OK Complete Noob =(

[blackbelt]

Just about have my FIRST rig pieced together.......

Everybody talks about "flashing the BIOS".....this is my first experience so can I do that (and what is that, btw) from a USB flash drive? I have no floppy in my configuration.

Thanks for everybody's patience with me!

 

[JMoore]

I believe that the term refers to updating the bios of your mb. However, you don't really want/need to do update unless your computer just has a really old bios software version and you are expereincing problems. And on a side note, you really want to know what your doing if you do this because you can mess things up.

 

[compressor]

From Webopedia:

On PCs, the BIOS contains all the code required to control the keyboard, display screen, disk drives, serial communications, and a number of miscellaneous functions.
The BIOS is typically placed in a ROM chip that comes with the computer (it is often called a ROM BIOS). This ensures that the BIOS will always be available and will not be damaged by disk failures. It also makes it possible for a computer to boot itself.

Check first to see if you even need to flash (update) the bios.
Usually when you first power up computer the initial text on the computer screen will tell
you which version of bios you have.
Sometimes it is printed on the motherboard.
Then you will probably have to go to the motherboard manufacturer site and download the latest bios. There should be instructions there on how to check and "flash the bios".

But for a noob I'd suggest if it ain't broke don't fix it.
You can do damage if not done properly. (although it is usually easy if you follow the manufacturer instructions.)

You may or may not be able to use a USB flash drive to do it.
What motherboard do you have?

 

[blackbelt]

eVGA 680i motherboard

 

[xtknight]

The BIOS is the basic input/output system. Software accesses hardware through the BIOS. It also controls all power management functions and determines which CPUs are compatible with your motherboard. BIOS flashes update the ROM on which the BIOS is stored. This flashing (updating) fixes compatibility issues with your hardware, and occasionally adds options to the CMOS setup (what most people refer to as simply, 'the BIOS'). Don't bother unless you're having problems with your board. You can use a USB flash drive provided you have a way of loading an MS-DOS boot sector onto it, and the accompanying BIOS flash program from your BIOS manufacturer. Lots of motherboards simply have a utility that functions from Windows that uses a safe method to update your BIOS.

 

[compressor]

Originally posted by: blackbelt
eVGA 680i motherboard

Go here.
http://www.evga.com/Support/Drivers/Default.asp

Select "mainboards", "bios updates", "NF68-Intel", Hit "GO"

Whoops! Looks like you may need a floppy unless you have windows
installed. Then use the second way.