Tech Support Forum - View Single Post

geishaslave · 02-28-2008, 04:08 PM

This is a detailed explanation of how I replaced the Gateway version of the BIOS for the motherboard from a model 500SE with the compatible later version of the Intel BIOS.

First, I will describe what I did. Next, I will discuss why I did it. Last, I will mention some strategies that may be transferrable to other motherboards in similar situations.

1) Forcing the Intel BIOS to Replace the Gateway Version.

The system was a Gateway model 500SE with an Intel D845PT (El Paso 2) motherboard:

• BIOS version PT84510A.15A.0007.P04
• Windows XP SP2
• 384MB RAM
• Pentium 4 CPU 1.7GHz
• 40GB Internal EIDE hard Disk Drive (Primary CS)
• DVD RW Internal IDE (Secondary Master)
• Internal V90 Modem (PCI slot)

Materials—

• Floppy disk drive. No floppy drive? See section 3) for options.
• Latest Intel D845PT BIOS version PT84510A.86A.0030.P08 http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Deta...ional&lang=eng
• PDF manual for Intel D845PT ftp://download.intel.com/support/mot...BG_English.pdf
• First Intel D845PT BIOS version PT84510A.86A.0012.P01 http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Deta...stems&lang=eng
• One (1) 1.44MB (HD) floppy diskette. No floppy drive? See section 3) for alternatives.

Method—

• Download the files PT-P01.EXE, PTAP08IB.exe and PTBG_English.pdf.
• Open the manual using Adobe Acrobat.
• On page 38, note the location of jumper J6F2. On the 500SE motherboard, it is labeled J6H2.
• Read over the instructions for recovering the BIOS starting on page 45.
• Execute the PT-P01.EXE file. Press Y to extract the files.
• Insert a floppy in the drive.
• Next, execute the RUN.BAT file to create a bootable diskette to load the first BIOS version.
• Execute the file PTAP08IB.exe to extract its contents.
• Copy ALL of the extracted files to the boot disk in A. !!! Important—be sure to OVERWRITE the autoexec.bat file existing on the boot floppy !!!
• Remove this floppy and save it. This is the installer for the latest Intel D845PT BIOS.
• Shut down the 500SE.
• Unplug the power cord, either from the PC or the outlet—whichever is easier.
• Unplug every peripheral—USB, video, mouse, keyboard, printer, scanner, etc.
• Remove the case left side panel on the 500SE (as you face the front panel).
• Remove the J6H2 jumper. This enables BIOS recovery mode, forcing the flash.
• Insert the floppy with BIOS PT84510A.86A.0012.P08 on it.
• Plug in the power cord.
• Turn the 500SE on.
• You will notice floppy drive activity.
• Upon completion of BIOS flash, the computer will make two quick beeps.
• Shut down the 500SE.
• Replace the J6H2 jumper.
• Put the case side panel back on.
• Plug everything back in.
• Insert the floppy with BIOS PT84510A.86A.0030.P08 on it.
• Turn the power on.
• The Intel IFlash util will launch. Execute a system BIOS flash.
• Once completed, remove the floppy and boot to Windows (or a regular DOS boot disk).

Troubleshooting—

Refer to the manual if possible (e.g. from another computer, even a Mac or mobile device that can display PDF).

The system hangs during BIOS flash.
The boot floppy must have 16-bit DOS system files on it.
Did you unplug EVERYTHING, especially the monitor?

You get a message to press F1 to resume during boot.
Make sure to flash BIOS to version P08 after the recovery flash.
Enter Setup, change set ESCD to Yes, press F10 then re-boot.

System won’t boot after plugging everything back in.
Did you put the J6H2 jumper back correctly?

2) Rationale

I wanted to use the Intel version P08 BIOS instead of the Gateway P04 because the Intel version supports more CPU (for upgrade purposes), is more recent, and has more features available in Setup. In short, I felt that the Intel BIOS would enable better I/O performance and facilitate longer useful life for the computer.

3) Adaptations

The above procedure will work with any situation where the motherboard can be identified, the manufacturer has a BIOS available, and the motherboard can be put in recovery mode. For example, Gigabyte motherboards have a BIOS recovery feature.

Since floppy drives are not as common nowadays, bootable CD-RW/R or USB flash drives can also be used to hold the flash utility and BIOS image.

Actually, BIOS flash rescue can be applied to any situation where one wants to ‘force’ a flash, like after a bad flash. In the case of certain motherboards, like the Intel D845PT, there is actually a jumper that can be set. The recovery jumper is not a requirement, however.

With ANY mobo that has suffered a munged up flash, similar steps to those outlined above can be applied. First, prepare a boot floppy that includes an Autoexec.bat file with the commands to execute the DOS flash util with the target .bin or .rom file in the command line Unplug everything. Insert the floppy and power up. The boot block in the BIOS has enough code to access the floppy drive and enable autoexec.bat to run, in turn flashing the ROM and re-installing the BIOS.

The important conditions here are as follows: There must be 16-bit DOS system files on the boot floppy, not 32-bit. The BIOS boot blocks cannot handle 32-bit DOS system files and so the system will hang; the boot block must not have been damaged. That is why it is advised to never choose to update the boot block, it is your savior in the event of a hosed flash.

02-28-2008, 04:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
geishaslave Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: California Posts: 16 OS: Microsoft Windows XP sp3	Flash Gateway BIOS with Intel Version. This is a detailed explanation of how I replaced the Gateway version of the BIOS for the motherboard from a model 500SE with the compatible later version of the Intel BIOS. First, I will describe what I did. Next, I will discuss why I did it. Last, I will mention some strategies that may be transferrable to other motherboards in similar situations. 1) Forcing the Intel BIOS to Replace the Gateway Version. The system was a Gateway model 500SE with an Intel D845PT (El Paso 2) motherboard: • BIOS version PT84510A.15A.0007.P04 • Windows XP SP2 • 384MB RAM • Pentium 4 CPU 1.7GHz • 40GB Internal EIDE hard Disk Drive (Primary CS) • DVD RW Internal IDE (Secondary Master) • Internal V90 Modem (PCI slot) Materials— • Floppy disk drive. No floppy drive? See section 3) for options. • Latest Intel D845PT BIOS version PT84510A.86A.0030.P08 http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Deta...ional&lang=eng • PDF manual for Intel D845PT ftp://download.intel.com/support/mot...BG_English.pdf • First Intel D845PT BIOS version PT84510A.86A.0012.P01 http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Deta...stems&lang=eng • One (1) 1.44MB (HD) floppy diskette. No floppy drive? See section 3) for alternatives. Method— • Download the files PT-P01.EXE, PTAP08IB.exe and PTBG_English.pdf. • Open the manual using Adobe Acrobat. • On page 38, note the location of jumper J6F2. On the 500SE motherboard, it is labeled J6H2. • Read over the instructions for recovering the BIOS starting on page 45. • Execute the PT-P01.EXE file. Press Y to extract the files. • Insert a floppy in the drive. • Next, execute the RUN.BAT file to create a bootable diskette to load the first BIOS version. • Execute the file PTAP08IB.exe to extract its contents. • Copy ALL of the extracted files to the boot disk in A. !!! Important—be sure to OVERWRITE the autoexec.bat file existing on the boot floppy !!! • Remove this floppy and save it. This is the installer for the latest Intel D845PT BIOS. • Shut down the 500SE. • Unplug the power cord, either from the PC or the outlet—whichever is easier. • Unplug every peripheral—USB, video, mouse, keyboard, printer, scanner, etc. • Remove the case left side panel on the 500SE (as you face the front panel). • Remove the J6H2 jumper. This enables BIOS recovery mode, forcing the flash. • Insert the floppy with BIOS PT84510A.86A.0012.P08 on it. • Plug in the power cord. • Turn the 500SE on. • You will notice floppy drive activity. • Upon completion of BIOS flash, the computer will make two quick beeps. • Shut down the 500SE. • Replace the J6H2 jumper. • Put the case side panel back on. • Plug everything back in. • Insert the floppy with BIOS PT84510A.86A.0030.P08 on it. • Turn the power on. • The Intel IFlash util will launch. Execute a system BIOS flash. • Once completed, remove the floppy and boot to Windows (or a regular DOS boot disk). Troubleshooting— Refer to the manual if possible (e.g. from another computer, even a Mac or mobile device that can display PDF). The system hangs during BIOS flash. The boot floppy must have 16-bit DOS system files on it. Did you unplug EVERYTHING, especially the monitor? You get a message to press F1 to resume during boot. Make sure to flash BIOS to version P08 after the recovery flash. Enter Setup, change set ESCD to Yes, press F10 then re-boot. System won’t boot after plugging everything back in. Did you put the J6H2 jumper back correctly? 2) Rationale I wanted to use the Intel version P08 BIOS instead of the Gateway P04 because the Intel version supports more CPU (for upgrade purposes), is more recent, and has more features available in Setup. In short, I felt that the Intel BIOS would enable better I/O performance and facilitate longer useful life for the computer. 3) Adaptations The above procedure will work with any situation where the motherboard can be identified, the manufacturer has a BIOS available, and the motherboard can be put in recovery mode. For example, Gigabyte motherboards have a BIOS recovery feature. Since floppy drives are not as common nowadays, bootable CD-RW/R or USB flash drives can also be used to hold the flash utility and BIOS image. Actually, BIOS flash rescue can be applied to any situation where one wants to ‘force’ a flash, like after a bad flash. In the case of certain motherboards, like the Intel D845PT, there is actually a jumper that can be set. The recovery jumper is not a requirement, however. With ANY mobo that has suffered a munged up flash, similar steps to those outlined above can be applied. First, prepare a boot floppy that includes an Autoexec.bat file with the commands to execute the DOS flash util with the target .bin or .rom file in the command line Unplug everything. Insert the floppy and power up. The boot block in the BIOS has enough code to access the floppy drive and enable autoexec.bat to run, in turn flashing the ROM and re-installing the BIOS. The important conditions here are as follows: There must be 16-bit DOS system files on the boot floppy, not 32-bit. The BIOS boot blocks cannot handle 32-bit DOS system files and so the system will hang; the boot block must not have been damaged. That is why it is advised to never choose to update the boot block, it is your savior in the event of a hosed flash. Last edited by geishaslave : 02-28-2008 at 04:17 PM.