What is BIOS flashing and why do it ?

[paul.waters]

I have an PCChips 810LMR. Not sure of the BIOS version, have the set up disk so could probably find it on there. I keep reading about guys (ooops ... and girsl) flahing the BIOS. Why do it? If it is beneficial, how do you do it .... I'm new at this so appologies if it's a stupid question.

[Bovon]

Paul, no question is stupid. The very fact that you asked prior to "just doing it" indicates integrity on your part.

A bios (in case you don't quite have a handle on it just yet) is some software that is stored in a chip on the motherboard. There are some setting there that can be changed by the user to tweak his/her system. Say for instance, someone wants to overclock the system, he/she may want to do some settings changes that will help run the processor at a higher speed ect. Older motherboards will not recognize some of the recent, bigger hard drives ect. This can be the time for an updated bios, where newer software for the bios has some settings that will allow more features, recognise the larger hard drives, ect.

The bios tells the computer (cpu ect) where and what all you have installed. This little bit of software stored in the chip and kept alive with a small battery, informs your computer who it is, what it is, where everything is at..and gets it started toward loading your OS from the hard drive. Every time you turn the computer on, it must relearn all of this.

The BIOS is an acronym for Basic Input/Output System

Most people never need to flash their bios with later software versions...unless they keep that old motherboard long enough, and recent inovations coming out require a later bios software to use it.

To flash a bios, a user downloads the new bios software from the board manufacturer...a flash program to actually perform the flash...a simple (not system, Win9x) boot disk to get to a clean A:\ prompt. Now, with a boot disk with the new bios software and flash utility included on the disk, you put the disk in the A: drive, turn the machine on, boot to an A:\ prompt...then type in certain commands and when the process is over and successfull, you will have an updated bios software

[rextex]

The bios flashing is to install new code to the bios chip.It is in essence the software the bios uses.Actually the bios is called "firmware".It is something that sits between the hardware of a system and the software (mainly the Operating System) more or less.
The bios chip is coded by the manufacturer of the motherboard with a bios manufacturer's code.
That code is altered to suit the motherboard in particular.
When features change or a "bug" or incompatibility is found the bios code can be updated.
But only if the type of chip originally used is capable of recieving new code by the "flash" method.
Some old motherboards have an earlier type of chip that cannot do that.
In that case the bios chip itself has to be removed from the motherboard and reprogrammed by a special machine,or more likely, a newer chip installed.

Flashing the bios is useful if done properly.
But it must be undertaken VERY carefully.It is not usually recommended to do so without some good help if you are not very technically oriented.And it is also not always necessary to update if your system is working just fine as is.
But if you are careful, it can be done relatively simply.
You just have to read the instructions analytically.
The type of code used must be put into a binary file with a .bin extension and it is placed with the "flash"-er program on floppy disk.
Sometimes the method may even involve using no monitor video
at all.Just waiting for the proper prompts from the floppy drive light!This might also be the case if your bios fails and you have to recover.But most times you get video - so don't let me scare you off by this!
I'm just saying you should be prepared if you do so.If anything goes wrong you could be stuck for awhile, but most times if there is a problem the bios flash just won't take and you'll have the same bios you began with.

Last note: Just be sure you have the right bios version.
:D
-(p.s. i think i like Bovon's explaination better!)

[paul.waters]

I'm one of those people that love trying ...... I built the PC I'm using now from reading articles etc. I've only had the mobo for about 2 months so I guess the BIOS should be pretty up to date. Thanks for the info and thanks also for not giving me any stick .... While I'm on, can I check the BIOS version without doing anything too technical. I'm using 98SE.

[Lycia]

A good example of why to flash a bios:

I bought the MSI K7T266 Pro2 motherboard. Out of the box it supports the Duron/T-Bird/XP to 2000. With a bios flash it will support the XP2100 and later CPUs as they are released, or however long MSI feels the need to support the motherboard, which I hope will be for a bit.

Reason not to Flash: If your system is running fine.

[Bovon]

Paul, you are getting some good advice today. A flash is not to be taken lightly...there are things that can go wrong, which can leave your board very dead. Before attempting to do a flash, read all you can about the process and follow good set rules. Recently here at SysOpt, we helped one guy thru a successfull flash...there was good discussions in the thread on how toos, what to do, when...and what not to do, ever. It may benefit you to read over the thread and links to get yourself better educated.

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=98927

[paul.waters]

Soted. Will do just as you say and read the link before even thinking about doing anything else. Thanks everyone for the help.
Signiong off for the night. Will check in again tomorrow ..... better educated I hope. (This is getting to be addictive ...):D

[nimrod]

is there a bios update for this board?. The only problem ive encountered is with putting a geforce 2 ti in with latest drivers, and winxp giving me jip. using 83b install disk. however, ive run maybe 200 of these boards with processors from 800durons to 1800xp's and all run great. if you dont need a particular "fix" id leave alone. I must admit, to date, fingers crossed ive never had a bios update go wrong, as long as you follow the instructions to the letter, so best of luck. if all goes pear shaped you havent lost a Vexpensive board

[arkie]

I flashed the BIOS on my 5 year old IBM one time. It was necessary to update so I could install a CD-RW drive. Otherwise I would have never attempted it.

Caution! You may go "dead in the water" if you was to have a power failure while you are flashing the BIOS. I mean dead! From what IBM's instructions says it could require major repairs.

Where I live power failures can happen at any time.

Flash only if you have no other choice.

:)

[bushmaster]

I heard flashing your bios is a felony in some states :D