80 GB: ST380011A 01/18/1999-i440BX-W977TF-2A69KF09C-00

[anderx]

Hi there,

I have a problem almost similar to manishjhawar's.

I have just bought a Seagate Barracuda 80 GB HDD model no. ST380011A but my BIOS is not recognizing it (CMOS Setup hangs on auto-detection).

My BIOS:
Award Modular BIOS v4.51PG

The motherboard string shown at the bottom is:
01/18/1999-i440BX-W977TF-2A69KF09C-00

Chipset:
Intel 440BX/ZX rev 3

I have searched the Intel website for a BIOS update, but there are several 440BX-drivers to choose from. Since this is the first time I have had need for updating my BIOS I'm affraid of screwing up

Can someone help me solve this problem?

Thanks in advance!

Regards,

Anderx

[NickS]

Don't use the Intel BIOS. The board is FIC; in a previous post Rainbow suggests it's a VB-601; this number should be printed somewhere on the board.
Check out http://www.fic.com.tw/support/motherboard/default.aspx If it is VB-601 you will also need to know whether the PCB is version 1.3 or 1.4 - look for this marked on the board as well.

[anderx]

Than you for your reply.
VB-601 is labelled on the board, but it doesn't say anything about PCB 1,3 og PCB 1,4
On label which says VB-601 it also says LC9012963. There's a label that says MI410s and one that says 2335.

What should I be looking for on
http://www.fic.com.tw/support/motherboard/default.aspx
?

[NickS]

1. Click "List all model".
2. Click "VB-601"
3. Click on "FAQ for VB-601"
4. (optional) Click on "Confused to download BIOS". There it explains that if you have MI410 BIOS you should have a 1.4 board (confirm by checking the I/O chip which should be Winbond I/O W83977EF). Click on "Back".
5. Click on "BIOS can't detect 45GB harddrive" which explains that the latest BIOS will fix that problem. Use the link here to download the BIOS as it is not listed on the BIOS download page !!!

[anderx]

Thank you so much!

But the BIOS downloadable from the FAQ is for non-PCB 1,4. A version only for 1,4 is to be found on the BIOS download page.

[ajzchips]

Maybe here somewhere:
ftp://ftp.fic.com.tw/motherboard/bios/slot1/vb-601/

[NickS]

Thank you so much!
But the BIOS downloadable from the FAQ is for non-PCB 1,4.

That is not how I understand it.
On the BIOS download page they did not list a "fixed" BIOS for PCB V1.3, i.e. a "fixed" version of the MExxxx BIOS,

A version only for 1,4 is to be found on the BIOS download page.

so the question was "how do I get support for big disks on 1.3". The answer lists the latest "fixed" BIOSes for 1.4 (MI4118), 1.3 (ME4118) and 1.1 (115MC135) and tells you to use the correct BIOS for your board ("stay with the original serial version").
Hope that helps.

[anderx]

You're right! It works perfectly now. Thank you so much