High Praise to ABIT's BIOS Update Program

[dr_roberts49]

I just had the most stress free BIOS update experience. It had been awhile since I've done a BIOS update, and I can never remember much that was pleasent about them Although I just got my new ABIT IS7 last week, it was recommended that I update its BIOS. I put this off until this morning. On ABIT's web site, I read through their user forum, and heard about this awesome utility they had called "Flash Menu". It runs through Windows, and you connect in real-time to their web site when you run the program. It reads your systems current BIOS, offers the most recent update, and will backup your current BIOS before downloading and installing the new BIOS. All you do is wait a couple of minutes, then reboot your system. That's it, no worries. No boot disk, no archaic dos switch commands. I'm so glad I went with this board.

Robert

[Nighthawk]

I've used it twice now with my NF7-S. I think it's far better than needing a boot disk and everything, as long as you're confident with the stability of your install of Windows.

[Markkyboy]

hi - i flashed my ABIT KX7-333R MoBo using Flash Menu,although it all went very smoothly,i decided to check to see what BIOS parameters had changed!..the main change i was looking for was in the CPU parameters,ABIT`s site said "this latest update will allow a larger CPU to be used on your ABIT KX7-333R,upto an XP2600+,i am currently running an XP2200+,but the CPU parameters now only lists Athlons upto XP2100+!!...horror!...this should be showing parameters above XP2200+,not below!..anyone had the same experience with ABIT KX7-333R or similar?

[frostDA9]

Yep, I have the same board and the same BIOS revision. Although the BIOS supports up to 2600+, it won't show the option on the menu. You set your multiplier and FSB, and it will show up as the correct chip when you press windows key + pause. What the KX7-333 really needs is 166 (333MHz) support. Although many poeple have gotten these board to run 333 MHz CPU's, ABIT won't release a revision supporting them. Oh well, something to hope for I guess...

P.S. just to aviod any confusion, the 2600+ comes in both 266 and 333MHz varieties. The BIOS officially supports the 266 but not the 333 version.

[beppodmime]

Alot of motherboard manufacturers are now releasing windows based BIOS flash programs. My Epox board uses a utility called Magic BIOS, and it offers a similiar stress free experience.

How SAFE it is to flash a BIOS in windows, could vary from system to system, however. Definately wouldn't want to attempt it in a crash prone system. But, for the majority of users, it's a very simple, hassle free way to accomplish something most novice users are terrified to try.

[dr_roberts49]

I started with computers in the glory days of the early 80s, so I'm still comfortable with DOS. I agree that the Windows Flashing might not work for everyone. If you're limited to a dial-up connection, it could get a little scary. I've always thought the board and chip makers could develope a program that a user could download, and this program would read your system configuration and then create a boot disk (cd or floppy) that would backup your current BIOS and then flash it.

Robert