BIOS Updates forum

Here goes- we all know what the problem is. This is an AMSTECH RODEO 3500 AKA CHICONY MP989 (from orphan laptops). This machine was also a Micron Transport NX. I need a bios upgrade to use a 40 or 60 gb hd - I would hate to dump a notebook with a great 15" LCD inch screen that runs win 2K so well. Its a shame that company don't make laptops anymore - but thats another story.

Micron has bios updates but im scared to flash the laptop with those (seems only difference is micron has an extra pointing device on the keyboard and does not allow the floppy to be used via the parallel port). Also, Micron does not specify if they fixed the drive capacity problem so im not going to flash.



Is there any hope for this machine? Thanks.

BIOS Date: 12/08/98
BIOS Type: Award Modular BIOS v4.51PGM
BIOS ID: 12/08/1998-i440BX-NS338-2A69KC2AC
OEM Sign-On: B0125 1998/12/11
Chipset: Intel 440BX/ZX rev 2
Superio: NSC 338 rev 2 found at port 398h
OS: Win2000
CPU: Pentium II 300 Mhz MAX: 400 Mhz
BIOS ROM In Socket: Yes
BIOS ROM Size: 256K
Memory Installed: 320 MB

Found BIOSes:

http://www.notebookservice.dk/indhold/989.htm
02/27/1999-i440BX-NS338-2A69KC2AC-00
B0135 1999/03/01

http://wwwhomes.uni-bielefeld.de/achim/ ... mp989.html
08/27/1999-i440BX-NS338-2A69KC2AC-00
V17T02A 1999/08/27

So the latest one is the version I patched for you. It's at: http://wims.rainbow-software.org/ajz/

Note: you'll have to download the flash utility (contained in either of the first two links above).

Note2: sent by email because host.sk is down right now.

Note3: if you'd much rather flash version B0135 because of the similar BIOS Sign-on, then just say so. Remember, you flash at your own risk.

Thanks alot, if possible I would like to have both files so if its no big deal do the other one too. To play safe I would like to have this bios flashed on a chip so there is no risk. Do you know any places that will do that?

len wrote:Thanks alot, if possible I would like to have both files so if its no big deal do the other one too. To play safe I would like to have this bios flashed on a chip so there is no risk. Do you know any places that will do that?

www.badflash.com do replacement BIOSes by mail.

The 3/1999 BIOS comes in two versions:
a) one for a 13.3" screen.
b) one for a 14/15" screen.

The 8/1999 BIOS seems to be for version b).

Anyway, I'll upload both versions to the host.sk link above. I'll include the one I sent you, too.

Mine is definately the 15" screen! Also, was the bios patched for 64GB or 128Gb? Again thanks a million.

I patched them for 128GB support.... just in case you want an 80 or 120GB HDD in there

Are there any other other differences between the the 2 versions that I should know about?
Thanks

None that I know of.