How do I downgrade my bios?

Basically, I was trying to do Arkit3kt's XP Clean install guide, but I don't have an XP disc. Now, in the guide there was a link to a tutorial on how to create an XP cd from a computer pre-installed with XP. Problem is, no matter how I many time I try burning it, this is what happens:

The XP installation goes to the point after you select your timezone and regional settings, etc, and restarts. Rather than the XP logo with the black background, it shows the screen where you can select "Safe Mode", "Safe Mode with Networking", etc. And it just won't boot properly. Running CHKDSK /r doesn't help.

I'm guessing the problem is that I upgraded my BIOS (now it's at 2.17), and that kind of kinks it there. So, is there anyway to downgrade my bios? Does anyone have a clue what's the real problem and how to solve it? Also, how do you get into the Recovery Partition without using the 3 Recovery CDs?

 

did you completely format the drive?

 

Yeah.. Everything, but only the first time, though. Subsequently afterwards, I left the Recovery Partition there, and then sectioned off a 5Gb space for my XP. I always formatted it in non-quick version of the NTFS. Then I left the rest of my HD unformatted.

 

so what you are saying is that you formatted the drive except the recovery partition, which is still intact. you burned an xp disk from your preloaded OS, then tried to use it to reinstall windows? correct?

first thing i would do is get an actual XP disk. as long as you get the same type (ie Pro, x64, with the correct Service Pack) then you should have no problem using the key on the bottom of your machine. the XP extraction is a pretty serious procedure. I would start there.

other than that if your recovery partition works then try restoring that to get your functionality back. the bios may have done it but unlikely IMO because it starts to boot, usually you dont even get there.

 

More or less. Yes.

Actually, as we speak, I got a friend to lend me one.

The recovery works. I'm typing in the XP recovered by the recovery discs. For now, I've uninstalled all the gunk and run ccleaner. And it's pretty smooth and fast. But it just doesn't feel as good as a CLEAN one.

Is there anyway to go through the recovery without involving the CDs? sure there's a way to access the partition through the BIOS utilities?

techboydino, what version is your bios?

 

ill have to look. i dont think it matters though because i am running Vista on an R61 with a different setup.

 

Thanks! (10 char)

 

So, did you find anything?