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DOS/V Power Report 2001 January
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VPR0101B.BIN
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BIOS
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EPOX
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AWDFLASH
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README.TXT
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2000-10-31
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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