Beta BIOS a good idea?

[sn00p]

I have a computer running win2k and the only way I am able to use the HPT366 controller(ATA 66) is to use the latest Beta BIOS. Is it a good idea to use this. The last time I tried the harddrive made wierd scary noises when shutting down(Clicking twice and the RPM dropped in between).

My computer setup:

- Abit BE6 with bios version TH128(BETA)
- Pentium 3 with Golden Orb heatsik rated to work with CPUs up to 1Ghz
- 384MB RAM: 1 128MB PC100 stick in slot 3 and 1 256MB PC133 stickin slot 2(Quality RAM, but I dont remember what it says on the chips)
(the reason they are in slot 1 and 2 is because of a power supply cable so I put them there os they are safer)
- Creative TNT 2 Ultra TV-out AGP card
- Adaptec AVA 1904 SCSI card (50 pin card connected to CDR/W burner)
- Creative Soundblaster Live Value 1024
- 3Com 3C905B-TX 10/100Mbit Ethernet controller
- Western Digital WD205BA harddisk(ATA66) 20,5GB
- Sony CDU5211 cdrom
- Yamaha CRW 2100S SCSI burner
- Floppy drive
- Aopen HX45 chassi with 250W power supply
- MAG DJ700e monitor

Temperature:

CPU temperature: about 35C
System temperature: about 37C
OS:

Windows 2000 Professional SP2

Computer setup:

AGP slot - Creative TNT 2 Ultra TV-out
PCI 1 slot - empty
PCI 2 slot - Adaptec AVA 1904 SCSI card
PCI 3 slot - 3Com 3C905B-TX 10/100Mbit Ethernet controller
PCI 4 slot - Creative Soundblaster Live Value 1024
PCI 5 slot - empty
IDE contoller 3(ATA66): Western Digital WD205BA harddisk (Jumper set to Single Drive)
IDE controller1: Sony CDU5211 cdrom (Jumper set to Master)

BIOS: TH128(BETA)

- IDE1, IDE2, IDE3 and IDE4 are all set to AUTO on everything
- COM port 2 is disabled to free up IRQ
- IRQ assignment: AUTO


snoop

 

[ojai00]

Hi, and welcome to the forums I would try to stay away from the beta BIOS unless you really know what you're doing. The reason I say this is that a bad BIOS could be the difference between a working computer and a non-working computer. Beta BIOS's are usually not supported by the motherboard manufacturer so if something goes wrong, you're screwed. Hope this helps.

 

[Theslowone]

I have never had a problem with beta bios as long as its coming from their website, which in most cases they do. But if you don't have a problem with the current setup I would worry about the little fixes. Just follow the directions they give to a T.