Once again, I'm confused by tech support and need a simple answer in simple terms. I mentioned to tech support about the problems I was having with artifacts etc and they asked if I'd flashed the bios at all since getting the machine. It led me to wonder...

Should I update the bios? Why bother if everything's working ok? I mean, getting rid of that annoying beep is a good thing... but other than that, should I bother? And what is the latest bios flash available for the 8890s?

Thanks guys

When I had artifacting problems with my old 8890, installing the bios listed on this fourm seemed to help a little. If you have the same problem as I did though you need it to be be replaced. The bios that they sent me (more updated than the ones on this page) seemed to make it worse again.

By the way what are your problems exactly, it would be bad if so many shipped with the same problems...

Hello,

you can take a look on this thread (my post) :
http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=19910

but nobody wanted to share or email the new bios to other members (help each other is Internet but not for every one !).

If you find a bios update ? Please let me know (i'll make a boot floppy image and share it).

Well Sager tech support sent me a confusing email...

------
Hi, you may updated the system BIOS.

Please download the attached file.
Unzip the file to a MS-DOS bootable floppy disk.
Use the bootable disk to boot the computer disk with AC power.
The autoexec.bat will start flashing the system bios automatically.

After the system bios flashed, please load the default settings in the CMOS
setup.

You may obtain a DOS 6.22 boot disk from
http://www.bootdisk.info/modules.php...itle=Dos_v6.22

Delete all the files except the IO.SYS, the MSDOS.SYS and the COMMAND.COM.
-----

He sent a broken link and I'm not sure why I need a DOS boot disk anyway. And I haven't opened the file he attatched either - I don't have a floppy Just wondering what to make of all of this...

You do need a dos boot disk to launch the bios program. Make sure to uncheck hide system files under Tools > System options and then the view tab under any folder window like My computer or whatever.

You can get a bootdisk for dos 6.22 on this page.
http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

I don't think it matters what you download because all you need are those three files to give the floppy a little operating system so it can launch the bios program.

So make a boot disk with the program you get from that site, delete the extra files, and put the bios program on there. Restart your computer with the floppy in it and make sure the power is on and it should flash the bios automatically.

When you are finished and the computer restarts, press F2 to go into the bios settings and press the button to reset the settings.

While flashing the bios to the latest thing is a good thing to do (if something doesn't go terribly wrong that is) if you have a similar problem to mine it won't do a thing, I think it's a default thing that they say to people with artifacting to prolong the long and evil process that will eventually lead to you having to get sent a new computer.

You recieved your bios update attached in your email and you need this boot floppy disk because it's the only simple way to flash your notebook bios.

If you don't have floppy, it's more difficult.

I made for a friend 2 months ago a boot CD based on the same way : flashing his bios (a Gigabyte motherboard) because he don't have any floppy drive and it works.

I think it is possible to make one for 8890 bios update, i will take a look tomorrow to make one with 1.0.0.6 T1 bios (the latest i flashed on my 8890).

Unless I am greatly mistaken, any variant of the D800P (the Clevo model that translates to the NP8890) indeed has a floppy drive, as they are built in internally.

Perchance Pyrobob83 meant he had no floppy disc?

Regardless, creating a bootable CD image from the floppy image is a fairly innocuous process. Just think it may not be called for in this instance.

I have got artifacts on my 8890, for however long i owned it. When is the right time to start complaining to Sager, though? Even with the Omega drivers. BTW Call of Duty has no artifacts on my machine.

I think it is a problem with the machine you own. Mine had unbearable artifacting on almost all of my games (only one didn't have issues) and after I got it replaced I have had no problems with artifacting in any games whatsoever unless I use Radlinker or something to overclock.

You're right. I have the drive, just not a disc available. I'll have to pop into the antiques store and see if they have any...

So it's not so bad

Do you know the bios version you recieved ??

Could you share it ? Or email me ( lisdonccecourrier@hotmail.com ), i'll made a boot floppy image

Thanks

The name of the file is 889bv9t1.zip which means nothing to me. I was going to open it, but I'm at work and Hotmail's virus scanner said it couldn't be scanned because it's password protected. Better not risk it at work.

So it is the 1.0.0.9 T1 bios version you recieved : fine !!

It's a file password protected in your attachment so this is not a problem (all antivirus can't read it cause they don't have the password : no risk).

This thread is quite helpful :
http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?t=11857

If you want, i can make a self extract boot floppy image with your bios version and email it to you.

Thanks, I can probably make one myself, but in the end, I still need the floppy disc itself... right? In theory all I do is get a DOS bootdisk from that site mentioned earlier - delete all the files except for the ones mentioned in the tech support email - then extract the zip to the floppy - then restart with the floppy in the drive.

Correct me if that's an incorrect sequence. If you want this version of the bios (ie - you don't already have it), I can still email it to you.