Bios update problem

SMRDcompany · 07-03-2009, 09:15 AM

Hi, I'm quite confused about this problem. Recently I bought 2x2GB 1066mhz RAM, and ran some benchmarks. It appears that the system is not too stable when run on 1066, so I downgraded it to 800mhz and it was just fine. The PC store I bought the RAM in told me to wait a little for the new bios to come out and update mine.

So, I downloaded the new version, actually there were a lot of new versions than my current, and I tried to update bios by creating a bootable floppy, as describet in your tutorial. But, even by that or in that Asus utility for bios updates, it always tells me that a newer version of bios is installed, but the one I downloaded clearly is made later than the one I have installed. I have a Asus P5QL pro motherboard.

What should I do?

derek_jones_36 · 07-03-2009, 11:44 AM

Try downloading the newest BIOS File to a usb flash drive that's what I did. I upgraded to the newest Asus BIOS File recently and I saved the ROM file to the flash drive and then initiated the EZ Flash 2 (Alt & F2 during startup) and then folowed the intructions. Use the Tab Key to switch over to the drives on the left of the screen and then scroll down to the flash drive and enter. It'll ask you if you want to initiate a BIOS Flash then it'll besically do it for you. It was really slow to start up after the flash was done but it seems to be good now. I also have the older versions saved as well just in case I need to revert due to system glitches.

Jones

**grimx133** · 07-03-2009, 03:31 PM

As Jones says, EZflash2 and a usb stick work quite nicely on Asus boards. Always read the instructions in your manual and on the Asus site. The largest dangers of bios flashing are power interruptions, whether it be from the utility company or the user stopping the process part way, don't do that.
Don't forget that after flashing, you need to go into the bios and load setup defaults, then save and exit. On the reboot go into the bios again and make your usual adjustments.

derek_jones_36 · 07-03-2009, 03:37 PM

So Grimm what about having a RAID set up? I didn't load default settings and then exit and then re-enter the BIOS because I had my HDD's set up on a RAID 0 set. I didn't want to mess up my config. should I go back in and load/save defaults and then reset right after that?

Jones

derek_jones_36 · 07-03-2009, 03:38 PM

Default settings would reset them to IDE wouldn't it?

SMRDcompany · 07-04-2009, 04:11 AM

Thanks for your help, yes I had bios flashing problems before I know what to do =) I still did not manage to update my bios but I'm taking my PC to the store so they can figure it out, it's under warranty.

**grimx133** · 07-04-2009, 07:01 AM

Never used raid, always seemed like way too many things to go wrong for me.

derek_jones_36 · 07-04-2009, 11:09 PM

Yeah I have never had any issues so far and I always thought it would enhance my system to have it configured this way. So far I can't say it has really been negative in any way. The only issue I can see is if I get a bug in the system and have to wipe it all out and start again. I have a lot of stuff on my system so far and it would really be the biggest pain to have to do it all over again. I have certain settings on my system and I've realy tweaked it big time. I suppose I could back everything up in the same configuration it's in right now and later on use both drives separate (2 WD 750G). I have wanted to get a TB Drive for increased Storage and I also want a separate Drive Cage for my 5.25" bay so I can have increased cooling below due to nothing in the way of my airflow from the 120mm front fan. I have both drives set up with a 1000 G & 500G separate RAID Drives from the combined 1.5 TB total eventhough they both don't exactly total 1.5 TB what wioth system requirements and all. I think I might get a Raptor Drive Soon to place the OS on with room for certain vital programs and then keep the two 750's for other systems and games that way it would be easier to back up stuff and then just reformat the two drives and leave the OS intact and vice versa if I ever need to do a clean install I can use Dban Autonuke...great program with the DOD level multiple sweep method.

Jones

derek_jones_36 · 07-04-2009, 11:13 PM

RAID has always worked pretty good for me although I really have no benchmarks to go by from previous since I didn't have dual HDD'a before RAID was installed. Can't really pinpoint a speed advantage I just did it because at the time I couldn't afford a Raptor Drive.

Jones

**grimx133** · 07-04-2009, 11:46 PM

I never noticed any speed difference with a raptor, left it in my parents machine in May, they might bring it back later this month when they come down here.
You nailed the problem with raid1 there, anything that happens to one drive, also happens to the other. I take images, not a big deal to restore one to get back to the point I was at when I took the image. It's saved me a few times, to be able to do so.

derek_jones_36 · 07-05-2009, 03:29 AM

Actually It's RAID 0. Both drives are linked.....back up performed. If my first drive goes down then the second one is toast as well.

Jones

07-03-2009, 09:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
SMRDcompany Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 13 OS: XP x64 SP2	Bios update problem Hi, I'm quite confused about this problem. Recently I bought 2x2GB 1066mhz RAM, and ran some benchmarks. It appears that the system is not too stable when run on 1066, so I downgraded it to 800mhz and it was just fine. The PC store I bought the RAM in told me to wait a little for the new bios to come out and update mine. So, I downloaded the new version, actually there were a lot of new versions than my current, and I tried to update bios by creating a bootable floppy, as describet in your tutorial. But, even by that or in that Asus utility for bios updates, it always tells me that a newer version of bios is installed, but the one I downloaded clearly is made later than the one I have installed. I have a Asus P5QL pro motherboard. What should I do?

07-03-2009, 11:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
derek_jones_36 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 475 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit SP2 My System	Re: Bios update problem Try downloading the newest BIOS File to a usb flash drive that's what I did. I upgraded to the newest Asus BIOS File recently and I saved the ROM file to the flash drive and then initiated the EZ Flash 2 (Alt & F2 during startup) and then folowed the intructions. Use the Tab Key to switch over to the drives on the left of the screen and then scroll down to the flash drive and enter. It'll ask you if you want to initiate a BIOS Flash then it'll besically do it for you. It was really slow to start up after the flash was done but it seems to be good now. I also have the older versions saved as well just in case I need to revert due to system glitches. Jones __________________ "Look at it this way...If Everyone Lived Forever, where would you Park?"

07-03-2009, 03:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,142 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: Bios update problem As Jones says, EZflash2 and a usb stick work quite nicely on Asus boards. Always read the instructions in your manual and on the Asus site. The largest dangers of bios flashing are power interruptions, whether it be from the utility company or the user stopping the process part way, don't do that. Don't forget that after flashing, you need to go into the bios and load setup defaults, then save and exit. On the reboot go into the bios again and make your usual adjustments. __________________

07-03-2009, 03:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
derek_jones_36 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 475 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit SP2 My System	Re: Bios update problem So Grimm what about having a RAID set up? I didn't load default settings and then exit and then re-enter the BIOS because I had my HDD's set up on a RAID 0 set. I didn't want to mess up my config. should I go back in and load/save defaults and then reset right after that? Jones __________________ "Look at it this way...If Everyone Lived Forever, where would you Park?"

07-03-2009, 03:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
derek_jones_36 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 475 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit SP2 My System	Re: Bios update problem Default settings would reset them to IDE wouldn't it? __________________ "Look at it this way...If Everyone Lived Forever, where would you Park?"

07-04-2009, 04:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
SMRDcompany Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 13 OS: XP x64 SP2	Re: Bios update problem Thanks for your help, yes I had bios flashing problems before I know what to do =) I still did not manage to update my bios but I'm taking my PC to the store so they can figure it out, it's under warranty.

07-04-2009, 07:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,142 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: Bios update problem Never used raid, always seemed like way too many things to go wrong for me. __________________

07-04-2009, 11:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
derek_jones_36 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 475 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit SP2 My System	Re: Bios update problem Yeah I have never had any issues so far and I always thought it would enhance my system to have it configured this way. So far I can't say it has really been negative in any way. The only issue I can see is if I get a bug in the system and have to wipe it all out and start again. I have a lot of stuff on my system so far and it would really be the biggest pain to have to do it all over again. I have certain settings on my system and I've realy tweaked it big time. I suppose I could back everything up in the same configuration it's in right now and later on use both drives separate (2 WD 750G). I have wanted to get a TB Drive for increased Storage and I also want a separate Drive Cage for my 5.25" bay so I can have increased cooling below due to nothing in the way of my airflow from the 120mm front fan. I have both drives set up with a 1000 G & 500G separate RAID Drives from the combined 1.5 TB total eventhough they both don't exactly total 1.5 TB what wioth system requirements and all. I think I might get a Raptor Drive Soon to place the OS on with room for certain vital programs and then keep the two 750's for other systems and games that way it would be easier to back up stuff and then just reformat the two drives and leave the OS intact and vice versa if I ever need to do a clean install I can use Dban Autonuke...great program with the DOD level multiple sweep method. Jones __________________ "Look at it this way...If Everyone Lived Forever, where would you Park?"

07-04-2009, 11:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
derek_jones_36 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 475 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit SP2 My System	Re: Bios update problem RAID has always worked pretty good for me although I really have no benchmarks to go by from previous since I didn't have dual HDD'a before RAID was installed. Can't really pinpoint a speed advantage I just did it because at the time I couldn't afford a Raptor Drive. Jones __________________ "Look at it this way...If Everyone Lived Forever, where would you Park?"

07-04-2009, 11:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,142 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: Bios update problem I never noticed any speed difference with a raptor, left it in my parents machine in May, they might bring it back later this month when they come down here. You nailed the problem with raid1 there, anything that happens to one drive, also happens to the other. I take images, not a big deal to restore one to get back to the point I was at when I took the image. It's saved me a few times, to be able to do so. __________________

07-05-2009, 03:29 AM	#11 (permalink)
derek_jones_36 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 475 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit SP2 My System	Re: Bios update problem Actually It's RAID 0. Both drives are linked.....back up performed. If my first drive goes down then the second one is toast as well. Jones __________________ "Look at it this way...If Everyone Lived Forever, where would you Park?"