Updating the BIOS, Chipset, etc.

[Richie NY]

How important is it to update the BIOS?
Is it important to check for updates frequently?

And with that old saying in mind "If it ain't broke don't
fix it", does this apply?

I know that Intel provides a utility telling you your
processor and version. But I'm just concerned with issues
following installing those particular upgrades.

 

[R. McCarty]

BIOS Flash updates aren't mandatory. Usually, a running
patch history or Readme.Txt details changes. In a high %
of cases, a flash is only required when you experience a
problem that is resolved by a later revision flash. The one
situation where it has merit is in upgrading from a 9X/ME
OS to XP. Because of ACPI compliancy, you should get
the latest BIOS flash for the machine, prior to updating.
Historically, BIOS Flashing could be dangerous. I myself
"Killed" a MB once by incorrectly updating the BIOS.
Today Flashing utilities check for matching Part to Binary
code modules to prevent accidentally burning the wrong code.
Sometimes a newer Flash may introduce problems/issues
that weren't present in the previous revision. Because of
that you should always have a copy/backup of your current
BIOS flash module, in case you need to revert back.

 

[Leythos]

BIOS Flash updates aren't mandatory. Usually, a running
patch history or Readme.Txt details changes. In a high %
of cases, a flash is only required when you experience a
problem that is resolved by a later revision flash. The one
situation where it has merit is in upgrading from a 9X/ME
OS to XP. Because of ACPI compliancy, you should get
the latest BIOS flash for the machine, prior to updating.
Historically, BIOS Flashing could be dangerous. I myself
"Killed" a MB once by incorrectly updating the BIOS.
Today Flashing utilities check for matching Part to Binary
code modules to prevent accidentally burning the wrong code.
Sometimes a newer Flash may introduce problems/issues
that weren't present in the previous revision. Because of
that you should always have a copy/backup of your current
BIOS flash module, in case you need to revert back.

I would hazard a guess that I've flashed more than 3000 BIOS updates in
my years and never had one go bad. Almost every time it was to get
hardware updates or fixes to flaws in the system. When it came time to
install SP2 for XP on a bunch of Dell's, I checked Dell's site and found
that most of the systems needed an updated BIOS, flashed, not one
problem, install of SP2 was simple and smooth.

There are more BIOS's than just the motherboard, many tape drives and
even SCSI controllers have flashable BIOS chips.

I make a habit of waiting until I see a report about a BIOS, in
newsgroups, and how others are being impacted, before I install a new
BIOS, and it's been a good method all these years.

 

[Richie NY]

Well taken, I will leave things as they are, thanks.

 

[R. McCarty]

Good point about other types of flashing. Just a few days ago
I helped someone who could not write image modules to his
LG DVD-RW unit. We located a new flash and after the burn
he was able to complete his imaging.

 

[Junxiu Lee]

You have to try updating the BIOS if you have some hardware upgrades which
are not recognized exactly.

--
Regards,
Junxiu Lee
http://blog.mvpcn.net/junx_lee/

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties.
Please respond to newsgroups only ...

 

[Jim Macklin]

Even a simple flash card reader (Lexar USB 2.0 Multi ) has a
flash to allow the 512 MB xD cards to read. (New stock on
shelves already has this built-in)


message
| Good point about other types of flashing. Just a few days
ago
| I helped someone who could not write image modules to his
| LG DVD-RW unit. We located a new flash and after the burn
| he was able to complete his imaging.
|
|
| > In article
| > (e-mail address removed) says...
| >> BIOS Flash updates aren't mandatory. Usually, a running
| >> patch history or Readme.Txt details changes. In a high
%
| >> of cases, a flash is only required when you experience
a
| >> problem that is resolved by a later revision flash. The
one
| >> situation where it has merit is in upgrading from a
9X/ME
| >> OS to XP. Because of ACPI compliancy, you should get
| >> the latest BIOS flash for the machine, prior to
updating.
| >> Historically, BIOS Flashing could be dangerous. I
myself
| >> "Killed" a MB once by incorrectly updating the BIOS.
| >> Today Flashing utilities check for matching Part to
Binary
| >> code modules to prevent accidentally burning the wrong
code.
| >> Sometimes a newer Flash may introduce problems/issues
| >> that weren't present in the previous revision. Because
of
| >> that you should always have a copy/backup of your
current
| >> BIOS flash module, in case you need to revert back.
| >
| > I would hazard a guess that I've flashed more than 3000
BIOS updates in
| > my years and never had one go bad. Almost every time it
was to get
| > hardware updates or fixes to flaws in the system. When
it came time to
| > install SP2 for XP on a bunch of Dell's, I checked
Dell's site and found
| > that most of the systems needed an updated BIOS,
flashed, not one
| > problem, install of SP2 was simple and smooth.
| >
| > There are more BIOS's than just the motherboard, many
tape drives and
| > even SCSI controllers have flashable BIOS chips.
| >
| > I make a habit of waiting until I see a report about a
BIOS, in
| > newsgroups, and how others are being impacted, before I
install a new
| > BIOS, and it's been a good method all these years.
| >
| > --
| > --
| > (e-mail address removed)
| > (Remove 999 to reply to me)
|
|

 

[Bruce Chambers]

How important is it to update the BIOS?
Is it important to check for updates frequently?

It's rarely necessary to update a BIOS unless you need a newer version
to fix a specific problem you're experiencing, or to provide
compatibility with new technologies or a newer OS.

And with that old saying in mind "If it ain't broke don't
fix it", does this apply?

More so concerning the BIOS than anywhere else. Given the great
potential that a botched BIOS-flash has for rendering a motherboard
completely and permanently useless, this is not something that should be
considered just so one can have the "newest and shiniest."

I know that Intel provides a utility telling you your
processor and version. But I'm just concerned with issues
following installing those particular upgrades.

Secondly, while Intel may have "published" newer BIOS revisions
that are labeled as applying to your general motherboard model, this
doesn't necessarily mean that these revisions are applicable to your
system, if you have a branded OEM installation. Many computer
manufacturers (especially HP, Compaq, Sony, eMachines) need specifically
customized BIOSs to work with the rest of their proprietary hardware
components. If you have an OEM computer, you should not even think
about using a BIOS revision that has not been specifically recommended
and provided by your computer's manufacturer.


--

Bruce Chambers

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