Can't Find BIOS Upgrade for Biostar MotherBoard

[kuyalfinator]

I am looking for a bios upgrade so I can overcome the Cyclinder Limit of 32 gigs on my motherboard. I checked the BIOSTAR website under support and BIOS. I searched their archive section for Socket 7 and they did not have this BIOS version for this motherboard.

http://www.biostar.com.tw/support/bios/archives.php3

Socket 7
M5ALA M5ALC M5ATA M5ATB M5ATC
M5ATD M5CNA M5CNB M5SAA M5SAB
M5SAF M5VIA M5VMA M5VNB

Does the BIOS also come with the functionality of sharing IRQs with different devices? Here is my info of my motherboard.

[eSupport BIOS Agent]

Program: Unicore BIOS Wizard Version 1.5
Program: Unicore Chip Detect v0.72 2000.03.10
BIOS Date: 02/06/99
BIOS Type: Award Modular BIOS v4.51PG
BIOS ID: 02/06/1999-SiS-5598-W877-2A5IIB0BC-00
BIOS Eval: BIOS Ver. 1.10
Chipset: SiS 5597 rev 16
Superio: Winbond 977TF rev 0 found at port 3F0h

[Extra info about motherboard]

Motherboard: Biostar # M5SIB ver:2.0
BIOS Version: 1.10 Award Software, Inc. ROM PCI/ISA
Chipset: SiS 5582/5597/5598 [Chipset reads 5598 on MB]
Socket 7: CPU AMDk6-2(tm) 3D processor
Operating System: Windows 98

[Rainbow]

Isn't that board in Packard Bell 6333 machine? Looks like Packard Bell Pegase board. All I can find is "10/23/1998-SiS-5598-W877-2A5IIB0BC-00", v1.05. Can you please save your current BIOS to a file (use awdflash) and upload somewhere or send me by e-mail (address is in my profile)?

[kuyalfinator]

Please walk me through saving my BIOS using the AWDFLASH program. I just do not want to accidently earse my BIOS setup. Please help. I am still a rookie.

[Rainbow]

Run awdflash with /pn (programming:no) and /sy (save:yes) parameters: "awdflash.exe /pn /sy" (you should run awdflash from real dos mode - if you use Win9x, you can enter it by holding F8 before boot and select "Safe mode command prompt only" in the menu, if you don't use Win9x, download a DOS bootdisk from http://www.bootdisk.com). It should ask for filename to save the backup - enter file name such as backup.bin and send me that file.

[kuyalfinator]

I emailed the backup.bin to your in your profiles email address.

I also looked at the Packbell Website and I could not find a description of this system. I looked at my software and documentation that was supplied with my machine. The "System Creditails" Software were blanked out after my upgrades. I just found out when you asked about the system and board types.

When I purchased this computer, it says it is a Packard Bell Multimedia 882. How did you come up with the Packard Bell 6333 machine and Pegase Board?

[Rainbow]

It looks like Packard Bell used this board in multiple systems. Don't know where to find new BIOS, but I'm currently working on a program that will be able to fix the 32GB bug in Award BIOSes (see the In-Depth BIOS section).

[edwin]

The Pegasus board:
http://www.uktsupport.co.uk/pb/mb/pegasus.htm

[kuyalfinator]

http://www.unicore.com/
One of the web sites I researched that said they have a BIOS upgrade. I sent my MoBo info. They responded by via email and by phone that they have an upgrade for this board. They still have a few questions, maybe something about form of payment I think, before I get the BIOS upgrade.

In the first post I placed, I ask about the 32 Gig Cyclinder Limit. How about the functionality of sharing IRQs? Does the BIOS have this capibility or is it the 'Chipset'?

[kuyalfinator]

10/23/1998-SiS-5598-W877-2A5IIB0BC-00", v1.05 [Rainbow posted]

02/06/1999-SiS-5598-W877-2A5IIB0BC-00 , v1.10 [Kuyalfinator posted]

Besides the difference in the BIOS version and the date, is there any other difference between these BIOS version? Is it the way their programmed? Is their added functionality?

[Rainbow]

Do not buy BIOS upgrade from Unicore - they're VERY expensive and many people have problems with them. If you want to buy something, buy new board. As I wrote, I'm working on program that can modify almost any Award BIOS to fix 32GB limit - it will be free.

[kuyalfinator]

Message for Rainbow, why did you need to see a copy of my BIOS?

[edwin]

He may be able to go beyond the 32GB limit. Someone has discovered the bug that is responsible for the 32GB limit, by adapting the bios you sent him, Rainbow MAY be able to solve your problem. If not, an add-in controller card from http://www.promise.com is the best way to tackle this without buying a new motherboard. Forget about unicore.

[kuyalfinator]

Unicore responded back to my email reply. It was still the same email asking for me info. What do I now? How long does it take for the revisions for my BIOS to be completed?

[edwin]

add-in card is cheaper and you can use that in your next board as well...

[kuyalfinator]

CONTACTED UNICORE:

Gene Smith
Account Representative
1-800-800-2467 x 361
Hours Mon-Thurs 8:30-7:30
Friday 8:30-5:00 EST

Warranty 30 days:
Technical Support 1 year:
Free Upgrades 1 year:
Their upgrade BIOS comes with chip puller, the BIOS chip,
manuals, and a book that tells secrets on how to tune
your BIOS.

$69.95 plus $9.95 shipping and handling
$10 discount if I order this week. 4-11-2002
TOTAL w/ discount $69.90
Part number for my motherboard is N2A5IIB0C through Unicore
Their bios date is I believe 2-2001

All I did was visited their website at www.unicore.com, download the BIOS agent software (same software on the upper left corner of this broswer), and emailed extra information about the motherboard.

I will probably find another alternative for handling larger drives. I am just keeping everyone posted about what resources I found. Hopefully, if someone was looking for info, this would be another route to go.