Bios Update problems...

3 possibilities here:

1. Wrong flash program.
You must use the correct flash program for the BIOS type / motherboard.

2. Wrong BIOS file.
You MUST have the correct BIOS file for the make, model and revision of your motherboard.

3. Bad boot disk.
If you are using a boot floppy, make sure it is a TRUE MS-DOS boot disk. I use a W98 PC when creating BIOS flash boot floppies just to assure that I have a true DOS disk.

I thought of 2 more things to check:

1. Verify that the flash jumper is in the enable position.
Not all motherboards have a flash protection jumper. So don't worry if you can't find it.

2. In BIOS settings, verify that the virus protection option is set to disable.

The BIOS virus protection option blocks software from writing to the BIOS ROM or CMOS RAM.

Chas

TheChas as always is right but with the older motherboard you have, you need the manual on it. Because there are jumpers for cpu type, memory type ect. If you do not have the jumpers in the correct place the bios update may not work. Open the case, if you do not know how to handle the things inside of the case take it to people who do. Like a local repair shop, you need to find a model number, a chip name write down every thing you can find. The motherboard name and numbers are on the board some where, but if it is an second party board it will be hard to find any thing. If you do get a name, numbers or some other info it is time to start looking. Try Google first, look for a manual or other help with the board. Good luck.

Chas is right as always but where your problem is lies in where you got the BIN file and Flash Utility from.

These should only ever come from the M'Board maker and not the system builder or who ever else. They have to comply with the M'Board. If you know the maker of the M'Board you should visit their Web Site and download the latest BIOS and Flash Utility if you do not know who made the M'Board you can write down the BIOS String on the bottom of the POST screen and either visit the BIOS Makers Web Site to find out the maker of the M'Board or you can try

http://www.biosman.com/

and enter the brand of BIOS like AWARD, Phoenix or whoever and then follow the links to find out what those letters and numbers mean. Once you have the Maker and Model of the M'Board you can look for their Web Site if they are still around and download the latest BIOS available as well as the M'Board book so you can read up on how to FLASH the BIOS as different M'Boards have different ways of doing this.

It is very important to get the right BIOS because if you install the wrong one the only way out will be to replace the BIOS chip as you will not get a second chance. It is also a good idea to run the computer off a UPS while doing this because if you have a power failure while it is happening you will be in the same boat as if you installed the wrong BIOS.

From your description of the error messages I would say you have the wrong BIOS file for the M'Board and you got lucky as it didn't allow you to install it.

Lets know how you get on.

Col

Hal9000 provided some inaccurate information. He was probably thinking about "white box" systems and not those from major manufacturers (at least we'll give him the befefit of the doubt).

BIOS upgrades should always be obtained from the system manufacturer (e.g. Dell, Gateway, HP) whenever possible. In most cases BIOSes are custom tailored with limited settings by motherboard manufacturers supplying the big boys. A BIOS provided by the motherboard manufacturer likely will not work correctly and may render the motherboard inoperable.

For instance, Intel motherboards manufactured for Dell PCs have a radically different BIOS than those sold to distributors for use in custom PCs.

Dalton

You have the wrong Flash BIOS for the motherboard. The first error is due to the BIOS version being wrong. The chipset (Intel) is the same but as was incorrectly then correctly mentioned the board needs the correct OEM specific Flash file. The version check can be bypassed by removing the config jumper Chas mentioned but I wouldn't try that.

The second error is because the file size is wrong. Possibly because the BIOS you're trying to install has or needs a Splash Logo. Again this points to the fact that you are trying to use the wrong Flash file.

All of the above are right rate them with Answer # 1 getting the max percentage of the points and lower points for the ones that tacked on !