Is there a PhoenixBIOS Award 4.0 update?

Dark Coz · 06-17-2008, 03:29 PM

I've been googling and googling and still no luck on the updates. The reason is because I want to boot my computer from USB with Linux. Anyone know anything about this?

WiLLiSTER · 06-17-2008, 10:52 PM

Just check for the latest version for your mobo. If there isn't a newer version, guess you're just out of luck.

What mobo are you flashing?

Dark Coz · 06-18-2008, 02:16 PM

What on earth is a mobo? I've never heard of that.

stuartwood89 · 06-18-2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dark Coz

What on earth is a mobo? I've never heard of that.

Short name for 'motherboard'.

Dark Coz · 06-18-2008, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuartwood89

Short name for 'motherboard'.

Sorry about that motherboard question. I'm using hp pavilion xt963 (no upgrades, so it's ancient). I tried hp.com and typed in the model, but there were no updates for the BIOS. It's PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Revision 6.0.H (I think).

stuartwood89 · 06-18-2008, 02:29 PM

Try this: Benchmark HQ - SiSoftware Sandra XII SP2c (2008)

It's a benchmarking tool which analyzes every piece of hardware in your computer and displays its information.

Once you've found the make and model of the motherboard, go to the manufactures website and look for a BIOS update.

You can look for other benchmarking tools, but I've used this one and it works well.

Dark Coz · 06-18-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuartwood89

Try this: Benchmark HQ - SiSoftware Sandra XII SP2c (2008)

It's a benchmarking tool which analyzes every piece of hardware in your computer and displays its information.

Once you've found the make and model of the motherboard, go to the manufactures website and look for a BIOS update.

You can look for other benchmarking tools, but I've used this one and it works well.

My computer doesn't have internet access. I'm posting in the library. Is that a problem?

Hiryuu · 06-18-2008, 06:44 PM

That's just benchmarking software to see what it is you have on your system. CPUZ's another one to get info on things such as that.

Usually, you can get a BIOS flash update on the website of whatever maker of whatever motherboard. If you can drop the update on a floppy or CD, there shouldn't be any problems flashing it. Most BIOS flashes require a system boot to some sort of outside medium, not something you run from your desktop.

BUT BE WARNED!

Any kind of activity with flashing a BIOS is a big no-no if you haven't a clue what you're doing. Most times there isn't any problems, but it can make it to where you comp never boots again (or at least with that mobo, without buying a new one for most people), especially if you get the wrong BIOS flash. :\ Is there something that specifically says such a BIOS update will fix it to where you can get USB access anywhere in there? You might be SOL regardless if it's older than a box of rocks.

WiLLiSTER · 06-19-2008, 01:56 AM

The fact that you didn't know what I meant when I said mobo kind of scares me when you're talking about flashing it.

That aside, based on the computer that you have, I would doubt a bios update would do anything for bootable usb support. Check your bios settings for the start sequence (generally something like floppy, cd, hard drive) and see if it has something for usb, otherwise, I'd just forget about it. You could just make a linux boot cd.

stuartwood89 · 06-19-2008, 01:32 PM

I've flashed my BIOS without any problems, but I had to save a backup BIOS on a memory stick cause my mobo features a system which re-flashes it with the backup if it goes wrong. But if it does go wrong, yeah, you'll have to replace your motherboard.

Dark Coz · 06-19-2008, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stuartwood89

Try this: Benchmark HQ - SiSoftware Sandra XII SP2c (2008)

It's a benchmarking tool which analyzes every piece of hardware in your computer and displays its information.

Once you've found the make and model of the motherboard, go to the manufactures website and look for a BIOS update.

You can look for other benchmarking tools, but I've used this one and it works well.

This program is not working on my computer. I've installed it, but it won't start no matter what I do.

stuartwood89 · 06-20-2008, 12:45 PM

Try a Google search for Astra 32.

WiLLiSTER · 06-20-2008, 04:08 PM

So, after taking a closer look at that computer, I'd say forget about it completely and get a new computer. Since you haven't upgraded anything in it, it's not worth your time and effort.

If you must know, the motherboard should be an Asus TUW-AM, which is a custom motherboard made for the HP machine.

Dark Coz · 06-21-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WiLLiSTER

So, after taking a closer look at that computer, I'd say forget about it completely and get a new computer. Since you haven't upgraded anything in it, it's not worth your time and effort.

If you must know, the motherboard should be an Asus TUW-AM, which is a custom motherboard made for the HP machine.

You might be right here. Go ahead and close this thread, mods. I don't need this thread anymore.