When to update BIOS???

[Beejaysoo]

I checked the System Summary for my Toshiba P200 Satelite Notebook and the
BIOS is listed as version V1.40. Toshiba are presently showing BIOS version
V1.70 as the present version for the P200. Should I be upgrading? Any other
insight as to why I should, should not, or don't need to, would be
appreciated. I don't think I have ever updated BIOS on a computer before.

Thanks,

bj

 

[Kerry Brown]

Any time you flash a BIOS there is a chance of turning the motherboard into
a brick. The chances are low if take the right precautions but it does
happen. I've flashed hundreds of BIOS' and I have seen two bricked
motherboards. Whether or not to flash the BIOS depends on your aversion to
this risk vs. your need for the bug fixes or new features in the newer BIOS.

 

[Andre Da Costa[ActiveWin]]

Update your BIOS if it is required or your operating system reports an issue
that might need you to have the latest version of your BIOS installed.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I checked the System Summary for my Toshiba P200 Satelite Notebook and the
BIOS is listed as version V1.40. Toshiba are presently showing BIOS version
V1.70 as the present version for the P200. Should I be upgrading?

Are you experiencing any problems that would be specifically addressed
by the BIOS update? If not, there's no reason to update it.

Any other
insight as to why I should, should not, or don't need to, would be
appreciated.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

I don't think I have ever updated BIOS on a computer before.

All the more reason not to updatge the BIOS "just because...."


--

Bruce Chambers

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killed a great many philosophers.
~ Denis Diderot

 

[philo]

I checked the System Summary for my Toshiba P200 Satelite Notebook and the
BIOS is listed as version V1.40. Toshiba are presently showing BIOS version
V1.70 as the present version for the P200. Should I be upgrading? Any other
insight as to why I should, should not, or don't need to, would be
appreciated. I don't think I have ever updated BIOS on a computer before.

Thanks,

bj

Do NOT even think about updating your bios unless the new version offers
specific features that you need
and are not present in your current bios

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I checked the System Summary for my Toshiba P200 Satelite Notebook and the
BIOS is listed as version V1.40. Toshiba are presently showing BIOS version
V1.70 as the present version for the P200. Should I be upgrading?

No!


Any other
insight as to why I should, should not, or don't need to, would be
appreciated. I don't think I have ever updated BIOS on a computer before.

Good! Do not update the BIOS because a newer one is available. Do so
only if the new one provides support for some hardware that you need.

Updating the BIOS always entails risk. Don't do it unless you need to.

 

[Guest]

I Update My BIOS Anytime A New BIOS Update Comes Out, Just FYI. Be Warned,
However, That This Is Something That A Computer Newbie Should Not Attempt To
Update Without Help From A Computer Geek Or A Computer Nerd Like Myself,
Just FYI.

 

[MICHAEL]

Kevin,

I'm not sure if I would trust you to pour me a glass of water.


-Michael

 

[Guest]

Hey, I Happen To Be A Natural Expert At Updating My BIOS, Installing Windows
Vista Service Pack One Public Beta, And Installing Windows Server 2008
Public Beta. The Only Thing That I Am A Novice At Is Open Source Linux
Ubuntu, Which Is Why I Returned To Using Microsoft Windows Vista Service
Pack One Build 668 Public Beta And Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 1 Build
735 Public Beta Full Time, Just FYI.

 

[MICHAEL]

Since you are a natural expert, I do believe you deserve
to be an MVP. Shall I help you campaign to get what you
so naturally deserve? Microsoft just doesn't understand
your natural born technological skills. That's a shame.

Perhaps, the one thing keeping you from getting that
coveted MVP award, is your capitalization of the first
letter in each word.... they may not be able to read your
posts properly and figure it's just gibberish. I really think
that is the reason. You, Kevin, are in a position to control
your own destiny and obtain that MVP award... just resist that
natural born idiotic tendency. Then, Microsoft will take notice
of your other natural born gifts. You *can* do it and will be
rewarded for your efforts. I believe in you, Kevin, and so will
Microsoft once they are able to read your posts.


-Michael

 

[Charlie Tame]

Do I detect a slight hint of sarcasm here ?

Since you are a natural expert, I do believe you deserve
to be an MVP. Shall I help you campaign to get what you
so naturally deserve? Microsoft just doesn't understand
your natural born technological skills. That's a shame.

Perhaps, the one thing keeping you from getting that
coveted MVP award, is your capitalization of the first
letter in each word.... they may not be able to read your
posts properly and figure it's just gibberish. I really think
that is the reason. You, Kevin, are in a position to control
your own destiny and obtain that MVP award... just resist that
natural born idiotic tendency. Then, Microsoft will take notice
of your other natural born gifts. You *can* do it and will be
rewarded for your efforts. I believe in you, Kevin, and so will
Microsoft once they are able to read your posts.


-Michael

 

[ato_zee]

I checked the System Summary for my Toshiba P200 Satelite Notebook and the

BIOS is listed as version V1.40. Toshiba are presently showing BIOS
version
V1.70 as the present version for the P200. Should I be upgrading? Any
other
insight as to why I should, should not, or don't need to, would be
appreciated. I don't think I have ever updated BIOS on a computer before.

The general consensus is if it's working fine don't update it.
The download site should list what the BIOS update fixes.
A bad flash can destroy a laptop.
Often a desktop will survive if it has a crash free BIOS and
you have backed up the old BIOS, or it came on the boards
support CD.
So it's the old motto, if it ain't broke don't fix it.
The notebooks manual, support CD, and flash utility should
say what you can and can't do, and if you can recover from
a bad flash.

 

[Andrew Rossmann]

Update your BIOS if it is required or your operating system reports an issue
that might need you to have the latest version of your BIOS installed.

One major problem may be figuring out just WHAT is new or fixed. I
recently updated the BIOS in my Dell XPS410. It was listed as 'urgent',
but so far I have not found any readme file.

The only issue I had was with iTunes. After the update, when I went to
sync, it deleted all the protected files from my iPod with the complaint
I was not authorized. Oddly, I could play the files fine on the
computer. I ended up just reauthorizing the computer (it still shows
only 1 authorized), and it then synced up fine.

 

[Andrew Rossmann]

I Update My BIOS Anytime A New BIOS Update Comes Out, Just FYI. Be Warned,
However, That This Is Something That A Computer Newbie Should Not Attempt To
Update Without Help From A Computer Geek Or A Computer Nerd Like Myself,
Just FYI.

POSTS WRITTEN LIKE A NEWSPAPER TITLE WITH EVERY FIRST LETTER CAPITALIZED
ARE WORSE THAN POSTS THAT ARE ALL UPPERCASE!

 

[MICHAEL]

Just a bit. ;-)

Do I detect a slight hint of sarcasm here ?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

One major problem may be figuring out just WHAT is new or fixed.

Although that may be true, it seldom matters. There's no need to even
consider a BIOS update unless you're having a problem, and unless you
know that the update fixes it.

I
recently updated the BIOS in my Dell XPS410. It was listed as 'urgent',
but so far I have not found any readme file.

I'm glad you were successful, but not everyone is. BIOS updates are
inherently risky, and should be avoided whenever possible. A sudden
loss of power while it's taking place can ruin the BIOS entirely, as
can accidentally using the improper update file.

 

[the wharf rat]

Since you are a natural expert, I do believe you deserve
to be an MVP. Shall I help you campaign to get what you

What exactly do you need to do to become an MVP?

 

[MICHAEL]

What exactly do you need to do to become an MVP?

I'm not touching that one. ;-)


-Michael

 

[Charlie Tame]

POSTS WRITTEN LIKE A NEWSPAPER TITLE WITH EVERY FIRST LETTER CAPITALIZED
ARE WORSE THAN POSTS THAT ARE ALL UPPERCASE!

tHat iS PureLy peRsonal pReferEnce.

 

[Charlie Tame]

What exactly do you need to do to become an MVP?

You need to help users, not insult them which writes off many here. It
is not a matter of "Sucking up" to Microsoft, it is to do with
recognition by peers, and I am sorry but I have recently had to voice
criticisms of some Microsoft business decisions and of some here who
treat customers as if they have no brains, so be it, Microsoft do appear
to recognize intent.