How to Install the EpoX
8KHA+ Motherboard
Last updated: 12/6/2001
43. Power-up. Watch the CPU temp...
44. When prompted, push the Delete key to go into
the CMOS setup.
45. Select the Frequency/Voltage Control Menu and
verify that the CPU settings are correct. They should be.
46. Exit and Save, and Pull the power cord after
it starts to boot.
Flash the BIOS. This step requires
a computer which is interfaced to the Internet, to download the latest motherboard
BIOS from the manufacturer. It can be delayed until after you have
installed Windows and the MODEM (or network adapter for broadband network
access) is installed and configured, but is best done at this point.
First, I'll warn you that you will be taking a chance
if you flash the motherboard BIOS and you will be doing it at your own
risk. If something goes wrong (e.g., a power outage) during this process
you could end-up with an unbootable motherboard. If that happens
you will have to find someone with the equipment to flash the BIOS, obtain
another BIOS, or buy a new motherboard. I've done it many times without
a problem. Someday it's going to get me. Do it at your own
risk.
47. Boot the computer and record the date/version
of the motherboard BIOS, which is displayed right at the beginning of the
boot sequence. You may be able to freeze the screen by pressing the
Pause key. Pressing any other key (e.g, the Space bar) will unfreeze
the screen.
48. Connect EpoX's
web site and find the BIOS download for the motherboard.
49. If it is newer than the one that you have, the
motherboard BIOS should be flashed. Download the BIOS
and Award Flash utility from the web site, The file I downloaded was
8khi1b02.exe and contained everything needed to flash the BIOS. It
is a compressed, self-extracting file. Place a formatted floppy in
the floppy drive. Use the Windows Explorer and double-click the compressed
file to extract the following files to the floppy (or to a location specified).
Other manufactures may have the files compressed,
but they may not be self-extracting and you may need a program to extract
(decompress) them. I use PowerArchiver to
extract zipped, etc. files. It is totally free and without advertising. WinZip is
another popular program that works quite well.
50. Read any release notes and instructions.
51. Boot the computer with a Startup floppy and insert
the floppy with the BIOS flash files.
52. Ok, let's flash the BIOS. Type...
A: \>awdflash
53. Enter the BIOS file name to program when prompted
(in this case 8khi1b02.bin).
54. Indicate whether or not you want to save a copy
of the old BIOS and, if you decide to save a copy, where to save it, when
prompted.
I usually do not save the old BIOS.
55. Type "Y" when it asks if you if
you are sure your want to program the BIOS and hope there is no
power outage.
56. Push the F1 key when it's done to reboot the
computer and power-down and unplug the computer.
57. Move the jumper (JBAT1) to right of the CMOS
battery to pins 2-3, the two towards the front of the motherboard. Go
get a cup of coffee while the CMOS discharges (I'd give it 10 minutes), come
back and move the jumper back to pins 1-2, and power-up.
After flashing the BIOS it is a good idea to clear
remnants and settings from old BIOS that may still be in the CMOS memory. This
particular motherboard when flashed with this version of the BIOS will
not boot at all until the CMOS is cleared. Do not apply power to
the motherboard with the jumper on pins 2 and 3. It can damage
the motherboard.
 Purchase
the pdf version of this article plus notes
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