Modding an asus a7v333-x to include via vt6421 support

[patillotes]

Hello to everybody, recently I bought an adapter for my old machine, I've a few problems that seems to require a BIOS modding.

I'll explain what I did until now:

* My MB is an asus a7v333-x. The bios version is 1004, included as attachment (I can also use the 1005.002 beta if it's required).
* I didn't found the BIOS/Firmware of the card, but I'm still looking for it.
* The program I used to edit (well, to see what is inside of the BIOS file) is the Award Bios Editor v1.0. This software says that asus BIOS is not an award one, but it still opens it and I'm able to see the logo, menues, etc.

What I can do now?, I can rely on Award Bios Editor v1.0 or I need to use another program?, where I can find vt6421 BIOS?, it seems that it's easy to find (many other found it before than me) but i don't know where i can download it.

Thank you beforehand.

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Now I tried to work with CBROM1.96 with:

cbrom196.exe AV333X04.AWD /d

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The process get freezed or something like that. ???

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I found the VT6421 BIOS, now I'm playing with it. If you think than I'm posting a lot, please tell me and I'll recycle the posts.

I attach the BIOS file also.

[1234s282]

Do NOT rely on Award Bios Editor by any means! Its an extinct program and cannot handle any newer bioses (read , the last 5 yrs)

I can replace the onboard LAN rom with the rom for the VT6421 but this will obviously mean you wont be able to use the lan on the motherboard.

Please tell me in more detail what your exactly trying to achieve and i can help you further

Regards
Admin

[patillotes]

I'm trying to boot from a disk attached to the via card.

I tested it with a SATA drive and it works, but (for unknown reasons to me) it doesn't like my IDE/PATA disks. When I connect any of these (PATA), the BIOS of the card doesn't shown itself.

On other sites I read that integrating the BIOS of the card can helps and I like to try something different

Replace ethernet with via raid can be a solution, but I prefer to look for another solution, is there another BIOS module that we can replace? virus, splashscreen, ...

And another question, what program are you using to do this?. All the soft I tried doesn't seems to work (or I don't know how to use it)

Thank you very much.

[1234s282]

I can add it into the bios without replacing anything actually! (I think!)

I used bit.exe to extract all the modules but i see what you mean , i cant rebuild with cbrom

Hagve to get back to you on this one

Regards
Admin

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OK well heres an update , beacause this is an older award v4.5 bios that explains why CBROM and modbin6 wont open them (Because they are for the newer award v6.0 bioses)

however , modbin for 4.5 bioses also cannot open this file because it complains of a checksum error!

Il keep trying though

admin

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Like you said previously , the only way of opening this is using award bios editor. However , removing the logos and boot screen image and antivirus rom to make room to insert the RAID card BIOS seems to work fine and save fine , but award bios editor wont open up the new file afterwards (complains that its a bad layout)

[patillotes]

I'm going to try with bit.exe now (Bios Information Tool, right?) and award bios editor.

I'm not arrived to the point to have problems to reopen the patched BIOS. Yesterday I opened a BIOS version, I can't recall which one, and I saw the splashcreen. Now I'm unable to see the same. Maybe I can try another BIOS version.

Another question, is award bios editor opening the file correctly?, does it not complain about something?

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Update, yesterday I used a program (I'm almost sure that was award bios editor) and I saw the splash-screen.

Maybe I used another tool and I'm confused now?,

Also I used bit.exe, the program correctly understand the BIOS file, but I don't know how to extract (or insert) any module. "bit.exe /?", doesn't work.

Open the file with an hex editor and use the offsets given by bit to remove/insert is correct or can mess everything?

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Compression of modules is LHA??

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Ok, I'm kinda slow. The bit generates a directory with the components of the BIOS. Nice for me.

[1234s282]

Yes it will compress but will not rebuild - thats the problem!

Admin

[patillotes]

Yesterday I tried to modify the BIOS removing antivirus and splashcreen and adding the via firmware, after that I flashed the BIOS in the MB.

I don't find any improvement over the previous state. The firmware menu doesn't appear, etc.

I add the modified BIOS as attachment.

[1234s282]

Really sorry but this is not a moddable bios try opening your modded one in award bios editor again and you will see that it corrupts it!

Sincere Apologies
Admin