VOGONS


First post, by retroboy87

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My current CPU is a Duron 1.8 GHz Applebred, and is misidentified by my bios as an unknown 1350 MHz CPU.
The current bios version, B14, is from 2001; the Applebred Durons launched in 2003.
I want to update to version B20, so my CPU correctly identified, and so I can possibly upgrade to an Athlon XP 2600+, which I already own.
I have created a bootable CD-R with awdflash 8.99 (2010), but when I try to update my bios I get an error message that reads, "The file size does not match!".
The file size of Kt3is.bin, the B20 bios file, is 256KBs; according to my motherboard's manual the bios size is 2Mbits, which is 256KBs.

I downloaded the bios file from https://theretroweb.com/motherboards/s/azza-kt3-av#downloads
and awdflash from https://www.wimsbios.com/awardflasher.jsp#gsc.tab=0

Could this be a problem caused by using a version of awdflash that's too new, or is there something wrong with the bios file?

Reply 1 of 12, by Doornkaat

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If your 1.8GHz Duron runs at 1.35GHz you've probably configured the board for 100MHz FSB instead of 133MHz. (200/266MHz effectively)

Have you tried an earlier BIOS from the same site?

Reply 2 of 12, by Repo Man11

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It would be an easier job with a floppy drive as it's much less trouble to change the flash program, save the old BIOS, etc. - hopefully you have one you can install.
I'd try an older version of Awardflash, but I'd try Uniflash prior to that.

After watching many YouTube videos about older computer hardware, YouTube began recommending videos about trains - are they trying to tell me something?

Reply 3 of 12, by retroboy87

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Doornkaat wrote on 2022-12-08, 19:10:

If your 1.8GHz Duron runs at 1.35GHz you've probably configured the board for 100MHz FSB instead of 133MHz. (200/266MHz effectively)

Have you tried an earlier BIOS from the same site?

There is a jumper cap on JP2, the one for the FSB setting, so it should be running at 133/266MHz.
My RAM is running at 133Mhz as well.
I have not tried an earlier BIOS version yet, would you suggest trying B15 instead of B20?

Edit: It turns out the jumper cap for the CPU FSB speed wasn't seated correctly.
When seated correctly, the computer does not POST.
I assumed it to be an issue with the PSU not having enough watts to power the CPU running at that speed.
I swapped my Logisys 480w (28A 3.3v/36A 5v/16A 12v) for a Hercules 600w (32A 3.3v/50A 5v/24A 12v), but it still won't POST when the FSB is set to 133/266.
I don't know if my cooler could be the issue, this is the one I'm using: https://www.ebay.com/itm/274250433073

Last edited by retroboy87 on 2022-12-09, 16:34. Edited 1 time in total.

Reply 4 of 12, by retroboy87

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Repo Man11 wrote on 2022-12-08, 19:36:

It would be an easier job with a floppy drive as it's much less trouble to change the flash program, save the old BIOS, etc. - hopefully you have one you can install.
I'd try an older version of Awardflash, but I'd try Uniflash prior to that.

My case is too small for a FDD at the moment, even though it has a floppy bay, and I don't have any floppy disks.
I do have a larger period correct case, but I'm too lazy to do a case swap right now.
I'll try uniflash, after I'm able to backup my current BIOS to a floppy.

Reply 5 of 12, by retroboy87

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I tried Uniflash v1.40, and whenever I try to flash the BIOS, with or without bootlock, an error message is displayed which reads, "Error #2: File not found".

Reply 6 of 12, by Repo Man11

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When I get to the A: the first thing I do is type DIR - this displays the name of all of the files as they are named on the disk.

You don't need room to install a floppy drive; they work fine sitting on the bottom of the case for temporary use.

After watching many YouTube videos about older computer hardware, YouTube began recommending videos about trains - are they trying to tell me something?

Reply 7 of 12, by retroboy87

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Repo Man11 wrote on 2022-12-08, 22:57:

When I get to the A: the first thing I do is type DIR - this displays the name of all of the files as they are named on the disk.

There are 21 files listed they are:
ASPI2DOS.SYS
ASPI4DOS.SYS
ASPI8DOS.SYS
ASPI8U2.SYS
ASPICD.SYS
AUTOEXEC.BAT
BTCDROM.SYS
BTDOSM.SYS
COMMAND.COM
CONFIG.SYS
DRVSPACE.BIN
EBD.CAB
EXTRACT.EXE
FDISK.EXE
FINDRAMD.EXE
FLASHPT.SYS
HIMEM.SYS
OAKCDROM.SYS
RAMDRIVE.SYS
README.TXT
SETRAMD.BAT

I don't know which of those would have anything to do with the BIOS file.

Reply 8 of 12, by Repo Man11

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It will show you exactly what the name of the BIOS file is - I've seen BIOS file names get shortened with a tilde (~), presumably because it had too many characters for DOS; if that's the case, you have to type it in with the tilde or you'll get exactly the error you're talking about.

After watching many YouTube videos about older computer hardware, YouTube began recommending videos about trains - are they trying to tell me something?

Reply 9 of 12, by mockingbird

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Here, try this. Works great for me, but I used an external flasher.

edit: just looked at my board - it's revision 2.2 - if that helps

Last edited by mockingbird on 2022-12-09, 03:02. Edited 1 time in total.

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Reply 10 of 12, by Repo Man11

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One of you ought to take a good photo of your motherboard and send it to the Retro Web.

After watching many YouTube videos about older computer hardware, YouTube began recommending videos about trains - are they trying to tell me something?

Reply 11 of 12, by retroboy87

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mockingbird wrote on 2022-12-09, 01:30:

Here, try this. Works great for me, but I used an external flasher.

edit: just looked at my board - it's revision 2.2 - if that helps

Mine is Rev. 2.2 as well, what CPU are you using?
I tried the BIOS file you sent me and I had the same problem.
What did you use to externally flash your BIOS chip?

Reply 12 of 12, by mockingbird

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retroboy87 wrote on 2022-12-09, 03:12:

Mine is Rev. 2.2 as well, what CPU are you using?
I tried the BIOS file you sent me and I had the same problem.
What did you use to externally flash your BIOS chip?

Not sure... I'm gonna go turn the thing on and get a pic...

Done. It's either a mobile Barton or a desktop chip modded to a mobile. Can't remember which.

The underside of the motherboard has its pins modded thusly:

The attachment pinmod.png is no longer available

The motherboard has been fully re-capped as well.

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