AMI flash utility problems

[Bazango]

I am trying to upgrade the BIOS of my Elpina clone of the PCChips M720. I downloaded the BIOS upgrade 990401S.ROM and the utility AMIfl815.EXE from the PCChips site.

I followed all the instructions to get the utility going under DOS with a system disk bootup and I got the following message:

"Chipset/Flash part isn't available. The function will be invalid."

I tried the same procedure with the AMIfl807.EXE utility and got the following message:

"Error 2 - File does not exist."

I tried the same procedure with the AMIfl634.EXE and got a colored display with input boxes and messages inviting me to enter the file name of the BIOS upgrade. I did not follow through and escaped out.

Why won't the newer 815 and 807 versions run the upgrade? If I input the file name in the older 634 version will it flash OK?

[Peter M]

Hi,

AMIFLASH 8.xx is used with 256 KB BIOSes. For older systems, use 6.xx.

Regards, Peter

[Bazango]

Thanks again, Peter. I'll follow through on the 6.34 version.

Anybody else have any comments? I am hoping that the upgrade will allow me to choose my AGP as primary monitor in a dual monitor setup.

[Bazango]

Well, I tried entering the new BIOS using the 6.34 version and I get a message telling me that I will have to get a new flash EPROM if there are any errors. This sounded a little intimidating to me so I escaped out.

It seems to me that according to the instructions for the other Flash utilities that you had an opportunity to file a backup of the original BIOS. What are my alternatives if the new BIOS is bad or there is some kind of foul up? Will I have to get a new BIOS chip or send in the motherboard?

[bdunn]

ok you guyse answered my question why I couldn't flash the bios. Would one of you be kind enough to e-mail me the older version of the flash software or tell me where to find it.


Thanks
Bruce

[Bazango]

Here is a site with all three AMI flash utilities: http://www.beltechcom.com/bios.html

What do you think about my above question? Are you worried about not being able to back up your original BIOS? And, why are you flashing your BIOS?