Simple BIOS Guide: DOS | WINDOWS | Full BIOS Guide

Simple BIOS Guide (DOS version : AWDFLASH) (back to top)

1) Prepare a Bootable Floppy disk. (you can do it by format the diskette in Windows and click the option of copy system file/make bootable disk or visit http://www.bootdisk.com for various boot disk images)

2) Unzip the BIOS .zip file and the related DOS Flash Utility file to your Bootable Floppy disk, then you will have AWDFLASH.EXE and the BIOS <xxx>.bin file in your floppy disk.

3) Boot up your computer with the floppy disk you just created and it should boot into DOS Prompt.

4) If you see the A:\, start typing this

awdflash <xxx>.bin (<xxx> means the BIOS .bin file on your floppy disk)

5) Follow the instruction on the screen for updating the BIOS.

6) When finished, reboot your PC and go into BIOS to set Optimized Default BIOS Settings, then save the BIOS settings and exit.

Simple BIOS Guide (Windows version : WinFlash) (back to top)

1) Start your computer and boot in to MS Windows XP / 2000

2) Create a Folder and unzip the BIOS .zip file to the Folder, then you should see a BIOS .bin file in the Folder

3) Start the WinFlash utility

4) Click File --> Update BIOS

5) Follow the instruction on the screen for upgrading the BIOS.

6) When finished, exit Windows and reboot your PC. Then go into BIOS to set Optimized Default BIOS Settings, then save the BIOS settings and exit.

1. What is BIOS and how does it affects your computer

2. Is my EQS motherboard's BIOS upgradable

3. Under what condition should I perform BIOS upgrade

4. What precaution to note before doing BIOS upgrade

5. How to perform BIOS upgrade

6. What to do if I accidentally upgraded to a wrong BIOS content

[1] What is BIOS and how does it affects your computer (back to full guide)

BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is a set of computer program that contain the basic intelligence for the computer to do elementary jobs at the very low level, like power on self test, configuring the display screen, low level access to storage device....etc. This program is contained on non-volatile memory ICs, like EPROM or Flash IC chips. The compatibility of the computer with add-on hardware and software are largely dependent on these BIOS. There are a few area of BIOS on a typical computer system : System BIOS, VGA BIOS, Keyboard BIOS, expansion card BIOS, each serving their own functions. Present day design of PC system normally have the System (motherboard) BIOS put into Flash or EEPROM IC, such that they can be easily upgraded via a software tool and a newer BIOS file. The following context are referring to the System (motherboard) BIOS.

[2] Is my EQS motherboard's BIOS upgradable (back to full guide)

All Pentium class, or higher performance, EQS motherboards BIOS are implemented by FLASH ICs, so are upgradable. Older products (486) BIOS may not be implemented by Flash IC, then BIOS are not upgradable by running a software tool. EQS products are shipped with a certain version of BIOS that we believe to be satifactory at the time of shipment. Later bug fix and enhancement to BIOS are available as BIOS upgrade files for download from our Web Site. However, due to the fast pace of changes on the PC market, there will not be continual engineering effort onto BIOS refinement to old products which had stopped production for a long time. Therefore BIOS for a certain product will be freezed from further change ultimately. EQS system BIOS are tailor-made for EQS products, and in no way should these BIOS be used on other platforms, nor should unknown BIOS file be put into EQS motherboards.

[3] Under what condition should I perform BIOS upgrade (back to full guide)

BIOS upgrading is NOT compulsary needed for your existing PCs, as long as your current configuration is functioning as it is stated. BIOS upgrades are only needed if you are changing your hardware / software configuration and that you observe some functions not running well due to the old BIOS. Typical example is the support for newly launched CPUs or booting devices which are only implemented on newer BIOS. Otherwise, you should keep using the BIOS which is already proven to work with your existing system.

[4] What precaution to note before doing BIOS upgrade (back to full guide)

BIOS upgrade is for the experienced computer users, because it involves a lots of hardware knowledge. A number of precautions are needed before doing the Flash BIOS upgrade :

get the proper BIOS file and BIOS upgrade software tool which matches with your particular motherboard. Upgrading to a wrong BIOS may cause your system to fail booting, and the only way to recover it the take the system apart, remove the Flash BIOS IC and re-write with the proper content using an EPROM writer machine !

identify the Super IO chip on the motherboard. Some EQS motherboards may be factory installed with a varity of different choice of Super IO chips. BIOS files need to be matched to the IO chip on the board for proper functioning ! Typical IO chip include - SMC , UMC, ITE, LGS Prime. It can be reflected from the message line at the bottom of the power up screen. Yet it is best to look at the super IO IC right at the motherboard.

backup the old BIOS file onto a floppy diskette, such that in case the newer BIOS is showing some undesirable side effects under your configuration, you may go back to downgrade to the older BIOS.

ensure that you have a stable power source, and a well connected power to the PC system. Any power failure during the BIOS upgrade session may crash your existing BIOS halfway, and your system may not startup the next time ! It is also advisable that you backup your important data before doing BIOS upgrade, just in case there are unexpected power failure.

you should go into CMOS Setup to re-affirm your configuration data inside the CMOS and the Flash after BIOS upgrade, such that the new data are properly saved into CMOS and Flash.

[5] How to perform BIOS upgrade (back to full guide)

Get your new BIOS file and BIOS upgrade tool from the Web Site or other means. These files are normally in compressed format (eg. ZIP). Decompress the file to get the BIOS files and the Flash upgrade tool (eg. AWDFLASH.EXE). Identify which BIOS file is matching your motherboard. Copy the files to a floppy diskette. Write down the BIOS filename, you will need to type the name later. Boot a clean DOS from floppy diskette, that contains no loading of resident program (config or autoexec file), then execute the Flash Upgrade tool (AWDFLASH.EXE), follow the instruction on the screen, save your old BIOS to the floppy disk (disable the write protect tab on your diskette), and observe the program to start writing to the Flash IC. Make sure that the process completes without power failure. Reset or power off the system to see restarting.

[6] What to do if I accidentally upgraded to a wrong BIOS content (back to full guide)

If you are unfortunate to have accidentally upgraded to a wrong BIOS file, and the system is still able to boot up via HDD or Floppy, try the BIOS upgrade process again using the correct BIOS file, overriding the wrong file. If the wrong BIOS file had cause the system to fail starting up, or you cannot access the FDD nor HDD, then you will need to take your system apart, remove the Flash BIOS BIOS IC from the socket, look for some experieced user or computer shop that have some form of EPROM writer device, and re-write the Flash IC chip's proper content. Similar process also hold for power failure in the middle of a BIOS upgrade session. Therefore, you are advised to take great care when you perform BIOS upgrade !