OT: System and Video BIOS Question

[Chronon]

I was doing some software upgrading recently, and I downloaded SiSoft's latest Sandra system benchmark software. Checking out the system and video sections, it informed me that my system and video BIOS's are very old (from around 1998).

I know nothing about these programs (or even if they are technically programs) other than they allow the hardware to work with the software. Do I really need newer Versions? If so, how do I go about finding them? And, how do I know exactly which ones I need?

I know we have a few IT experts here. If one of you could help, I would really appreciate it. Thanks! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Edit: I should probably give you some system information.
System: Dell Dimension v400c with Celeron 400 Mhz
CPU: P6C Celeron 300-533 MHz 2v
BIOS: Intel 4A4RB0X0.10A.0020.P07
OS: Windows 98 (no bLaster worm, woohoo!)
Integrated Video: ATI XPERT 980 AGP 2X

[ August 14, 2003, 14:55: Message edited by: Chronon ]

[Slynky]

Most system BIOS can be "flashed" (see your manufacturer). Not sure about the ability to flash video BIOS, though.

The dangers? Flashing your BIOS is supposed to be able to be done without any problem. Though I've done done a few and never had a problem afterwards, but I'd hate to tell you you won't encounter a problem.

Others may comment with different information.

[Chronon]

Slynky, Wow, that was fast!

For the manufacturer, would that be Dell (computer) or Intel (CPU)?

[rdouglass]

It should be Dell not Intel. BIOS is a motherboard feature and not a processor feature.

IMO this site is one of the best out there for finding BIOS info...

http://www.wimsbios.com/

[Chronon]

Thanks rdouglass, that looks like an excellent site. I'll have to take some time this evening and look through it. It looks like there is plenty of good introductory information about BIOS's, and how to upgrade them.

[Thermodyne]

If you are not having a problem, don't flash. While a new bios can add features or fix problems, the act of installing them (flashing) can go wrong. If the new bios does not add something that you need, why risk it?

[Katchoo]

Originally posted by Thermodyne:
If you are not having a problem, don't flash. While a new bios can add features or fix problems, the act of installing them (flashing) can go wrong. If the new bios does not add something that you need, why risk it?<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Agreed; don't fix what isn't broken.

I haven't heard of any real "ground breaking advances" come from flashing. Most of the time when an updated BIOS gets released from any vendor all it usually does is provide the odd tweak to USB and other periphrial (sp?) device. You certainly won't be missing out on anything by not flashing.

Aswell, if it's a brand name computer you have (which it sounds like) then you'd best find out if flashing your BIOS would void your warranty or not.

Afterall, what would be worse than turning your motherboard into a proverbial vegetable? Being told by your computer provider that you voided your warranty, and are now S.O.L.

Your best options for improving overall performance are to track down specific driver updates (for video card, sound card, etc..), to remove any programs off your hard drive that you no longer use, and to use virus & other system scan utilities to remove excess code/commands deposited by every program ever installed onto your computer.

[Chronon]

Originally posted by Katchoo:
Your best options for improving overall performance are to track down specific driver updates (for video card, sound card, etc..), to remove any programs off your hard drive that you no longer use, and to use virus & other system scan utilities to remove excess code/commands deposited by every program ever installed onto your computer.<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thanks Thermo and Katchoo, that sounds like wise advise. I was curious, though, Katchoo, did you have any specific scan utilities in mind? I use Norton Antivirus and SystemWorks regularly. Do you know of anything in addition to those that might be useful?

[rdouglass]

I use AdAware routinely to check for SpyWare. It's one of those 'niche' programs i can't seem to do without....

http://lavasoft.element5.com/software/adaware/

[Narrew]

As other's have said, don't flash your BIOS unless you are having hardware issues (such as the blue screen of death, or irratic lock ups). I have flashed about a dozen Boards and have had 1 go bad (where I couldn't recover from it) you might as well chuck the MB (I could have sent the BIOS chip to a company to try to fix it, but the cost was just under a new MB).

Thats just my 2 cents, but I think you would be better off not doing it.

[Suicide Junkie]

Originally posted by rdouglass:
I use AdAware routinely to check for SpyWare. It's one of those 'niche' programs i can't seem to do without....

http://lavasoft.element5.com/software/adaware/<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The guys here at the helpdesk suggest using Adaware in unison with Spybot (http://spybot.eon.net.au/).

Between the two of 'em you'll get more of the adware out.

[rdouglass]

Originally posted by Suicide Junkie:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by rdouglass:
I use AdAware routinely to check for SpyWare. It's one of those 'niche' programs i can't seem to do without....

http://lavasoft.element5.com/software/adaware/<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The guys here at the helpdesk suggest using Adaware in unison with Spybot (http://spybot.eon.net.au/).

Between the two of 'em you'll get more of the adware out.</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thanks, I'll take a look....

[Chronon]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I knew this was the right place to ask... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

[minipol]

As some have said already, do not flash when not needed. I have once flashed using the flash program of my motherBoards manufacturer and it failed making my mobo unusable.
Later i learned that flashing is best done out of windows and even in dos mode.
Just now i received an old computer i'm turning into a linux server and it flashed ok but i had booted using a startup disk.
Sometimes, for older machines an updated bios can do import stuff: the old pc (333Mhz) can now use very big harddrives and faster processors than pre-flashing it's bios.

[Suicide Junkie]

My goodness... Flashing a BIOS and Windows go together like a snowball and Hell.

[Mephisto]

BIOS upgrades can be dangerous. However, there are some tweaks to the PC that you might just not notice. IIRC the BIOS includes informations that will route around known processor problems (every chip out there has errors). Upgrading your BIOS therefore can result in less bluescreens. However, if the problem is minor to non-existent, you don’t need to upgrade. I personally always upgrade. I like living on the edge… http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon12.gif