Member Avatar for hetixo

Hi

Am trying to update Bios on computer and have been to the manufacturer's site to get file and it's an exe file. The instructions said to extract the .exe file, and I get a bin file that says default program to open it with is VLC also. PowerIso won't open it saying it's an unsupported file format. I've gone to file types and changed the file extension to PowerIso but the icon remains as a VLC file but with the new bin file extension.

Any ideas how to go about rectifying this?

Bios update file is NF728.exe
Windows XP

Thanks in advance

Hetixo

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Short diagnosis and why was on the right track: the NF728.exe you have is a vendor self‑extracting BIOS update (it typically contains a firmware .bin plus a flasher and a README). The .bin showing a VLC icon is just Windows using VLC as the default program for that extension — an icon/association, not a change to the file itself. PowerISO complaining is also normal: tools like PowerISO expect disc-image formats and won’t necessarily be able to treat a firmware .bin as a CD/DVD image. (techspot.com)

How to inspect the package safely without running anything: do not double‑click to execute the EXE. Use an archive tool such as 7‑Zip to open the .exe as an archive and extract its contents to a folder (right‑click → 7‑Zip → Open archive / Extract). Look for a README and the actual flasher utility and .bin image. If you decide to flash, follow the board’s README exactly — most older boards prefer a DOS/floppy or BIOS/UEFI update method rather than a Windows flasher. (documentation.help)

Fixing the VLC association (Windows XP): change the default program via Control Panel → Appearance and Themes → Folder Options → File Types, or right‑click the .bin → Open with → Choose default program. Do not “convert” the file by renaming the extension to something else; that does not change file contents and can cause confusion. If file associations changed unexpectedly, run a current AV/malware scan before proceeding. (lifewire.com)

Final caution: only flash the BIOS if the update fixes a real issue you need fixed. Flashing with the wrong file, during a power loss, or using the wrong method can brick the board. If anything is unclear after extracting the files, post the extracted filenames (do not attach the BIOS image itself) and someone can confirm the correct procedure. (tomshardware.com)

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Member Avatar for caperjack

hi, a link to the file ,and i could download it see what file type it unzips as for me

Member Avatar for caperjack

i downloaded it and not a zip file its a .exe ,no bin file anywhere !,click on it and it wanted me to run it . that is where i have to stop and i don't want to risk it changing something on me.i use win7.
might i ask why you are trying to update your bios .what problem are you having that it will fix

Edited by caperjack because: n/a
Member Avatar for caperjack

It may be that a virus has changed your computers defaults for opening certain file types .


i just put it in a winxp computer ,clicked on the downloaded file and it on packed about 5 files including the utility to install the flash with a floppy drive ,
unless the update will fix a problem you are having ,i would leave it alone ,if the flash goes bad it could render you motherboard useless'

A how to from link in your posted link .
im sure you already seen it but just in case you missed it


http://www.abit.com.tw/page/en/download/guide.php

Edited by caperjack because: n/a
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