BIOS Flashing - A "How To ~ Qflash Guide"

[Lsdmeasap]

Are you SURE you are trying the correct BIOS for your board model and revision? Here is the exact page you should be using >>>
GIGABYTE - Support - Motherboard - BIOS - GA-EP35C-DS3R (rev. 2.1)

*EDIT*
I guess you cannot go wrong as there is only one revision, so ignore that thought

When do you see this error? And are you sure it is not a error after the flash that says BIOS CheckSum error? If it is After the flash that is normal and you just go in and load optimized defaults. If it is before the flash then yeah you have a issue, with either your ram or your USB stick

What you can do is make a FAT32 partition on the end (Right side) of your hard drive and flash from there with Qflash. Here is a freeware Partition program if you want to do this. BE SURE you move ONLY the RIGHT Side of the disk, not from the left >>>
Download EASEUS Partition Manager, EASEUS Partition Manager 2.0 Download

Here is a Little walk thru I made with this program for another member to do the same >>>
Two questions pertaining to my GA-X38-DQ6 motherboard.

Is your ram memtest86+ stable? If it is not then that is why >>>
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

Are you loading Optimized defaults and setting ram voltages before trying to flash? If not please do so, you may also want to use only one stick of ram while you flash

[Nova Phoenix]

Lsdmeasap, what is your opinion on using a beta BIOS? Is it a good idea or it can it only lead to headaches?
My mobo's latest BIOS is a beta: f6a for the gigabyte ga-ex38-ds4.

[Lsdmeasap]

It is really up to you, you may want to try it out. Beta's are not for those who do not like to flash. If you are not worried about a flash then try it out. Sometimes they work great, sometimes not.

Your can always flash back if you do not like it, be sure to load optimized defaults and apply after the flash, and reboot back to the BIOS to set your disk settings again before you load windows.

BIOS is a "If it aint broke, don't fix it" type of things really, so unless you dont mind a flash then you should not update unless you see a new BIOS that directly addresses a issue you are having, or you are having general issues with the one you are using now.

So, all in all, up to you. I have used them, some great, some not so great

[Nova Phoenix]

Thanks for the tip. It would help my decision to flash/not flash if I knew what the EX38-DS4's F6a bios improved upon, if anything.

[Lsdmeasap]

I am not sure, The place where I find info about what the beta's provide still has it in testing, it is not gigabyte though. What issues if any do you know of for that board?

I am not aware of any, so likely it is just a beta to test in the process of supporting more CPU's which is what I see on the CPU Support list. Many of the New CPU's are only supported by this beta, so that is likely all they are attempting to fix as far as I know.

[Nova Phoenix]

The last issue I knew of was fixing the ICH9R thing of the board. This however was done in F5, the current BIOS I'm using, and not the latest release, F6a. If all the latter does is allow support for more CPUs then it isn't worth it.

[Lsdmeasap]

Ya, if you are fine with F5 then keep it until F6 is final. There may be some additional things being addressed with it but I am not aware of any.

Since you are having no issues best to wait so you dont end up not liking it, wasting your time and loosing your settings, and having to flash back.

[Nova Phoenix]

I'm not an admin here, but mate, I'm fairly sure a post who's only and entire purpose is to advertise is not looked kindly upon! Don't do it again!

[Lsdmeasap]

HAHA

Who you talking to? Or has the spammer already been zapped?

[Nova Phoenix]

Already zapped by the looks of it.

UPDATE: Stable with EX38-DS4's F6a BIOS. Flashed it exactly as instructed too! :)