Official GIGABYTE Forum
Questions about GIGABYTE products => Motherboards with Intel processors => Topic started by: Lucky23 on September 21, 2010, 04:27:41 am
-
I want to update with @bios due to the convenience compared to other methods. Its also 2010 and am not going to go buy a floppy drive or try and find one. Who has used this?
Any tips besides the instruction sheet on gigabytes website?
Its seems like most threads that i read where the user had problems is when they were downloading a beta version.
I currently have a P35-DS3L w/ an F7 bios. I want to update to either the F8 or F9 bios (it says both for a Q9550-which is what i plan on upgrading to)
-
I used it.
Run download the BIOS file from a steady internet connection in 1 part, and use @BIOS to load it and apply.
Just watch out for the 2 check box under it, as based on their state they will clear all BIOS information.
The process is fast, it works, and very similar to updating Dell computer BIOS, if you ever did this.
Be sure to close all your programs before applying the BIOS. That is pretty much all the advice I can give.
-
Yea ive updated an old compaq through the internet and it turned out fine.
What about the check box your talking about? Do i need to uncheck them or check them? Is there any saftey on these motherboards where if the bios is bad it reverts to the old bios?
-
What about the check box your talking about? Do i need to uncheck them or check them?
Load CMOS default after BIOS update: This will clear all your BIOS settings when checked.
Clear DMI data pool: I have no idea... I guess it's for fixing a problem in the case there is a problem that occurs after a successful BIOS update was performed.
I leave both unchecked. It could however cause a problem if a setting in the BIOS was updated to changed. So, if you have nothing special on your BIOS, then you don't care about the check mark, a quick BIOS visit to set your HDD controller back to AHCI (or wtv it was), and check your RAM settings and your done. If you overclock or under-voted something, then it might be best not to do this for convenience, but be sure to write everything down before updating the BIOS in the case you'll need to re-do it with the box checked as your system doesn't work correctly anymore.
Is there any saftey on these motherboards where if the bios is bad it reverts to the old bios?
Select motherboard model from Gigabyte feature a dual BIOS, where if the BIOS update fails, it can restore it to factory BIOS. If it fails, then you might be able to redo it with a floppy drive and diskette or CD if the BIOS supports CD's (your motherboard CD should have a BIOS backup on it). If you can't do this, as in, your BIOS is really screwed up, then a call to Gigabyte is needed for a possible RMA or repair.
-
Ok cool i open the @bios program(i installed it a week or so ago) and i see the two items that i can uncheck. I dont have anything important in my bios. I dont overclock the cpu and my ram runs at 1.8v which is what the motherboard posts with.
When i open the @bios program will i be able to save the current bios after i click "update bios from gigabyte server" or is there something else i have to do for the current F7 bios to be saved.
-
I would really advise again advise against using @BIOS for the update. You don't need a floppy either as long as you have a USB pendrive, it will work just as well and a lot safer that using the OS based utility. Check out our FAQ section for details on how to do it.
-
If you want to use @bios then disable any anti virus program before you do it, otherwise you will more than likely brick your board with a bad flash!
-
I would really advise again advise against using @BIOS for the update. You don't need a floppy either as long as you have a USB pendrive, it will work just as well and a lot safer that using the OS based utility. Check out our FAQ section for details on how to do it.
Quoted, so they read it twice ;D
-
Thanks Lsdmeasap ;) I do wonder if anyone listens sometimes ::)
-
Some do, many do not!
The worst part is the users who continue to mention how it's worked for them 20 times before, everyone will learn someday ;D
-
just download bios, extrct it and put everything inside folder in a flashdrive, instead of a flopy. Go to bios and q flash it select drive and it should find new bios and update it.
-
how do i format a flash drive for Fat32. I got windows Xp 32bit BTW.
I found this for step by step instructions
http://www.gigabyte.de/Support/Motherboard/HowToReflashBIOS.aspx
-
Easy. Just put the drive in the port. Open "My Computer" Right click on USB drive and select "Format". Then a dialogue box will appear. Make sure that it has FAT32 in the file system box and then click "start". Use a small drive if you have the choice. Below 2Gb is best.
-
Now once the drive is formatted to FAT32 it will now only be able to be used for bios updates?
-
No not at all you can use it for anything you like.
-
Ok cool wasnt sure.....So when i format it to Fat32 what exactly is it doing?
Also i found this pdf for using q-flash.
http://www.gigabyte.de/Support/Motherboard/HowToReflashBIOS.aspx
I read through it and i understood it fine except for a couple things
1. I looked at my bios and i dont have dual bios so i figure im correct by skipping part 1 and going directly to part 2 of the PDF for bios update?
2. If you look at the PDF screen shots it says "update bios from floppy" when your about to update. Since i would be using a USB will it automatically show the bios file on the USB when i click "update bios from floppy" or do i have to change something in bios so that i can update it from the usb?
Thanks
-
Try reading through our walkthrough in the FAQ section here: http://forum.giga-byte.co.uk/index.php/topic,2441.0.html
-
Ok well i followed those instructions and downloaded my bios and put it on the desktop like show in the pics. I unzipped it and ended up with the 3 files as shown in the last unzipping pic (Autoexec, FlashSPI, & P35ds3l F9) Now when im ready to flash my bios i will format my USB for fat32.
Last do i only need to drag and drop the P35DS3L file onto my USB or do i need to have all 3 file on there? Can i delete the (Autoexec and FlashSPI) off my desktop?
Thanks
-
No you need all three files on the USB pendrive. Next you need to malke sure that Legacy USB Storage (or something similar) is enabled in the BIOS along with Legacy USB Devices. Make sure yoiur USB drive is still in the port and then got to Boot Sequence and choose USB. Save and exit.
Reboot and press F8 to start the Q Flash Utility. You should then be able to see your USB pendrive (although it might show up as a HDD.) Follow the prompts to run the update and do not turn off for any reason until it is finished.
-
change boot sequence as in my first boot is hdd second boot is cd? Change first boot to USB?
Sorry just trying to keep up with you
-
Also is it ok to restart my computer and check bios for legacy usb and such w/ the 3 bios files sitting on my desktop. Those files wont be affected in any way from a restart will they. Just want to check certain thing so im prepared befor a flash and also in case i find any more questions to ask.
-
HELP? ;D
Sorry for all the questions i just want to do this correctly
-
Something I don't get.. we are in 2010. Major OEM has a Windows BIOS update utility which they encourage people to run, and I did it a lot of times, and NEVER had any problem. Why would a company like Gigabyte, screw this up. It's not this is the first board they do it. And many boards have a dual BIOS recovery system.
-
change boot sequence as in my first boot is hdd second boot is cd? Change first boot to USB?
Yes
Also is it ok to restart my computer and check bios for legacy usb and such w/ the 3 bios files sitting on my desktop. Those files wont be affected in any way from a restart will they. Just want to check certain thing so im prepared befor a flash and also in case i find any more questions to ask.
Yes no problem
-
Something I don't get.. we are in 2010. Major OEM has a Windows BIOS update utility which they encourage people to run, and I did it a lot of times, and NEVER had any problem. Why would a company like Gigabyte, screw this up. It's not this is the first board they do it. And many boards have a dual BIOS recovery system.
The year has absolutely nothing to do with it. The problem is inherant. When you use a utility like @BIOS you are putting another layer of software in between and it is one more thing that can go wrong. I shouldn't need to point out to you the problems Windows itself can have without trying to run a BIOS update through it. Just because 90% of the time you can get away with it doesn't make it a good reason to gamble your board when you don't need to. As far as DualBios goes it is NOT guaranteed to work.
-
Good point
-
change boot sequence as in my first boot is hdd second boot is cd? Change first boot to USB?
Yes
Ok i just wasnt sure cuz i didnt see that in the Bios update thread you posted.
Also what the difference between hitting delete to enter bios and then hitting F8 for q-flash as compared to hitting END to enter Q-flash on the splash screen?
-
Nothing, enter QFlash anyway you want to.
-
Also i checked my First boot to see what options i had
Here they are
USB-FDD
USB-zip
USB-Cdrom
USB-HDD------Im guessing this is the one i want.
With USB set as first boot i will still be able to enter bios from the splash screen?
-
Nothing, enter QFlash anyway you want to.
Ok wasn't sure if it made a difference.
-
Also w/ bios there is nothing else i need to change besides changing First boot and legacy USB Storage Detect (already enabled) correct?
-
USB-HDD------Im guessing this is the one i want.
With USB set as first boot i will still be able to enter bios from the splash screen?
Yes to the first question and you will still be able to enter the BIOS no matter what you boot from because the BIOS loads first.
No nothing else to change that I can think of.
-
Awesome well i will probably be flashing today or tomorrow.
Thanks so much
-
Well good luck and post back when it is done. ;)
-
Will do
-
Ok went to update bios today
So i go to update bios, i do have legacy USB enabled. I click update from a drive and my only 2 options are Floppy A and Floppy B, but no USB-HDD or HDD.
So what i not set correctly? ???
-
Have you checked the Floppy A and B drives. Sometimes it shows up as a floppy.
-
only checked floppy A not floppy B. Ill see
-
The floppy drive should be disabled in the BIOS anyway. It makes the machine start quicker and less drives to look through.
-
Ok so i selected Floppy B because i only tried floppy A before and nothing happened.
Then i got something this
.. <DIR>
I didnt go any further because i wasnt sure why the P35DS3L.F9 File wasnt underneath the ".. <DIR>" like in the screen shot.
What do you think?
-
The floppy drive should be disabled in the BIOS anyway. It makes the machine start quicker and less drives to look through.
Im pretty sure it is disabled because i got first boot as Hard drive Second boot as CD and third boot as disabled.
-
Firstly....BINGO! ;) That's the file you are looking for. The BIOIS update file for your board. Sioo you can proceeed with that.
Secondly the floppy drive is disabled on the main BIO screen where it shows the drives. select the 1.44mb Floppy and then disable.
OK so good luck and let me know how it went in the morning.
-
Oh and BTW i highlighted the .. <DIR> and it took me back to Floppy A Floppy B
(http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/6254/cimg2574x.jpg) (http://img843.imageshack.us/i/cimg2574x.jpg/)
(http://img801.imageshack.us/img801/2954/cimg2568x.jpg) (http://img801.imageshack.us/i/cimg2568x.jpg/)
(http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/9848/cimg2569.jpg) (http://img545.imageshack.us/i/cimg2569.jpg/)
(http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/6115/cimg2570p.jpg) (http://img203.imageshack.us/i/cimg2570p.jpg/)
(http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3701/cimg2572e.jpg) (http://img94.imageshack.us/i/cimg2572e.jpg/)
(http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/5209/cimg2577.jpg) (http://img842.imageshack.us/i/cimg2577.jpg/)
(http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6994/cimg2579o.jpg) (http://img62.imageshack.us/i/cimg2579o.jpg/)
(http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/1096/cimg2580.jpg) (http://img210.imageshack.us/i/cimg2580.jpg/)
(http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/1340/cimg2581.jpg) (http://img135.imageshack.us/i/cimg2581.jpg/)
(http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/3599/cimg2582x.jpg) (http://img689.imageshack.us/i/cimg2582x.jpg/)
-
Ok so is it all done now. From your photos it looks as if you didn't clear the DMI when you did the update but as long as everything is working ok then just forget about it.
On your 6th photo you can see that the floppy drive is still enabled. Just highlight Drive A and press enter this will let you to choose None from the menu and then just F10 and exit
-
No i havent updated it yet because the Bios file was not showing up in q-flash.
-
Ok i will change that floppy setting in bios and see if that fixes it.
-
I thought that you said the file was under "floppy B"? You showed a photo of the file P35DS3L.F9 that is the BIOS update.
-
Sorry i wasnt clear basically when i would hit enter on floppy A nothing would happen. After i hit enter on floppy B the only thing it would show was whats in the pic .. <DIR> but no P35DS3L.F9 file underneath it. When i would highlight the .. <DIR> and hit enter i would just take me back to the first screen with Floppy A or Floppy B.
-
OK so now I understand. Go back into the BIOS and change the first boot device to USB HDD then F10 to save and exit. Leaving the USB pendrive inserted reboot and hit the end key to enter QFlash. This time it shouldn't show as a floppy drive but a HDD and hopefully you will be able to see the file.
-
Ok ill try that
-
Ok i finally got my bios updated to F9. The problem was that i was using an 8gb flash drive. I went and bought a 2gb flash drive and it worked. I did change the DRIVE A from [1.44m, 3.5"] to NONE like Dark mantis said. By doing this i got rid of the Floppy B selection. So when i went to flash the only option i had was Floppy A. After clicking Floppy A the ..<DIR> appeared w/ the P35DS3L.F9 file Underneath it.
Thanks for all the help
-
Does anyone know how to delete the FlashSPI file off my desktop. I deleted all the others but every time i try to delete this it says its in use or being used by another program??
-
Good news! The file on the desktop is probably still still thinking it is being used by the last program that you ran. So try opening another program first and then try and delete it, if that still doesn't work try right clicking on it and renaming it first.
-
cool ill try that thanks man ;D
-
hey tried that and it didnt work for some reason. Do you have any other ideas why it wouldnt delete?
-
You haven't got your USB drive still plugged in have you?
-
Nope i took it out and all the file are deleted except for this SPI file thats on my desktop. It wouldnt let me rename it either
-
Try moving it to another location and then deleting it. Failing that right click on the file and select Properties go to the Security tab and select Permissions then make sure that you have full user control.
-
Weird i tried to move it back to my downloads folder and it wont move and the same error comes up. I have no idea what other program is using it?
I did do a right click went to properties but the only tabs are General, program, font, memory , screen , misc, compatibility, and summary.
-
You could maybe try this......
http://download.cnet.com/Unlocker/3000-2248_4-10493998.html
-
I did do a right click went to properties but the only tabs are General, program, font, memory , screen , misc, compatibility, and summary.
Are you logged on as administrator?
-
I removed all password protection on Win Xp 32bit.
-
Yes I forgot you were using XP. Have you tried the program that Fatman suggested? That should work.
http://download.cnet.com/Unlocker/3000-2248_4-10493998.html
-
Its not a really big deal i got it set aside w/ my other icons but i was just trying to see why it wouldnt delete.
I look into that program and see if that works thanks again for the help.
Just FYI i will probably be postin up in the overclocking section soon. Might try to overclock this E6550 for fun until i get a new processor. ;D But first im going to read the overclocking sticky to see if there is some new info i havent read yet in other overclocking how to's
-
Yes that 's the way. Plenty of reading up first and then the playing ;)
-
Plus i figure since this processor is not worth that much any more it will be a good to practice on :o
-
Yes that's true but the trouble is that recently with the change in processor architecture and the FSB changing to QPI and the memory controller now being incorporated into the CPU everything has changed. Next generation of CPUs (Sandy Bridge) will be different again.
-
Yea i will be doing some reading when it comes to that time. Im hoping when i upgrade to a q9550 i will be good for a few more years. Ive already lasted 2.5yrs on this E6550 lol but most of the games i play are on steam and dont seem that strenuous on my system.