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routine maintenance
annual check-ups;
You must now look at the workstation as a mechanical device.
- open machine and take a look inside
- clean vents and fan blades
- check manufacturer's website for BIOS update
1. open machine and take a look inside
Open the base unit while the power is turned on.
- Check CPU fan is functioning correctly
- Check case fans
- Check internal connections
2. clean vents and fan blades
Turn of power supply and remove power cable, then detach the front face of John's system. Then use a slightly damp cloth to remove the build-up of dust and other muck that has collected in the front vent.
Place the front face of the case back on and open the side of the base unit. Clean the fan blades using the same cloth. For difficult areas use cotton buds. Reconnect all cables and turn on the system with the case still open to check that the fans still work properly and do not stick. Then close the side of the case.
3. check manufacturer's website for BIOS updates
First you must download the latest BIOS image from the ASUS website. Click here to go to the support downloads page. From here navigate to John's system's motherboard's page. His motherboard is the A8N-E in the socket 939 range.
Click on the Search button and that motherboard's page should appear.
Download the file from the European server and save it to an appropriate directory.
Then click on Start > Programs > Asus > AsusUpdate and select the utility called AsusUpdate.
The Asus update program (which is already installed on John's system) will start up. This is a handy little tool which allows you (the technican) to update the BIOS very easily in a Windows XP interface. Usually when updating a BIOS, you are required to save the BIOS's .BIN file to a floppy disk and select the appropriate options at start-up to flash the ROM. But this program does it all for you, it even downloads the latest BIOS update for you if you wish it to.
First you must select update method...
Because we have the BIOS update already downloaded, select Update BIOS from file and click Next. A 'Browse' window will appear, navigate to the directory where you downloaded the BIOS to. Select the BIOS Image and press [OK].
Then ASUSUpdate will display the details of the BIOS Image and will ask you if you wish to flash it to the ROM.
Flash it and then restart the system.
That concludes the annual check-ups for John's system. Click here for a printable 'Procedure Checklist' to help you record this maintenance work.
Click next to view the troubleshooting strategy...