What is the risk in flashing your BIOS?

[Endarkened]

I've heard a lot of people talk about how flashing your BIOS is risky, but what exactly could go wrong that makes it so risky? I'm going to fire up my motherboard today, and was thinking of flashing it to the latest BIOS from Epox. If I have it plugged into a universal power supply (with the battery back-up) would I lessen the risk?

Thanks in advance,

Endarkened

 

[bacillus]

<< If I have it plugged into a universal power supply (with the battery back-up) would I lessen the risk? >>


yes it would. if you're going to flash, make sure you fully understand the procedure before you start.
good luck!

 

[BigToque]

The problem is, if you flash the BIOS, and for some reason something screws up, the BIOS may not finish re-writing all the code, and your motherboard may no longer boot up.

At that point you have a dead board until you get a new BIOS chip.

 

[Jhhnn]

Flashing is particularly risky with boards where the bios chip is soldered on, rather than socketed. If the flash fails, you're totally screwed.

As a backup plan, check out www.badflash.com- nice people, good service. Avoid Unicore at all cost.

I used to think flashing was no big deal, until I had a spectacular failure. Now, I don't unless there is some real need or major performance enhancement.

Vaya Con Dios.

 

[ArchAngel777]

I don't agree that it is dangerous.

Sure you have some horror stories, but if your carfull you should have no problems.

I've flash BIOSs so many times, hundreds, never had one fail. I am not cocky about it, but so long as you are carefull, you should not have a problem.

Remember if it was that dangerous to flash your BIOS you would not see Abit,Asus,etc... Giving you the utilities to flash your bios.

 

[BigToque]

ArchAngel777,

I agree. I have no problem flashing my BIOS. If done correctly and carefully, you wont have problems.

There is still however the risk that if for some reason something does go wrong, you may not have a working board anymore.

 

[ArchAngel777]

Yes there still is a risk, but the risk is just as small as a car accident.