Asus A7V BIOS Modification

[RobRich]

Modify the A7V for better performance with the latest A7V133 1003 BIOS. Check this out:

http://www.romulus2.com/articles/gui...sbios/asus.htm

BTW, I heard the author of this article was a really nice guy.

Catch ya' later,
Robert Richmond

[otheos]

Thanks for the info Rob,

the first 1002 (and the 1002A-1) BIOSes of the A7V133 had the aggressive memory timings (as well as some minor bug fixes -optimal/normal resetting and error message when booting from Promise controller fixed).

Both these could be flashed to the A7V (a warning scared off many people while flashing though). The memory timings (especially when set to 7ns) where giving a boost in memory performace of about 20%. Also, overclockabilit (no such word but you get the meaning) increased, higher FSB was possible now.

The new A7V 1006 bios (the second issue, since the first one was a killer) applied the same timings and fixes and now people can flash safely (i.e. not scared) and obtain the performance boost.

The 1003 bios of the A7V133 has the same timings + a new built for the RAID Promise cotroller. So people with the 1006 A7V bios can stick to it untill further news.

These news mainly came about through forums and people were scared because of the "unofficial of the matter". Mainly here: http://www.amdmb.com/vb/showthread.php?threadid=24563

I put the info on my site (see sig) and got about 200 emails the first day with people trying to find reassurance it won't harm their board, so I can absolutely sympathise with Romulus having to post the "not my fault" message in bold.

keep them coming Rob.

________________________
otheos: www.otheos.clara.net

[scotter]

has any one tryed these with the A7Pro ?

I know when I got my A7Pro it came with the A7V bios in it had to go through the (this is not the correct bios). to update it to the new A7Pro bios.

[RobRich]

I haven't tried the 1006 second release, as I skipped directly from the 1005 series to the A7V133 BIOS updates. The major reason I went for the 133 BIOS is memory performance, as 1005 for the A7V was starting to fall behind the latest releases for Abit's and MSI's boards. Now, with the 1003 133 release, the A7V appears back on top once again. If I have some free time later this week, I'll check out the 1006 release series.

About the A7Pro, I honestly do not know. I do not forsee any real problems with flashing the 1003 133 BIOS to the Pro, as your board just does not feature the Promise controller. If you do attempt the mod, then be sure to build a recovery disk with your current BIOS just in case.

Good Luck,
Robert Richmond

[scotter]

well guess I'll be the first to try it omg NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO lol
check back later today to see what happens
if you dont hear from me you'll know it did not work

[Andy_L]

Well, it worked on my A7V, but now my pc-100 stick isnt recongnized at 133 mhz. Before it would run at cl-2, 133, but alas, it doesnt even count it when it counts memory now (at 133 cl2)

[otheos]

what brand is that stick? a mosel?

[nunyadam]

I was really hoping this would be what I needed. but alas it didn't help me get that last 50mhz. the memory might be a little faster.(forgot to bench it before hand)
as far as overclockability that was a no go.
I tried the multiplier,and it hangs at the splash screen.
tried the fsb .it gives registry error's.

so I'm still stuck at 950mhz(700@950)
don't get me wrong i am not complaining . I was just hoping it would work.

now then otheos how about a link to crazy ape for those raid modifications' please.

I'm sure some people around here would like to try that.(I sure would if I had the extra hard drives.)


nunya

[ThiemeMD]

scotter, you still there? How'd it go? It's been two days. I also have a A7Pro that I've considered using the new BIOS on. Now I may have to reconsider...

ThiemeMD

[scotter]

sorry every one I have not tryed it yet got really bussy with a network set up we had to move
same old story just when you get ready to play for a while something else comes up that you have to take care of first.
and I cant take the time for a few more days to trash my system I need it up and running for research.
will try it this weekend when I get the chance
and let you all know how it went

[otheos]

Just do a search for crazy ape at google...

[nunyadam]

otheos ,
thats nunyadam (nun or nunya for short)
edited at otheos request.

nunya
p.s. no i haven't tried the mod.


[This message has been edited by nunyadam (edited 03-02-2001).]

[otheos]

nanyadam, have you tried the mod?

I just installed freeBSD on my other disk, the RAID array is there, working with promise drivers, but there is no way I can boot from the array. The drivers are not open source and cannot recompile the kernel with them, so I guess promise sticks to MS, or they think that serious servers using FreeBSD (or linux) dont kid around with IDE RAID. (pissed).

Thanks for the link.

[otheos]

Thanks mntsnow,

it specifically addresses issues with the SB PCI128 card causing instability when in slot 4/5 and a HD on the promise controller.

other than that, same mem benefits as 1006 (and 1002/3 of the A7V133). People without the above issue need not update.

Some people mentioned higher idle temps (even higher that is) with the 1007, while the some others said it took two consequetive flashes (i.e no reboot, just flash again) to get the count to 3FFFF instead of 3BFFF (the first time).

BTW, nyniadam, can you please edit your message and remove the link? Promise are not happy with his mod so....

NEW BIOS file as of Yesterday for the A7V

A7V
(5 PCI, 200MHz FSB, UltraDMA/100, AMR, multi-USB, ATX)
- BIOS Upgrade and Road Map :

a7v1007.zip
A7V BIOS Ver. 1007 03/01/2001
Solve conflict problem when using IDE in Promise channel and audio card in slot 4 / 5.


[This message has been edited by Mntsnow (edited 03-02-2001).]