BIOS Updates forum

Hello everyone,

My Award BIOS has the 32 GB barrier bug. Is there an updated or patched BIOS version that supports 32+ drives (40GB/80GB)?

Here is my BIOS/MB info:

BIOS : Award Modular BIOS v4.51PG
ID-String : 03/08/1999-MVP3-586B-W87-2A5LEX3AC-00
Board/BIOS-Version : ACORP 5VIA77 VER:A5
Chipset : MVP3-586B-W87 //VIA Apollo VP3 (597)

Also is it possible to use the disk at its full capacity without flashing the BIOS or using Overlay software? I read here that NT-kernel based Windows versions use the BIOS only for booting and use their own drivers for HDD operations, so if I understood right the OS should be able to use the whole drive. Right now I'm using the 32 GB capacity clipping jumper and Windows XP sees the HD as 40 GB but can't write on the last partition (most of which is after 32GB).. Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance
Georgi

Patched BIOS sent.

Wow, that was fast! Thanks a lot man!

I'll try it out and post about the results.

When I try to flash the BIOS it gives me the following message: The program file's part number does not match with your system. I tried the /Py switch but it still gives the same message. Im using Awdflash 8.08a. Any ideas?

Thanks
Georgi

You're getting the message because the ID strings are a bit different:
your 03/08/99-MVP3-586B-W87-2A5LEX3AC-00
the new one 03/23/1999-VP3-586B-W877-2A5LE00AC-00
Try older Awdflash version or UniFlash.

Can you tell me which version of Award Flasher should I use?

OMG!! It worked!!!

I tried several older versions (7.XX) of AwdFlash with no success so I tried UniFlash and it flashed it with no problem.

The patched BIOS works beautifully!

Thank you so much!!

Georgi

Hello again

Is it possible a patched BIOS supporting 120 GB HD to be made? I'm currently with the version Rainbow send me.

Thanks a lot in advance.

According to http://wims.rainbow-software.org/ , it has already been patched for support upto 128GB.

Thanks! I thought it supports max 80 GB.

supports up to 128GB, tested with 80GB which is beyond the second barrier (64GB).

Hi! Everybody. There is a new bios version on Acorp site for the same
ACORP 5VIA77
And The version is: A7

I don't know why Lethean has no success to flash the bios with ver. A6 (patched), because i do it with Awardflash 7.** that gaves me an error: "The program file's part number does not match with your system" but asks " Flash- yes or no" -> YES and then starts to write -> Reset-> BOOT success.

Do not use Awardlash ver 8.08 that comes with archive .zip because there is NO " Flash- yes or no"
If you prefer flash with UniFlash

I want to tell to everyone to not confuse of "The program file's part number does not match with your system"
Just Acorp specialists didn't do all to work without problems.
And:
There is two versions of 5via77 motherboards:
A3 and A4, and there is (for now) 6 versions of bios - A3 (original on A3 motherboard); A4 (original on A4); A5 that gaves NO error "part number" when You flash on A3 motherboard; A6; A6 patched and A7.

A3 mother (with original bios A3) have:
MVP3-586B-W87-2A5LEX3AC-00

Maybe A4 mother (with original bios A4) have:
VP3-586B-W877-2A5LE00AC-00

A5 bios have: MVP3-586B-W87-2A5LEX3AC-00

A6 bios have: VP3-586B-W877-2A5LE00AC-00

A6 (patched) bios: VP3-586B-W877-2A5LE00AC-00
http://wims.rainbow-software.org/rainbo ... 5VIA77.zip

A7 bios have: VP3-586B-W877-2A5LE00AC-00

All versions works on A3 motherboards (my is A3) but A3 bios ver is very bad ( win2000 ->install-> no success)
A7 works fine.

In my opinion A3 board works stable only when RAM works on 66 Mhz (adjusted to work on AGP 66 mhz, not CPU FSB).

If anyone tried this ver A7 may post here is it compatible with the largest HDD. I am sure that this ver. works with the 40 GB HDD (I try it)

Not tested with a disk, but our patcher says:

BIOS already supports HDDs over 32GB & 64GB - Nothing to do!

Looks as though we can withdraw the patched A6... thank you!