Asus P3BF Fails To Update Bios To 1006

[Kev1]

Am trying to update P3BF Bios to run a P3 850 mhz cpu (currently running a P2 400mhz).

When try to update to latest bios (1006) from a file using the Asus utility LiveUpdate, it starts to do it then says it can't because a program is running. The program it says is running is a power meter. I have searched and searched and have yet to locate the program or what it is related to so I can shut it down.

Does anyone have any ideas where this might be? The system is as follows:

P2 400mhz
Asus P3BF
384 megs PC100 SDRAM
10 gig WD HD (UDMA33)
24 Speed CD-Rom
CD-RW CD-Rom
DVD Player
US Robotics ISA Modem
GeForce 2 GTS 32meg (Hercules)
Sound Blaster Live Value (Disabled DOS Drivers Already)
Dual Fans
Operating System - Windows Mill. Update to Windows 98
Zone Alarm
Anti Virus Software, etc, etc.

If anyone has any ideas where to look for this program (Where it might be hiding), please let me know. I cannot upgrade the CPU until I get this bios problem fixed. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Kev

[S.D.Willie]

why not go to asus and do a manual flash?? i have the p3bf(with bios ver. 1006 now) as well and that might be a better idea. i havent tried to do a live update. i actually forgot that even came on the cd!!!!!! you can find links everywhere about doing a flash and even better asus has it down in a step by step process on their site. good luck.
Stogie

[Kev1]

Thanks for the info. As it turned out, was able to update to 1006 bios after uninstalling Windows ME and the DOS sound blaster live drivers.

Of course, another problem developes. Installed new Antec 300w power supply and P3 850mhz cpu at the same time. Turn switch, nothing. No power at all, try everything, will not work. Assume its a bad power supply. Put 250w power back up, system boots, get into bios and set up for P3 850, then reboot.

Now more problems. 3.5" floppy is on and running all the time. Why? I don't know. No sound from Sound Blaster Live except for Midi Piano. Numerous blue screens of death relating to vxd files. Get into Bios, error message there saying it cannot identify the CPU ID number (Whether that function is enabled or disabled).

Reformat and reload Windows 98 numerous times, still same problems. I'm wondering if P3B-F went bad, but don't know why it would. Updating the Bios, adding new power supply and P3 850 mhz chip should be relatively simple.

Oh well. May replace Asus Mobo with Soyo one if cannot get back online. Will keep playing with it a little. May have missed something. Thanks for your help. If you have any other ideas (or anyone else), please feel free to post them.

[Roy]

FDD LED on all the time = ribbon cable reversed (usually).

The other stuff ... ???

Maybe flash back to old BIOS and then change just one thing at a time?

[Kev1]

Yes, checked cable. It was fine. Weird though.
Ended up buying new Soyo Mobo for P3 850. Soyo SY-6BA+100 will support a P3 933 Slot 1 CPU right out of box without flash upgrades. It also gets great reviews.

Want to set up home lan, so will put P2 400 back in Asus P3B-F and try to get everything working again. Thanks for the idea to reflash with previous bios. I did not know you could do that, install an older bios. But if it works that would be great. I will check first though to see if the P2 400 runs stable with the newer bios unlike the P3 850. If not, I will try your Idea. Thanks for the help. I'm sure everything will be working well soon. I know they are both very good mother boards.