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Rookie looking for a bios update

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2004 10:43 am
by richie750
Hi,
I am looking for a bios update for my computer because my mainboard (I have been told) cannot support hard disks bigger than 40Gb and I want to add a 160Gb hard disk to my system.

CPU: Intel PIII 450 (overclocked to 593)
RAM: 512K
Mainboard Manufacturer: Raffles (bought in Singapore)
Award ID-String: 08/24/2001-694X-686B-6A6LJPRAC-00
Bus: ISA/PCI
BIOS date: 08/24/01
PCI-BIOS version: Version02.10, 32-Bit-PCI-BIOS
Award BIOS info: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Chipset: 694X-686B //VIA Apollo Pro 133A 694X/596B o 68

I have used CTBIOS to get this information ...

Please, please help me because the mainboard manufacturer does not have a website ... and I don't have a manual ...

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2004 10:57 am
by Rainbow
http://www.elhvb.com/mboards/vtech/viabios.html
If your board has 35-xxxx-xx number, it's easy. If not, compare the photos here:
http://www.pcpartner.com/support/bios/VIA694.HTM#vt694x

Posted: Sun Aug 01, 2004 11:04 pm
by Denniss
This Bios should support HDD up to 128GB but not more .
The change of this Bios having a 32 or 64Gb limitation is very small .

Best solution is a 120GB HDD as MAX !

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 10:23 am
by richie750
Denniss: Thanks for your prompt reply ... But do I have to flash the BIOS and then it will support a 120Gb hard disk or will the 120 Gb disk be recognised without flashing???

Rainbow: Thanks for your advice. I will check it out the next weekend when I am at home and let you guys know if it works ...

THANKS A MILLION!!!

:)

Posted: Mon Aug 02, 2004 10:35 am
by Ritchie
I think Denniss is saying that he is confident that your board's current BIOS should already recognise a 120GB disk by default.

Especially if nobody can find a BIOS update for your PC then this is what is assumed.

I never trust HDD support for sure until I run the detection on the drive.

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 10:24 am
by richie750
Ritchie::::::::Thank you for your reply ...

But will it recognise one 120Gb hard disk or can I stick in two hard disks

of 120Gb each???

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 12:40 pm
by Ritchie
Assuming your BIOS will recognise up to 128GB, which Denniss seems confident it should, you can use as many hard disks up to that capacity as your board and BIOS supports (usually four - master and slave on primary and secondary channels with a P-ATA only board).

Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2004 12:45 pm
by Ritchie
Ummm - In case you have not purhased a disk yet, just be sure to get the right type P-ATA (80 pin connector) for P-ATA boards (which is most likely what yours is) or S-ATA for S-ATA (Serial ATA - smaller red cable) boards.

This may be more important than having an ideal size. If you cannot physically plug the drive in you won't get as far as seeing if it detects properly or not.

Sorry if you already knew this - if you did just try and remind yourself when you purchase the drive.

Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2004 7:57 am
by richie750
Ritchie:::::
Thanks again for your advice.
I have not bought the disk yet but plan to do so this weekend since I think I now have ALL the info I need to go ahead.
I will probably pluck out my old hard disk and take it with me to the shop ... just to make sure the give me the right stuff.

Thanks again all you guys for all the help.

Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 11:02 am
by simsong
Same as you ,my bios ID is

03/23/2001-694X-686B-6A6LJPRAC-00

Seagate 160G HDD ,only find 136G in CMOS