BIOS update 9CJS

I noticed that I should be able to press ALT + F2 at boot to go into the
AWDFLASH application. This doesn't seem to work for me and I didn't find
any information on it in the manual.

The BIOS update process seems to be very thin on details. I've seen
several mainboard manufacturers introduce a BIOS update that does not
require booting from a floppy to accomplish. Is this possible with the
9CJS? Since many systems are moving away from floppy drives it would
seem to be a proper move for any mainboard manufacturer.

I would like some additional information on BIOS updating for this
mainboard.

John

Remove NOSPAM from the REPLY TO

 

It tells you on the chaintech site????

 

The site gives you a couple of files and a one line instruction for what
is apparently a floppy only install. I've copied the note below to their
support group.

Have you done an update on your board with the ALT + F2 at boot option?

John

 

John........i know they dont meake it clear but basically they are telling
you to do this because the built in one doesnt work......gives an error on
bios checksum or summit like that

so YES you do have to do it with the floppy but its very painless and
straightforward

look in the FAQ for the unbroken version of the dos command.........in the
original one in the bios description it broke into 2 lines making you wonder
if there was a space or no space between certain bits of the command line
string.

The EUROPE chaintech site is the ONLY one which has a FAQ for the 9cjs so
far.

http://www.chaintech.com.tw/tw/eng/Support/qa_list1.asp?SPSNo=11&PISNo=144

Q1 I can't update the 9/29/03 Bios by pressed the ALT + F2, and I got the
massage "The program file¡¦s bios-lock string does not match your system"

A1 For the 9/29/03 Bios update, please follow the step below :
-Make a DOS boot diskette (** Windows 2000/Me/XP are not allowed to make a
DOS boot diskette) :
-Unzip the Bios file then copy to the boot diskette
-Down load the Adwflash utility from our web then copy it to the boot
disk-Insert the boot diskette to floppy driver A, and then restart the
system. System will boot from the floppy disk.
-After system boot form the floppy disk, type "a:\awdflash 9cjs0929.bin /NBL
/QI /py /sn /r " (a:\awdflash biosfilename).
-After update MB bios, please go to bios setting and select "Load Optimized
Defaults"

Good luck! Oh and IIRC when it gets to 100% during the flash it DOES pause
for a few seconds.....just wait!!!!!

Dont forget to LOAD OPTOMISED DEFAULTS afterwards or it doesnt take effect.

 

Thanks for the info. I had completely missed the FAQ because IMO the web
design of their site can be non-intuitive. I thought the text that was
positioned right of "FAQ" was the FAQ! haha

I've done dozens of BIOS updates and this one is a bit more convoluted
getting there than most. Since I built my system without a floppy I'm
going to make a bootable CDRW or USB flashdrive instead.

John

 

I just done version 4.0 and the alt/f2 thing works!!!

Apparently its only version 3.0 of the bois that doesnt work.

If your floppy is in the drive with the new bios .bin file on it and you
press alt/f2 thats it......you dont get a chance to do anything else the
whole process is auto and it goes ahead and flashes without you "starting"
it or anything.

Very quick this way....whole thing was over in about 20seconds!

 

John,

Ensure that your keyboard (if a newer one) does not require that FLock be
set, or that if it is USB, your BIOS recognizes the USB keyboard during
boot.

I hope this helps!