1016 beta 1 released 24.12.2002

1. The latest Beta BIOS.

1015 Final released 4.11.2002

1. Support new CPUs. Please refer to our website at: http://www.asus.com.tw/support/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx

1014 Final released 9.10.2002

1. Improve BIOS code.

1013 Final released 18.9.2002

1. Support 166MHz Front Side Bus CPU

2. Improve EasyFlash Function

3. Add Speech IC Selections

1012 Final released 26.8.2002

1. Support AMD Thoroughbred 2400+ and 2600+

2. Improve Hardware Monitor Information

3. Improve Fast Boot Function

1007 Final released ? (Germany 24.5.2002)

1. Add Item [Thermal shutdown temperature].
2. Add Option [ Fast Resume ] to control IDE restore at S3.

1007 BETA 10 released ? (Germany 23.5.2002)

1007 BETA 9 released ? (Germany 21.5.2002)

1007 BETA 7 released 16.5.2002 (Germany 15.5.2002)

1. The latest released Beta BIOS.

1007 BETA 5 released ? (Germany 14.5.2002)

1. The latest released Beta BIOS.

1007 BETA 3 released ? (Germany 13.5.2002)

1. The latest released Beta BIOS.

1007 BETA 1 released ?

1. The latest released Beta BIOS.

1006 Final released ? (Germany 22.4.2002)

1. Support DMI FLASH
2. Support Microsoft Fast Boot Program.
3. Support 3-(333MHz) DIMMs.

1005 Final released ? (Germany 19.3.2002)

1. Fix the Problem on Ez-Flash.

Q: I have Asus A7V333 motherboard with bios version 1003. When I used the Ez-Flash to update my bios, it showed "fail" message during the process, and then the board could not boot up any more. I do not know what happened?

A: The A7V333 motherboard with Ez-Flash function may cause some boot up problem, but with BIOS 1005 or later version will solve it.

For Microsoft Win95, Win98, WinMe and WinXP users:
(Download Aflash utility from: http://cgi.asus.com.tw/cgi-bin/dl.asp?filename=mb/flash/aflash22.zip)

To be able to fix the Ez-Flash, please use the Aflash utility with bootable disk to update the BIOS to version 1005 or later.

For Microsoft Win2000 users:
(Download Asus Update utility from: http://cgi.asus.com.tw/cgi-bin/dl.asp?filename=mb/flash/asusupdt3.29.05.zip)

To be able to fix the Ez-Flash, please use AsusUpdate or Aflash utility with bootable disk to update the BIOS to version 1005 or later, and be careful not to use the Ez-Flash function to update BIOS with BIOS version 1004 or earlier versions.

1004 Final released 12.3.2002

1. Support Athlon XP 2100 Plus CPU.

1003a Final released 27.2.2002

1003 Final released 20.2.2002

1. Support new version of NB chipset.

1002 Final released 20.2.2002

1. Fix the bug that setting CPU ratio frequency error.

1001c Final released 7.2.2002

1. First Release.

1. The latest Beta BIOS.

1011 Final released 26.9.2002

1. Support AMD AthlonXP 2600+

1010 Final released 5.7.2002

1. Support AMD AthlonXP 2200+

1010 Beta 2 released ? (Germany 26.6.2002)

1009 Final released 14.6.2002

1. revise code for newer AMD

1009 Beta 1 released ? (Germany 6.6.2002)

1008 Beta 3 released ? (Germany 12.4.2002)

1008 Beta 2 released ? (Germany 3.4.2002)

1008 Beta 1 released ? (Germany 27.3.2002)

1007 Final released ? (Germany 19.3.2002)

1. Support IDE 48-bit LBA addressing mode

1. Support CPU 1733MHz (XP 2100+) and 1800Mhz (XP 2200+).

2.Support Thoroughbred AMD CPU.

1006 FINAL released ? (Germany 31.1.2002)

1. Correct some abnormal display of iPanel after resuming from S3
2. Solve sometimes PS/2 keyboard or mouse failed to power on after entering S5
3. Support AMD Duron 1.3G CPU frequency in JumperFree mode
4. Fix failed to resume from S3 with Maxtrox G550

1005 Final released 9.1.2002 (Germany 7.1.2002)

1. Correct memory size detection error with some SamSung (sic!) memory.

1004b Final released 13.11.2001 (Germany: 07.11.2001)

1. Improve DRAM compatibility.

1002 Final released 19.10.2001 (Germany: 8.10.2001)

1. First Release.

?

1013 Beta 2 released 16.10.2002

1. The latest Beta BIOS.

1011 Final released 26.8.2002

1. Support AMD AthlonXP 2600+

1010 Final released 5.7.2002

1. Support AMD AthlonXP 2200+

1010 Beta 2 released ? (Germany 26.6.2002)

1009 Final released 14.6.2002

1. revise code for newer AMD CPU

1009 Beta 1 released ? (Germany 6.6.2002)

1008 Final released 21.5.2002

1. Support earlier version VIA 4-in-1 driver

1008 Beta 4 released ? (Germany 3.5.2002)

1008 Beta 3 released ? (Germany 12.4.2002)

1007 Final released ? (Germany 19.3.2002)

1. Support IDE 48-bit LBA addressing mode

1007 Beta 3 released ? (Germany 5.3.2002)

1. Support CPU 1733MHz (XP 2100+) and 1800Mhz (XP 2200+).

2. Support Thoroughbred AMD CPU.

1006 Final released 6.2.2002 (Germany 1.2.2002)

1. Correct some abnormal display of iPanel after resuming from S3.

2. Solve sometimes PS/2 keyboard or mouse failed to power on after entering S5.

3. Support AMD Duron 1.3G CPU frequency in JumperFree mode.

4. Fix failed to resume from S3 with Maxtrox G550.

1003 Final released 5.11.2001 (Germany: 31.10.2001)

1. Improve DRAM compatibility.

1002c Final released 16.10.2001

1. Add support for AMD Athlon XP CPU.
2. Add Support for AMD Morgan CPU.

1002B Final released 05.09.20011

1. Update CPU max speed and voltage in DMI

1002 Final released 14.8.2001

1. First Release.

?

1010 Beta 1a

1. The latest Beta BIOS.

1009 Final
released 30.4.2002

1. Support 48-bit HDD.
2. Add support to new Thoroughbred CPU. And support up to XP 2200+ (PCB VER. must be 1.05 . or above)

1008A Final
released ? (Germany: 21.3.2002)

1. To fix that previous A7V133 series 1008 BIOS and A7V series 1010 BIOS using ATMEL flash happen S3 return fail problem.

v2.01.0 (Build 43)

RAID v1.31 (Build 22+24)

1008 Final
released ? (Germany: 27.2.2002)

1. Latest release.

v2.01.0 (Build 43)

RAID v1.31 (Build 22+24)

v2.01.0 (Build 43)

RAID v1.31 (Build 22+24)

v2.01.0 (Build 43)

RAID v1.31 (Build 22+24)

1007 Final released 27.09.2001

1. Add support for AMD® Athlon XP CPU.

Some people have problems with the new Build 42 Promise BIOS. You might try the edited 1007e version which includes the older Build 35.

Fix: In either 01i or 01G the issue with a certain batch of 1Ghz Athlons not being able to install Windows 2000 is fixed by a raised Vcore

No Further Information is available, so there were only minor changes

No Further Information is available, so there were only minor changes

This version is rumored to sometimes misbehave, including resetting the date to 1999, going into SETUP after a restart, "forgetting" settings and automatically setting FSB to 100 and CL to 3. Other people reported no problems at all ...s

Fix: Duron checking delay errors

New feature : Shows DRAM Clock during POST

New setup item : In Advanced Setup the default CPU speed is shown

Other changes : Some SMBus related bugfix

Fix: some USB camera problems in Windows XP have been solved

Fix: Some changes to avoid Vcore tuning resulting in system hang

Other changes : Some SMBus related bugfix, prevents hangup because of I/O Error

CPU Multiplier setting rules have been changed

If "beep when FAN stops" is enabled, and the fan stops while in standby, no beeps will be emitted now. After wakeup the beeping is enabled again

Fix: With 1.6V Duron CPU, Vcore is set to 1.65V when VID setting is "Auto". This solves some DIMM stability issues

1004 Final released 8.3.2001

1. Fix DIMM size detection error.
2. Add VIA codec ID number.

?

1003a Final released 1.3.2001

1. March Release.

?

1003 Final released 22.2.2001

1. Solve conflict problem when using IDE in Promise channel and
audio card in slot 4 / 5.

?

1001c Final released 2.2.2001

1. First Release.

?

1012 Beta 1a
released 13.9.02

1. The latest Beta BIOS.

1011 Final
released 2.5.2002 (Germany: 30.4.2002)

1. support Thoroughbred CPU

1010A Final
released 28.3.2002 (Germany: 21.3.2002)

1. To fix that previous A7V133 series 1008 BIOS and A7V series 1010 BIOS using ATMEL flash happen S3 return fail problem.

1010 Final
released 8.3.2002 (Germany: 27.2.2002)

1. Latest release.

1009 Final released 27.09.2001

1. Revise CPUID checking routine and clock round off strategy.

1008 Final released 27.7.2001

1. Fix system will become unstable when CPU Vcore are set.

Setup item changed: S2K_Item now defaults to disable. It is turned on with Duron

New Promise BIOS : Ultra 100 Build39

no other changes

New CPU : "Palomino" is now supported

New setup item : S2K strobe driving fine tuning to fix Duron 850 failing to install OS

New setup item : beeper status when CPU fan stops or is abnormal

New setup item : CPU throttling or shutdown when system is overheated

New setup item : define if you need Fan to stop function. (what does this mean?) If checksum error, then it is disabled.

New feature : If fan speed is not detected or its reading is abnormal, then the system is turned off.

Other changes : several patches, bugfixes and changes to chipset internal values and settings

A7V BIOS Ver. 1007 03/01/2001

Solve conflict problem when using IDE in Promise channel and audio card in slot 4 / 5.

This BIOS might cause USB problems, see this thread in the forum

ASUS A7V PCI BIOS Rev. 1006 (16/Feb/2001)
1. February release.

Let's you choose performance options (AGP 1/2/4x) independently

Work's OK for me

01/17/2001

ASUS A7V PCI BIOS Rev. 1005C (08/Jan/2001)

1. Fix enter BIOS setup automatically in ON/OFF test.

ASUS A7V PCI BIOS Rev. 1005B (05/Jan/2001)

1. Fix SMBus fail.

Haven't tried it yet.

If you have trouble downloading, get it from this site

ASUS A7V PCI BIOS Rev. 1005.A (14/Dec/2000)

1. Latest Release.

or

1. December Release. (according to ASUS Taiwan)

Works good for me.

As far as I know , BIOS multiplier change is only supposed to work with A7V 1.04 hardware revision

ASUS's description isn't exactly helpful, is it ? ;-)

Includes a RAID BIOS - hardware modification is needed

As soon as anything is attached to the secondary VIA onboard IDE channel ... the BIOS hangs. This error is recreatable ...

Doesn't work for me (Win98 crashes during start)

Reports say : the Software compatibility problems were solved

Was removed from ASUS Server

New ATA 100 Bios Version 2.01 (Build 33)

Includes ATA 100 RAID Bios : FastTrak100 (tm) "Speed" BIOS Version 1.31 (Build 22)

(you need to modify the board or cable with one resistor to get RAID)

Includes BIOS multiplyer settings (noone seems to have gotten this to work, though)

Temperature : Same as 1004

Reports say : problems with Sisoft Sandra, Motherboard Monitor etc. hanging

I have not tested it myself

A7V BIOS Ver. 1004d 10/30/2000

1. Add CPU Fan On/Off function resumed from S1 mode.

Released 12.10.2000 on German ASUS site.

Temperature : Same as 1004a

It adds a new Feature : Power Menu - CPU Fan in Standby Mode [Enabled / Disabled]

There is one report on Usenet on what it possibly fixes ... something USB related.

1004a

Higher CPU Temperature (when not at full load) as opposed to 1003. Read the article on this issue.

With Duron CPUs you can not enable PCI Master Read Caching.

1003

Has no Option to disable the ATA100 BIOS. It always searches for ata 100 devices. This can be annoying if you don't use the ata 100 controller, as it takes quite some time.

I used this Bios (in a modified form) because it was most stable with my hardware mix.

You can find all official BIOS versions at :

ftp://ftp.asus.com.tw/pub/ASUS/mb/socka/kt133/a7v/

New versions tend to be available first at

http://www.asuscom.de/de/support/techmain/technical.htm

Other BIOS lists (also for A7V133 etc.) are at

www.braziliantech.com

www.amdmb.com

An (almost?) complete listing of Options available in your A7V Bios (as well as others) is at

http://www.rojakpot.com/Speed_Demonz/BIOS_Guide/BIOS_Guide_Index.htm

NOTE: this URL is down at the moment, try this one instead:

http://www.itcp.net/~awsh/Speed_Demonz/BIOS_Guide/BIOS_Guide_Index.htm

There are quite good explenations as well as recommendations. Read this additionally to your manual - many settings not found in the linked Guide are described there.

Preferrably use AFLASH.EXE. You can get an OLD version from your A7V CD. Don't use it if you have internet access. An updated version is available from the ASUS Germany FTP Server

Version 1.37 (copy at a7vtroubleshooting.com) is the newest one (as of Nov 5. 2001)

ASUS Update is another Option, but many people reported Problems using it. It is executed from windows, which seems rather risky to me. After all, if it fails, you're left with an unusable Motherboard.

In the AFLASH archive at ASUS Germany FTP Server (see one paragraph above) both CLRCMOS and CMOS are included.

CLRCMOS clears the CMOS (saved BIOS setup data like what drives you have, what RAM timing parameters you are using) and basically has the same effet as shorting the CMOS Reset jumper (or solder points) on your mainboard (see here). You should clear the CMOS after every flash to a different BIOS version. For details see the next paragraph.

CMOS saves the BIOS setup settings to a file. This is nessecary since in newer AWARD BIOSes you can't use "print screen" to print out your settings.

Usage is: " CMOS /L filename " for example " CMOS /L settings.txt "

In your A7V manual a detailed description of the procedure can be found on pages 47 to 49.

But since most People don't read the manual, heres my version of the instructions :

No drivers should be loaded, no HIMEM, no EMM386, nothing.

First of all, go into the BIOS SETUP. If you're not too sure about the BIOS settings, write every Option and it's setting down.

Caution : Disable "Byte Merge" in BIOS (Advanced Menu - Chip Configuration) before updating !

Put the newest AFLASH.EXE and CLRCMOS.EXE (The latter is included in the aflash archive, too) onto your bootdisk or, if you're using F8, into your root directory C:\

Boot into PURE DOS. Either use a bootdisk or the windows boot menu that pops up when you press F8 at boot (right after "loading Windows" appears in Text-Mode)

Execute AFLASH.EXE

choose "back up BIOS" so you can go back to the old one if the new one doesnt work.

Enter a path and filename for the old bios (eg. C:\oldbios.bin)

choose "update BIOS" and enter the path and name of your new bios file (eg. C:\1005a.bin) Remember to type in the whole filename with path and extension (eg .bin or .awd)!

If the update was successful, you're required to hit ESC

Back in DOS, execute CLRCMOS.EXE
You might alternatively do CMOS clear in hardware - see here how.

It wil only show a flashing cursor. Wait about 15 seconds and then power down.

Power up, go into BIOS, load Setup defaults and customise all settings to fit your needs (or the notes you took down)

By Software: Use CLRCMOS and see here for details on usage.

By Hardware:
Locate two solder points called CLRTC on your mainboard. They are besides the battery. Turn off the PC and disconnect the power supply. To be sure, take the mainboard battery out. Short the solder points for a few seconds with a metal object like a screwdriver. Remove the screwdriver. Reinsert the Battery. Reconnect power, power up.

Now the BIOS should say something like "CMOS checksum bad, defaults loaded". If it doesn't say this, the clearing was not successful.

Go to BIOS Setup and load Setup Defaults. After that, set the options as needed.

The extension does not matter. If you get a BIOS from ASUS, it may be either .AWD, .BIN or .VersionNumber

For all AFLASH cares you could even flash .TXT files ;-)

AFLASH will complain if the File is unreadable, damaged etc.

Newbie Note: .ZIP Files are packed, you need to unpack them first using any kind of unzip program. For example, use winzip - it sucks, but seems to be one of the most popular unzip programs.

Houston, we've got a problem.

Unless you have a Bios Savior installed, you are almost out of luck, now.

First of all, try clearing the CMOS memory and see if the error goes away. See here on details on how to clear CMOS.

Next, try going to Jumper Mode if you were in Jumperless Mode (or vice versa).

One possibility to recover (especially if you just flashed A7V 1009 BIOS and now you caN't boot) was described by Rimmer66 in our forum in this thread:

"shut down system, turn off power supply switch, note that your DSW are all OFF (jumper mode), set one of them to the on position, now turn on your system, go to BIOS, press F5 to load defaults, save & exit, now shut down, switch back the dipswitch to off, turn back on all should be fine....."

If it still doesn't work it most probably means that the contents of your BIOS chip (flash eeprom chip on the motherboard) are bad. Normally you should be able to get help from the dealer where you bought the board - although it might cost you a few dollars. ASUS can mail you a new BIOS chip, too - at some price. Some other Companies around the net (for example www.badflash.com) do the same. You could of course now get a preprogrammed BIOS Savior, too - this would get you out of trouble not only this time, but every other time, too.

In some cases using the BootBlock function of the BIOS works. See this article in the forum on how to do this.

Another thing you might try is take the BIOS chip and a diskette with your BIOS image file (the .bin or .awd) to an electronics store. They may have a flash tool in their workshop aand therefore may be able to help you.

The last thing you might try is to "Hot Flash" it. THIS IS RISKY ! I tried it many times and it worked perfectly for me, but this does not mean it is harmless. If done wrong you may totaly kill your BIOS chip, your MOTHERBOARD or BOTH ! So, don't do it unless youre ABSOLUTELY sure you want to take the risk involved ...

The idea is to get another PC, boot it, remove its BIOS chip while runnig, insert your faulty A7V chip and flash it.

For this to work, ideally you should use a second A7V. But it works with any other modern board, too. Just make sure it can handle 2Mbit FLASH eeprom chips.

First, remove the A7V BIOS chip. Then remove the BIOS chip from the other board and reinsert it there, but only very lightly. This is to get it back out more easy. To remove the chips, use a non-conductive flat thing and lever (at the sides) the chip out of it's socket.

Note the notch on the chip - it has to face the same way as the notch on the socket.

Now power up the other board. You might want to go into BIOS SETUP and make sure BIOS Shadowing is enabled - but in most cases it will already be.

Next, carefully remove the BIOS chip. Make sure you don't touch anything on the board, so you don't create short cuts.

Now insert the faulty A7V bios chip. Note the orientation of the notch !

You may now flash the A7V bios. First try to flash it with the flash program that belongs to the other motherboard. If it doesnt work, try the ASUS Aflash. If this doesnt work, try AWDFLASH from Award Software ...

If Flashing was successfull, turn off the PC.

Remove the A7V chip and reinsert it into the A7V. Clear CMOS on A7V. Reinsert the BIOS chip into the other motherboard.

What you'll need is a 2Mbit 90ns FLASH memeory chip, Packaging Type "P"

Here are some examples of the inscription on various A7V BIOS chips :

"SyncMOS 0033 F29C51002T-90PC"

"MOSEL V29C51002T"

You can get these for example in electronics stores or at companies like www.badflash.com

This version replaces the newer Build 42 Promise ROM with an older Build 35. Some people complained about various problems with Build 42

See this page for details.

! for A7V133 ! This version replaces the newer Build 42 Promise ROM with an older Build 35. Some people complained about various problems with Build 42

See this page for details.

Updates 1003 to use the same ATA 100 BIOS as 1007

See this page for details.

Updates 1003 to use the same ATA 100 BIOS as 1005A

See this page for details.

1003e2

Updates 1003 to use the same ATA 100 BIOS as 1004C

See this page for details.

Removes the ATA 100 BIOS from 1003 (Same effect as disabling it in 1004)

Only use this BIOS if you don't boot from the ata 100 controller !

Removing the ata 100 bios reduces boot time. The controller still works as normal, it only ceases to search for devices on the ata 100 bus during boot.

See this page for details.

Found at insanehardware.com

I did not test this BIOS, but it basically should do the same as 1003e

Remember : These are BIOSes modified by a third party that you don't know. Neither ASUS nor you have control over exactly what was changed.

Use only original ASUS BIOSes if you don't want to take the possible risk !

I tested all of these BIOSes and found them to work OK.

1003e to 1003e4 were modified by me. This makes me sure that they are OK, however, as you don't know me, you'd just have to take my word for this ...

Yes, this would be the best way to know what you get. But do so only if you know what you're doing !

Basically, locate CBROM.EXE on the internet.
With the A7V BIOS, I used Version 2.01A.

Learn how to use it. Some examples :

Display BIOS contents :
cbrom biosfilename.bin /d

Remove ATA100 BIOS :
cbrom biosfilename.bin /oem1 release

Extract ATA100 BIOS :
cbrom biosfilename.bin /oem1 extract

Add another ATA 100 BIOS (eg. RAID) :
cbrom biosfilename.bin /oem1 ata100biosfilename.bin

Maybe you might also use AWDMOD - this is a new utility that also handles newer AWARD BIOS versions.

These things are RISKY ! Only attempt modifying your BIOS if you want to take the risk !

If you can read german, go here for extensive information on that (as well as logos for Download).

Resources in English :

(Not all of the things described there apply to the A7V BIOS - MODBIN, for example, has only limited use with A7V)

http://www.flazh.de/ (Good Info, Logos available)

http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Chip/4378/ (a little old ..)

http://close.open.hr/~sbrbot/hardware/bios/epa.htm (unfortunately quite old)

http://www.kaotica.com/epa/ (unfortunately quite old)

Additionally, search (for example on GOOGLE or HOTBOT) for "boot logo change" or "epa logo"

Yep, this is possible with A7V

For now I will only include the things "IronGate" wrote in the forum, the example is for BIOS 1005b :

First make a BMP file. 640 x 480 (16 colors)

Use CBROM 2.07 or newer.

cbrom 1005b.bin /logo bootlogo.bmp

Flash it then you're done.

An example file is here

German resource on a Fullscreen Boot-Logo (I don't know if it works on A7V)
http://velociraptor.mni.fh-giessen.de/Bootlogo/

AWARD resource on the fullscreen logo (very good!)
http://award.com.tw/news/fullscreen.rev.1.htm

This resource claims you have to use a 15 colour BMP. Try for yourself ...