Asus A7N8X Deluxe - Manual (Page 57)

ASUS A7N8X motherboard user guide 39
4.1 Managing and updating your BIOS
4.1.1 Using the computer system for the first time
It is recommended that you save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS
along with a Flash Memory Writer utility (AWDFLASH.EXE) to a bootable
floppy disk in case you need to reinstall the BIOS later. AWDFLASH.EXE is
a Flash Memory Writer utility that updates the BIOS by uploading a new
BIOS file to the programmable flash ROM on the motherboard. This file
works only in DOS mode. To determine the BIOS version of your motherboard,
check the last four numbers of the code displayed on the upper left-hand
corner of your screen during bootup. Larger numbers represent a newer
BIOS file.
1. Type FORMAT A:/S at the DOS prompt to create a bootable system disk.
DO NOT copy AUTOEXEC.BAT and CONFIG.SYS to the disk.
2. Type COPY D:\SOFTWARE\AWDFLASH\AWDFLASH.EXE A:\ (assuming
D is your CD-ROM drive) to copy AWDFLASH.EXE to the boot disk you
created.
3. Reboot the computer from the floppy disk. To use AWDFLASH.EXE
must be operated from the ROOT directory. Therefore, copy the
AWDFLASH.EXE program and the NEW BIOS file to the root directory
on the hard disk drive; for example: type, “COPY A:\AWDFLASH.EXE
C:\” and “COPY A:\BIOSNAME.BIN C:\.
NOTE! AWDFLASH works only in DOS mode. It does not work in the
DOS prompt within Windows, and does not work with certain memory
drivers that may be loaded when you boot from the hard drive. It is
recommended that you reboot using a floppy in order to open DOS mode.
WARNING! If you encounter problems while updating the new BIOS,
DO NOT turn off the system because this may cause boot problems.
Just repeat the process, and if the problem persists, load the original
BIOS file you saved to the boot disk, or try to clear the CMOS memory
(see section 2.7, Jumpers). If the Flash Memory Writer utility is not able
to successfully update a complete BIOS file, the system may not boot. If
this happens, call the ASUS service center for support.
CAUTION!
• This motherboard uses the A7N8X Deluxe BIOS file for 4Mb flash
ROM. Another series model A7N8X uses the BIOS file for a 2Mb
flash ROM. Make sure to use the correct BIOS file on each model.
• PCB 2.0 BIOS version or later are not compatible with PCB 1.06 or
earlier BIOS versions.
NOTE! The PCB (Printed Circuit Board) version is located beside the
motherboard name printed on the motherboard.