Help With BIOS & Controller Updates

[Rubicone]

When updating one's BIOS does this in and of itself also update the on-board IDE controller, or is it a separate process? If the latter is the case, do I go to the chipset manufacturer's website for this? TIA.

 

[mastertech01]

Generally all updates for onboard controllers are done via the mobo manufacturer's bios update. I havent seen any OEM support downloadable for onboard ATA or SCSI controllers from the chip maker. They generally only support retail products. If your controller has an update that will be included with the bios update and should be described as one of the update features.

There is on occasion a bios hack made public but thats about it.

 

[Rubicone]

I looked at the chipset manufacturer, which is Intel, and they seem to have some update feature. Don't know if this applies to the specific question I am posing.

http://www.intel.com/design/software/drivers/platform/inf.htm

 

[mastertech01]

That will update all the chipset drivers of your board in windows. It doesnt alter the bios at all.

 

[Rubicone]

So would that exclude the onboard ATA controller?

 

[mastertech01]

If it isnt an Intel controller it would exclude it. In otherwords if it has a Promise controller you will need the latest Promise driver. If it is a Promise controller the bios for the controller is updated via the mobo manufacturer bios.

 

[Rubicone]

I just checked Device Manager and under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers I have Intel(r) 82801BA Ultra ATA Controller. The Driver version is 6.1.8.0.

 

[bub]

Your motherboard manufacturer's web site should have the latest bios AND all of the drivers you need for your board along with instructions on how to delete old drivers and install new ones, AND in which order to install them.

 

[Double Trouble]

Windows drivers are not the same as bios files. When you update your mobo with the latest bios, that includes the bios for the integrated IDE controllers. However, if you have additional controllers (whether integrated on the mobo or not) -- for example, Promise, or Highpoint controllers -- then you need to download the latest bios updates for those controllers individually, they are not part of the mobo bios.

You can get the latest bios for such 3rd party controllers from the manufacturer's website or from your mobo manufacturer website. If needed (for example with the Promise controllers), make sure you update the windows drivers before updating the bios files on the controller or you won't be able to boot anymore.