Flashing BIOS?

There's I think two newer versions of my BIOS available for my MoBo, and I was wondering whether or not I should update it or not... I've read it can be risky, but I really don't know so I figured I'd come ask you guys. Also, do I need to download the F6,F7, and F8 Versions or just the F8? Anyway, here's the link:

http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/Motherboard/BIOS_Model.aspx?ProductID=2847

Unless you're having problem with your memory timings being recognized, or resuming Vista, or just absolutely have to be on the bleeding edge:  Don't upgrade, because it's unlikely to improve anything not mentioned in the release notes.

BIOS updates almost never need to be done incrementally; Just the F8 version should be all you need if you decide to take the plunge.

Ya, that's the just the thing... It reads my 1066 RAM at 800Mhz... Right now I've got the CPU clocked at 3.2GHz from 2.53GHz (E7200) so it's at 1078, but still... So an upgrade is warranted then?

Do not upgrade inside of windows. Always do it from the bios.

Iain:

Ya, that's the just the thing... It reads my 1066 RAM at 800Mhz... Right now I've got the CPU clocked at 3.2GHz from 2.53GHz (E7200) so it's at 1078, but still... So an upgrade is warranted then?

Your board's BIOS version F7 mentions 'Support DDR2 speed to 1200MHz and beyond by overclocking'. So yes, it looks like upgrading to the latest version F8 is warranted, lain.

Super Dave:

Iain:

Ya, that's the just the thing... It reads my 1066 RAM at 800Mhz... Right now I've got the CPU clocked at 3.2GHz from 2.53GHz (E7200) so it's at 1078, but still... So an upgrade is warranted then?

 

Your board's BIOS version F7 mentions 'Support DDR2 speed to 1200MHz and beyond by overclocking'. So yes, it looks like upgrading to the latest version F8 is warranted, lain.

Second that   ...But be carefull to follow the directions to the letter and be very patient while it does it's thing..some times it can take 5 minutes or more for a flash to finish writing to memory

Yeah, go ahead and upgrade.

Flashing the BIOS isn't incredibly risky:  In the literally hundreds of times I've done it for multiple devices, I only ended up with one brick.  Todays updaters are smart enough to do checksums and such to make sure you're not applying a corrupted image.

Just don't do it in a thunderstorm or other situation where you might lose power halfway through.  :)

bob_on_the_cob:

Do not upgrade inside of windows. Always do it from the bios.

I always liked doing it in Windows better -- not having to scrounge around to find my USB floppy and making a bootable disk etc...I guess maybe thats why I could be classified as lazy

ice91785:

bob_on_the_cob:

Do not upgrade inside of windows. Always do it from the bios.

 

 

I always liked doing it in Windows better -- not having to scrounge around to find my USB floppy and making a bootable disk etc...I guess maybe thats why I could be classified as lazy

lol I windows update/bios update left a mobo of mine bricked so now I'm bitter.

 I have done about 50/50 with both -- ended up with one brick. This was the result of "electrical maitanence" in the area that i had no idea it was going on

Yikes! That would be MY kind of luck...updating my rig's BIOS when a semi rig crashes into a local power pole taking-down my PC and bricking the motherboard.

Tonight I was at work and there were like 15 people at the bar and the power went out. A car crashed into a transformer. It was out for like a half hour and all 15 people just sat there in the dark and drank. We have emergency lights so you could see, but it was still very dark. Weird that we are talking about power outages now.

...and someone in the vicinity of that bar has a brick of a motherboard!

Super Dave:

...and someone in the vicinity of that bar has a brick of a motherboard!

Yeah one of the girls that I work with still has no power.

Hey Bob, are there any COUGARS in that bar?

Super Dave:

Hey Bob, are there any COUGARS in that bar?

Its a little seafood joint that been around for 40 some years. 80% of the women there are cougers. The girls complain about dirty old men, but they have no idea how older ladys are. They are freaks.

So I guess the concensous is that you should go ahead and Flash your BIOS -- do so in the way that the mobo manufacturer recomends (whether it be command line or Windows Flash).

Just make sure that you have no power maintenence going on in the area and you aren't going to loose power

Okay cool, now I just gotta find a floppy disk, lol. Or just use Windows? Idk, last time I tried was with 64-Bit and the application wouldn't work 'cause I had 64-Bit.... Now I'm back to 32-Bit so it should work... I'll come back here if the instructions make no sense, lol. Thanks!

Hey look, only took 30 seconds to have another question, lol. The only thing available for DL is an .exe. I'm assuming I can only do it through Windows then?

They should have step-by-step instructions on how they want to you do it -- again whether it be WinFlash or via a floppy follow what the mfg. says for best results/outcome