What does flashing the BIOS really do?
- Thread starter Chatterjee
- Start date
Well, it replaces the code so that you have the most up to date (or whatever version you decide to use) revision of the BIOS code. Usually fixes bugs and glitches, occasionally introduces new ones.
Usually you'll have to restart to dos with a boot disk, then execute the BIOS Flash program, reboot, done. Nowadays there are programs that allow you to flash BIOS in Windows.
It reprograms your Basic Input Output System (BIOS).
There are EPROM (S) on your Motherboard that control very basic functions that are not, or cannot, be addressed by the operating system. Think of it as lower brain stem functions (like breathing, heartbeat, digestion, etc?).
Flashing the BIOS is usually to either add some functionality or correct some flaws that were in the original BIOS release.
Jimbo
[EDIT]: While I was typing this you already got FOUR replys!
There are EPROM (S) on your Motherboard that control very basic functions that are not, or cannot, be addressed by the operating system. Think of it as lower brain stem functions (like breathing, heartbeat, digestion, etc?).
Flashing the BIOS is usually to either add some functionality or correct some flaws that were in the original BIOS release.
Jimbo
[EDIT]: While I was typing this you already got FOUR replys!
First of all, BIOS refers to 2 thing: a chip on the motherboard and the the programing on it. Flashing replace the programing on the chip. BIOS CHIPS also come on some parts other than motherboards.
Flashing BIOS is most often done to fix a hardware related problem involving hardware compatibility with the motherboard. Some time it is for add support like for Cyrix and K6-III CPUs. Sometimes it is for added software support like for Linux.
A BIOS flash is best done if it will fix a problem you are having of add better support for hardware you own.
Flashing BIOS is most often done to fix a hardware related problem involving hardware compatibility with the motherboard. Some time it is for add support like for Cyrix and K6-III CPUs. Sometimes it is for added software support like for Linux.
A BIOS flash is best done if it will fix a problem you are having of add better support for hardware you own.
The Basic Input Output System is responsible for setting up your boot sequence, performing the system check, setting up the chipset to the specific cpu and pereferials, etc, etc. The chip you are re-programming is a Flash ROM (Read Only Memory). The way the chip works is like this:
When it is programmed, you can only burn a 1 to a 0. It is therefore necessary to erase the entire chip to all 1's prior to programming......and that is the catch. If you mess up the BIOS flash proceedure, you can render your mother board a paper weight. Since the boot code has been erased as the first step (your system is running out of RAM while this process goes on), failure of the programming step results in mb failure. The code that knows how to flash the chip actually resides in the chip.
This seems sort of funkey, but has been around for some time. My best advice is to leave your mb BIOS alone unless you are experiencing problems. If you do flash your BIOS, be sure to make a backup of your previous version and follow the procedure specified by the manufacturer of the mb verbatim.
When it is programmed, you can only burn a 1 to a 0. It is therefore necessary to erase the entire chip to all 1's prior to programming......and that is the catch. If you mess up the BIOS flash proceedure, you can render your mother board a paper weight. Since the boot code has been erased as the first step (your system is running out of RAM while this process goes on), failure of the programming step results in mb failure. The code that knows how to flash the chip actually resides in the chip.
This seems sort of funkey, but has been around for some time. My best advice is to leave your mb BIOS alone unless you are experiencing problems. If you do flash your BIOS, be sure to make a backup of your previous version and follow the procedure specified by the manufacturer of the mb verbatim.
and don't forget, a bios flash can also cause problems.
and a bad flash = dead mobo, which means you have to take the mobo to have it done professionally, unless you want that risky while on procedure.
before flashing a bios, it is always a good idea to:
a)back up your present BIOS.
2)read up so you know the effects of the bios.
and
c)don't fix what ain't broke. so read what the update does.
4)update the bios, if you really want to, several days after the bios has been released (download it then) and visit these forums or hardocp (which usually has this for popular mobos) for any problems...
<<if you have a problem with my spelling, tough, i know my a2c's>>
and a bad flash = dead mobo, which means you have to take the mobo to have it done professionally, unless you want that risky while on procedure.
before flashing a bios, it is always a good idea to:
a)back up your present BIOS.
2)read up so you know the effects of the bios.
and
c)don't fix what ain't broke. so read what the update does.
4)update the bios, if you really want to, several days after the bios has been released (download it then) and visit these forums or hardocp (which usually has this for popular mobos) for any problems...
<<if you have a problem with my spelling, tough, i know my a2c's>>
Many of the recently released flash upgrades add large drive support (no more 32GB limit) and Windows 2000 compatibility, but I've learned to hold off on flashing to a new BIOS because many are buggy, at least many from FIC are.
A lot of times times the flash program will give an "insufficient memory" error, but disabling the hard drive in the BIOS or booting with MS-DOS 5.0 or earlier should eliminate this.
I'd not only back up the current BIOS, but I'd also create a self-booting floppy that automatically starts the flash program and restores that BIOS in case the flash goes bad. This is especially important if you don't have an ISA video card to let you see the boot block BIOS.
A lot of times times the flash program will give an "insufficient memory" error, but disabling the hard drive in the BIOS or booting with MS-DOS 5.0 or earlier should eliminate this.
I'd not only back up the current BIOS, but I'd also create a self-booting floppy that automatically starts the flash program and restores that BIOS in case the flash goes bad. This is especially important if you don't have an ISA video card to let you see the boot block BIOS.
anyone know where can I buy online an old crappy (new in box)ISA video card for bios flash repair use? Ive looked at all the traditional places.
(No priv. parties please)
Shame about the private party thing, having been around longer than Adam, I've got lots of old crappy ISA cards, some Trident, Some Oak even a full length Paradise which was considered 'good' in its day. Could have sent you one for the shipping cost. Course none of them are new in box.
You just entered one of those areas where opinions differ wildly, and vehemently. Any bios thread on any forum worth mentioning can break out in FLAMES at any time. OneEng laid it out really well, the only thing i might add is to have a backup plan, like http://WWW.badflash.com I wish I had 1% of all the mobos tossed on the scrapheap every year because of a bad flash.
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