bios upgrading

[Guest]

What is flash upgrading.. can it be done... Is it easy... Does it cost anything

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Terri;
Check with the manufacturer of your motherboard/computer or your manual.
They will have your specific details.
The BIOS has everything to do with the motherboard and nothing to do with
Windows.

 

[DJ Borell]

If you aren't aware, the BIOS is the "software" that runs when you first
power-up your system and forms the basis for how everything operates. In a
nutshell, it "tells" your computer where everything is, how to access it and
how to operate. Without a BIOS, your computer won't function.

Having said that, the info stored in the BIOS can be updated and sometimes
*needs* to be updated. This is done by means of "flashing" it. "Flashing"
your BIOS refers to updating the software that is stored in your CMOS.
Essentially, the process overwrites the current information and rewrites the
new information. This doesn't cost anything except in terms of time.
You'll need to download the latest BIOS from your motherboard's manufacturer
and install it.

However, there is a caveat. Flashing your BIOS is a risky procedure. If it
fails, it can leave your computer completely useless and, in many instances,
irreparable. It is usually recommended that you *not* update your BIOS
unless you are experiencing some problem which is resolved by the update or
the BIOS update introduces new functionality that you need (such as support
for new hardware.)

As far as doing it, it's a very straightforward process and your board
manufacturer's website should list instructions for performing the
operation.

 

[Rodney Kelp]

Not a good idea for novice computer users. If you flash the wrong program or
have a power failure during the process your computer can be destroyed.
Sometimes the flash will just make the eprom fail.
Do only if necessary.

 

[Guest]

ok I understand that something can go wrong but I need to do it. How do I do
it at no cost to me. When I go to the manufacturer they want to charge me
59.99 to upgrade. help

 

[DJ Borell]

No, either you're misunderstanding or you aren't looking at what you believe
you're looking at. The BIOS update is simply software that you need to
download. If you know what your motherboard is, post it here and either I,
or whomever gets to it first, will try to find the link for you.

If you don't mind, why is it that you believe it needs to be done?

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Terri

You are being asked to update your BIOS because the program sponsor will
receive $60 if you do..

As I said in another of your posts, if memory is your ONLY problem, do NOT
upgrade the system BIOS..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/user

 

[Guest]

on one of the programs i ran it states that my bios is old. It states "A
SMBIOS/DMI 2.3 or later compliant bios is recommended." Check for bios
update.
How should I take this.

 

[DJ Borell]

If you're using SiSoftware Sandra, it will *always* tell you to upgrade to
the latest BIOS version, regardless of what you're running.

The determining factor in upgrading your BIOS is;

1) Your system is doing / not doing something you want to stop / start
2) The latest BIOS released by your board manufacturer addresses #1.

There is really no other reason to update your BIOS.

Indiscriminately updating your BIOS will go fine probably 98% of the time.
But that 2% that goes bad...goes permanently bad. If you aren't prepared to
take that risk, leave your BIOS alone.