OC Detective said:
Thank you good doctor for your reply which resolves the issue of flashing a newer BIOS. I still have an issue (or maybe it is not really one!) regarding saving the original BIOS when the computer is being used for the first time (i.e. just built). The manual for Asus says at the DOS prompt type FORMAT A:/S to create a Bootable system disk etc and do not copy config.sys and autoexec.bat - my question is how do I get to the DOS prompt?? If I exit the BIOS setup screen there is no dos prompt - is this correct?
I'm guessing that you want to save the bios b4 installing the OS?
Although this is not needed, you need to make the boot disk like I described above. Do this on the computer you're reading this message on now.
If you're planning on using raid, put in a new formatted floppy in the drive, and logon to the Asus site. Download the latest Promise Raid drivers to your puter, and copy them to the floppy. You will need this later, when you install WinXP.
Insert the new boot disk in the floppy drive of your new PC, and boot into the bios.
Set the boot option in the bios to boot from the floppy (A-Drive) 1st, the CD-Rom drive 2nd, and the Hard Disk 3rd.
Save the changes, and reboot.
It will boot up into DOS from the floppy.
At the "A" prompt, type: aflash.exe
Follow the directions on screen, and make a backup of the bios.
Don't flash it to a newer one unless you need to.
Once you've saved the bios, reboot with your WinXP CD in the drive.
If you're planning on using the Raid feature, press the F6 key when prompted by the WinXP installer.
Install the Raid drivers from the floppy you made when prompted.
Install WinXP.
Good luck!
Doc