BIOS Updates forum

As an update, subject line now shows flashed BIOS date, got Win2k to work with NIC after removing and reinstallation, letting PnP do it's "job"

The HD still won'tget recognized as 80GB, and running the BIOS wizard software shows that Enhanced HD Dist drive test as failed, not supported by BIOS, but it is flashable. Apparently, the BIOS needs something additional to set for proper size? Still recognizes only 32GB. Cylinder Limiter jumpers are installed also.

{Tried to find proper award files for large HD size from FIC site for update, now Win2k hangs on boot sometimes, Video card and Network Card are having contentions...any suggestions? }

Hi 70charger
Are you actually having trouble with your hard disc not being recognised ? You don't say so in your description of your problems. Did you actually flash a new BIOS ? If so, did you write down your CMOS settings, clear CMOS and re-enter them ?

If the subject line is your old BIOS ID, what is the new BIOS ID after flashing ?

Yes, I did find a bios update and flashed the bios, now the date is 03/29/1999, version 1.13CD140 for the FIC MB, which offers large HD support for the PA 2007 MB and provides SMART services also. Kept the settings from prior, as they did not update in CMOS after the BIOS flash, all remained same. Only caveat was that "wonderful" maxtor utility, ez-bios had installed previously and looks to be the culprit for the IRQ and IO contentions. I still can't recognize all 80 GB of HD after the flash, only 32 GB, and Win2k ends up not seeing my NIC, except in safe mode. I'm in the process of removing cards and reinserting them to make that wonderful OS recognize PnP cards again. Any helpful comments appreciated!

The BIOS needs to be patched to support HDDs over 32GB and over 64GB.
What's your PCB version? Should be printed somewhere on the board. If it's v1.2, do you have 586A or 586B south bridge (should be printed on the chip - might be something like VT82C586A or VT82C586B. The different board versions use different BIOSes - that might explain the non-HDD problems you have.

There is a later Bios out - 1.13cd415 - for PCB 1.1/1.2 with 586A Southbridge .
Has the same date as the previous 1.13cd140 so Bug still needs to be fixed .
For PCB1.2 with 586B Southbridge there's a 1.13CN415 .

Can't find 1.1 or 1.2 stamped anywhere on the board, but the chipset is the VIA 586A and voltages range from 2.1 when shorting pins 11-12 to 3.5 on pins 1-2. From what I've seen on http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/ ... to.html#CV top this appears to be a version 1.2. I've applied the beta BIOS updates found at http://www.fic.com.tw/techsupport/drive ... me=PA-2007 to get large HD support, but still seem to be stuck at the 32GB limit.

Rainbow, you mentioned a patch for the BIOS? How could I get one? Or should I read the FAQ?

Thanks!

According to that page, there are only two versions - 1.1 and 1.2...weird.

I can patch the BIOS for you but you should first choose the one that works correctly.

The really weird thing is that from other posts I've read elsewhere, the pa2007 MB's ver 1.1 don't have 2.1v support, but mine does. None of the BIOS upgrades for 1.2 specific (CNxxxxx) worked, only the CDxxxxx versions worked. If I want to upgrade to a K6-III, I need the CD415bin file, to support a faster processor.

Rainbow,
CD415.bin appears to work properly after I just flashed it. That would seem to be the best to patch for 80GB HD support.

Thanks!

1.1 or 1.2 is printed onto your board on top of the last ISA slot near the screwhole / EP2 and EP1 jumpers .
There's an error on the FIC website - the CD415 is for 1.1 and 1.2 with 586A not only for 1.1 .
I had a 2007 1.2 586A working well with this bios .

Patched BIOS sent.

Thanks Deniss,
I found the ID mark, it is 1.2. I'm going to try the BIOS flash for that MB and see if it works properly before patching anything. It is marked CN415.bin

I'll update with the results.

After reading Deniss comments, I have the proper file, CD415.bin which Rainbow flashed. CD415 supports the PA2007 1.2 with 586A, which I have.

Problem still is though, that I go into Win2k Disk Management, and drive still shows up as 32GB. Do I need to change something else in the BIOS or run some of the Maxtor utils?

Have you removed the 32GB clipping jumper? Does BIOS show 80GB in the configuration table?

Thanks Rainbow, I had just started doing that prior to reading your post...forgot I had the CL jumper on. Had tried user specific settings, which didn't work, so set BIOS back to Auto, rebooted, now recognizing 74.50 GB of healthy NTFS partition!

You DAH Man Rainbow! I wish I had kept up on my bin programming skills, you made it so easy. Thanks!