BIOS Updates forum

Hi,

sorry if my english sounds bad.
I've got a Pentium 1, 90 MHz. I tried installing Linux, which needs the computer boot from a cd. The BIOS doesn't support that.
I've looked for a update but i can't find one. Here's some information:

PhoenixBIOS Version 4.04 Copyright 1985-1995
BIOS Date : 12/22/95
Chipset : OPTi 82C557 rev 17
system id: TC44
system rom: F5FF-FFFF
Unieke sleutel(unique key): rdCR.1ZF+r4EgHp4 (found in Suse linux 8.2)
old_unique_key: IB+A.1ZF+r4EgHp4 (found in Suse linux 8.2)

I don't know what kind of mainboard i have, i tried many programs such as lavasys everest and aida32. But none of them can find info about the mainbord.
After a while i found out that i can start the installation of linux using bootdisks. The installation took about 3 hours. But everything works fine.
Linux doesn't have info about the mainboard either.

If someone can help me, please answer.

Greetings,

Bart Grefte

Possibly a Tulip TC44 mainboard or from a TC44 system

Is there a bios update for this type mainbord?

http://www.ac-grenoble.fr/carmimm/bios.html

Please make sure you pick the Bios for your motherboard revision and VGA-chip !

i tried this program: TLPINF.EXE from
http://www.ac-grenoble.fr/carmimm/bios.html
i see this:

which mainboard do i have?

?TC44 Level 1/2/3 avec GD5434
?TC44 Level 1/2/3 avec GD5436
?TC44 Level 1/2/3 avec GD5440
?TC44 L4 avec GD5434
?TC44 L4 avec GD5436
?TC44 L4 avec GD5440

Seems to be a level-2 or level-3 TC44 - please try to verify with a Rev2.x or similar marking somewhere on your board .
Search the VGA-chip installed on your board - should have Cirrus Logic and/or one of the three "GD" numbers printed onto it

Cirrus Logic 5436 PCI, found in windows at collour and resolution settings screen. But the computer doesn't keep the graphics settings after a restart or shutdown.

I found this on the mainboard:

PCA TC44 B21
03-104421-03

Is this information helpful??

I tried: 44360621.exe, TC44 Level 1/2/3 avec GD5436 21 juin 1996
I get an write protection error. What do i do about it?

You need a bootable floppy disk - get DR-DOS "Basic-Biosflash" Disk-creator from www.bootdisk.com

The fle you downloaded needs to be decrompressed with Winzip/Winrar and the file should be copied onto the newly created floppy .
Please read the instructions coming with the bios files

http://www.bootdisk.com/ doesn't exist, can't find/open it

bartgrefte wrote:http://www.bootdisk.com/ doesn't exist, can't find/open it

hmm, seems to be working fine here...

here is a direct link to the DR. DOS file:
ftp://User:webhq@webhq.cjb.net/downloads/drdflash.exe

the bios is now being updated, but before 100 % is reached, the computer reset's it self, and the computer can't find the 2 harddisks and the cd-rom anymore

Ok, the bios is now updated. But nothing (as far as i can see) has changed.
Still can't boot from cdrom

But i have found this site: www.esupport.com.
Last 2 months i send 4 emails, but still don't have a response from esupport.
So my question still remains: where can i find a bios update for this computer??

Try a bootable floppy with DOS-drivers for your CDROM - every Win98+ bootdisk has these DOD drivers .
-> Should be enough to boot and to install Linux

After you sucessfully updated the BIOS, did you remember to:

1) Enter into BIOS Setup and load defaults.
2) Either set all your drives and modes to the AUTO type OR Run the drive autodection option. Also check the floppy is set correctly (most systems 1.4MB on Drive A, None on Drive B) and disable the floppy Mode 3 option (if present).
3) Change the boot order so that the CD-ROM is listed first. If this is not done then the PC may start booting from the floppy or hard disk, if it is able to, before it even checks to see if there is a bootable CD in the drive.