BIOS update - ASUS motherboard

[gs47]

I have the ASUS A8V Deluxe motherboard which is a socket 939. I currently have the single core 3700+ CPU and have just purchased the AMD Athlon 64 x2 4600+ CPU as an upgrade (dual core, all excited). One step from the 4800+, the fastest available for this setup.

Anyway, I need to update the BIOS before installing the new CPU. I have never updated the BIOS since getting the PC. No reason to fix something that was not broken. There have been literally something like 21 updates since my current version.

I don't necessarily need the absolute newest unless that makes the most sense. My question(s) are for this board specifically, maybe Chewy or one of you that have experience with this exact board can help.

What is the best way to update or any tips to help ensure success?
Would that be to use this AFUDOS utility in DOS mode? Sounds ugly.

Or, ASUS EZ Flash, I've been told this is usually a disaster and just doesn't work
Or use this ASUS update, some sort of utility in a Windows environment?
Or Crashfree Bios2 although I think that is a recovery tool.

I'm guessing to do the update and then install the new CPU? Got long, sorry. Any suggestions would be great.

[Chewy]

use this AFUDOS utility in DOS mode from a floppy

Boot to a floppy, execute the utility, backup old bios, excute new bios

power down, bootup enter bios set defaults and then tweaks as you have noted from previous settings

power down then change cpu

[gs47]

Great info, thanks so much.
I've heard that was the lesser of the evils as far as choices for BIOS update procedures. Never done it though.

I'll need the AFUDOS utility download from the original cd or from the website and also the BIOS update file? Save both to the same floppy?
Each has to be a small and very simple utility to fit on a floppy.

Did you mean to boot from floppy?

Thanks again Chewy-big help!

[doctorhardware]

Yes boot from a floppy.

[Chewy]

Once you boot from the floppy you can change disks(floppies) or whatever

[gs47]

Thanks folks, looking forward to much faster multi-tasking. Especially while processing movies i'll be able to do other things.
I better look for a better heatsink/fan combo than what I have. Not sure if I really need it but I've heard this 4600+ is a good candidate for a little overclocking if desired. Probably will just leave it alone....

[gs47]

invalid disc error

The new CPU arrived (4600+) in the mail so I went to update the BIOS, plus save the current BIOS first in case of a disaster.

1. I downloaded the most recent, non-beta, known stable BIOS from the ASUS website. I saved to desktop, then extracted the file to a blank (and formatted) floppy disk.

2. I downloaded the AFUDOS utility from the website and did the same thing. Now there are just those 2 files on the floppy.

The boot sequence is set to floppy as the first device. I put the floppy in the drive and restart but just get an error message on a black screen that says;
"invalid disc, replace and hit any key" or something to that effect.

I remove the floppy and hit a key and it starts just fine from the hard drive.

What I have read appears to be automatic on boot, I don't see anything that I should open first. What am I doing wrong?

I can't save current BIOS or update or install new CPU until this is resolved. Seemed rather simple and cut & dried????
Thanks

[Chewy]

Boot to a floppy

Stick a very good blank floppy in, right click/format from my computer

choose make a startup floppy

or something like that, my floppy drive stays put away and after a few years I forget!

[gs47]

Yes, I made a regular start disc, right click, format, make start up disc. I was not using that disc.

What is the procedure then, take this startup disc and put the AFUDOS file and the new BIOS file on that too?? Then restart with that disc in the drive?

Sorry, not following the sequence with which disc...

[gs47]

Yep, looks like that is exactly what to do. Need all 3 file extracts on the same floppy. Worked fine to backup current BIOS, first booting via floppy. This was useful plus a good test before actually changing the BIOS and then the CPU here shortly.
Sorry I misunderstood Chewy. BIOS is not child's play so I wanted to be sure of what I'm doing. New to it and have a lot to lose. This isn't just a play PC with unimportant stuff on it.
Thanks again Chewy and doctorhardware

[doctorhardware]

No problem that is why we are here, but if the Bios chip gets corrupted it can be fixed. You can get a new chip from Asus, or if you know some one that has a eprom programmer the chip can be fixed that way alos.

[gs47]

Thanks again-
All went well with the update. Worked perfectly and very fast. I double checked the current (new) version to be sure it "took" and was recognized. All good now that I understand the process did the prep work. That included a full image backup of the PC, a backup of the current BIOS, used new high quality floppy discs, etc....Overkill but I really dislike computer problems

Gonna put the new CPU in now and see what happens. This upper end dual core should be quite a noticeable upgrade from the single core 3700+ CPU. Multi-tasking anyway - hope the CPU is undamaged, looks good at a glance so far.