ABIT's new Windows BIOS flashing utility
danball1976
Wichita Falls, TX
I happened to see this while on ABIT's website. Its their new utility to update your BIOS while in Windows. Based previous experience with those who have used something like this with Asus, is it a good idea to be using it?
<a href="http://www.abit.com.tw/abitweb/webjsp/english/download_content.jsp?pTITLE=FLASHMENU&#Utility">Flashmenu</a>FlashMenu™ is a Windows Application for one-click to download and flash bios under Windows. FlashMenu™ could do
1. Save BIOS.
2. OneClick! Live Update via Internet.
3. Update From File, if you already have the bios binary file
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The software automatically checks for a BIOS update and will download it, perform a CRC check on the file to make sure it is not corrupted and flash your BIOS. Simply restart and change all your BIOS settings back to what you had them at and it's done.
Quite handy
However, I prefer the manual approach. There is something fundementally concerning about updating your system BIOS while your computer is in full swing. However I'm sure the program has some ingenious (or perhaps not so ingenious) way of getting round that. Perhaps by some kind of 'upon restart flash batch file'. If anyone tries it (the ABIT one that is), or has tried it... report back.
But like I said, I'm sure it's safe to use. And I imagine the convience of it would be a major plus for novices or folk who aren't too comfortable messing around in DOS.
Cheers
Well thanks for that optimistic addition to the thread. I'm glad you're around mate to remind us, of what could go wrong;).
/me starts to test out the new ABIT Windows flash utililty... the lights suddenly go out..:bawling:
Seriously though, yea I have a UPS, haven't actually had to depend on it yet, but always handy when there is a power cut and for when you want to confuse the hell out of your girlfriend when all the lights go out, bar your PC.;)
Always glad to help
In all seriousness though, I trust the Windows BIOS flash software, as long as your running Windows NT, 2000 or XP. I wouldn't trust it on the 9x series of OS'es... especially WinME.
There's asking for trouble.... BIOS updates on WinMe. Might as well just throw your money out the window to begin with and save yourself the hassle
Mack : It works just fine. Close down anything major you got running and flash, then it will reboot.
Shorty : No way. DOS all the way.
Mack : Try it dude. It will be absolutely fine. It works like a charm and doesn't hang or lock up.
Shorty : ooook
... Works like a charm. Flashing your BIOS is always a nervewracking moment. I think this is a good piece of software from my 2 BIOS flashes recently
Boards I've used it with: KT7-R / KG7-R / KX7-R / KD7-R / NF7-S
Latest build: ftp://ftp.abit.com.tw/pub/download/flashmenu/FlashMenu120.exe
Warning: do not use it if your system is "heavily" overclocked.
In that case: reboot, load bios optimized or default settings, go back to the desktop and then flash.
Good advice as always Equito. With all types of flashing, NO overclock.
http://www.asus.com.tw/support/download/item.aspx?ModelName=Tools
My unstable PSU would probably think that the very moment I flash is the best time for a quick reboot.
The odd thing is still, it reboots during idle not load?
Well it certainly is an annoyance having to boot into DOS everytime you want to update your BIOS, but I personally am not quite ready to throw out my floppy drive just yet. I still often use floppies for everyday file transport. And no, that doesn't mean I drive around on a floppy disk everytime I take a CD over to my mates house.;)
Well at least it's considerate.:D
Yes, it is but it seems rather odd that you can play a demanding 3d game putting the biggest load on the psu without any problems.
And then you quit the game and the "thing" might reboot after being idle for a couple of minutes or a couple hours.
There is no pattern in the timing of the reboots.
Sometimes it is while I am surfing it wants to reboot.
Well I believe I am OT in this thread now.
Then again a BIOS flash is always sort of a gamble, most of the time it goes as planned but if you are unlucky you might end up with a piece of junk.
I'm sure the CTRL+Home trick still works on most BIOSes.
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