should I update my BIOS?

  • Thread starter Thread starter naomi
  • Start date Start date
N

naomi

Hi, I recently upgraded my Dell Dimension 8100 from ME to
XP. So far everything is working fine, except for the
printer, which was fixed by changing the port settings in
the BIOS setup. My computer is currently working under
the A06 BIOS revision and I'm wondering if there's any
reason I should upgrade to the XP2 revision.
Thanks, hope this was the right board to post to.
 
Only update the BIOS if:

1) Fixes a problem with installing/accessing software (XP included).

2) Provides more CPU options (faster speeds allowed) or larger hard drives
(160GB 48 bit LBA support).
 
naomi said:
Hi, I recently upgraded my Dell Dimension 8100 from ME to
XP. So far everything is working fine, except for the
printer, which was fixed by changing the port settings in
the BIOS setup. My computer is currently working under
the A06 BIOS revision and I'm wondering if there's any
reason I should upgrade to the XP2 revision.
Thanks, hope this was the right board to post to.
Click to expand...

If you don't know the difference between a BIOS revision and an operating
system service pack (which, incidentally, is still in beta) I'd leave well
alone, dear...
 
Ofcourse you should update your BIOS.
A06 was a pre XP BIOS, the latest is A09 and offers the following fixes from
A06

1. Change the code from stuffing the keyboard buffer to setting a CMOS bit
for Access Direct.
2. Added beep for CTRL-ALT-F8/F10/F12 sequences in POST.
3. Added support for newer Pentium 4 CPU's.
4. Add additional functions to Int 15 Remote Lockout interface.
5. Display "F12 = Network Boot" on POST screen.
6. Fixed potential hang on Restart to MS-DOS w/USB mouse.
7. Alter ACPI S3 handling to better support WindowsXP.
8. Fixed chipset initialization causing printer problems when port is in ECP
mode.
9. Adjust minimum speed threshold for system fan detection.
10. Changed the NIC detect to check for NIC_VENDOR_ID.
11. Fixed possible blue screen error during S3 Standby/resume.
12. Fix various USB issues.
13. Prevent BIOS from writing to user memory during flash updates.
14. Remove invalid IOAPIC support.
15. Updated the BBS/Selectable boot code.
16. Updated USB emulation code.
17. Updated the log event code.
18 Added code to Save and Restore the PCI bridge registers during a S3.
19 Reverted to old LPT strategy.
20. Fixed System Setup "Primary Video Controller" force to AGP with No NIC.
21. Fixed PNP errors when installing dual Barco Cards.
22. Changed the F12 = Network Boot to F12 = Boot Menu.
23. Restart fan-monitoring when returning from a S3 state.


Clayton
 
Given the amount of issues that this bios update fixes, this one is a
no-brainer <g>
 
Back
Top