DOS ain't dead - Gigabyte BIOS Update

waltgallus

10.06.2024, 12:12
(edited by waltgallus, 10.06.2024, 13:35)

Gigabyte BIOS Update (Users)

Hi

I am not only new in this forum but also a beginner especially in DOS.

Gigabyte EX58UD3R BIOS version FI. I would like to update to FJ18 (in order tu use USB disks > 3TB). What I have done until now:

- I have downloaded motherboard_bios_ga-ex58-ud3r_1.x_fj18 from Gigabyte website.
On the download page it says in Red and Bold "Please use the latest @BIOS or FLASHPI.EXE to reflash BIOS" (I do not want to flash under Windows, so no @BIOS and they do not recommend QFlash I used until now).
I hae extracted the downloaded file. It contains:
. autoexec.bat
. EX58UD3R.J18
. FLASHPI.EXE
In the autoexec.bat I see flashspi /Z EX58UD3R.J18
- I have created a bootable USB stick with the tool RUFUS.
- I have put the 3 extracted files above in the root directory of the USB stick.
- The USB stick now looks as follows:
. LOCATE (Folder)
. autorun.ico
. autorun.inf
. autoexec.bat
. EX58UD3R.J18
. FLASHPI.EXE
- I have bootet the PC with the USB stick and got into DOS:
[image]
- I have tried:
. C:\> autoexec.bat + Enter ? nothing happens
. C:\> EX58UD3R.J18 + Enter ? wrong command or file

I have tried tofollow these instructions:
PDF

Thanks in advance for help!

Walt Gallus

fritz.mueller

Munich, Germany,
10.06.2024, 13:50

@ waltgallus

Gigabyte BIOS Update

Post reply

Hi,
Modern Gigabyte Boards are sometimes a little bit tricky, see my comment:
https://www.bttr-software.de/forum/board_entry.php?id=20624#p20624

But this time this not the problem. The picture says it all.
The flashspi.exe offers the options: /C /D /E /R /S whereas in the
autoexec.bat it uses /z . This causes an error message. So you should type
something like this: flashspi /S /R EX58UD3R.J18 (maybe some more options).

I personally would recommend that you go into BIOS (maybe by pressing DEL while booting up, nowadays it is usually "F2" and update it from there. Plug in the USB stick before booting. As each BIOS UI looks a little different, I cannot tell you, where you have to look, but anywhere there is an option to update the BIOS from an USB stick. I am sure you will find it, if not try the GIGABYTE.bin renaming trick. (EX58UD3R.J18 is renamed to GIGABYTE.BIN)

IMPORTANT:
The more problematic thing with Gigabyte boards is that they "forget" the actual BIOS settings that you can see on the screen, even if you save them before! So it is recommended to take a picture with the settings of all pages of the BIOS BEFORE you start with update. Virtualization, boot orders, the boot screen etc. are often changed to standard settings! Without a picture it is hard to find the changes by testing.

waltgallus

11.06.2024, 14:47

@ fritz.mueller

Gigabyte BIOS Update

Post reply

Hi Fritz

First of all thank you very much for quick, very detailed and helpful answer. An expert is discussing with a greenhorn. However, when I read the post about your dead machine, I broke out in a sweat. Should I even attempt the update?

> So you should type "flashspi /S /R EX58UD3R.J18"

Do you mean that I sohould change the autoexec.bat in my boot stick accordingli before booting into DOS?

Gigabyte does not recommend to flash this specific BIOS (FJ18)) with QFlash. My very old mainboard probebly does not have the whte USB QFlash port on the mainboard.

Taking pics from every BIOS page: this is probably not possible with screenshots. Do you mean with e.g. smartphone?

I do have DualBIOS but I do not know what to do with it.

Is it possible to save the actual BIOS and import it in case of any failure?

As you may see I am not very courageous and with your dead machine I I would have passed the heartbeat sharply and definitely not found a solution.

Thans and regards

Walt Gallus

fritz.mueller

Munich, Germany,
11.06.2024, 19:52
(edited by fritz.mueller, 11.06.2024, 20:21)

@ waltgallus

Gigabyte BIOS Update

Post reply

Hi,
this will be a hard job.

Do you have a friend who can do this for you? I think this would be the best
solution for you.

> Do you mean that I should change the autoexec.bat in my boot stick
> accordingli before booting into DOS?
It makes no real difference if you correct autoexec.bat or type it yourself
as autoexec.bat (that simply executes the command that is inside autoexec.bat), But I think it will better in your case if you correct autoexec.bat first.

The error message on the top of your screen said that you forgot at least to type "EX58UD3R.J18" - or it was not in autoexec.bat. (Could it be that the autoexec.bat has an absolutely different content, e.g. that of Rufus?
And did you use the latest version of flashpi.exe as described?

First: Did you see at:
https://www.gigabyte.com/Motherboard/GA-EX58-UD3R-rev-16/support#support-dl-bios
that there is a newer version "FK" available? For security reasons I would run two updates, one after the other, especially as FJ18 is called a Beta BIOS.

Second:
> Taking pics from every BIOS page: this is probably not possible with
> screenshots. Do you mean with e.g. smartphone?
Yes, but of course you can take a paper and a pencil and write down the settings.

Summary: Try to use the help of someone who knows what to do, I made the experience that remote description is not the best solution.

>
> > So you should type "flashspi /S /R EX58UD3R.J18"

waltgallus

12.06.2024, 14:32

@ fritz.mueller

Gigabyte BIOS Update

Post reply

Hi Fritz

> Do you have a friend who can do this for you?

Your warning is justified. I was impressed by your report of your own dead machine. I'll be very carefull.
>
> Could it be that the autoexec.bat has an absolutely different content, e.g. that of Rufus?

The only content of Autoexec.bat is "flashspi /Z EX58UD3R.J18". But the .bat will not work because of /Z instead of the Options letters.
The content of the USB boot stick itself is as follosw:
[image]

> And did you use the latest version of flashpi.exe as described?

I can't find a newer version.

> ...there is a newer version "FK" available?

Yes I have seen it, but I first want to flash FJ18.

Thanks again

Walt

fritz.mueller

Munich, Germany,
12.06.2024, 15:15

@ waltgallus

Gigabyte BIOS Update

Post reply

OK, but you update on your own risk!

If you download the FK version and have a look at autoexec.bat you can see that they removed the option /Z , means: they type:
flashspi EX58UD3R.FK
And they used the same flashspi file (same creation date and size).
Means: the options are not really necessary, but I personally would use these options:

flashspi /S /R EX58UD3R.J18

and when this update works:

flashspi /S /R EX58UD3R.FK

/S = SAVE ORIGINAL BIOS IMAGE to your USB-stick - so you have a copy of your
actual version on your stick,
/R = REBOOT, means, it reboots when the job is done.

Forgot to mention: You should not switch off machine while update is running. You either get a message that it is safe to switch off or with /R it should reboot automatically.

As said: you update on your own risk!
I also think that it would be a good idea, if you read my Newbies01 + 02
text for DOS some day, see:
https://www.bootablecd.de/FreeDOS-Internet-version/help110/en/hhstndrd/help/newbie01.htm
It helps you to understand the basic DOS commands that you can also use even with Windows11 command line. I know it is far far away from being a manual, but a basic explanation for people that tap on mobile phones.
Please inform us if everything worked fine.

waltgallus

12.06.2024, 16:57

@ fritz.mueller

Gigabyte BIOS Update

Post reply

> OK, but you update on your own risk!

I am a lawyer and won't prosecute you ;-)

> they removed the option /Z , means: they type:
> flashspi EX58UD3R.FK

That is the way I updated my original BIOS F2u to FI with QFlasch and without options. It run trouble-free.

> flashspi /S /R EX58UD3R.FK

I do not really need it. I need FJ18 to use USB disks > 3TB.

> I also think that it would be a good idea, if you read my Newbies01 + 02
> text for DOS some day,

I'll do it. However I grew up with Commodore64, that gives you an idea of my age. But because I haven't used DOS since the days of Windiws, many things went lost.

> Please inform us if everything worked fine.

...and also if everything crashes :-(

Walt

waltgallus 16.06.2024, 09:11 @ waltgallus	Gigabyte BIOS Update Post reply
	> > Please inform us if everything worked fine. As you can see, I had to sleep a few nights before embarking on this adventure. The result in a nutshell ? !!! Bad Update File !!! As you remember the FJ18 is a Beta, may be it no longer works after the newer FK-version. What do you think about directly testing the FK (without any options)? Thans and have a good time Walt

fritz.mueller

Munich, Germany,
16.06.2024, 19:13
(edited by fritz.mueller, 16.06.2024, 20:07)

@ waltgallus

Gigabyte BIOS Update

Post reply

Why did I already know this?

First, be happy that you got a good message, better than a crashed BIOS.

There maybe several reasons:

a) Model Number is wrong
b) Revision Number is wrong (1.0/1.1 / 1.6 / 1.7)
c) >That is the way I updated my original BIOS F2u to FI with QFlasch and >without options. It run trouble-free.
I found no version F2 or F2u. The revisions 1.6/1.7 may have same number but different versions. (maybe your answer is correct, for one of my Gigabyte machines they offered three different versions F18 with different time stamps - one after the other).
d) I think you should try FK
e) I have a Dell Laptop Latitude D531 where it was not possible to run an update to the latest published BIOS version (forgot if it was A12 or A13). The BIOS update was bad and refused to install.
There were several bug reports about this in Internet. The DELL robot asked me a lot of things - and at the end it said that support time has expired. Thanks. Finish.

Added:
To avoid a superfluous question:
The BIOSses 1.6 and 1.7 have the same binary md5 hash value, means: Both FJ18 and both FK versions are identically. It makes no difference if you have 1.6 or 1.7.
1.0 is different!

Fritz

waltgallus 17.06.2024, 14:16 @ fritz.mueller	Gigabyte BIOS Update Post reply
	> There maybe several reasons: Thanks for very detailed informations > The BIOSses 1.6 and 1.7 have the same binary md5 hash value, means: Both > FJ18 and both FK versions are identically. Yes, I came to the same result in the meantime. Update FK ? "Bad BIOS Image" ? at my wits' end I think i have to live with the failure and wait for a new pc !?! Again many thanks! Walt

fritz.mueller

Munich, Germany,
17.06.2024, 17:36

@ waltgallus

Gigabyte BIOS Update

Post reply

> > There maybe several reasons:
>
> Thanks for very detailed informations
>
> > The BIOSses 1.6 and 1.7 have the same binary md5 hash value, means: Both
> > FJ18 and both FK versions are identically.
>
> Yes, I came to the same result in the meantime.
>
> Update FK ? "Bad BIOS Image" ? at my wits' end :-(
>
> I think i have to live with the failure and wait for a new pc !?!
>
> Again many thanks!
>
> Walt

did you try FK without any options too?

I followed your nickname with Google (usually I dont do this, but as your nic kname seemed to be an american one I did so); a hard but interesting life.

waltgallus

18.06.2024, 13:34

@ fritz.mueller

Gigabyte BIOS Update

Post reply

Hi Fritz

> did you try FK without any options too?

Yes. There are also no options in the autoexec.

> I followed your nickname with Google (usually I dont do this, but as your
> nic kname seemed to be an american one I did so); a hard but interesting
> life.

Thanks for the compliment. It's getting OT but I'm wondering which way leads from my nick to my real CV (which I wanted to hide)?

Have a good time

Walt

RayeR

CZ,
18.06.2024, 18:05

@ waltgallus

Gigabyte BIOS Update

Post reply

Hi,
I have quite a lot experiences with flashing Gigabyte MBs. As I tried using buil-in Q-flash works very reliable and doesn't require any special bootdisk preparation. Just drop a BIOS image file on FAT16/32 formatted USB stick and Q-flash will let you browse the filesystem and choose the right file. I t may be good idea to check reset CMOS option as some settings from old BIOS version may not be compatible with new BIOS but you can always reset CMOS later via jumper. I think that DOS utility doesn't do anything special over Q-flash...

One thing have to be taken in mind. Gigabyte's MBs are often produced in different HW revisions like 1.0 and 2.0 (it's marked on the PCB) and BIOSes may not be compatible between them! There's also some internal BIOS ID that could prevent flashing BIOS image to unsupported MB but it's not 100% reliable. Also in case of need the BIOS image can be modified to override the ID but then it's risky to flash it. I personally tried to flash UEFI image that was probably targetted for newer HW revision than my old HW revision with non-UEFI (classic Award BIOS). It flashed without a complain but the system was inoperable then. It only displayed a boot up splash screen but then halted and did't respod to keyboard to enter SETUP etc. Reset CMOS didn't help. As it flashed both main and backup BIOS I had to desolder the SPI flash chip and programm it manually with a backup ( http://rayer.g6.cz/elektro/spipgm.htm )

Fritz, I have also one hint for a semi-dead MB that stuck in an endless power cycle loop (black screen, no video signal). It happened to me when I did some tuning about overclocked RAM. I found it helps to power off the PSU, hold RESET button (or jumper with a tweezer) and power PSU on while still holding the RESET until video comes up. I didn't read this in GB manual but it wroks at least for my P67 series MBs...

---
DOS gives me freedom to unlimited HW access.

waltgallus

20.06.2024, 10:11

@ RayeR

Gigabyte BIOS Update

Post reply

Hi RayeR

First of all thanks very much for your very detailed and instructive informations.

> buil-in Q-flash works very reliable and doesn't require any special
> bootdisk preparation.

It worked well for me too to update to my actual version FI, but neither of the next ones (FJ18, FK)? Bad BIOS Image. Same as DOS Utility.

> One thing have to be taken in mind.

May be you missed the most important sentence in my first post: You are speaking to greenhorn! Your suggestions just cause sweating :confused:

Thanks again

Walt

RayeR

CZ,
24.06.2024, 19:00

@ waltgallus

Gigabyte BIOS Update

Post reply

> It worked well for me too to update to my actual version FI, but neither
> of the next ones (FJ18, FK)? Bad BIOS Image. Same as DOS Utility.

What exactly happened? Qflash reported error message "Bad BIOS Image" when you tried to flash your FJ18 image? You can try to compare a checksum of your file on USB stick if it matches what you downloaded (sometimes corruption on USB media can occur even more less than on an old floppy). If file is OK, then it is probably targeted for different MB HW revision or different MB so you shouldn't flash it to not brick your MB...

---
DOS gives me freedom to unlimited HW access.

waltgallus 25.06.2024, 06:32 @ RayeR	Gigabyte BIOS Update Post reply
	Thank you for your additional informations, RayeR.. But I have decided not to update, it is simply too risky because of my lack of experience and knowledge. Regards Walt