Install XP pro trouble w/o AWDFLASH.EXE 3

[Terrabit]

So I have just Fdisked my computer and tried throwing in my XP Pro CD and it did not locate the drive ( 120gb SATA HD) so since the disk did not work I hit ALT F2 to enter ADWFLASH but I don't have ADWFLASH.EXE can I load it on a flash drive or disk so I can load it on my machine also where can I get the download for it.

 

[BadBigBen]

those are two distinctly different things...

the ALT-F2 is for FLASHING THE BIOS only, and you would need a BIOS ROM file on a diskette...

the SATA drivers need to be placed onto a FLOPPY, these can be found usually on the CD that came with the Motherboard or through the manufacturer's website...

also look into the BIOS SETUP, some motherboards allow the SATA drives to be placed into LEGACY or IDE MODE, which will allow you to install XP without the SATA drivers...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[G0AOZ]

I concur with Ben...

Re using AWDFLASH.EXE, do we take it that this machine was functioning ok before, but you've just decided to remake the installation of XP?

There shouldn't be a problem about flashing the BIOS, but I would ask if you have a good reason for doing this. Maybe you were previously using a PATA disk, and you think think the current BIOS doesn't support SATA? I personally don't upgrade a BIOS unless it fails to support a new CPU for example, or there's a known bug in the current version.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[wahnula]

I personally don't upgrade a BIOS unless it fails to support a new CPU for example, or there's a known bug in the current version.

This is a very divisive topic among our community; some think that "if there's nothing to be gained, don't fix what ain't broke" and the other side wants the latest BIOS just in case there's some goodies in there that MIGHT help your performance.

I think regularly flashing the BIOS (just for the sake of having the latest, no definite tangible improvements) should be dependent upon the type of machine.

For mission-critical machines like servers (or relative's PCS ), I say NEVER flash the BIOS unless there are real, tangible gains to be had. For personal/performance machines, then maybe that last BIOS upgrade will give you a few more CPU cycles or FPS to play with.

I've reported this story in the past, but here it is again. I was flashing the BIOS on my first server build and the power went out, something that rarely happens where I live. Luckily the UPS battery had enough juice to finish the install and shut down. The only benefit of the new BIOS was 64-bit support, which I have yet to use.

So, now, I'm in the "if it works don't fix it" camp.



Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[kmcferrin]

I agree. But I come from the days where even when you didn't have power issues it was possible for a BIOS flash to go horribly wrong. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

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