Looking to update BIOS

[paulski]

Hi,

I'm looking to update my BIOS as is out of date according to Sisoft, however, I'm having a nightmare of a time trying to find a BIOS update for it!!

The only thing I know is the following from Sisoft:

SiSoftware Sandra

Mainboard
Manufacturer : Biostar
MP Support : No
Model : nVidia-nForce
System BIOS : 12/10/2003-nVidia-nForce-6A61BB01C-00
Chipset : nVidia nForce2 ICP

System Memory Controller
Location : Mainboard
Error Correction Capability : None
Number of Memory Slots : 2
Maximum Installable Memory : 1GB
Bank0/1 - A0 : DIMM 512MB
Bank2/3 - A1 : DIMM 512MB

Chipset 1
Model : Nvidia Corp nForce2 AGP Controller
Bus(es) : ISA AGP PCI USB i2c/SMBus
Front Side Bus Speed : 2x 133MHz (266MHz data rate)
Maximum FSB Speed / Max Memory Speed : 2x 200MHz / 2x 200MHz
Width : 64-bit
IO Queue Depth : 8 request(s)

Chipset 1 Hub Interface
Type : HyperTransport
Version : 0.10
In/Out Width : 8-bit / 8-bit
Speed : 2x 200MHz (400MHz data rate)

Logical/Chipset 1 Memory Banks
Bank 0 : 512MB DDR-SDRAM 3.0-3-3-8CL 2CMD
Bank 1 : 512MB DDR-SDRAM 3.0-3-3-8CL 2CMD
Channels : 1
Speed : 2x 199MHz (398MHz data rate)
Multiplier : 6/4x
Width : 64-bit
Power Save Mode : No
Fixed Hole Present : No

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module 2 : 64MX64U-40C 030505C3 512MB 16x(32Mx8) DDR-SDRAM PC3200U-333-700 (CL3 up to 200MHz) (CL2.5 up to 167MHz) (CL2 up to 133MHz)
Memory Module 3 : 64MX64U-40C 0407275B 512MB 16x(32Mx8) DDR-SDRAM PC3200U-333-700 (CL3 up to 200MHz) (CL2.5 up to 167MHz) (CL2 up to 133MHz)

Environment Monitor 1
Model : Winbond W83627(T)HF ISA
Version : 2.01
Mainboard Specific Support : No

Temperature Sensor(s)
CPU Temperature : 27.5°C / 81.5°F
Power / Aux Temperature : 32.0°C / 89.6°F

Cooling Device(s)
Auto Fan Speed Control : No
CPU Fan Speed : 2637rpm

Voltage Sensor(s)
CPU Voltage : 1.63V
Aux Voltage : 1.49V
+3.3V Voltage : 3.28V
+5V Voltage : 5.05V
+12V Voltage : 11.80V
-12V Voltage : -11.87V
-5V Voltage : -4.95V
Standby Voltage : 4.80V
Battery Voltage : 3.10V

AGP Bus(es) on Hub 1
Version : 3.00
Speed : 8x
Fast-Writes Enabled : Yes
Isochronous Mode Enabled : No
Addressing Enabled : 32-bit
Aperture Size : 64MB

PCI Bus(es) on Hub 1
Version : 2.20
Number of Bridges : 2
PCI Bus 0 : PCI (1/1x PCIClk)
PCI Bus 1 : PCI (1/1x PCIClk)

LPC Hub Controller 1
Model : Biostar Microtech Int'l Corp nForce2 ISA Bridge

USB Controller 1
Model : Biostar Microtech Int'l Corp nForce2 OHCI USB Controller
Version : 1.00
Interface : OHCI
Channels : 3
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 2
Model : Biostar Microtech Int'l Corp nForce2 OHCI USB Controller
Version : 1.00
Interface : OHCI
Channels : 3
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps)
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

USB Controller 3
Model : Biostar Microtech Int'l Corp nForce2 EHCI USB 2.0 Controller
Version : 2.00
Specification : 1.00
Interface : EHCI
Channels : 6
Companion Controllers : 2
Supported Speed(s) : Low (1.5Mbps) Full (12Mbps) High (480Mbps)
Addressing Support : 32-bit
Legacy Emulation Enabled : No

System SMBus Controller 1
Model : nVidia MCP2/3/4 B0 SMBus
Version : 0A.02
Advanced TCO Mode Enabled : No
Slave Device Enabled : No
PEC Support : No

System SMBus Controller 2
Model : nVidia MCP2/3/4 B1 SMBus
Version : 0A.02
Advanced TCO Mode Enabled : No
Slave Device Enabled : No
PEC Support : No

Expansion Slot(s)
PCI0 (1h) : PCI 32-bit +5V PME Full-Length Available (Biostar Microtech Int'l Corp nForce2 ISA Bridge)
PCI1 (2h) : PCI 32-bit +5V PME Full-Length Used (Biostar Microtech Int'l Corp nForce2 OHCI USB Controller)
PCI2 (3h) : PCI 32-bit +5V PME Full-Length Used
AGP (F0h) : AGP 32-bit +5V Full-Length Used

Port Connector
PRIMARY IDE : None - ATA / None
SECONDARY IDE : None - ATA / None
FDD : 8251 FIFO - Floppy Disk / None
COM1 : Serial Port 16450 - 9 Pin Dual Inline / DB-9 pin male
COM2 : Serial Port 16450 - 9 Pin Dual Inline / DB-9 pin male
LPT1 : Parallel Port ECP/EPP - DB-25 pin female / DB-25 pin female
Keyboard : Keyboard - PS/2 / PS/2
PS/2 Mouse : Mouse - PS/2 / PS/2
USB0 : USB - None / None

Performance Tips
Notice 224 : SMBIOS/DMI information may be inaccurate.
Warning 2507 : Mainboard has too few memory slots. Upgrading the memory may be difficult or expensive.
Warning 2508 : All memory slots are full. Upgrading the memory may be difficult or expensive.
Tip 2 : Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip is selected for more information about the tip.

CPU/BIOS:
SiSoftware Sandra

Processor
Model : AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2000+
Speed : 1.53GHz
Model Number : 2000 (estimated)
Performance Rating : PR2220 (estimated)
Type : Standard
Package : Socket A PGA
Multiplier : 23/2x
Generation : G7
Name : Duron M10 & Athlon MP/XP (Barton/Thorton) 130nm 1.8GHz+ 1.6-1.65V
Revision/Stepping : A / 0 (0)
Stepping Mask : A2
Core Voltage Rating : 1.650V
Maximum Physical / Virtual Addressing : 34-bit / 32-bit
Native Page Size : 4kB

Co-Processor (FPU)
Type : Built-in
Revision/Stepping : A / 0 (0)

Processor Cache(s)
Internal Data Cache : 64kB Synchronous, Write-Back, 2-way set, 64 byte line size
Internal Instruction Cache : 64kB Synchronous, Write-Back, 2-way set, 64 byte line size
L2 On-board Cache : 512kB ECC Synchronous, Write-Back, 16-way set, 64 byte line size
L2 Cache Multiplier : 1/1x (1531MHz)

Upgradeability
Socket/Slot : Socket A
Upgrade Interface : ZIF Socket
Supported Speed(s) : 1.53GHz+

Environment Monitor 1
Model : Winbond W83627(T)HF ISA
Version : 2.01
Mainboard Specific Support : No

Power Rating(s)
CPU Core Power : 50W (estimated)

Sensors
CPU Temperature : 28.0°C / 82.4°F
Auto Fan Speed Control : No
CPU Fan Speed : 2637rpm
CPU Voltage : 1.65V

Features
FPU - Co-Processor Built-in : Yes
VME - Virtual Mode Extensions : Yes
DE - Debugging Extension : Yes
PSE - Page Size Extension : Yes
TSC - Time Stamp Counter : Yes
MSR - Model Specific Registers : Yes
PAE - Physical Address Extension : Yes
MCE - Machine Check Exception : Yes
CX8 - Compare & Exchange Instruction : Yes
APIC - Local APIC Built-in : Yes
SEP - Fast System Call : Yes
MTRR - Memory Type Range Registers : Yes
PGE - Page Global Enable : Yes
MCA - Machine Check Architecture : Yes
PAT - Page Attribute Table : Yes
PSE36 - 36-bit Page Size Extension : Yes
PSN - Unique Serial Number : No
CLF - Cache Line Flush Support : No
DS - Debug Trace & EMON Store : No
ACPI - Software Clock Control : No
(W)MMX Technology : Yes
FXSR - Fast Float Save & Restore : Yes
SSE Technology : Yes
SSE2 Technology : No
SS - Self Snoop : No
HTT - Hyper-Threading Technology : No
TM - Thermal Monitor : No
PBE - Pending Break Enable : No
SSE3 Technology : No
MON - Monitor/MWait : No
DSCPL - CPL qualified Debug Store : No
EST - Enhanced SpeedStep Technology : No
TM2 - Thermal Monitor 2 : No
DAZ - Denormals Are Zero : No

Extended Features
SYCR - Extended Fast System Call : Yes
EMMX - Extended MMX Technology : Yes
FXSR - Fast Float Save & Restore : Yes
3DNow! Technology : Yes
Extended 3DNow! Technology : Yes
SMP - MP Capability : No

Power Management Features
VID - Voltage Control : No
FID - Frequency Control : No
TS - Thermal Sensor Built-in : Yes

Advanced Settings
TLB Cacheable : Yes
System Ack Limit : 8 request(s)
System Victim Limit : 0 request(s)
Extended MTRR Types : Yes
I/O Type Range Registers : Yes
Top of Memory : 40000000 (1024MB)

Machine Check Architecture Settings
Number of Reporting Banks : 4 bank(s)
Exception Reporting Control Support : Yes

Variable Range MTRR Settings
MTRR 0 : 00000000-3FFFFFFF (0MB-1024MB) WB
MTRR 1 : D8000000-DBFFFFFF (3456MB-3520MB) WC

Variable Range IORR Settings
IORR 1 : D8000000-DBFFFFFF (3456MB-3520MB) rdMem wrMem

PAT Settings
PAT 0 : WB
PAT 1 : WC
PAT 2 : UC-
PAT 3 : UC
PAT 4 : WB
PAT 5 : WC
PAT 6 : UC-
PAT 7 : UC

Performance Tips
Notice 224 : SMBIOS/DMI information may be inaccurate.
Tip 2 : Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip is selected for more information about the tip.

Sorry for length of post, but I don't know what info is particularly relevant. I have found several downloads on the Biostar website, but they are for an nvidia nforce2 IGP (not an ICP), and the last thing I want is to bug*er up my BIOS!!

Thanks for any help

 

[CCT]

Download and run Everest and see if it IDs the mobo better. I think that's an M7NCD but there are 3 versions. Even after you check it out, I don't think a Bios update is worth the risk for that mobo.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

Once you download it, click on it and let it install and then run it from the icon on your desktop.

Click on the + sign beside 'Computer', then on 'Summary', then go to the VERY Top of the screen and click on 'report'.

Note: the 'Very Top' isn't one line down, it means what it says.

Cursor over 'quick report-summary' and then click on 'plain text' and then click on 'save to file' and change the 'save in' folder to 'Desktop' and then click 'Save'.

Clear all your open windows and on the Desktop click on that 'report.txt' icon - this will open it in a text editor
(probably Notepad) and then use your mouse to highlight ALL the 'debug' entries and delete them, then use your mouse to hilight all the remaining text then copy and paste it to here.

For future reference: once you open Everest, click on file, preferences, report and uncheck the 'include debug information in the report' box. People rarely want to see that stuff.

 

[raybay]

The BIOS will be at the BIOSTAR website, if there is one.
SiSoftSandra should be able to give you the motherboard, as should Everest or Belarc.

If your performance is ok, do not upgrade. SiSoftSandra is only reporting this ... not requiring it.

Are you having trouble with any other software which shows you need a BIOS update.

I would not do it unless necessary. It may not help, and it puts your motherboard at risk.

"Notice 224 : SMBIOS/DMI information may be inaccurate." worries me.

On the other hand, you don't have enough information to search for the BIOS download:

Should be one of these. You can problem get the info you need by looking carefully at the board or using Belarc Advisor or Everest

6150 MCP 6P M2+
7025 GF7025 -M2 TE
7050 GF7 050V -M7
7100 GF7 100P -M7
8100 GF8 100 M2+ SE
8200 GF8 200 M2+
520 NF520-A2 TE

Good luck looking

 

[paulski]

Thanks guys - I think I'll take the advice and neglect trying to update the BIOS.

I'm not having any major problems, just noticed that it appeared to be out of date. I have been having a lot of BSOD's but have removed the software that seemed to be causing this, and haven't had a problem since.

I'll log the Everest software though in case I need it in future.

Thanks

 

[Tedster]

read the updating BIOS guide in the guides forum FIRST before doing ANYTHING.

 

[paulski]

Will do Tedster - thanks