Bios upgrad through email

[Bonnie]

Hi,
American Megatrends Bios, has an update that I can get
through the email and download, what I would like to know
is this, can this be done with no problems? or does this
take someone who really knows about computers to do this?
I ran a bios questionare to their site, and this is what
was recommended after they saw my results.
Has anyone ever done this type of bios upgrade before.
Thank you for your time
Bonnie

 

[ras]

From what I have read it is probably best not to upgrade the BIOS unless you
are having problems. What I am most leery of is the upgrade is offered via
email? That doesn't sound good. It could be a virus instead and if so
would render your computer useless. You should be able to download the BIOS
upgrade from their website which would be safer. Even though the email says
it's from American Megatrends doesn't mean it actually is. If you are
absolutely sure that you are conversing with someone from there then you are
probably ok. But since you are having problems follow directions and you
should be ok.

 

[John Barnett - MVP]

I would assume that the bios upgrade will come as an attachment to your
email. But before you go down the bios update road let me just give you a
quote " if it ain't broke, don't fix it" Just because american megatrends
say a new bios update is available does not mean to say you have to go ahead
and update your bios. The actual updated part of the bios may not be
necessary for your machine.
Bios updating is better than it used to be, but not for the faint hearted.
You don't only need the bios update you also need the flash utility to flash
the bios in the first place. The flash utility should be available on AM's
website.
Personally i have flashed a pc bios a number of time and all but one have
been successful. The one that wasn't successful left me with a machine that
wouldn't boot at all and needed a new bios chip.
So once again my only question is do you really need the bios update? If not
then don't bother.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

American Megatrends Bios, has an update that I can get
through the email and download, what I would like to know
is this, can this be done with no problems? or does this
take someone who really knows about computers to do this?

It's very easy to do a BIOS upgrade. However, there is always a
risk involved. If something goes wrong while it's in progress
(for example, the power drops) you can be left with no working
BIOS at all.

I ran a bios questionare to their site, and this is what
was recommended after they saw my results.
Has anyone ever done this type of bios upgrade before.

Yes, many of us have. I've done several. But you should be sure
you need it. Don't take the risk just because a new BIOS is
available.

 

[TheCrewser]

You shouldn't update your BIOS unless you are experiencing a specific
problem that the BIOS update addresses. If it ain't broke, don't fix
it.

Good Luck...

GLCrews,MCP

 

[Jim Macklin]

I would be very careful about any update via email. You may
get an email advising that an update is available for ftp
download, if you signed up for such service. But you should
know exactly where you get any such download.

A BIOS or driver update for that matter is recommended to
fix a problem. If you do do a BIOS update, better have a
UPS so there will be no power failure during the process. A
power surge or failure will likely destroy your BIOS and
require a new mobo.


| You shouldn't update your BIOS unless you are experiencing
a specific
| problem that the BIOS update addresses. If it ain't
broke, don't fix
| it.
|
| Good Luck...
|
| GLCrews,MCP
|
|
| On Sun, 7 Dec 2003 10:10:34 -0800, "Bonnie"
|
| >Hi,
| >American Megatrends Bios, has an update that I can get
| >through the email and download, what I would like to know
| >is this, can this be done with no problems? or does this
| >take someone who really knows about computers to do this?
| >I ran a bios questionare to their site, and this is what
| >was recommended after they saw my results.
| >Has anyone ever done this type of bios upgrade before.
| >Thank you for your time
| >Bonnie
|

 

[Michael Stevens]

Hi,
American Megatrends Bios, has an update that I can get
through the email and download, what I would like to know
is this, can this be done with no problems? or does this
take someone who really knows about computers to do this?
I ran a bios questionare to their site, and this is what
was recommended after they saw my results.
Has anyone ever done this type of bios upgrade before.
Thank you for your time
Bonnie

Bonnie,
Is there a reason you are not getting the bios update from the computer or
motherboard manufacturer? BIOS updates should be for the exact make model,
version or motherboard, make model version/revision. If you post the specs
of your system, we may be able to give some advice.
If you need to find out your system specs, download Aida32 System
Information utility. It is a free download for personal use.
--

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://michaelstevenstech.com
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