Updating BIOS

[lariz]

I've been getting a lot of problems when playing games on my PC. The most recent has been a BSOD (Video memory manager has detected a fatal error) when playing the bioshock demo. Other times I usually just get a random crash to desktop with a "app stopped working" error.

I've been wondering if this has anything to do with my BIOS. I have a P5N-E SLI from ASUS. It's about a year old now. I'm running Vista 32. Should I upgrade my BIOS?

 

[Synomenon]

You update the BIOS if the listed changes for the new BIOS version fixes a problem you're having or adds a feature you want.

 

[lariz]

Is there a way to check if your board is the one at fault? Some kind of software possibly?

 

[Synomenon]

Sounds like some kind of driver problem. Try different versions of the driver for your video card. Oh and what do you have in your system? Always good to list those when asking for this type of help.

 

[Boyd117]

Ive been getting the same errors basically, you should run Memtest86+ as I'm about to do so myself.

 

[lariz]

e6600
2GB RAM
7900GS...using latest 169.25 Winvista drivers.
Vista 32 ultimate


I've run memtest a ton of times with no errors.

 

[Boyd117]

Try the beta drivers that just been released?..

 

[o1die]

I'd leave the bios alone. Honestly, I've had a few bad flashes in spite of 15 years experience. Bios flashes rarely improve performance. And a bad flash = dead board.

 

[nefariouscaine]

I had similar performance issues with Bioshock at first as well as Crysis - they were driver related errors - make sure your updating your video drivers correctly and cleaning out the old ones

check out Drivercleaner Pro (its free) and as stated before make sure your graphics drivers are current

*edit*

check to see if the BETA Nvidia drivers offer increased stability than your current ones and/or reinstall your current set

 

[chizow]

Originally posted by: lariz
e6600
2GB RAM
7900GS...using latest 169.25 Winvista drivers.
Vista 32 ultimate


I've run memtest a ton of times with no errors.

What BIOS are you running and are you OC'ing at all? If you bought the board new and the shipping BIOS is the first BIOS, generally its going to be crap and you'll want to update it ASAP. I'd recommend digging into the big thread for whatever board you're having problems with, find the BIOS which most seem to be running without issue, then go from there. Having had experience with that board personally, I'd recommend 0401 or 0608, especially if you're OC'ing.

 

[lariz]

Originally posted by: chizow

Originally posted by: lariz
e6600
2GB RAM
7900GS...using latest 169.25 Winvista drivers.
Vista 32 ultimate


I've run memtest a ton of times with no errors.

What BIOS are you running and are you OC'ing at all? If you bought the board new and the shipping BIOS is the first BIOS, generally its going to be crap and you'll want to update it ASAP. I'd recommend digging into the big thread for whatever board you're having problems with, find the BIOS which most seem to be running without issue, then go from there. Having had experience with that board personally, I'd recommend 0401 or 0608, especially if you're OC'ing.

I've OC'ed my cpu to 3.0ghz. I don't think I've ever updated the BIOS since I bought the board.
I always hear people breaking their boards because of the BIOS update. Is there a better way to update without using a floppy?

EDIT:
My current BIOS version is 0202 Date: 11/22/2006
It doesn't seem to old, does it?

 

[Boyd117]

USB

 

[brencat]

lariz, do you have all of the critical Hotfixes for Vista installed, including the patch for virtual memory addressing? Here it is in case you dont:

Click here

 

[lariz]

Originally posted by: brencat
lariz, do you have all of the critical Hotfixes for Vista installed, including the patch for virtual memory addressing? Here it is in case you dont:

Click here

I have all but that one installed. I went ahead and installed that today.

I upgraded my video card driver to the beta version, so far bioshock hasn't crashed.
I'm getting my new 8800gt tomorrow so I'll be re-downloading my video card and nforce motherboard drivers tomorrow.

Thanks for the help.