How to Flash Your Bios

There are a few different ways you can flash your bios on the NF7 series of motherboards.  I will go over three different methods that I feel are the best way to do it.  You must remember to get the correct BIOS version for your particular board.  The NF7-S, NF7, NF7-M ver. 1.XX boards use a different BIOS than the NF7-S, NF7 ver. 2.0 boards do.  Probably the easiest way way to know if you about to flash with the correct BIOS is by looking at the file name.  All ver. 2.0 boards will have a file name with a "d" in front of it, such as "d23".  The ver. 1.XX boards will simply have a file name of "23" with no "d".  Please be sure you have the right version before flashing as you will render you board useless if you use the wrong one.  Also its a good idea not to flash the BIOS while your computer is overclocked.  Its HIGHLY recommended to be operating at stock speeds when flashing the BIOS.

Using Abit Flash Menu Method - Many people refuse to use flash menu because they feel its a very unsafe way to flash the BIOS.  I feel if it is done by using the "Update From File" option, its perfectly safe.  I will however agree that using the "One Click LiveUpdate" is very risky.  Using the "One Click LiveUpdate", allows flash menu to seek the internet, locate the newest BIOS file for your computer, download it, and then flash with it.  It has been reported and confirmed that "One Click LiveUpdate" does not always choose the right BIOS for your version of motherboard.  I personally have used the "Update From File" method dozens of times with no ill effects.  Follow the steps outlined below for using Abit Flash Menu to flash your BIOS.  Be double sure you have the right BIOS version before flashing, Flash Menu will not warn you if the wrong bios is about to be flashed.

1.  Download the BIOS you wish to flash.
2.  Extract the files (The BIOS files usually come as a EXE file, just double click it and it will extract)
3.  Look at al the extracted files and find the one that is a .bin file.
4.  Take that .bin file and put it in the Flash Menu folder.  Usually located in C drive/program files/abit/flash menu.
5.  Open the flash menu program and choose "Update From File".  A window should open showing the .bin file you just put in the Flash Menu folder.  Double click on the .bin file.
6.  Start the flashing procedure, when its finished, you will be asked if you want to reboot the computer, say NO.  You need to say NO here because we actually want to shut the computer off, not reboot it at this point.
7.  Shut the computer off, turn off your power supply and remove the power cord. 
8.  Locate the clear CMOS jumper on the motherboard and move it to pins 2&3 for at least a minute or so.  Replace the clear CMOS jumper back to pins 1&2, plug the power cord back in, turn on the power supply.
9.  Press the power switch to boot the computer.  Hit the Delete key to re-enter BIOS setup and adjust all the different settings to your liking.

Using the ALT-F2 Method - This could be the simplest way of flashing your bios and is pretty much a no brainer.  Follow the steps below to flash using the ALT-F2 method of flashing your BIOS.

1.  Use a freshly formatted floppy disk.
2.  Download the BIOS you wish to flash.
3.  Extract the files (The BIOS files usually come as a EXE file, just double click it and it will extract)
4.  Find the .bin file and the awdflash.exe file and put them on the freshly formatted floppy.
5.  Reboot the computer and quickly hit ALT-F2 when you see the option on the bottom left of the screen.
6.  You will be prompted to insert the floppy disk that has your files on it, do so at this time and hit enter.
7.  The system will automatically find the awdflash.exe file and begin flashing your bios from the .bin file you put on the floppy and reboot when its done.
8.  You can hit the delete key upon the reboot to enter BIOS setup.  Just go ahead and turn off the computer when you get into BIOS setup.  At this point follow the same procedure as outlined in steps 7 to 9 above.

Using the Boot From Floppy Method - This is the old fashion tried and true way of flashing the BIOS.  Many people will only flash their BIOS using this method  Follow the steps below to flash using the Boot From Floppy method.

1.  Format a floppy and check the "copy system files only" box when you format it.  This makes a bootable floppy.
2.  Download the BIOS you wish to flash.
3.  Extract the files (The BIOS files usually come as a EXE file, just double click it and it will extract)
4.  Copy all the extracted files to your formatted floppy disk.
5.  Go into your BIOS and set the first boot device to be the floppy drive.
6.  Boot from the floppy you just created.
7.  Once at the A: prompt, type in either "runme.bat" or "awdflash.exe".
8.  Depending on the option you choose in step 7, a few simple questions will appear, answer them and continue to flash.
9.  You can hit the delete key upon the reboot to enter BIOS setup.  Just go ahead and turn off the computer when you get into BIOS setup.  At this point follow the same procedure as outlined in steps 7 to 9 in the flash menu option above.

Hopefully this will make your BIOS flashing experience a trouble free one, Good Luck!!