Updating bios?

[slayer202]

I am planning on building a computer in the next week. It is my first build and am wondering about updating bios, how, and if i should at all. Not even sure on the point. anyway, here is the box im building if it matters:

EPoX EP-9NPA+Ultra ATX AMD Motherboard - $105

AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ 1GHz FSB Socket 939 Dual Core Processor - $322

eVGA Geforce 7800GT 256-P2-N517-AX Video Card - $309

CORSAIR ValueSelect 1GB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200) - $81 x2

Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 250GB 3.5" Serial ATA150 Hard Drive - OEM - $102.50

Antec LifeStyle SONATA II Piano Black Computer Case - $91.99

 

[Lyfer]

I believe Epox has one of those easy update programs that comes with the CD. DO that if your new.

 

[Slogun]

This is actually more of a topic for the Motherboard or General Hardware forums.
But, yes, you should generally update to the latest BIOS when doing your own build.
It's easy to do these days as most brands have a windows based utility to do this, check their website.

 

[BW86]

I've used Winflash on my VNF3 a couple of times and it has always been a success.

 

[slayer202]

this is done after everything is setup, and after windows has been installed correct?

 

[aloser]

Typically. There are rare cases, however (mostly older systems where you need the BIOS update to tell the system about your huge hard drive), that require the BIOS to be updated in order to install Windows, but since you're working with a new build, that's not an issue.

 

[Maximilian]

Originally posted by: slayer202
this is done after everything is setup, and after windows has been installed correct?

Thats the best idea yes. The windows based utlities apparently arent the safest, but ive never had anything go wrong with them. Its a good thing to do when you first build your pc, because later on there may be some new feature brought out and your mobo wont support it unless you update the bios, so its good to know how from day 1.

 

[BFG10K]

this is done after everything is setup, and after windows has been installed correct?

No, it's better to do it right at the start, before you install Windows or anything else. Having the latest BIOS reduces your chances of having any setup problems later on.

 

[Maximilian]

Originally posted by: BFG10K

this is done after everything is setup, and after windows has been installed correct?

No, it's better to do it right at the start, before you install Windows or anything else. Having the latest BIOS reduces your chances of having any setup problems later on.

Well do that if your confident doing it without the windows based update program, (if there is one).

 

[Slogun]

Originally posted by: Soviet

Originally posted by: BFG10K

this is done after everything is setup, and after windows has been installed correct?

No, it's better to do it right at the start, before you install Windows or anything else. Having the latest BIOS reduces your chances of having any setup problems later on.

Well do that if your confident doing it without the windows based update program, (if there is one).

Yea, this guy is going to need the windows-based utility, so he's going to need to install windows first.
That's perfectly fine and what I do these days.
Those BIOS flasing utilities that you load onto a floppy are a PITA. Most people don't even have floppy drives anymore, though I suppose some people are into flashing via a usb drive.

 

[slayer202]

ill just do it after windows is installed and hope i dont have problems. can someone point me in the direction of what to look for when i am ready to do this? does the mb come with a cd like someone said? or just go to the epox site and look for what i need

 

[Slogun]

I checked out the epox site for you. I couldn't find any mention of a windows based bios flash utility such as I know Abit and Asus have.
Here's the BIOS download page for your mobo:
http://www.epox.com/USA/downloads.asp
The instructions in the readme of the latest bios talks about the usual floppy flash methods.

However, I found this third party epox bios flash utility you may want to try:
http://www.opendrivers.com/downloadopendrivers.php?href=38205
Yea, it looks like it functions similarly to what I use to flash my bios on my Abit mobos.
Unzip the file and click on the setup file.

 

[nweaver]

I remember the days when windows based flashing was taboo....it was consider "risky and daring"

 

[Doh!]

Originally posted by: nweaver
I remember the days when windows based flashing was taboo....it was consider "risky and daring"

I still remember those days very clearly. I guess that's why I still don't use the win-based flashing utility.

For people who have no floppy drives, you have an option of just booting w/ a cd, create a ram drive, copy the necessary files, & update the bios from the ram drive.

 

[slayer202]

The instructions for the floppy disk flashing doesn't seem too difficult, if only I have a floppy drive for this machine. I guess I could temporarily grab one from one of my old machines?

Is there any reason not to update?

 

[Doh!]

The question should be "are there any reasons for a bios update?" Unless updating the bios is necessary (i.e., addressing to fix a hardware incompatibility issue), it is better not to touch it. Newer doesn't always mean better.

 

[Mem]

Epox you can do it via Magic Bios in windows or bootdisk method like alt+F2 etc....I have done both methods and both work great.

As to when to do it,well I have done it both ways but more times with OS already installed,this is due to updates coming out every few months.

Never had any problems and I'm talking about 3 or 4 different motherboards over years and I mean years with plenty of Bios flashing.

Overview

The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) of a mainboard is software stored on an EEPROM chip which helps the mainboard to function correctly and communicate with devices on the PCB surfaces and also secondary devices and software protocols that are attached to or running on the mainboard respectively.

Sometimes we find it necessary to update the BIOS image files in order to make allowance for newer processors, newer operating systems, enhance device compatibility, add features or increase performance and stability. To upgrade the BIOS, one has to subject their machine to the simple process of flashing.


Flashing the BIOS

There are two ways in which we recommend the end user flashes their BIOS. They will be termed as follows :

The ALT+F2 Method
The Boot Disk Method
The ALT+F2 method may not be available on older mainboards with older BIOS, in such cases it is necessary to carry out the Boot Disk Method.

The ALT+F2 Method

Download the required BIOS image file from the EPoX website.
Copy or extract the BIOS image file (named xxxxxxxx.bin) to a blank floppy disk with no bad sectors on it.
Restart the machine with the floppy disk in the floppy drive
When prompted at machine initialization, press ALT+F2 to begin performing the flashing of the BIOS.
The BIOS will automatically flash and reboot the machine.
After this, press DEL to enter the BIOS setup and select to "LOAD OPTIMIZED DEFAULTS". After doing this select to "SAVE & EXIT"
Please note that this does not create a backup of the BIOS binary file.
This does not require you to have a bootable floppy disk.


The Boot Disk Method

1. Create a bootable floppy disk in accordance with the instructions laid out in the manual of your particular operating system. This bootable floppy needs to be able to boot to a DOS console capable of executing normal MS-DOS batch and executable files.

2. Download the required BIOS image file from the EPoX website.

3. Ensure the mainboard is set at LOAD OPTIMIZED DEFAULTS and is not overclocked in any way.

4. Copy to this floppy disk this latest copy of AWDFLASH version 8.54 and also a copy of the BIOS binary image file called xxxxxxxx.bin

5. Insert the diskette into drive A, reboot your system and boot from the diskette.

6. When booting is finished, type awdflash *.bin /sn/py/cc (dependent of the name of the BIOS image file) and

7. then press return to run BIOS upgrade program.
The BIOS will automatically flash and reboot the machine.

8. After this, press DEL to enter the BIOS setup and select to "LOAD OPTIMIZED DEFAULTS". After doing this select to "SAVE & EXIT"

9. Please note that this does not create a backup of the BIOS binary file.

10. For Command line help on Award Flash utility, type AWDFLASH /? at the command prompt and press return.

Link.


slayer202:Magic Bios is on the epox CD probably easiest way for you to flash your board from within Windows.

 

[Slogun]

Originally posted by: Doh!
The question should be "are there any reasons for a bios update?" Unless updating the bios is necessary (i.e., addressing to fix a hardware incompatibility issue), it is better not to touch it. Newer doesn't always mean better.

That's normally true, but those of us who build new usually like to start with latest BIOS.

"Is there any reason not to update?"
Bad BIOS flash happens a very small percentage of the time.
As I say, most people will flash to latest BIOS upon new build.

Post the question over in motherboard forum see what they say.
Alternatively, a search will probably yield many past threads on this question.

 

[Doh!]

Originally posted by: Slogun

Originally posted by: Doh!
The question should be "are there any reasons for a bios update?" Unless updating the bios is necessary (i.e., addressing to fix a hardware incompatibility issue), it is better not to touch it. Newer doesn't always mean better.

That's normally true, but those of us who build new usually like to start with latest BIOS.

It's always true. MSI, for example, released couple bios updates recently. They were full of problems such as wiping out the MAC address for the integrated NIC in nforce3/4 boards. Also, the updated bios showed incorrect cpu/mb/case temps. The updates only updated the CPU ID info. If someone had purchased a MSI board and updated to the latest bios for no apparent reasons, he would have no internet connection, and would pull his hair out for high system temps.
MSI apprently retracted one of the updates, and re-released the other w/ fixes. It's best to use the bios that's been proven to be stable.

 

[Slogun]

Originally posted by: Doh!

Originally posted by: Slogun

Originally posted by: Doh!
The question should be "are there any reasons for a bios update?" Unless updating the bios is necessary (i.e., addressing to fix a hardware incompatibility issue), it is better not to touch it. Newer doesn't always mean better.

That's normally true, but those of us who build new usually like to start with latest BIOS.

It's always true. MSI, for example, released couple bios updates recently. They were full of problems such as wiping out the MAC address for the integrated NIC in nforce3/4 boards. Also, the updated bios showed incorrect cpu/mb/case temps. The updates only updated the CPU ID info. If someone had purchased a MSI board and updated to the latest bios for no apparent reasons, he would have no internet connection, and would pull his hair out for high system temps.
MSI apprently retracted one of the updates, and re-released the other w/ fixes. It's best to use the bios that's been proven to be stable.

Well that is your choice.
I still say that many, if not most builders who are looking for best functionality will update to latest bios on new build. After that, no, I wouldn't update unless necessary.

 

[slayer202]

well the epox recognize the x2 cpu without updating? from what ive seen on site, they dont list that the x2 is compatible, even though ive seen from many people that it is. what other types of problems might I have if i DONT update? for example, what kinds of changes do they make. I dont plan to overclock

 

[Mem]

well the epox recognize the x2 cpu without updating? from what ive seen on site, they dont list that the x2 is compatible, even though ive seen from many people that it is. what other types of problems might I have if i DONT update? for example, what kinds of changes do they make. I dont plan to overclock

Been compatiable since end of June bios wise with X2 dual core CPUs.

You can see the list of what is in the Bios updates fixes for Epox 9NPA+ ULTRA from here .

Remember latest BIOS update will have all the previous bios update fixes etc.. so you ony need to have latest BIOS update.

Btw look under specs it does say

CPU Socket

* Support Socket-939 based AMD Athlon-64 / Athlon-64 FX / Athlon 64 X2 up to 4800+ with 2.0GT/s Hyper Transport

.