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Revision 1 as of 2013-07-14 20:41:06
Size: 5345
Editor: ml
Comment: Needed to flash a BIOS and none of the other methods would work. Due to the files size needed to flash the BIOS. Did not want to use Windows, but free tools; Debian, FreeDos and Grml.
Revision 5 as of 2014-12-23 22:17:04
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Editor: ml
Comment: Added link to debian.org[Debian] and changed the content format.
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#language en
~-[[DebianWiki/EditorGuide#translation|Translation(s)]]: none-~
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<<TableOfContents>>
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This page describes how to flash a BIOS, using Debian, This page describes how to flash a BIOS, using [[http://debian.org/| Debian]],
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tools are bigger than can fit on a floppy image.  tools are bigger than can fit on a floppy image.
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<<TableOfContents>>

== Identifying the motherboard ==


= Identifying the motherboard =
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You can also use the [[DebianPkg:dmidecode]] package to retrieve some info:  You can also use the [[DebianPkg:dmidecode]] package to retrieve some info:
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== FreeDOS == = FreeDOS =
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=== Download FreeDOS and tools === == Download FreeDOS and tools ==
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=== Create a custom FreeDOS image === == Create a custom FreeDOS image ==
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'''NOTE:''' ANY existing data on your USB device will be destroyed when using the dd approach.    '''NOTE:''' ANY existing data on your USB device will be destroyed when using the dd approach.
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# cp freedos.img /media/usb1/boot/addons/ # cp freedos.img /media/usb0/boot/addons/
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# cd /media/usb1/boot/addons/ # cd /media/usb0/boot/addons/
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cd <dir> 
    change to the directory 
dir 
    list the files in the current directory 
type 
    display the contents of a file 
cd <dir>
    change to the directory
dir
    list the files in the current directory
type
    display the contents of a file
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== See Also == When done flashing the BIOS. Mount the Grml usb stick, remove
freedos.img and balder10.imz. Move balder10.imz.org back to
balder10.imz:
 {{{
# cd /media/usb0/boot/addons/
}}}
 {{{
# rm freedos.img balder10.imz
}}}
 {{{
# mv balder10.imz.org balder10.imz
}}}
= See Also =
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== External links ==

 * Flash BIOS, was adapted from:
== External Links ==

 * Flashing a BIOS with FreeDOS and Grml, was adapted from:

Translation(s): none


Flashing a BIOS with FreeDOS and Grml

This page describes how to flash a BIOS, using Debian, FreeDOS and Grml Live Linux. No matter what Operating System is installed. And without using a Windows Operating System.

This allows the use of >1.2MB files in the FreeDOS image. Where other methods would not work with files >1.2MB. Since most BIOS files and tools are bigger than can fit on a floppy image.

If the hardware works, there is often no need to flash the BIOS. If something goes wrong, this might cause permanent damage to your BIOS and you might lose your warranty. Flashing motherboard BIOS is a dangerous activity that can render your motherboard inoperable!

Identifying the motherboard

First you should find the motherboard's manufacturer and the model. Check the user's Manual that comes with your computer, usually there you'll find all needed information.

You can also use the dmidecode package to retrieve some info:

  • # dmidecode -t bios -t baseboard

Lastly, if you have physical access to the motherboard, you may find the required information directly on the motherboard itself.

Make a directory to work in and change into it:

  • # mkdir -p /tmp/bios/
    # cd /tmp/bios/

FreeDOS

You can use FreeDOS to run the DOS-based BIOS utility from your manufacturer. You must first create a custom FreeDOS image which includes the necessary BIOS tools, and then boot this image via Grml.

Download FreeDOS and tools

  • FreeDOS - download the fdboot.img file

  • FreeDOS bootsector - download the file sys-freedos-linux.zip

  • The DOS-Flash program and new BIOS from your motherboard's manufacturers website

Create a custom FreeDOS image

Install the dosfstools,nasm and unzip packages, if not already installed:

  • # aptitude install dosfstools nasm unzip

Create an image file of ~20MB using dd:

  • # dd if=/dev/null of=freedos.img bs=1024 seek=20480

Write a file system to the image:

  • # mkfs.msdos freedos.img

Write the bootsector to the image file:

  • # unzip sys-freedos-linux.zip && ./sys-freedos.pl --disk=freedos.img

Now we need to copy the FreeDOS files to our new image. Create the mountpoints:

  • # mkdir freedos freedos-new

Mount the original image:

  • # mount -o loop fdboot.img freedos/

Mount the new image:

  • # mount -o loop freedos.img freedos-new/

Copy the FreeDOS system files to our new image:

  • # cp -a freedos/* freedos-new/

Now you should also copy your flash program and the new BIOS to the image file:

  • # cp -a FLASH-PROGRAM BIOS-UPDATE freedos-new/

List freedos-new to make sure the files are there:

  • # ls -la freedos-new/

Unmount both images:

  • # umount /tmp/bios/freedos/ /tmp/bios/freedos-new/

Using Grml on a usb stick to boot FreeDOS

Download a Grml iso.

Use either the dd command or the grml2usb package to install Grml to a usb stick.

NOTE: ANY existing data on your USB device will be destroyed when using the dd approach.

  • # dd if=grml96-full_2013.02.iso of=/dev/sdX
    # grml2usb grml96-full_2013.02.iso /dev/sdX1
  • Where /dev/sdX is your USB device. And where /dev/sdX1 is a partition on your USB device.

For more information on grml2usb, usage and FAQ:

  • $ man grml2usb

Also available at the grml2usb page.

After Grml is installed on a usb stick and mounted. Copy the freedos.img to Grml:

  • # cp freedos.img /media/usb0/boot/addons/

Now backup the Grml FreeDOS version:

  • # cd /media/usb0/boot/addons/
    # mv balder10.imz balder10.imz.org

Use gzip to create a balder10.imz file using the freedos.img we created earlier:

  • # gzip <freedos.img >balder10.imz

Optionally now test with kvm:

  • $ kvm -hdb /dev/sdX1

After booting Grml, select FreeDOS from the menu:

  • Addons => Run FreeDOS

Then, select:

  • 2. FreeDOS Safe Mode (don't load any drivers)

If after testing with kvm, Grml boots the custom FreeDOS image and your BIOS files are present. Now you can flash your BIOS by using the Grml usb stick. Following the manufacturers instructions.

Some useful commands in DOS:

  • cd <dir>
        change to the directory
    dir
        list the files in the current directory
    type
        display the contents of a file

For Example, flashing a Foxconn H67S motherboard:

  • A:\dir
    A:\cd mebios\bios\
    A:\dir
    A:\fpt -f C33F1P02.BIN -y

When done flashing the BIOS. Mount the Grml usb stick, remove freedos.img and balder10.imz. Move balder10.imz.org back to balder10.imz:

  • # cd /media/usb0/boot/addons/
    # rm freedos.img balder10.imz
    # mv balder10.imz.org balder10.imz

See Also