BIOS update and XP installation problem

My motherboard is ASUS P4BP-MX 2.0...


I tried to install Windows XP professional (SP2) on my PC..formatting and copying of files done successfully..
After restarting, my PC hanged in Windows XP logo screen itself..
I have previously used the same cd and installed XP successfully in my friend machine recently..so no problem with CD..
so to troubleshoot i installed Ubuntu 8.10..it worked successfully..
am able to boot and work in Ubuntu 8.10...

I thought of upgrading my BIOS 1003 to version 1005 and downloaded 1005.BIN for XP..

1) Does upgrading my BIOS fix this XP installation issue?

While trying to upgrade i went through my board manual and pressed Alt+F2 key after POST screen..
I got the AwardBIOS Flash Utility for ASUS v1.00 screen..
The screen had File Name to Program field but my cursor is being shown at some other place near the Message grid..
Also its not accepting any input from keyboard..
I tried Fail Safe defaults, Optimised defaults..but no success to enter file name in AwardBIOS..

2) Does resetting my RTC CLEAR jumper alone by unplugging power cord and removing CMOS battery fix this problem?

3) If i somehow get access to AwardBIOS utility in feature with some fix, is that possible to Update my BIOS with FAT32 formatted USB pen drive having my 1005.BIN in AwardBIOS utility?

 

Chances are that updating the BIOS will not fix the issue. It's my feeling with BIOS updates: only update the BIOS if doing so will fix an issue that you are having and the new BIOS specifically mentions fixing this known problem. Using the RTCCLEAR jumper will reset the BIOS back to system defaults; the date/time will change, boot order will change, any overclocking or bus speeds that have been changed will go back to defaults, etc. If you are using a USB keyboard, it may not be recognized. The BIOS may be set to disable USB keyboard support by default, so change this setting or use a PS2 keyboard. Flashing the BIOS is best done from a floppy disk or from within Windows. I have not personally used a bootable USB flash drive for this. I know that USB flash drives must be prepared and pre-configured to be bootable and are not bootable just by copying some files to it. Check out this link for some how-to info on booting from a USB flash drive. You should read the motherboard for detailed info on flashing the BIOS if you really think that doing so will fix your problem. Personally, I don't think it will. You should run some hard drive diagnostics and some memory diagnostics first, or swap out the memory with known good sticks. I think the problem is likely to be the hard drive and you can download a free diagnostic from the hard drive maker's web site. Run it as per their instructions (use the advanced extended tests) to be sure the drive is OK.
Good luck! And Welcome to Major Geeks! :wave :major

[dlb]

 

Thanks for the reply and clear explanation
I am using PS2 keyboard only..Shall i just reset my jumper to see my cursor in right place in AwardBIOS update utility screen..
coz the cursor blinks in some other place than the input field...

Regarding Bootable flash drive i have used Puppy Linux from my USB..But for this BIOS updatin i formatted it to FAT32 using Ubuntu and just copied the BIOS 1005.BIN...didnt install anythin specific to make it bootable:-(
I think i can a learn a lot with my USB with the link u gave
Thanks for that

BTW,I have this question for a long time in my mind:-(
What exactly does Windows XP OS does after formattin,copying required files and what is that its looking for during the XP logo screen loading just before the XP installation starts?
Kindly direct me to a place where i can get some explanation about XP installation...
coz i just wanted to analyse my prob from the root