60GB: Abit BX20

[fadelikeasigh]

This site is incredibly helpful. Unfortunately, I still couldn't quite find the BIOS upgrade I'm looking for.

I would like to upgrade my BIOS so's I can make full use of my new 60GB Maxtor hard drive.

I am aware that Maxtor has some kind of MaxBlast software that allows me to use the full capacity of the disk, but it's not supported with Windows 2000. The alternative is to upgrade my BIOS.

Here's what I have:

BIOS ID: 2A69KA1BC
BIOS Date: 09/18/98
BIOS Signon: 09/18/1998-i440BX-W83977-2A69KA1BC-GR
BIOS Type: Award Modular BIOS v4.51PG
SuperI/O: Winbond 977TF rev 0 found at port 3F0h
Chipset: Intel 440BX/ZX rev 3
OEM Signon: GREEN AGP/PCI/ISA SYSTEM

Following the directions on this site, I found that my motherboard manufacturer is Abit. Your chart of Award BIOS numbers for Abit motherboard models had the following entry, which corresponds to my BIOS ID:

2A69KA1BC-xx -------> Abit BX20 (xx is version of the BIOS)

I went to Abit's website to download an upgrade at
http://www.abit.com.tw/abitweb/webjsp/e ... wnload.jsp
(click on "BIOS Centre")

They have a list of about 50-60 different motherboard models. For some reason, mine isn't there! This absence seems very strange. Many other models listed on your chart, such as BX6, BH6, BE6, etc. are all on Abit's site, but for some reason BX20 isn't.

I'm in your hands, ladies and gentlemen. I really hope someone can find a magic answer for me, because I'm stuck. I'd hate to only use 32 out of 60 available GB on my new hard disk.

Thanks for your time.

[ajzchips]

ftp://ftp.abit.com.tw/pub/download/bios/bx20/

GZ: 01/01/1999-i440BX-W83977-2A69KA1BC-GZ

JK: 01/20/1999-i440BX-W83977-2A69KA1BC-JK

LV: 08/03/1999-i440BX-W83977-2A69KA1BC-LV

(LV very likely has support for HDDs over 32GB).

[fadelikeasigh]

Thanks for your help. Unfortunately, none of those newer BIOSs will support my new hard drive (including LV).

I looked at Abit's list of motherboard models that support a 75GB hard drive (mine is 60GB) and my model - BX20 - was not in the list.

I guess I'm out of luck.

[ajzchips]

Have you made sure you don't have a 32GB limiting jumper on?

[fadelikeasigh]

quite sure. My BIOS hangs without the limiting jumper on. After I tried the new LV version, my BIOS was still hanging.

I also tried entering the cylinder/heads/sector settings manually and I tried putting that drive in LBA mode, all to no avail

Anyone want a new 60GB hard drive?

[janpopan]

stay cool, yes the latest Version has the 32GB bug, but it can be fixed only 16byte



and for Rainbow the 64GB Bug can also be fixed maby only 2 byte

Jan

[fadelikeasigh]

Hmm. I'm kind of a rookie here. Could you perhaps tell me how to fix those 16 bytes of my BIOS?

[Rainbow]

I'm working on program that can modify the BIOS. I can send you the modified BIOS. Try it if you want, but it's at your own risk.

[fadelikeasigh]

Ah, I guess you are the Rainbow to which janpopan was referring...

Yeah, sure. Let's give it a shot. I'll make my e-mail address visible in my profile. If there's anything else you'd like me to do, just let me know.

Thanks!

[Rainbow]

e-mail is on the way

[Rainbow]

He just replied that the modified BIOS works!

[fadelikeasigh]

That's correct. Rainbow, you are a magician! Thank you so much for your help.

I've said it before and I'll say it again - this site is incredibly helpful.

[perrierp]

Any chance of getting the bios from Rainbow. I have the same exact abit motherboard. Now I am stuck with a Maxtor 60 GB that the bios does not see.

Thanks

[Denniss]

http://wims.rainbow-software.org

[perrierp]

My motherboard can now see my 60GB hardrive.

You guys are the greatest!!!

THANKS!!