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Bios update problem
Asus A7N8X Deluxe Rev 2.0 - Barton 2500
New board - was working - tried to update Bios using Asus Live Update - Seemed successful - but on reboot - says "BIOS ROM checksum error" - and wants you to insert a system disk in drive A - made a drdos 7 bootdisk with awdflash and correct bios downloaded - boots to awdflash screen but says "source file not found" and I am unable to type in BIOS name.
Suggestions Please
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Keep trying. Check your DOS syntax. This happens a lot 'til you get your DOS commands sorted. You'll get it. Just don't shut down your machine until you do.
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It won't boot to a regular boot floppy. It's looking for awdflash. When I use a boot disk that has awdflash and the correct bin file - awdflash starts up but says "source file not found"
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When you used the Asus Live Update, did you back up the .bin file (old BIOS)? Also, you say it seemed like a successful flash. If the utility confirmed it wrote the new .bin file, then it did and there is a new BIOS on the chip. I think you simply need to clear the CMOS by removing the battery for awhile (anywhere from 15 minutes to overnight). Holding down the power on button will drain any remaining power, too.
I'm aprehensive advising you to power off your machine given Tunzafun's advice, but I had a similar problem using the Asus Update utilty on a A7N8X Dlx board. I cleared the CMOS for about an hour and it booted up fine.
Also, it isn't necessary to use a bootable floppy with AWD flash. Just extract the BIOS file to a floppy with AWD flash, hit Alt+F2 at POST.
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You must name the BIOS image file correctly in some cases. Sort of a default file name. Look in the documentation for the correct file name.
The syntax is like this:
awdflash [BIOS filename.bin] /py/wb/cd/sn/cc/r
or this:
awdflash [BIOS filename.bin] /cc /cd /cp /r /py
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I didn't back up the old .bin file unfortunately. I tried clearing the CMOS. I took out the battery for about an hour, popped it back in, and still had the same problem. Maybe I have to keep it out longer? I tried making an Autoexec.bat file and entering the command - awdflash [BIOSfilename.bin] - but that didn't work. On the floppy disk I have the AWDflash executable and the latest .bin file from Asus.com. I even tried it with the version that use to be on the mobo but everytime it still comes up with the message - Source File Not Found. I believe the file is named correctly. The most current version of the BIOS (the one I'm trying to use) is named C18D1007.bin . Is there something else I have to name it? Or am I just missing a file?
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Try using a clean boot disk instead of that DrDOS bootdisk.
You can get one here:
http://www.putergeek.com/downloads/p...me_startup.htm
Add the flash utility and the new bin file.
Boot from that and run the flash utility.
Once you start this process, don't shut it down until you see "flash successful".
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Ok I tried updating the BIOS with that boot file Ol'Tunzafun suggested and actually it got it to at least say something. The bios .bin file name actually showed up but it still wouldn't let me update it. This is what it said verbatim:
"BIOS Image File Check Sum Error
!!You can't update this file!!
Check to see if FDD and HDD Error Occured
Please Download Again Your Source File"
I tried the latest bios file plus 2 of the preceding ones and I got the same message as stated above exactly. :confused:
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I got that board, was going to update the bios, but changed my mind now seems too risky, I'll watch with interest to see how you get on.:(
mac
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tried the switches rraehal mentioned and went back to latest version of awdflash (8.24) - got the "source file not found" message
I don't believe it is reading the autoexec or really even booting from the floppy - If I put in a non system blank floppy it says "unable to find awdflash" - I'm not sure it is reading the switches:( :mad: :confused:
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I've had it for the night - I'm going to list verbatim what the unit reads with 3 different scenarios:
1) with system floppy, bin file and awdflash 8.23z (not the latest)
(no beeps)
BIOS image file checksum error
!!You can't update this file!!
Check to see if FDD and HDD error occured
Please download again your source file
Bios Image file is for nforce chipset only
If I use awdflash 8.24, all it says is: Source File Not Found
2) with no floppy
(no beeps)
Award BootBlock Bios 1.0
Bios Rom checksum error
Detecting Floppy drive A media
Insert system disk and press enter
3) with non system floppy
(4 beeps)
BIOS Rom checksum error
Detecting Floppy drive A media
Automatic load Awdflash.exe.....
!!Error -- Awdflash.exe not found!!
Replace the disk and press enter
I'm going to unplug it overnight with the battery out. I'll check it and the forum again in the morning. Thanks
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OK, I let it sit overnight (12 hrs) with the battery out and tried it again. No change.
I'm at a loss. I had also called Asus support yesterday about Noon and they never got to me and are now closed till Monday. This upgrade (board, cpu, & ddram) was a present for my son along with a couple of new games to play during school break. I'm the one who handled the flash session (a mistake to use Asus' live update program) so I feel pretty bad about it. Again, it looked like a successful flash.
Any help will be appreciated.
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The AWDFLASH utility should have already been on your C:\ drive. I believe its in the root, since the F2 + Alt method uses it to flash update with. If not, you should check the CD for the original AWDFLASH and .bin file, they may be on there. Some mobo CD's ship that way. I just dont have one to check for you.
Regardless, copy the new or old files to the root of C:\ . Just dont have multiple copies of AWDFLASH in the root .
Now try the floppy method mentioned in the manual.
1. Boot from the floppy
2. At the "A:\" prompt, type "C:\" , and then press <enter>.
3. At the "C:\" prompt, type "AWDFLASH[space]/qi[space]BIOSFILE" , and then press <enter>.
example : AWDFLASH /qi aw0702.bin
4. Type the name of the new .bin file in the box "File name to program" . Even if its listed type the name.
5. If it asks to save the old, press <y> , save it as "old.bin" .
6. At this point it should check the new file and ask to program the new bios file. Type <y> and press <enter>.
7. During the flash procedure , do not allow the system power to be disrupted !
8. When its finished it should prompt to press <F1> to restart.
Hopefully this works. If not your option are limited. Either keep trying different flash utilities and .bin files or RMA the mobo.
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I appreciate your reply. I can't get to an A: prompt unfortunately and we've decided to RMA it and get the Abit NF7S board. Hopefully Win2K can handle the change since they're both nforce 2 chipsets. If not we'll do the clean install. You did give me an interesting thought which I would try out if my son wasn't already taking it apart. I wonder whether I could have taken out the C drive and put a new Autoexec file on it that called awdflash to execute the proper bin file (which I would also place on the C drive) and then reattach it and boot. Wonder if that might have worked. Oh well, I can RMA it and either take a credit for parts or even accept a replacemant board for another build if forced to. Thanks again for the response
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I would install clean . You dont need further grief. ;)