DOS Flash (FLASHBIN.EXE)

DOS Flash (flashbin.exe, flsh.cpu) is the DOS compatible version of the  
system BIOS upgrade utility. DOS Flash is compatible with the limited DOS
memory available and the protected mode environment that may exist while 
running Altiris eXpress.  Flsh.cpu is the driver for flshbin.exe, and must
be placed in the same directory as flashbin.exe. DOS Flash requires 
standard binary image files which will be supplied with normal BIOS 
releases for systems that support DOS Flash. DOS Flash will report that it
 is not compatible with the system if the BIOS does not support it. The 
command line for DOS Flash is as follows: "flashbin".

DOS Flash can update a system BIOS without requiring the administrator to enter 
a Setup Password if the unit has not already been assigned a Setup Password.  
However, if a Setup Password is set on the target, then DOS Flash will require 
password verification before allowing a BIOS update.  

Assign Password (assignpw.exe) can be used with DOS Flash if a Setup Password 
has been previously set on the target system.  To assign a password to DOS 
Flash, change directories to the directory that contains flashbin.exe and 
flsh.cpu and type "assignpw flsh.cpu". You will be prompted to type in the 
password. Press RETURN after you have typed in the password.  You may use the 
BACKSPACE key to correct mistakes. You will then be prompted to confirm the 
password that you just entered. Pressing ENTER before any password keys have 
been typed in will unassign the previously assigned password. You may need to 
do this if the Setup Password is deleted from the client machines. To assign a 
new password, just run the Assign Password utility again.

If the DOS Flash is being deployed to units from Altiris, the password 
assignment must be done at the Altiris eXpress server. If a Setup Password 
has been assigned to DOS Flash, that password must be set on each client 
machine before DOS Flash can be used to upgrade the system BIOS.


Media Choices with DOS Flash

DOS Flash can be executed from any media that can execute DOS.  Typically, 
DOS Flash is executed from a legacy floppy, a USB floppy, or a USB flash 
media device.

1) To use these utilities on a Legacy or USB diskette drive, execute the 
following steps:
	a.  Create or reuse bootable diskette
	b.  Copy the SoftPaq programs unbundled onto the diskette
	c.  Reboot the system with the diskette installed in the
	    legacy or USB drive
	d.  Execute the utility desired as in the previous instructions

2) To use these utilities on a USB flash media device:
	a.  Create or reuse bootable USB flash media device (see DOSFM.TXT)
	b.  Copy the SoftPaq programs unbundled to the DOS Flash directory 
            onto the USB flash media device
	c.  Boot the system to the USB flash media device
	d.  Execute the utility desired as in the previous instructions

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Copyright (c) 2010-2011 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.