Hi Hoping a bios garu will see this...:) Looking for an older bios upgrade I cannot find anywhere... Unable to install sp2 without it. I don't exactly relish the idea of flashing my bios...but it has to be done. Managed to get infected with ...something...and as a result it does not work right. System will still boot but is unstable. I have to wipe the old bios and reflash it. I have already had to totally wipe 3 systems (1 of em twice) including a ll format. The other 2 systems seems bios is not affected. Not going into any gory details... Virus/sp2 related or not...I should have the upgrade anyway. Main problem...I cannot find my bios ID # Couple programs I tried... Program: eSupport.com BIOS Agent Version 3.34 BIOS Date: 12/09/98 BIOS Type: COMPAQ BASIC BIOS ID: Unknown OEM Sign-On: None Chipset: Intel 440EX/LX rev 3 Superio: NSC 309 rev 37 found at port 15Ch OS: WinXP SP1 CPU: Pentium II 400 Mhz MAX: 500 Mhz BIOS ROM In Socket: No BIOS ROM Size: 256K Memory Installed: 256 MB Memory Maximum: 256 MB Memory Slot 01: 128 MB Memory Slot 02: 128 MB Memory Slot 03: 0 MB Using AIDA32 ee gathered this info: Compaq desktop ep/sb series Compaq 046ch Bios Compaq 686T1 (12/09/98) chipset Intel 82440 LX/EX Intel celeron A 400mhz A few others showed same info. Tried numerous bios finding sites, compaq site, driverguide... I cannot get the id string by initiating a keyboard error either. Neither does going right into bios...it does not show the id string... Anywhere to get older bios flashes? Oh...wait a min... OMG...I think I found something viable....! http://h18000.www1.hp.com/support/files/deskpro/us/locOsCat/4.html Just not sure which one to download....there seems to be several for the 686T1. Also...any way to back up the old one I have ...just in case it all really goes bad? Need a little guidence for install, etc. If you need more info...let me know what, I will try and dig it up. Yes I can follow instructions if they are in plain english. No..I do not have the cash to buy a new computer...this one has done me well for what I do. Thanks. I never give up! Windows Update

From the link you found, it apears clear which one would be for your system, ROM Image for Deskpro EP/SB Series ROM Flash (686T1 ROM). All you need to do is verify from its documentation that it applies to your model. All Compaq systems have a model number on a tag along with a serial number. By looking up your system by model number, it would have taken you directly to the right BIOS upgrade options. But you are in luck, because there are two downloads to chose from. First one is for downloading and using a nice Windows GUI interface to do the update (assumes your Windows is working), and a second download that allows you to make a bootable diskette to install it from.

Thanks for the reply...looks like I'm on the right track...but I do nopt see this model in the list of supported products: Chipset: Intel 440EX/LX rev 3 I see everything around it but not that one...any difference? Still I dont see actual instructions for install. I have a very hard time putting the 2 meg program on a floppy...lol. I also cant believe I can flash my bios from within windows. Will running that particular exe (SP13759.exe) run an installer that puts the needed flash on a floppy to boot/flash with? How can I back up my current bios? Yes windows works. Thanks :) I never give up! Windows Update

Ok....running that exe just extracts all the cab files inside to same directory I saved the exe to...P Several files in there...most are different language, and one called SP13759.CVA Unzipped the english cab and end up with rom.bin and rom.sig Obviously thats what I want.... What next? Thanks I never give up! Windows Update