Updating BIOS without floppy

[Xerin7]

Since nobody is building PCs with floppys any more, how do you update your bios? Can you build a new pc and use a thumb drive to do the update?

 

[acole1]

many motherboard mfg's have a windows program which alows you to update it while in windows. When you reboot it then applies.

 

[Xerin7]

So what do you do if you can't get to Windows?

 

[acole1]

Use a floppy


What problems do you seem to be having that you need a BIOS update for?

 

[Xerin7]

I'm thinking about building a new PC and trying to decide whether or not to buy a floppy...with Vista and all the motherboard driver issues, sounds like it might be worth the few extra bucks to get one?

So you can't use a thumb drive until you get into Windows?

 

[KeithTalent]

A floppy drive is definitely worth the 5-10 bucks they cost, you never know when you are going to need one for something like updating a BIOS...

 

[Brian48]

I just burn everything I need onto a CD-R and boot up using the CDROM.

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: Brian48
I just burn everything I need onto a CD-R and boot up using the CDROM.

That works! Some mobos, i.e., Asus, will do it on line.

 

[acole1]

Originally posted by: Xerin7
I'm thinking about building a new PC and trying to decide whether or not to buy a floppy...with Vista and all the motherboard driver issues, sounds like it might be worth the few extra bucks to get one?

So you can't use a thumb drive until you get into Windows?

I think it depends on the motherboard. A CD would be easier.

 

[Agentbolt]

Gigabyte's mobos will let you use a USB stick if you put the proper files on it. The GA-965P will only do it on the latest BIOS revision though, so if you don't have a floppy drive or can get into windows to update it in the first place to F10, that kinda kills the idea

 

[jkresh]

asus and dfi also let you update using a usb key, asus also has a feature on some boards which let you scan the hard drives from the bios and pick a new bios file to update to

 

[engiNURD]

Most modern boards can be flashed via CD or USB drive.

 

[Xerin7]

Sounds like there really isn't a need for a floppy in that case. Thanks for the info!

 

[Bill Brasky]

All I ask is that you don't flash your bios from windows. I got a floppy for six bucks, and I thought it was completely worth it.

edit: I've even unplugged it and loaned it to two of my friends who couldn't install xp without sata drivers.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

I have a floppy just for installing when I need it... You don't have to leave them installed. And they are cheap enough so that you get your use out of them after time.

 

[Xerin7]

Originally posted by: Zaitsev
All I ask is that you don't flash your bios from windows.

What is wrong with updating your bios from windows, if the mb supports it?

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

Originally posted by: Xerin7

Originally posted by: Zaitsev
All I ask is that you don't flash your bios from windows.

What is wrong with updating your bios from windows, if the mb supports it?

It is known for being buggy, and there are more than a few cases of the BIOS corrupting during the process.

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo

Originally posted by: Xerin7

Originally posted by: Zaitsev
All I ask is that you don't flash your bios from windows.

What is wrong with updating your bios from windows, if the mb supports it?

It is known for being buggy, and there are more than a few cases of the BIOS corrupting during the process.

I have seen a system BSOD during a bios flash in WinXP. System was toast. I still use a diskette drive when I can. But for the most part, I usually flash in windows.

 

[Bryan]

Most modern machines support booting from USB floppy drives.

Alternately, you can try using the HP USB key utility to make one bootable.

 

[engiNURD]

i've seen more BIOS-flash-related-mobo-deaths through floppy disks than USB drives/windows/optical drive.

 

[Nocturnal]

Most modern motherboards allow you to flash it within Windows. Knock on wood I haven't had a problem yet.