Vista - Boot CD to update BIOS?

A bit OT perhaps, but may be of interest to others.

What is the best way to make a generic bootable CD so I can read a
file on my hard drive to update the BIOS? I've got Roxio software, but
I need an image file that will read NTFS disks, MS-DOS won't work.

I realise I could add the BIOS file to the CD, but that's a PITA.

--
Nigel M

The majority of systems require that a diskette containing the BIOS 'bin'
file and appropriate 'flash' program is run at boot up.. go to the
motherboard manufacturer support page to find out how the BIOS is upgraded..


"Nigel Molesworth" <reply@thegroup.com> wrote in message
news:jcosv294co7ep52rf6bql3uo2sne8hrv82@4ax.com...
>A bit OT perhaps, but may be of interest to others.
>
> What is the best way to make a generic bootable CD so I can read a
> file on my hard drive to update the BIOS? I've got Roxio software, but
> I need an image file that will read NTFS disks, MS-DOS won't work.
>
> I realise I could add the BIOS file to the CD, but that's a PITA.
>
> --
> Nigel M

--


Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/

It truly depends on the motherboard's manfacturer.

Having just gone through this, I couldn't get it to work with a floppy or
CD. Although it would boot from either, it couldn't find a "BIOS hook" to
perform the update. Then, through a bit a research (read the manual) I found
that ASUS has a built-in flash utility in the BIOS Setup routine. (You can
also use one that works from within Windows, but I didn't trust the potential
"compatibility" issue with Vista.)

All I had to do is stick the update on a USB thumb drive, select the utility
from BIOS Setup and voila... It saved the old BIOS to the stick and loaded
the new one.

Good Luck!


"Nigel Molesworth" wrote:

> A bit OT perhaps, but may be of interest to others.
>
> What is the best way to make a generic bootable CD so I can read a
> file on my hard drive to update the BIOS? I've got Roxio software, but
> I need an image file that will read NTFS disks, MS-DOS won't work.
>
> I realise I could add the BIOS file to the CD, but that's a PITA.
>
> --
> Nigel M
>

On Mon, 19 Mar 2007 06:37:41 -0400, "Mike Hall - MS MVP"
<mikehall@mvps.org> wrote:

>The majority of systems require that a diskette

Diskette?

--
Nigel M

Remember? Bootable floppy. If you go to help in Roxio, they have a way to
make a bootable CD, if you have a full version. Not sure if you have one of
the pared down versions that come with players. Just search their help for
bootable.


"Nigel Molesworth" <reply@thegroup.com> wrote in message
news:6jusv21kp59o0pkjd3n8ksulsbfph5hrkk@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 19 Mar 2007 06:37:41 -0400, "Mike Hall - MS MVP"
> <mikehall@mvps.org> wrote:
>
>>The majority of systems require that a diskette
>
> Diskette?
>
> --
> Nigel M

Hi Nigel--

While as has been said this is MOBO specific, I haven't ever seen a computer
manufacturer's site that doesn't have bios updates for your model and mobo,
unless you custom built your pc and then it would be the mobo site or just
google bios updates and some sites have multiple downloads.

CH

"Nigel Molesworth" <reply@thegroup.com> wrote in message
news:jcosv294co7ep52rf6bql3uo2sne8hrv82@4ax.com...
>A bit OT perhaps, but may be of interest to others.
>
> What is the best way to make a generic bootable CD so I can read a
> file on my hard drive to update the BIOS? I've got Roxio software, but
> I need an image file that will read NTFS disks, MS-DOS won't work.
>
> I realise I could add the BIOS file to the CD, but that's a PITA.
>
> --
> Nigel M

On Mon, 19 Mar 2007 05:59:24 -0700, "John Barnes" <jbarnes@email.net>
wrote:

>Remember? Bootable floppy.

Yes, of course, but why would I want a floppy drive?

> If you go to help in Roxio, they have a way to
>make a bootable CD...

Yes, and I know how to make one. The problem is that a bootable CD
based on MS-DOS can't read NTFS volumes.

--
Nigel M

On Mon, 19 Mar 2007 09:02:41 -0400, "Chad Harris"
<vistaneedsmuchowork.net> wrote:

>I haven't ever seen a computer
>manufacturer's site that doesn't have bios updates for your model and mobo,

That in not the problem. It is getting an OS on the disk that can read
an NTFS volume. I can't be the only one who wants to do this, surely?

--
Nigel M

As long as you don't need write access to the NTFS partition this should
work
http://www.sysinternals.com/Utilities/NtfsDos.html

--

----
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_________________________________________________________________________________


"Nigel Molesworth" <reply@thegroup.com> wrote in message
news:m6otv2t8svqv939lbhn45pavtu9jkjdvhv@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 19 Mar 2007 09:02:41 -0400, "Chad Harris"
> <vistaneedsmuchowork.net> wrote:
>
>>I haven't ever seen a computer
>>manufacturer's site that doesn't have bios updates for your model and
>>mobo,
>
> That in not the problem. It is getting an OS on the disk that can read
> an NTFS volume. I can't be the only one who wants to do this, surely?
>
> --
> Nigel M

Nigel

Updating the system BIOS doesn't require access to any hard drive, be it
NTFS or FAT32.. it matters not whether you use a diskette, CD or flash
drive, but I will say this.. it is far easier to make a bootable BIOS
upgrade diskette or a flash drive than ever it is to use a CD..

So having booted successfully with whatever media, you will be presented
with the 'A' prompt.. at this point, you type the name of the BIOS flash
program and then hit the enter key.. the BIOS flash program will then lead
you through the process..

If you are really lucky, the flash program will update BIOS without any
intervention from you, and at the end of the process, you will be asked to
reboot.. obviously, you take out the upgrade media for this part..

A note regarding the use of a CD for this process.. there is, as far as I am
aware, no way to save the old BIOS to the CD in the event that the upgrade
doesn't work too well.. best use a diskette or flash drive..


"Nigel Molesworth" <reply@thegroup.com> wrote in message
news:u2otv2ptqpttqidbrt6rm94574iplm0adl@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 19 Mar 2007 05:59:24 -0700, "John Barnes" <jbarnes@email.net>
> wrote:
>
>>Remember? Bootable floppy.
>
> Yes, of course, but why would I want a floppy drive?
>
>> If you go to help in Roxio, they have a way to
>>make a bootable CD...
>
> Yes, and I know how to make one. The problem is that a bootable CD
> based on MS-DOS can't read NTFS volumes.
>
> --
> Nigel M

--


Mike Hall
MS MVP Windows Shell/User
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/