BIOS Flash Upgrades README

      Flashing your computer bios can be a very intimidating chore. Many users are unfamiliar with
      this type of activity and are apprehensive about doing things that could potentially damage or
      render their system inoperable. Because of these risks, we advise users to flash their bios only if
      the newer bios will fix a specific problem that they are having. With computer bios upgrades,
      newer is not always better.

      Despite this, updating your computer's bios is a fairly simple task. First, you need to download
      the AWDFLASH.EXE file from our web site. This can be found under the bios upgrade section of
      the tech support area at http://www.epox.com. Next, you need to download the *.bin file that is
      appropriate to your motherboard.  Note: Some browsers may try and default this file to an *.exe
      extension. Make sure that it is saved as a *.bin file, as using any other file may cause your flash
      operation to fail.

      Detailed BIOS Flash instructions for Award flash utility v5.35A or higher:

      1.Prepare a clean bootable floppy disk. Using the command prompt (DOS prompt) insert a blank floppy disk in your A: drive and type: FORMAT A: /S
      2.Copy the Award flash utility (AWDFLASH.EXE) to the boot disk created in step 1.
      3.Copy the appropriate BIOS BIN file to the boot disk created in step 1.
      4.Restart your machine keeping the bootable floppy disk in the A: drive. At the command prompt
        (DOS prompt) type the following: AWDFLASH XXXXXXXX.BIN
        Replace XXXXXXXX.BIN with the actual BIOS BIN file name copied during step 3.
      5.The flash utility will then execute and load the BIOS BIN file. At this point the BIOS utility will
        display a screen similar to the one shown below and prompt you for a file name to save. This is the
        name of a file the flash utility will create, to save the current BIOS which is in your system (backup).
        File Name to Program: (New BIOS you are about to flash)
        File Name to Save: (Name of file the utility will create to backup the original BIOS)
      6.After the flash utility saves the original BIOS you will be prompted to continue the operation. If you
        wish to continue and now flash the new BIOS code into your system answer YES to the question.
        You will now see a status bar as the BIOS code is written. When the program finishes you will be
        prompted to restart the system.
      7.Restart the system and enter the CMOS setup by pressing the DELETE key during the memory
        test. Select LOAD SETUP DEFAULTS from the bios setup menu. Select SAVE AND EXIT. Answer
        YES when it asks if you are sure.






      Known Issues:

           2MB BIOS chips:
           Some models of EPoX
           motherboards now use 2MB
           BIOS chips as opposed to the
           normal 1MB variety. Athough the
           flash procedure above should still
           be followed there are some
           points that need to be
           addressed. BIOS dates which
           are identified as a 2MB BIOS
           may not be used with 1MB BIOS
           chips and vice-versa 1MB BIOS
           dates may not be used with 2MB
           BIOS chips. EPoX currently only
           employs one type of 2MB chip.
           This chip is the Winbond
           29C020. You can use the flash
           utility to identify what chip is in
           your system. If the utility reports
           the flash type shown in the
           picture to the right then you have
           a 2MB chip. All other chips are
           1MB. Additionally please update
           your flash utility to atleast
           version 5.35A to flash a 2MB
           chip. 



           VIA based chipset motherboards:
           The VIA chipsets are new enough that they are not always properly detected by the flash
           utility. These motherboards may return an error saying that the part number is invalid.
           This is normal. The flash utility is very new in comparison to the motherboard and some of
           the changes in the bios identifier code can cause the flash utility to think that there is a
           mismatch. Tell it to flash anyway and it will work successfully. 



      Possible Problems:

           Chip failure error reported:
           Bios chips are usually good for about 6 to 10 flashes. However, a number of factors may
           contribute to a bios chip failing. Some of these are time, static electricity, temperature,
           and the like. If you flash your bios and this error is reported, then it indicates that portions
           of the bios memory area that the utility attempted to write to were corrupted or damaged.
           If the board is still relatively new and is still covered by your vendor's warranty you may or
           may not (depending on the warranty conditions) be able to seek recourse through your
           original vendor. 

      If you encounter any problems after flashing that were not mentioned here, please contact EPoX
      Tech Support via one of the following methods:

           Our web site http://www.epox.com 
           Email tech@epox.com