Instuctions for a correct BIOS update
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 11:17 am
just to be clear, i have no idea how to do this, much less correctly...
i have never ever updated a BIOS. i inherited this computer when someone left it behind at my apt complex. currently it has WXP PRO w/ SP3 but i want to install a PCI video card and a PCI tv tuner card and run Mythbuntu as it meets the specs to try that. and because i'm bored and like free things, LOL.
but i am concerned about the older bios. frankly, im not sure i even need to update but XP won't run the cards i want to use. the BIOS i have is 2000 and this is 2003, so how much difference can there be for the hardware? and how do i know if these is even the correct BIOS?
Motherboard Name
ECS P6IWP-Fe
Motherboard Chipset
Intel Whitney i810E
and Please, what the heck do i do with these 2 files???
i ran BiosAgent and it gave me this information
BIOS TYPE: AWARD modular BIOS v6.00PG
BIOS DATE: 07/07/2000
BIOS ID: 07/07/2000-i810-ITE8712-6A69ME1CC-00-NONE
BIOS OEM: P6IWP-FE VER 1.0f07/07/2000-6.00PG
i went to the motherbord vender website ECS at
http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Produc ... 52&LanID=8
i downloaded BIOS for P6IWP-Fe(PCB:1.0A) Version 1.2 Release Date 2003/03/28 as p6iwpfe12.exe and unzip to get wpfes12.BIN
i read #3.It is recommended to use the updated flash utility included in each BIOS download package. (How to use flash utility). and it takes me to a page that has tutorials for 2 utilities AWARD DOS and WINFLASH with VERY BAD instructions.
i assume i use the AWARD DOS and not WINFLASH as that is the one ECS they has for download.
i downloaded the AWARD (Dos) 8.60b utility as awd860b.zip and unzipped it and got AWD860B.EXE
i now have 2 files, wpfes12.BIN and AWD860B.EXE
Please, what the heck do i do with these 2 files???
the very outdated tutorial for AWARD DOS was useless (can i even make a DOS boot floppy on XP?) and i can't even find the other utility, WINFLASH. this forum recommends something called UniFlash, but i can't find a version or tutorial for how to use that either.
will someone please give me a simple walkthrough so i know i am doing the right thing and not rendering a old computer useless? i'm not married to this idea, and can use the box for another endeavor.
thanks in advance!
i have never ever updated a BIOS. i inherited this computer when someone left it behind at my apt complex. currently it has WXP PRO w/ SP3 but i want to install a PCI video card and a PCI tv tuner card and run Mythbuntu as it meets the specs to try that. and because i'm bored and like free things, LOL.
but i am concerned about the older bios. frankly, im not sure i even need to update but XP won't run the cards i want to use. the BIOS i have is 2000 and this is 2003, so how much difference can there be for the hardware? and how do i know if these is even the correct BIOS?
Motherboard Name
ECS P6IWP-Fe
Motherboard Chipset
Intel Whitney i810E
and Please, what the heck do i do with these 2 files???
i ran BiosAgent and it gave me this information
BIOS TYPE: AWARD modular BIOS v6.00PG
BIOS DATE: 07/07/2000
BIOS ID: 07/07/2000-i810-ITE8712-6A69ME1CC-00-NONE
BIOS OEM: P6IWP-FE VER 1.0f07/07/2000-6.00PG
i went to the motherbord vender website ECS at
http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Produc ... 52&LanID=8
i downloaded BIOS for P6IWP-Fe(PCB:1.0A) Version 1.2 Release Date 2003/03/28 as p6iwpfe12.exe and unzip to get wpfes12.BIN
i read #3.It is recommended to use the updated flash utility included in each BIOS download package. (How to use flash utility). and it takes me to a page that has tutorials for 2 utilities AWARD DOS and WINFLASH with VERY BAD instructions.
i assume i use the AWARD DOS and not WINFLASH as that is the one ECS they has for download.
i downloaded the AWARD (Dos) 8.60b utility as awd860b.zip and unzipped it and got AWD860B.EXE
i now have 2 files, wpfes12.BIN and AWD860B.EXE
Please, what the heck do i do with these 2 files???
the very outdated tutorial for AWARD DOS was useless (can i even make a DOS boot floppy on XP?) and i can't even find the other utility, WINFLASH. this forum recommends something called UniFlash, but i can't find a version or tutorial for how to use that either.
will someone please give me a simple walkthrough so i know i am doing the right thing and not rendering a old computer useless? i'm not married to this idea, and can use the box for another endeavor.
thanks in advance!