README.TXT File for BIOS Flash Updating Bios filename: kt0a2807.bin Bios date: 8/7/2002 Bios size: 256 KB (For 2Mb BIOS EEPROM) Bios checksum: 7B00 Model support: EP-8KTA3L+, EP-8KTA3L, EP-8KTA2L !!!WARNING!!! Never attempt to Flash your BIOS from a hard disk, DOS Window, DOS shell, or in Windows NT. If your system is working without problems or conflicts, then it is not recommended that you flash your BIOS. Improper flashing procedures may result in a dead system! Follow the these instructions carefully. Files included in this download: README.TXT Text file with BIOS Release & Application Notes. UPDATE.BAT Batch file for the Flash BIOS update process. RESTORE.BAT Batch file for the Flash BIOS restore process. xxxxxxxx.BIN BIOS binary file used by UPDATE.BAT. AWDFLASH.EXE Program used to Flash BIOS code to the EEPROM. Enhancements & Fixes for this BIOS release: Patch some HDD may be detected error with VIA chip on board when the HDD sets to slave. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BIOS Update Instructions There are two ways in which we recommend to flash the BIOS. They will be termed as follows: . The ALT+F2 Method . The Boot Disk Method The ALT+F2 method may not be available on older mainboards with older BIOS, in such cases it is necessary to carry out the Boot Disk Method. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The ALT+F2 Method 1. Download the required BIOS image file from the EPoX website. 2. Copy or extract the BIOS image file (named xxxxxxxx.bin) to a blank floppy disk with no bad sectors on it. 3. Restart the machine with the floppy disk in the floppy drive When prompted at machine initialization, press ALT+F2 to begin performing the flashing of the BIOS. 4. The BIOS will automatically flash and reboot the machine. 5. After this, press DEL to enter the BIOS setup and select to "LOAD OPTIMIZED DEFAULTS". After doing this select to "SAVE & EXIT." 6. Please note that this does not create a backup of the BIOS binary file. 7. This does not require you to have a bootable floppy disk. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The Boot Disk Method 1. Create a bootable floppy disk in accordance with the instructions laid out in the manual of your particular operating system. This bootable floppy needs to be able to boot to a DOS console capable of executing normal MS-DOS batch and executable files. 2. Download and extract the xxxxxxxx.EXE file corresponding to your model from the EPoX website to the floppy. It will self extract into the above listed files. 3. Boot using your DOS floppy disk to the ‘A:\>’ command prompt. At the DOS command prompt type: UPDATE 4. The BIOS will automatically flash. 5. Reboot the machine. 6. After this, press DEL to enter the BIOS setup and select to "LOAD OPTIMIZED DEFAULTS". After doing this select to "SAVE & EXIT." Note: During the use of UPDATE a backup of your original BIOS date/code will be saved in the same directory as the UPDATE file. It will be called ‘OLD.BIN’ and can be used with the restore instructions below in case you need to revert back to the original BIOS date/code. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BIOS Restore Instructions Use of the restore procedure requires the OLD.BIN file created in the Boot Disk method procedure above! 1. Boot using your DOS floppy disk to the ‘A:\>’ command prompt. At the DOS command prompt type: RESTORE 2. The BIOS will automatically flash. 3. Reboot the machine. 4. After this, press DEL to enter the BIOS setup and select to "LOAD OPTIMIZED DEFAULTS". After doing this select to "SAVE & EXIT." 5. The system flash is now completed and should now be reverted back to the original BIOS date/code. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- BIOS flash failed If you have access to an old un-accelerated ISA video card, you might be able to recover your BIOS. Remove all cards and drives from your system, except for the ISA video card and the floppy drive. Then try to boot from a system disk (a bootable floppy with only the flash programs and corresponding BIOS binary). If you are able to boot to the floppy, flash your BIOS according to the directions above. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- I get out of memory errors when I flash my BIOS! On some system configurations, even with a clean boot disk, you will get an out of memory error (insufficient memory) when you try to flash your BIOS. The solution is simple: Try bypassing the startup files by pressing the following keys during startup using you bootable floppy disk. Attempt the FLASH again. DOS 6.2x boot disks - press F5 to bypass. WINDOWS 95/98 boot disks - press F8 and select "Safe command prompt." Lastly try using a MS-DOS 6.x boot disk. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Manual use of the AWDFLASH Utility Most users will find that our UPDATE and RESTORE batch files can accomplish the BIOS flash with the majority of configurations. But if you wish to manually use the AWDFLASH utility, below are the most common command line usages and parameters. Awdflash 7.87d (C)Award Software 2000 All Rights Reserved Usage: AWDFLASH [FileName1] [FileName2] [/[/...]] FileName1 : New BIOS Name For Flash Programming FileName2 : BIOS File For Backing-up the Original BIOS ?: Show Help Messages py: Program Flash Memory pn: No Flash Programming sy: Backup Original BIOS To Disk File sn: No Original BIOS Backup Sb: Skip BootBlock programming sd: Save DMI data to file cp: Clear PnP(ESCD) Data After Programming cd: Clear DMI Data After Programming cc: Clear CMOS Data After Programming R: RESET System After Programming cks: Show update Bin chksum Tiny: Occupy lesser memory E: Return to DOS When Programming is done F: Use Flash Routines in Original BIOS For Flash Programming LD: Destroy CMOS Checksum And No System Halt For First Reboot After Programming cksXXXX: Compare Binfile CheckSum with XXXX Example: AWDFLASH 2a59i000.bin /py/sn/cd/cp/cks2635 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER THE SOFTWARE AND BIOS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF ANY KIND INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, NONINFRINGEMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL EPOX OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, LOSS OF INFORMATION) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SOFTWARE AND BIOS, EVEN IF EPOX HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. BECAUSE SOME JURISDICTIONS PROHIBIT THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. EPoX and its suppliers further do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within these materials. EPoX reserves the right to change specifications or discontinue products at any time with no prior warning. EPoX makes no commitment to update any BIOS. v1.2 03082002 JRH