FIC? bios update

[elpinchegringo]

BIOS VERSION: 3.02E703

RELEASE DATE: 10/21/95

AMI BIOS id: 2A59CF0JC-00

I can't find the appropriate update/info at fic's website. F0 is supposed to represent FIC, but I can find no reference to a model represented by the J.

Thanks,

Russell

[ajzchips]

I'd say it's a FIC PT-2003 (PCB 1.3) "E"-type BIOS.
I'd wait for a second opinion if I were you.

Anyway, do check your motherboard for "PT-2003" (hopefully), since FIC usually label their boards.

The BIOS is of early 1996, so I suppose the main difference with yours will be support for HDDs upto 8GB. Is yours limited to 2GB? (just curious).

[elpinchegringo]

It is a PT-2003. I cracked open the box when I got home from work and looked at it. There is a bar code sticker with PT-2003 written on it.

I also contacted FIC Tech Sup. They told me the correct bios to download, which introduces my next problem.

When I was satisfied that I had the correct bios update, I put it onto a bootable floppy with the update utility (flash531.exe). I then followed the instructions downloaded from the FIC website. I enter "flash531 306de803.bin." The updater app loads up and seemingly begins to read the .bin file. I am supposed to be prompted to save my old bios, but I am never given the option. After about 10 seconds, the floppy just stops spinning and nothing else happens.

Is yours limited to 2GB?

Yes, I believe it is limited to 2 GB, but I'm not sure. I'm normally a mac user, but I got this old box to install linux on. I'm still getting my feet wet in the command line environment. I definately appreciate my mac for a lot of its features, but I can begin to understand some of the arguments I've been getting from all of my Wintel/PC fanatic friends.

Thanks for the help,

Russell

[ajzchips]

Use AMIFLASH 6.34
It's lots stabler and more reliable.

[edwin]

also, make sure neither the flasher nor the bin file are read-only

[elpinchegringo]

Use AMIFLASH 6.34
It's lots stabler and more reliable

AMIFlash 6.34 didn't work because it is for AMI BIOS. I have an Award BIOS.

Can you recommend another?

[ajzchips]

Oops! Then Award Flash 5.35 or 5.50
Do a search for awdfl535 or af55.exe and you'll find it.

[elpinchegringo]

Neither of those worked either. I am starting to wonder if there's something wrong with my motherboard.

My computer will recognize an 8 gb hd, but as I was installing Linux, I became curious because the installer's automatic partition scheme had a 22 gb partition listed. I then looked at the hard drive inside the case and it turns out its a 30 gb western digital hd. I previously had win 98 installed and it only recognized 8 gb with a fat32 partition.

[Rainbow]

Check if the board has flash write protection jumper - that might be the problem. If not, try using UniFlash (at your own risk).
30GB drive... too bad that FIC does not provide BIOS with support for HDDs over 8.4GB. You might try to use BIOS from some other board but it can be very risky.

[Denniss]

@Rainbow :
Have you checked both Biosfiles located here for support of HDD over 8GB ?
ftp://ftp.fica.com/bios/motherboards/Pe ... -2003/y2k/

[Rainbow]

Yes - it's old crap with new date. If the file is not in the Int13 directory on the FIC server then it has no support over 8.4GB.

[ajzchips]

He might actually prefer a MRBIOS BIOS... then.
http://www.knowplace.org/bios.html

MR_FIC_.ZIP... both releases are there (just the different I/O).

Doesn't look too bad for a March 1996 BIOS:

(1) Plug 'n Play card support.
1a) Auto resource steering
1b) Win95 compatible
(2) PCI and Bridge support.
2a) Auto resource steering
2b) DEC PCI-PCI bridges
(3) Energy Star power management.
3a) APM for Windows and DOS
3b) VESA DPMS video mgmt
3c) SMI and STPCLK
3d) Timewarp correction
(4) Fast-ATA support.
4a) ATA Mode 4/5 (to 20 MB/S)
4b) Built-in CMD-640, OPTi-621 drivers
(5) Enhanced IDE support.
5a) LBA and CHS translations
5b) EDPT Table support
5c) IBM/Microsoft INT13 extensions
5c) 8 discs max, each to 137 GByte
5d) Drive remapping
5e) Boot SCSI (ahead of IDE)
(6) Atapi and Removable IDE.
6a) CD-ROM recognition
6b) SyQuest and Ejectable Media
(7) Enhanced Floppy support.
7a) 4 floppy/tape-drives max
7b) Drive remapping
(8 ) Enhanced Parallel Port.
8a) SPP, Bidir, EPP, ECP modes
(9) Anti-Virus protection.
(10) Password Security.
(11) PS/2 Mouse support.
(12) Pentium and 6x86 CPU support.
(13) Instant! Boot (tm) (whatever that is...)

[elpinchegringo]

Check if the board has flash write protection jumper - that might be the problem.

How can I tell?

MR_FIC_.ZIP... both releases are there (just the different I/O).

Which I/O do I use?

[Rainbow]

Get the manual ftp://ftp.fica.com/manuals/motherboards ... T-2003.ZIP
J3, J4: Flash EPROM type: check what's printed on the BIOS chip (remove Award BIOS sticker) and make sure that these jumpers are set correctly

Depends on the I/O chip that's on your board.

[elpinchegringo]

Where is the I/O chip on the motherboard? Is it something that is usually clearly labeled? (I just don't want to get home, open the box and stare at it like an idiot for an hour looking for the right chip.)

Thanks,

Russell