Bios update problems

Comprox

<div class="IPBDescription">ASUS = evil</div>I have a nice little media server at home which I decided to go upgrade to a larger RAID array. It was running 4 250 gb drives in a RAID 5 setup just fine. I went and purchased some larger drives (4 1.5TB) and when I make the array, it claims there is only ~96gb of space.

First off, my motherboard: <a href="http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=n82e16813131570" target="_blank">http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx...n82e16813131570</a>

Next up, the ASUS bios downloads: <a href="http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?SLanguage=en-us&model=A8N-VM%20CSM" target="_blank">http://support.asus.com/download/download....el=A8N-VM%20CSM</a>

I am currently running Beta 1002. I am hoping Beta 1007 has the newer nForce drivers (as outlined here: <a href="http://nvidia.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/nvidia.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1928&p_created=1158004215&p_sid=8l5Ie_Zj&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_srch=1&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MTMsMTMmcF9wcm9kcz0wJnBfY2F0cz0wJnBfcHY9JnBfY3Y9JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd2Vycy5zZWFyY2hfbmwmcF9wYWdlPTEmcF9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD1uZm9yY2UgbGltaXQ!&p_li=&p_topview=1" target="_blank">http://nvidia.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/nvidia....amp;p_topview=1</a> ) to allow larger than 2gb of storage in an array. I grabbed the beta 1007 ROM file from the ASUS site, but need some way to flash the bios via USB (or maybe floppy). Problem is, I need some way to make this thing bootable. The only ASUS link I found for updating BIOS ( <a href="http://support.asus.com/technicaldocuments/technicaldocuments_content.aspx?no=714" target="_blank">http://support.asus.com/technicaldocuments...ent.aspx?no=714</a> ) requires you to be in windows. Well, this machine needs a working RAID array before I can do that. So, anyone know what obvious step I am missing to get this dang bios update done?

Thanks

Scythe

The only advice I can offer is as follows: Avoid bios raid controllers if possible. They often use strange flavours that aren't supported by any other hardware, plus the performance is close to that of a purely software-based raid, which will work anywhere. The best solution is a super-expensive dedicated raid card, and a stack of spares in case it dies, but that costs megabux.

Bit too late for you though. :(

--Scythe--

spellman23

Ew....

My ASUS mobo can auto-detect a new bios and load it from a Flash drive during boot. Just drop the BIOS onto the stick and reboot and go into the BIOS setup, then tell it to update the BIOS form your drive.

DO NOT UPDATE FORM WITHIN WINDOWS! IT WILL KILL YOUR MOBO! TRUST ME, IT HAPPENED TO MEEEEEEEE!

But seriously, update your BIOS from boot, not within Windows. I'll update when I have better instructions.

---------------------
EDIT: Looking at your A8N-VM CSM manual, you have a EZ Flash feature. Chapter 2.1 details it in your manual. You can get it from the ASUS download site under manuals.

Basically, it seems like drop the bios file (<stuff>.ROM) onto a floppy and during POST (i.e. during boot) hit <Alt>+<F2>. It should auto-find the file on your floppy, install, and go. It also has info for setting up a bootable floppy and other ways you can do it.

Comprox

<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->EDIT: Looking at your A8N-VM CSM manual, you have a EZ Flash feature. Chapter 2.1 details it in your manual. You can get it from the ASUS download site under manuals.

Basically, it seems like drop the bios file (<stuff>.ROM) onto a floppy and during POST (i.e. during boot) hit <Alt>+<F2>. It should auto-find the file on your floppy, install, and go. It also has info for setting up a bootable floppy and other ways you can do it.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Hrm, how did I blow past that? Anyways, my external floppy drive is dead it seems so it was CD or bust. I burned 3 different copies of the file on single write, RW and a DVD and all 3 times the updater claimed it could not find the file on the CD. Thanks though :) (yes, I had the name correctly spelled!)