[Ham-Computers] RE: bios flash question

[Hsu, Aaron]

Some Slot 1 systemboards will not work properly with any type of P-III until
*after* the BIOS is upgraded with a version that supports the P-III.  Random
"strange" operation or downright failure to POST are common situations.

I would suggest that you try using a P-II processor during the BIOS upgrade.
Also, make sure that any "BIOS Protection" options in the CMOS settings are
disabled (these prevent tampering with the BIOS, intentional or not).  Last,
make sure that any CPU or system cache is disabled - also known to cause
BIOS upgrade errors.

And remember, unless the board supports the voltage requirements of the
"coppermine" or "tualatin" P-III CPU's (500E, 550E, 600E, 650E, 700E, 733+
MHz), you should use these CPU's - stick with the original P-III's (or a
lowly P-II).

73 and good luck,

  - Aaron Hsu, NN6O (ex-KD6DAE)
    {nn6o}@arrl.net
    {athsu}@unistudios.com
    No-QRO Int'l #1,000,006
    . -..- - .-. .-   ".... . .- ...- -.--"
 


-----Original Message-----
From: refmon [mailto:monitor@referencevideo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 2:46 PM
To: ham-computers@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Ham-Computers] bios flash question


Hi,

My recent Win 98 shutdown fix is holding up rather well, thanks to all that
helped.

I've run into an odd situation during an attempt at bios flash...I'm
wondering if anyone else has seen or dealt with this, or may know where I
should go:

I routinely flash bios on many PC's and am familiar with procedures, general
risks, etc.  Case here involves Peak 6220 single board PC with the 440BX
chipset dated circa 1998...support PII only..it takes a PIII but registers
it as a PII.  I am using filename 6220R20B.bin, a specific bios update
download which updates the bios with PIII support.  Instructions call for
the usual usage of the awardflash utility...so far no problem.

Here's what happens:  invoke awdflash, enter new bios file.bin name, yes to
backup, name backup...a backup file is made.  Yes to "are you sure you want
to program?" gets a checksum and an immediate "files are not the same size"
error and I'm dumped out of the program to the DOS prompt.  In
experimenting, I tried the process using the file I had created as a backup
(this should be exactly what is already in flash), and I get the same
message.

Does anyone have the magic answer?  Is this cockpit error or oddity perhaps
of the specific board?

thanks in advance for any info at all

John Collins
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