cant figure out how to update bios.

So i decided to put Ubuntu netbook remix on my netbook. after having a few problems with a bad downloads got it installed and running nicely. found out i couldn't adjust the brightness of the screen, so i look around and find out that the nc10 needs a bios update to fix it. one problem the bios only come in bos and windows exe. so i google what to do and they all say use freeDOS well the one they say to use is fdos.144. well i cant find where to download it. can you help, i really dont want to install windows again just to install the bios.

thanks

 

Unetbootin will let you create a freedos usb stick. I don't think there is freedos 1.44, that may mean 'freedos on a 1.44MB floppy'?

 

well i got my info from HOWTO: Flash BIOS, The Ubuntu Way - Ubuntu Forums sorry was trying to remember the file off the top of my head.

thanks. guess i will have to go get a usb stick dont have any spear.

once booted into it how will i get to the bios file, if its anything like the live cds you cant download anything at least not on the ram space i have.

 

If you copy the flasher exe and the bios image onto the stick after you set it up with unetbootin you can just run it like any other normal dos command.

 

thanks

freedos is command line, right?

if so would i just cd in to the folder and run the exe?

thanks again

 

Yeah exactly, or if you put it on the root of the USB stick just type the command.

 

ok thanks i do that once i find time.

 

ok i am having problems with FreeDOS. namely with the start command when using it it says there is no such command. worse is the help command does not work so i have no idea what to do.

Thanks

 

So FreeDOS is already up and running? In that case all you should have to do is to cd into the folder where you stored the flasher and the BIOS image and run the flasher.
If this is where the problem appears there might be something wrong with your FreeDOS.

Some time ago I made a BIOS update of my Dell laptop with FreeDOS following these instructions [1] and then copying Dell's combined flasher+image to the USB key and just running it.

[1] FreeDOS 1.0 USB Boot Image

 

the problem is when ever i try to use the start command it say its there is no such command and i google FreeDOS commands i can find a list of them so im a little stumped.

it might be the download but the only error i get is i could not load the cd drivers because there is no cd drive, which there is not because its a netbook.

i will re-download FreeDOS to see if that works

 

What do you mean by "start command"?
Is it something the BIOS update instructions tell you to execute or is it a command that should be part of the FreeDOS system commands (I know no such command) or are you talking about starting FreeDOS itself from the boot manager?

 

In FreeDOS and Windows, just type in the file name to run it. There is no start command. For example, if your updater exe file is UPDATE.EXE, just type in "UPDATE.EXE" and press Enter.

 

ok that make sense i could have sworn had to use the start command in dos. at lest thats what i use when i right bat files ok thanks i will see if it works.

 

ok it still does not work is say bad command or filemane - "11CA07D0.EXE" but that is the right spelling

i guess it back to downloading

 

Try running just "11CA07D0". That hopefully will work.

Btw, are you sure that the file is called "11CA07D0.EXE"? I just downloaded the BIOS upgrade for your model from Samsung's website and it was named "Win_NC10_11CA07D0.EXE". Just want to make sure .

EDIT: I tried running FreeDOS in a virtual machine and the BIOS updater runs. I renamed it to UPDATE.EXE and just typed in "UPDATE.EXE". It didn't upgrade though, since I don't have an NC10. It's weird how it won't work for you.

 

the WIN_NC10 one is for windows the one i downloaded is for dos. did the win one run at all maybe its the file i dont know.

well i downloaded Freedos again but this time put it on a cd and also a usb to see if that would work (i have a usb cd) both start to boot up but then it it gives me another error pertaining to the bios on my system, the exact thing i need to change go figure.

i have no idea what to do now. any ideas?

thanks

 

Try this guide: Linux On My Samsung • View topic - HOWTO: Update the BIOS/MICOM using DOS

It's specific to your netbook's model, so it should probably work.

 

Thanks it worked perfectly.

the only i have noticed is that they bios take longer to load oh well its worth it to be able to control the brightness of the screen again.

thanks again

 

You're welcome! I'm glad it worked for you.