BIOS Upgrade Procedures & Known Issues

Please download the appropriate BIOS update file and installation utility. Compressed files may be password protected. The password is 'BIOS'. Please read the known issues section completely before upgrading the BIOS.

Be sure to follow proper ESD procedures when handling the processors and exposed areas of the notebook.

  1. Copy the BIOS update and installation utility to a bootable floppy disk or bootable USB flash device.
  2. Before installing the new Intel® Core™2 Duo processor (Merom), boot the system to the floppy or USB flash device with the original Intel® Core™ Duo processor (Yonah) installed.
  3. Install BIOS by executing the update.bat file from the directory where the BIOS files reside on the floppy or USB flash drive. Do not interrupt the system during the BIOS update.
  4. After the BIOS is successfully updated, power down and unplug the system.
  5. Remove the battery pack and then disassemble the notebook until the CPU and thermal solution are visible.
  6. Carefully remove the thermal solution and original CPU.
  7. If thermal interface material remains on the original CPU, apply new thermal interface material as necessary. (not included)
  8. Install the new Intel® Core™2 Duo processor (Merom) and ensure the locking screw is fully secured.
  9. Install the thermal solution in its original location and reassemble the notebook.
  10. Ensure all components, wires, covers, screws, etc. are as originally installed.
  11. Install the battery pack, plug in and power up the system.

 

Known issues

Issue: System does not boot, error codes may or may not appear
If the Intel® Core™2 Duo is installed before first upgrading the BIOS, the following error codes may appear (system dependant):

·                     Intel CPU uCode loading error

·                     Unknown BIOS error. Error Code = FFFF

Workaround: Install the original Intel® Core™ Duo processor (Yonah) and follow the steps above to upgrade the BIOS and then install the Core™2 Duo processor.

 

Issue: S62 series system does not boot, screen is blank
Asus S62J and S62FP systems require a hardware update to support Intel® Core™2 Duo processors. These systems will only support Intel® Core™ Duo (Yonah) and Intel® Celeron™ (Dothan) processors.
Workaround: None. Asus has issued S62JM and S62FPM systems which will support Merom. Production version systems are expected to be available WW37.

 

Issue: Graphics problems exist after booting to Windows*
When upgrading a Compal HEL80 with a BIOS prior to v102B, the NVidia graphics driver needs to be updated to driver v83.90 before updating BIOS to 102B or later. Not doing so will result in graphics issues once the system boots to the OS.

Workaround: Install the 83.90 or greater graphics driver and update prior to upgrading BIOS. You may need to revert the BIOS to an earlier revision, such as 012A, in order to restore the graphics and update the graphics driver. The BIOS may then be upgraded. Contact your support representative if you are unable to obtain these early revision BIOS installation files.