4. BIOS SETUP
4.1 Managing and Updating Your BIOS
4.1.1 Upon First Use of the Computer System
It is recommended that you save a copy of the original motherboard BIOS
along with a Flash Memory Writer utility (AFLASH.EXE) to a bootable
floppy disk in case you need to reinstall the BIOS later. AFLASH.EXE is a
Flash Memory Writer utility that updates the BIOS by uploading a new BIOS
file to the programmable flash ROM on the motherboard. This file works
only in DOS mode. To determine the BIOS version of your motherboard,
check the last four numbers of the code displayed on the upper left-hand
corner of your screen during bootup. Larger numbers represent a newer BIOS
file.
1. Type FORMAT A:/S at the DOS prompt to create a bootable system
floppy disk. DO NOT copy AUTOEXEC.BAT & CONFIG.SYS to the
disk.
2. Type COPY D:\AFLASH\AFLASH.EXE A:\ (assuming D is your CD-
ROM drive) to copy AFLASH.EXE to the just created boot disk.
NOTE: AFLASH works only in DOS mode. It will not work with DOS
prompt in Windows and will not work with certain memory drivers that
may be loaded when you boot from your hard drive. It is recommended
that you reboot using a floppy.
3. Reboot your computer from the floppy disk. NOTE: BIOS setup must
specify “Floppy” as the first item in the boot sequence.
4. In DOS mode, type A:\AFLASH <Enter> to run AFLASH.
ASUS A7A266 User’s Manual 45
4. BIOS SETUP
Updating BIOS
IMPORTANT! If “unknown” is displayed after Flash Memory:, the memory
chip is either not programmable or is not supported by the ACPI BIOS and
therefore, cannot be programmed by the Flash Memory Writer utility.