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Problem updating BIOS on GA-F2A88XM-D3H

gerryd

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Problem updating BIOS on GA-F2A88XM-D3H
« on: March 01, 2014, 10:48:23 pm »
I have recently upgraded my desktop computer with new M/B & Processor as follows.

GA-F2A88XM-D3H Motherboard

A10 6790G Processor

The current Bios shows as F1
I have downloaded F5 from the gigabyte website, extracted the file to a USB stick, which shows the following files:

Autoexec.bat
A88XMD3H.F5
EfiFlash.exe.

If I then reboot, and press 'end' to enter QFlash, scroll to the second file, I get the message 'The flash utility is outdated. Ask your vendor or visit the Gigabyte website for an updated one'.
If I try to use EFiFlash.exe I get the message 'File size incorrect'

Although the system runs OK, I want to update the Bios to install a separate Graphics card.

Has anyone any suggestions??

GerryD

absic

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  • Never give up; Never surrender!
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Re: Problem updating BIOS on GA-F2A88XM-D3H
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2014, 05:58:02 am »
Are you trying to run the EFI Flash Exe file through QFlash?

If yes then you are doing it wrong, as you need to run the EFIFlash.Exe from a bootable USB stick and use that to update the BIOS on the PC through DOS.
Remember, when all else fails a cup of tea and a good swear will often help! It won't solve the problem but it will make you feel better.

mikeyb5753

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Re: Problem updating BIOS on GA-F2A88XM-D3H
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2014, 11:45:28 am »
The initial BIOS update for these boards cannot be done with q=flash or @bios.  you need to boot into DOS and flash th A88XMD3H.F5 file via efiflash.exe
F2A88XM-HD3
A8-5500 - Coolermaster Seidon 120M
8GB
2x msi 7850 twin frozr
Corsair CX430M
Sandisk 120GB SSD
Seagate 3TB

Tiger

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Re: Problem updating BIOS on GA-F2A88XM-D3H
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2014, 07:46:04 pm »
1) GA-Z97X-Gaming 7, G3258,
2) GA-990FXA-UD3 Rev. 1.1, FX-8350
3) GA-AM1M-S2P, Sempron 3850 Kabini

gerryd

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Re: Problem updating BIOS on GA-F2A88XM-D3H
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2014, 08:31:25 pm »
Thanks to all who replied.

Having to start in DOS takes me back a few years!!

But as windows 8.1 does not have the built in DOS Command, it is necessary to create a USB Boot image.

Having read all the on-line 'how to do it', I have found out  it is more difficult than I imagined to create this. I shall step back and review the situation, and try to create this. I have the Win 8 install disk, so may go down this avenue.

Thanks again

GerryD

mikeyb5753

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Re: Problem updating BIOS on GA-F2A88XM-D3H
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2014, 09:29:37 pm »
it's easy to make a bootable usb stick, many apps out there that do the job, you then just copy the rom file and efiflash tool then reboot.
F2A88XM-HD3
A8-5500 - Coolermaster Seidon 120M
8GB
2x msi 7850 twin frozr
Corsair CX430M
Sandisk 120GB SSD
Seagate 3TB

gerryd

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Re: Problem updating BIOS on GA-F2A88XM-D3H
« Reply #6 on: March 03, 2014, 11:38:08 am »
Thanks mikeyb

Can you suggest the best one? and I will give it a try

According to the Gigabyte web, my combination should not run at all, but it does, but a little sluggish.

(GA-F2A88XM-D3h Motherboard, with A10 6790K, 8 Mb Corsair 1600 Ram) The motherboard is BIOS F1, web say F4 needed for this combination)

Thanks

GerryD

gerryd

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Re: Problem updating BIOS on GA-F2A88XM-D3H
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2014, 02:03:05 pm »
Just thought I would give my update on this topic.

The booting using the A10 processor (officially not supported by the motherboard with F1 BIOS) was hit and miss at booting up, with the monitor displaying 'NO INPUT'. It would boot after 5 or 6 attempts, but was not very stable. Even then, when output was there, the machine reported a corrupt BIOS and had to correct it BIOS from the backup BIOS.
I had an A6-6400 processor from my previous machine, but this would not boot at all!!

I decided that something should be done, so I carried out the suggestions from the link supplied by 'Tiger', and made a DOS bootable memory stick. Downloaded the F5 Bios, and added it to the stick. When I eventually got the computer up and running, I entered BIOS and set it to boot from the memory stick. It did this, updated the BIOS (both of them) and then booted into windows as normal.

I know that Gigabyte say you should use a processor that will run in F1 BIOS, but I had to take the chance. Everything now running as normal, touch wood.

So my sincere thanks to all concerned.

Regards

GerryD