To flash or not to flash, that is the question

[F117NightHawk]

My computer has a FIC AD11 1st mainboard with an Award BIOS (version 6.0 and ABA43) made on 7/11/01. I wrote to FIC about if I need to upgrade the BIOS before I would attempt to install WinXP. They said I need to upgrade to version ABA46 before installing WinXP. However other people have cautioned me against this, saying a BIOS upgrade is only needed if thing aren't running well or if there are power management problems.

I downloaded the new BIOS and read the TXT file that came with it. It says

Fixed shutdown temperature function is failure

. Would this be a valid reason to flash the BIOS before putting WinXP on the machine? I have a hardware monitoring program that came with my mainboard that runs in Windows and can shut the machine down if things get too hot.

Any info appreciated.

 

[bacillus]

I suppose the new bios may confer full ACPI compliance to the board as an enhancement!

 

[Buz2b]

You are right in being cautious as to flashing the BIOS, "just because". However, their response as to flashing before installing Windows XP should not be taken lightly. As mentioned, there could be other "enhancements" included but not listed, such as the ACPI compliance. I think I'd go ahead and do it.
Just make sure you CYA. Get all documentation, no matter how many times you may have done this. Double download the .bin file; just in case. Make sure and use the flash file (i.e. w/ ASUS it is aflash; not sure with FIC) that they recommend. Write down the exact procedure as listed by FIC and follow to the letter. After that, no problems right?!?!

 

[F117NightHawk]

I'm gonna try installing XP first and if it doesn't work right, I'll flash my BIOS. When you put the BIOS on a diskette, you have to make it a boot diskette by copying system files to it, right?

 

[Buz2b]

Originally posted by: F117NightHawk
I'm gonna try installing XP first and if it doesn't work right, I'll flash my BIOS. When you put the BIOS on a diskette, you have to make it a boot diskette by copying system files to it, right?

Sure, or you could just go here and download the Dr. Dos7x boot disk for BIOS flashing (fifth one down the list). Add your MB's flash utility and the .bin file (BIOS) to the floppy and you're ready to go. Don't forget to go into the BIOS and set the system to boot to floppy first. Better yet, why not go to the BIOS update page at FIC, click on the update procedure. There's a pretty good explanation there.

 

[pspada]

I've used several of the AD-11 mobos, and have flashed them all to the 46 version of the bios, with no problems. Seems to be more stable with this newer bios version.