strange floppy problem

[entman]

Hi there, newbie to posting on this forum but have been using some of the excellent advice here for some time now. I have a strange problem that can't seem to clear:

seem to be unable to install any program on my system that originates from a FLOPPY disk. The installation begins but invariably hangs part way through with a "cannot install *.exe: corrupt archive file" message. This has happened with THREE different programs, and despite trying different cables AND another floppy drive. I am able to install these programs on my other system running winME. Am I missing an XP setting?

I am running XP (home)-have clean installed it twice
mobo= ECS K7S5A v1.x
ram=512 DDR SDRAM
cpu=Athlon T-bird 1.0ghz

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!!

[Peter M]

Hmmm ... veeeeery early BIOS releases for that board have been suffering from some sort of floppy disk problem. Help yourself to the latest one at www.ecs.com.tw

[entman]

Thanks, will give it a try. I've been hoping to avoid the brave new world (at least to me) of BIOS upgrades!!

[rmanet]

if you're careful and read the instructions - flashing bios is easier than you think - either the mobo manufacturer will have very specific procedures, or find 'em here, or using google based on whether you've got AMI or Award, as an example.

Print them out before you start, and you'll be done in 5-10 minutes.

[entman]

ok, was able to find and download latest BIOS file and flash utility without a problem. Now the issue seems to be getting to real-mode MS-DOS to run the **** things! After several attempts, I was able to make a boot floppy in XP but when actually booting to the floppy, the system hangs. Then, I tried getting to DOS via the XP installation CD, was able to, but then when I tried to run the utility I received a "command not recognized" message. So, this whole endeavor is spiralling out of control.....

[Peter M]

DOS boot disk images (built from free DOS flavors) are available on the web. Just google around a bit.

[Gumby]

Here is a good spot for boot disks. You can get DR Dos witch is good for bios upgrades.
http://www.bootdisk.com/

[rmanet]

oops - forgot about that - you're new so forgot to tell you to use just a simple bootable disk, rather than screwing around with the xp boot disk or trying to get into "dos," which MS now does their best to tell you simply doesn't exist

sorry about missing an important detail - probably cost you an hour or so meddling around, eh?

use a simple bootdisk like Gumby says - put the bios flash there, and boot from the floppy and you're good to go

[entman]

Thanks for leading this newbie around in the dark.
Here is what I did:
made an MS-DOS bootable disk using XP method,
THEN formatted a 2nd floppy using "quick format" and only copied the flash utility and the BIOS.rom file onto it. I then re-booted directly to the MS-DOS disk, removed it and replaced it with my 2nd disk, ran the utility and flashed my BIOS without a hitch.
AND, I am happy to report, my original problem of not being able to load programs from floppy appears to be RESOLVED!!!!

Thanks again, and ,,WHHHEEEWWWWW..... (large sigh of relative relief)