bios flash/windows xp

[samdbugman]

i am totally confused about how to flash the bios on my mobo....k7s5a..[will check rev # when installing the hdd i am waiting for]..windows xp home...amd 1600 xp...msi g4 ti 4200... looking at the instructions about bios flashing raises a couple of questions...1...instead of a floppy i should use a cd to flash the bios?....2...what bios do i use?...3...will the most recent bios have all previous bios updates?...sorry about the simple questions, but i have learned by experience to ask here first, so that there is only one or two questions, and not 15-20 questions because i have done something completely stupid,and hosed my system again. thanks again.....sqam

[Sterling_Aug]

You MUST use a floppy to FLASH a BIOS using a "pure" DOS environment with NO drivers or other programs loaded.

All BIOS versions contain the previous versions, so you only need to flash the latest version.

Check here for more info:

http://www.wimsbios.com

[Sauron_Daz]

Originally posted by Sterling_Aug
You MUST use a floppy to FLASH a BIOS using a "pure" DOS environment with NO drivers or other programs loaded.


Not on Gigabyte mobo's (with Dual BIOS): mine reads a floppy when in BIOS. No need for a startup disk.

[samdbugman]

thanks for the replies, but i am still confused.... is there a dos enviroment in windows xp?...i am on my way to check out the link...thanks again.....sam

[Sauron_Daz]

You must get/make a bootable floppy disk, and have the flashprogram, and the BIOSfile on it. The bootfloppy (even when created in WinXP) will be DOS based, and can't read NTFS partitions, which does not matter since you only need it to boot, and flash the BIOS.
Most mobomanufacturers will have the procedure on their site, as well as possible switches needed for the flash procedure.(Switches may not be needed: this depends on the mobo. Abit needs quite a number, but their BIOSfiles usually come within a batchfile that starts the flashprogram, performs the switches and reads the BIOSfile. All you need to do is follow screen.)

[samdbugman]

thanks for the replies....followed the link, read through it,printed out the instructions, and when i install the hdd this weekend, i will get the revision number and flash the bios. it is great that we have this site,where, for the most part, people are willing to help an utter noob like me. thanks all.....sam

[Sauron_Daz]

You're welcome.

[samdbugman]

Thanks for the replies. I followed the link, and the advise and I was able to flash the BIOS without any trouble. Thanks again....Sam