIOS will execute an AUTOEXEC.BAT file on a bootable diskette. Copy an Award flasher & the correct BIOS *.bin file on the floppy and execute it automaticly by putting awdflash *.bin in the AUTOEXEC.BAT file.
AMI: The AMI boot-block BIOS will look for a AMIBOOT.ROM file on a diskette. Copy and rename the correct BIOS file on the floppy and power up the PC. The floppy doesn't need to be bootable. You will see the PC read the floppy, after about 4 minutes you will hear 4 beeps, this means the transfer is done. Reboot the PC and modify the CMOS for your configuration.
If you are using an Awars BIOS, this is the Award recovery method:
**Remember: This is using Uniflash 1.28!
Reset the pc and insert floppy disk number 2 (emergency disk) and wait tell it works, if the floppy works fine and the pc identifies the disk as an emergency disk, it will start Uniflsah and you'll hear one beep, then you'll hear another beep which means that the backup bios file is being flashed to the chip. You will then hear a happy beep telling you that the Flashing ended successfully and the system will reboot. Remove the flpopy disk (right away) and watch your pc getting resurrected back to life after a bad flash...!
If for any reason the emergency disk didn't work, you'll have to use some other methods to fix the BIOS chip...
The emergency disk that you have created SHOULD be all that you need to fix any flashing errors.
Some extra tips and tricks:
To clear the BIOS to it's defaults (for AMI and Award BIOS's) :
Type the following at a clear DOS prompt, don't do this in DOS-box in Windows!
C:\DEBUG
-O 70 17
-O 71 17
Q
Other ways to recover from a bad flash if the boot-block didn't work:
1. Buy a new BIOS chip.
2. Buy a pre-flashed BIOS chip.
3. Hot-swap
4. For intel motherboards - Change the Flash Recovery jumper.
---------------------------------
special thanks goes to :
Rainbow (Ondrej Zary) from Rainbow software (the company that is developing new versions of Uniflash)! :wavey:
"WimsBios Forums"
http://rainbow.ht.st
http://rainbow.host.sk
Wim Bervoets: Thank you for the wonderful and helpful website
http://www.wimsbios.com/
