P6BAT-ME plz help newbie

[legendary_matt]

Hi!

I have bought a new HDD, 40GB, but my computer doesn't
notice the HDD. (Maxtor Fireball 3)
But if I jumper the HDD on "CAP LIMIT", the computer found
the HDD and windows notice a 31 (or 32....) GB HDD
- is a BIOS update useful ?

"CTBIOS.EXE" says, my BIOS ID-String is:

09/20/1999-693-596-W977E-P6BAT-MEC-00

It's an "Award Modular BIOS v4.51PG

BIOS-Version is: P6BAT-ME Ver 3.4a 09/20/1999
Chipset: 693

Can anyone help me to find the correct BIOS
THX and sorry for my bad english

[NickS]

The first Google hit for 693-596-W977E-P6BAT-MEC tells you that it's an Elitegroup (ECS) P6BAT-ME. This comes in two PCB versions, 1.1 or 2.0.

Please check the revision of your motherboard found stamped on your motherboard next to the model of your board and check the current BIOS version to assist you in the BIOS file selection before you choose a file.

The BIOS download page is at http://www.ecs.com.tw/download/dw_list. ... ction_id=3

[legendary_matt]

THX.

But how can I find out PCB,
and what is PCB

What have I to do exactly?

[NickS]

Actually, don't worry. The last (5.5) BIOS supports both boards.

[legendary_matt]

Are you sure, that I can use 5.5 for both PCBs ??

I think my current BIOS-version is 3.4a (??)

it is a big difference from 3.4 to 5.5 ........
- is this ok?

[legendary_matt]

Ok, guys, I found the PCB (Rev),
it is " Rev 1 . 1 "


But can the update help the computer to notice
the 40GB HDD ??
(Because there isn't any information about HDD )

and can I update to 5.5, such a "big" update
(from 3.4a)

next question :
If the flashing fails, can I rescue my computer by myself?
(I have a jumper called "clear CMOS", what is this?

BIG THX

[zonxar]

Here are some links that would probably help you with your BIOS upgrade. They are from Giga-Byte and SOYO, but they will give you an idea of what is involved. The last link is a BIOS recovery method that explains what to do if things go bad.
http://tw.giga-byte.com/english-web/sup ... edure1.htm

http://www.soyousa.com/kb/kbdesc.php?id=35

http://www.amptron.com/documents/Recover.pdf

[NickS]

But can the update help the computer to notice the 40GB HDD ?? (Because there isn't any information about HDD )

I checked with our Rainbow's utility - yes, 5.5 does not appear to have the 32GiB and 64GiB bugs.

and can I update to 5.5, such a "big" update (from 3.4a)

Yes.

(I have a jumper called "clear CMOS", what is this?

This clears all the current information held in the CMOS RAM. Different versions of the BIOS may store things in different areas of CMOS RAM, so it is safest to clear it. You should be able to do this and also clear the configuration information using the /cc, /cd and /ce switches with the Award flasher when you flash.