How to flash into backup BIOS for MA-GA790GP-DS4H

[Eric Tan]

The MA-GA790GP-DS4H comes with DualBIOS, and mine came with F2 BIOS in both main and backup. I plug in an AM3 processor, and guess what? BIOS won't even boot up. I had to bring it back to the service centre for them to flash a higher-version BIOS to recognise the AM3. That's fine. But that means the backup BIOS with F2 is as good as not beng there, since it doesn't work with my AM3.

I asked if there is a way to flash the backup BIOS to a version that support AM3. The answer I got from Gigabyte is "no, we currently do not support that, but we will forward this suggestion to the relevant department for future considerations".

Does anyone of you know of a way to flash into the backup BIOS of DS4H?

[Pottypete]

Hi
Can you download bios to a floppy and install using the flash utility

[Eric Tan]

Hi Pottypete,

Yes, I have tried the FLASHSPI.EXE utility that came with the BIOS. It only detects the Primary BIOS and flashes to that one.

Do you know the command-line parameters to flash to the Backup BIOS?

[runn3R]

The MA-GA790GP-DS4H comes with DualBIOS, (...)
Does anyone of you know of a way to flash into the backup BIOS of DS4H?

There is some method: during POST, please press Alt + F12 keys to update Backup BIOS.

P.S. You can check if it was done with success this way: after entering bios press F9, then you will see info with bios versions in both bios chips.

[dwood]

There is some method: during POST, please press Alt + F12 keys to update Backup BIOS.

P.S. You can check if it was done with success this way: after entering bios press F9, then you will see info with bios versions in both bios chips.

Does this work on any other boards?

[Eric Tan]

The MA-GA790GP-DS4H comes with DualBIOS, (...)
Does anyone of you know of a way to flash into the backup BIOS of DS4H?

There is some method: during POST, please press Alt + F12 keys to update Backup BIOS.

P.S. You can check if it was done with success this way: after entering bios press F9, then you will see info with bios versions in both bios chips.

The Alt+F12 keys do not bring up the Backup BIOS flash tool. In fact, this function does not seem to exist. F12 alone brings up the "Boot Device Selection" screen. Alt+F12 brings up the same "Boot Device Selection" screen, but I'm suspecting the Alt key is "dismissed", and Alt+F12 is treated as F12.

[runn3R]

What is your main BIOS version ?

[Eric Tan]

What is your main BIOS version ?

Primary: F5
Backup: F2

[runn3R]

Hi, we double tested it - there is no problem with F5 bios as main bios to update backup bios when pressing Alt + F12

[Eric Tan]

Hi, we double tested it - there is no problem with F5 bios as main bios to update backup bios when pressing Alt + F12

You're right! I tried it again, and it worked!!  Going to swap out my keyboard this weekend...

[runn3R]

OK, great to hear it