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.
You will then need a dos (or Windows 95) boot disk.
You can make one by inserting a blank disk into the A: drive, and then, from a command prompt, typing:
format a: /s
After this is complete, please follow the remaining instructions.
Copy the file himem.sys on to the floppy
Note: in Windows 95 this is usually located in the c:\windows directory
Create a config.sys file on the floppy that reads as follows:
device=himem.sys
dos=high,umb
Copy the AWDFLASH.EXE utility to the floppy disk.
Copy the appropriate *.bin file to the floppy
Then restart your machine and boot from the floppy. At the dos prompt, type in the following:
awdflash XXXXXXXX.bin
Note: XXXXXXXX is the name of the *.bin file.
The flash utility will then execute and ask you if you want to save the old bios.
If you select yes it will prompt you to enter a file name to save as.
If you select no it will continue.
It will then ask you if you are sure that you want to program, select yes.
At this point you will see a status bar as the bios code is re-written. When the program finishes, it will tell
you to power off and reboot. Please do so at this time.
After the machine reboots, go to the bios setup by holding down the delete key as the machine starts up.
Select load setup defaults from the bios setup menu.
Select save and exit.
Answer yes when it asks if you are sure.
Your new bios should now be installed and set up properly.
Known Issues:
P55-IT motherboards:
The P55-IT motherboard 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 identifer code can cause the flash utility to think that there is a mismatch. Tell it to flash anyway and it will work successfully.
VIA based chipset motherboards:
The VIA chipsets are new enough that they are not always properly detected by the flash utility. This can cause issues similar to those found with the P55-IT motherboards. Simply tell the utility 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:
