BIOS - how do I flash upgrade ?

[Phil K]

I am using a Gigabyte G5-AX motherboard and as I cant seem to upgrade to WinME without every single prog crashing due to kernel32.dll or "error in unknown" I felt that an upgrade in Bios might do it. But obviously I don't want to bugger things up. So can anyone tell me how to go about it ? I downloaded a flash upgrade and it seemed to run from dos but I didn''t know where to start !

[Paleo Pete]

I doubt if it's BIOS causing trouble, more likely it's ME. If you'll take a look around the forums you'll find that ME does not have a very good reputation, especially the upgrade. The full install seems to be much mopre stable, although still not generally considered a step up from win 98. Upgrading often is nothing but trouble, as you seem to be finding out. My advice would be stay with win98, at least it works, and without all the compatibility problems ME also seems to have. (Ask a few of these guys about games under ME...) Usually a BIOS flash is more oriented toward support for newer or more advanced hardware, rather than Operating Systems. If the BIOS update does not specifically say it will add support for ME it probably won't make a difference in the performance of the OS.

BIOS flash...that's a very hazardous undertaking. Unless you know what you're doing and are absolutely certain it is necessary, I would advise you not to try it. If you're sure it will be advantageous, such as allowing support for faster CPU or newer hard drive types, it might be a goo didea to take it to a reputable computer shop and let them do it. Be sure and check them out first, you want to take it to someone with an excellent reputation.

Check the website where you downloaded the BIOS update, they should have instructions posted, basically you run the flash utility for your BIOS, save the old BIOS, and install the new one, but all of it is done in DOS, not Windows. Not advisable unless you know how to use DOS...The main thing to remember is NEVER turn the power off until you get a successful flash.

Maybe someone else will have better and more complete instructions for the actual flash procedure, this was only the basics.

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So many idiots, and only six bullets...
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

[hiredgoonz]

I'm with Pete...unless you know there will be a tangible benefit from the bios flash (the mobo maufacturer should list the changes) it's better to stick to the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" rule...each bios is different and again, the mob manufacturer should give you specific directions on how to do it, but if you mess it up, it's not a good thing...

As far as upgrading...it's almost always better to do a clean install, yeah it's a pain to reinstall all your progs and redo settings, but the benefit will be a much more reliable system...it should give you that option when you pop in the upgrade cd...

If you have lost software or registration keys that you absolutely must use on your computer then you may have to do an upgrade, but realize that it will yield unpredictable results...

[Phil K]

OK lads - you've convinced me ! I'll just wait and see how WinXP shapes up for a possible upgrade. Then I KNOW I'll either need a BIOS upgrade or (more likely) a new mb and processor.
And by the way - a little insulting (but great !) was the "so many idiots and only 6 bullets" (Loved it)

[tjaymadison]

On a more humorous note, run this tried and true
program -- rudimentary but it works. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

1 N = 1
2 L$ = "Search The PC Guide"
3 SAY L$
4 N = N + 1
5 IF N < 10, GOTO 3
6 CLICK HERE (http://www.pcguide.com/_vti_bin/shtml.exe/search-c.html)
7 In 'Search for:' box, type 'bios and flash' (no quotes)
8 Click 'Start Search' button
9 Explore

See what 'the boss' has to say. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif


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"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)

[mjc]

You may want to look at the possibility of updating the chipset drivers, the latest editions listed on the Gigabyte site say they support WinME...here (http://www1.giga-byte.com/support/d_ali.htm)

Also since the last BIOS update that is listed is from 1999 I don't think that an update really would help.....

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

All Control Agents must memorize Rule 5 before proceding to Rule 6

[This message has been edited by mjc (edited 05-12-2001).]

[Phil K]

Would updating the chipset drivers cause any reptions / do I need to take precautions (dont laugh) such as making a back up etc ???

[mjc]

Any time that yoou do something on a systems level, and I think that chipset drivers would qualify, it is a good idea to do a back up, also a good idea to do periodical backups (like once a month if you use your machine for "serious" work, once a week for business, and once about every 6-8 weeks for general "home use" - this schedule isn't etched in stone, just a guideline). The least you should do is backup the registry, this can be done by going to the run box and typing in scanreg and then <enter> or clicking on OK, when it asks to "create a backup" click yes...you should probaly also backup you data files.

If Me is not currently installed or running I'm not sure if updating before the install would work, ME may overwrite the updated files with its own versions, there should be instructions included with the driver package, follow them.

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

All Control Agents must memorize Rule 5 before proceding to Rule 6