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40GB: 01/19/1999-i440BX-00000006C-00
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 12:10 am
by bob23
I want to install a 40gb hard drive, or if possible an 80gb one, in my computer. Currently I only have one 6gb and one 8gb, and a Pentium II 450 with 320mb RAM. How can I find out if a 40 or 80 gig hard drive will work in my computer before I buy one?
Thanks.
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 1:04 am
by NickS
Try downloading EXTBIOS from Jan Steunebrink's page,
http://web.inter.nl.net/hcc/J.Steunebrink/bioslim.htm.
Alternatively, provide full ID on your motherboard and BIOS and we can check it for you with Rainbow's utility.
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 1:30 am
by bob23
Thanks. I downloaded EXTBIOS and it said:
Int 13h extensions version -1- detected.
Extended disk access support (for > 8GB) : Yes
Drive locking and ejecting support : Yes
Enhanced Disk Drive (EDD) support : No
DMA boundary errors handled transparently : No
Device supports write with verify : No
Media is removeable : No
Does this mean I can have any size hard drive like a 40gb or 80gb?
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 1:32 am
by bob23
Also, how do I find the full ID on my motherboard and BIOS?
Thanks.
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 1:50 am
by Denniss
http://www.lavalys.com/products/downloa ... =1&lang=en
Get the Everest program (updated version of Aida32) and show us all stuff it gives you about your mainboard/system Bios
Or use CTBIOS or Bios-Agent to post your Bios-ID + Bios OEM message
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 1:57 am
by bob23
Here's the info on my motherboard and BIOS. If there's any other info you need just ask. I use Windows ME by the way, if that makes any difference!
Thanks a lot.
Motherboard Properties
Motherboard ID 01/19/1999-i440BX-00000006C-00
Motherboard Name AOpen AX6BC
Front Side Bus Properties
Bus Type Intel GTL+
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 100 MHz
Effective Clock 100 MHz
Bandwidth 800 MB/s
Memory Bus Properties
Bus Type SDR SDRAM
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 100 MHz
Effective Clock 100 MHz
Bandwidth 800 MB/s
Motherboard Physical Info
CPU Sockets/Slots 1
Expansion Slots 2 ISA, 5 PCI, 1 AGP
RAM Slots 3 DIMM
Form Factor ATX
Motherboard Size 200 mm x 300 mm
Motherboard Chipset i440BX
Motherboard Manufacturer
Company Name AOpen Inc.
Product Information
http://english.aopen.com.tw/products/mb
BIOS Download
http://download.aopen.com.tw/downloads
BIOS Properties
BIOS Type Award Modular
Award BIOS Type Award Modular BIOS v4.60PGMA
Award BIOS Message AX6BC R2.20 Jan.19.1999 AOpen Inc.
System BIOS Date 01/19/99
Video BIOS Date 99/10/05
BIOS Manufacturer
Company Name Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
Product Information
http://www.phoenix.com/en/products/default.htm
BIOS Upgrades
http://www.esupport.com/biosagent/index ... fererid=40
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 2:20 am
by NickS
A-Open AX6BC BIOS can be downloaded from the AOpen website,
http://download.aopen.com.tw/default.aspx
Your version is 2.20, latest version is 2.59. Version 2.41 added "Supports IDE detection of HDD size over 136GB ".
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 2:36 am
by bob23
NickS wrote:A-Open AX6BC BIOS can be downloaded from the AOpen website,
http://download.aopen.com.tw/default.aspx
Your version is 2.20, latest version is 2.59. Version 2.41 added "Supports IDE detection of HDD size over 136GB ".
Thanks.
I downloaded version 2.41 and opened it...it brought up a window and it said in it "Message: You cannot run under windows"
Has it been installed? Does that mean I'm able to install any size hard drive, including 40gb and 80gb?
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 1:57 pm
by KachiWachi
I posted here a while back (when I was working) that I had problems trying to flash an AX6BC that we had at work. Never did get it resolved.
See post
http://www.wimsbios.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2019 .
The AOpen utility is a DOS one...you can't use it from Windows.
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 2:22 pm
by bob23
KachiWachi wrote:I posted here a while back (when I was working) that I had problems trying to flash an AX6BC that we had at work. Never did get it resolved.
See post
http://www.wimsbios.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2019 .
The AOpen utility is a DOS one...you can't use it from Windows.
Ok thanks, but do I need to flash my BIOS? Or just install that AOpen update?
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 3:15 pm
by Denniss
Please use the latest Bios !
The Bios comes with an integrated flashprog but Aopen should have the Bios only, too.
This utility is the flashprog + the bios file integrated into one file.
Just use a fresh formatted floppy disk with this utility to update your Bios - Aopen should have instructions how to use this thing. to format your floppy please use the Biosflash diskimage from
www.bootdisk.com (drdflash.exe)
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 5:01 pm
by bob23
Denniss wrote:Please use the latest Bios !
The Bios comes with an integrated flashprog but Aopen should have the Bios only, too.
This utility is the flashprog + the bios file integrated into one file.
Just use a fresh formatted floppy disk with this utility to update your Bios - Aopen should have instructions how to use this thing. to format your floppy please use the Biosflash diskimage from
www.bootdisk.com (drdflash.exe)
The latest BIOS - is that the file ax6bc241.exe that I've already downloaded? The version 2.41?
Sorry but I am lost on how to do this..do I save this file onto a formatted floppy disk? And I don't know where to look for the instructions on the Aopen site. I have no idea when it comes to BIOS stuff sorry.
Thanks for your help though.
Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2005 8:35 pm
by NickS
The latest BIOS, as I said earlier, is 2.59.
Get the DR-DOS boot disk creator "drdflash.exe" DennisS listed above and run the program to create a bootable diskette.
The ax6bc259.zip file on the AOpen site contains a .BIN file and .EXE file. Copy them both to the diskette and boot from the diskette. Then run the .EXE file.
Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 5:14 pm
by bob23
Thanks for all your help.
Before I do this, are there any risks involved?
Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2005 10:59 pm
by NickS
There are always risks involved in flashing a BIOS. You may have a faulty chip which holds the current data OK but cannot be reprogrammed with new data. Something may go wrong during the flash process (some manufacturers advise you not to flash from diskette in case there is a read error which leaves you with a partly-flashed device). Sometimes you can recover from a corrupted BIOS, but if you flash the BIOS for the wrong board into your motherboard you may not be able to recover without unsoldering the BIOS chip and having it reprogrammed. In the end it comes down to whther your need to upgrade justifies the (normally small) risk.
An alternative is to buy an add-in HDD controller with its own BIOS on-board.
