I was going to jump in there with both feet but ham30 and mike have already done it. BIOS code is usually issued to address specific problems or to take advantage of new hardware. If neither of these cases apply, leave it alone. In the twenty years I have been using PCs I have only found it necessary to flash the BIOS twice. Once to fix a video problem when upgrading to Windows XP and once to allow a faster CPU to be used. Stuart

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I disagree with the BIOS updates too. I've had to upgrade the BIOS once (for using an 80GB hard drive) in my 3 years of experience (LOL) and doing it that one time made me so nervous I don't know if I want to do it again (unless I had to). May God bless everyone along the Gulf Coast trying to recover from Katrina. But let this be a lesson for America to turn back to God.

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I disagree with the lot of you. Tell me something if they are not needed why do the mother board manufacturers release them ???? Bios updates are a good idea just like driver updates. Lets look at another scenario, say for example you ahve a board and a copy of XP x64 os and the only way you can load it by installing a bios upgrade cos the manufacturer says you need it. What do you do throw the x64 in the bin or install the update. How many ahrd d rive issues and cpu micro code issues have been fixed by bios upgrades. Gentleman I dont can any one for having theior own ideas but in this instance you are ALL VERY WRONG. Iy you are nervous about the updates use the auto tool supplied with your mother board... it will do the job for you, and when it says reboot YOU REBOOT... Let me ask you do you buy a new system for a 200 gig hard drive that you wish to fit or do you install a bios update so your current mother board can take it. What do you do ???? Think about it ladies and gentleman. Keeping you system upt date at all times is a smart way to operate, I do every updates that is released, I install, new updated drivers, every set. Do you run your car on the same oil for 100,000 KM ??? No you dont Well its the same thing.. THINK ABOUT IT Than come back and can me.. IF IT AINT BROKE, DONT FIX IT A8N-SLI Deluxe AMD X64 3500+ Wnchst Corsair 2x512 DDR400 Dual Channel GV-NX6600128D PCIX Graphics Card Ggbyte GT Pro CPU Cooler Zalman VF700-CU VGA Cool

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If they are identical boards the Asus bios upgrade will probably work. You may need a universal flasher to force the installation. I've done it between Amptron and PCchips boards. But that was a situation where if it didn't work it was no big loss. You have to ask yourself if you can afford to lose the board if the upgrade fails.

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We didn't say BIOS upgrades are NEVER needed. When we need them, we use them. But we're not going to update the BIOS for support w/ a larger hard drive, when we'll never put 1 in. Why waste my time and energy installing BIOS updates when we'll never use the benifits of them? Why don't you think about that awhile? ATTENION AMERICA!!! LET'S WAKE UP AND TURN BACK TO GOD!

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Janos, Read what people have said. As ray said, nobody suggested that you should never flash the BIOS, just don't do it because there is an update available without good reason. BIOS updates are NOT the same as a driver update. If a driver update fails, its a simple matter to get back to where you where before. If a BIOS update fails, the you are screwed! Stuart

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you just aren't getting it, a bios upgrade isnt the same as updating a video card driver...

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What a bunch of negative sods.... The biso upgrade will only fail if you have a power loss. But if you follow the initial bios save instructions and do as it tells you you can recover from a flash disk. A socketed flash rom can be recovered. I agree if you dont know what you are doing than dont do it, but todays bios roms are not as easy to lose as the older ones. Hence the auto tools, a blind man can do it, its almost idiot proof. You will only loose the board if you do something realy stupid. If the update is available its there for a reason not bloody good looks, just because the engine runs fine after 50K doesnt mean you dont haveto change spark plugs.. Each to his own I agree but I recomend and always will if one is available install it. You guys can can me as much as you like I always recommend such actions needed or not needed. If you agp card has a flash rom on it and a latest bios version is available INTSTALL it, its been released for a reason. Even with new boards, if there is a later version for the board, INSTAll IT before loading windows. Sorry guys you will not change my opinion in any way shape or form. And if you all still think Im a cook pls by all means send this post to the Mother Board manufacturers and ask them for their opinion. I would be delighted to read their response.. Regards IF IT AINT BROKE, DONT FIX IT A8N-SLI Deluxe AMD X64 3500+ Wnchst Corsair 2x512 DDR400 Dual Channel GV-NX6600128D PCIX Graphics Card Ggbyte GT Pro CPU Cooler Zalman VF700-CU VGA Cool

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Janos, doesn't the fact that 'everyone' disagrees with you make you wonder if you 'might' be wrong? :-)

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>> The biso upgrade will only fail if you have a power loss. << .. and a corrupted download or a bug in the upgrade software. Even somebody switching on a mains electric motor at the wrong time, like those you find in washing machines and AC units can corrupt the BIOS upgrade. A faulty power supply can cause problems as well. Its called risk/benefit assessment. Lots of risk for no benefit. Stuart

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"Its called risk/benefit assessment. Lots of risk for no benefit." Excellent point Stuart!

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ok that was fun....now back to my topic. are these identical boards that I can flash the BIOS??...I am willign to try if there is a way to back up the old one if it doesent work. And I dont have a reason to flash the bios....its so I can overclock. Im getting a new PC soon anyways I just wanna try....thank you Andrew Kraker

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I think you should go by the bios number shown on your screen when booting to determine the correct update to look for. You normally get an option to save the current bios code when doing the update. So if you can still boot after the update, you should be able to restore the old code.

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No I am not wrong Ham !!!! But I am suprised at your reaction though !!! I have seen your posts in the past and I am suprised.... As I said pls send this post to Asus or any orther manufacturers and let them judge... As for flashing a bios which is not authentic can be done, I have never done it in the past but the 2 large manufacturers of the flash roms etc do have after market bios images available. I dont know the specifics but they are available. IF IT AINT BROKE, DONT FIX IT A8N-SLI Deluxe AMD X64 3500+ Wnchst Corsair 2x512 DDR400 Dual Channel GV-NX6600128D PCIX Graphics Card Ggbyte GT Pro CPU Cooler Zalman VF700-CU VGA Cool

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Janos - You remind me of something we used to say in the Army. "Everyones out of step except me" Although it is possible to flash the BIOS with after market BIOS code, it is not for the feint hearted. If you insist on playing around with the BIOS I reccomend you purchase something like RD1 BIOS Savoiur. This will put two BIOS chips in the computer, so if one fails, with a flick of the switch you can boot from the other. I also reccomend the RD2 PC Geiger counter on the same page. When your BIOS fails. this will tell you why. I have used both devices to modify my BIOS so that when the computer boots, the first thing you see is my name and the Energy Start logo is replaced with one of my own. There are other tweaks you can do to reveal options that the manufactuere has hidden. Not something the average user would want to do or would have the knowledge to do but it is possible. Stuart

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Thanks Stuart at least i remind you of SOMETHING !!!! LOL Been there my self, got out after 3 years campin under the stars 1000K from Alice Springs in the middle of never never lost its apeal after a while. Im just a stickler and a pain on some things I am a scorpio what do you expect. LOL If you things this is something you should be in my divison at work, the poor sods have me as Business Analyst to contend with, I give them so much grief about their workstations and maintenance of them, that they are doing them just to keep me of their backs. LOL Worked though service cals fell by 50 % almost, I think HP support might be getting bit shirty, not making as much money as they thought they would.. I agree with you in respect to after market bios images, Im not sure if I would try that eather, not a good board any way, but sometimes that is the only way out. IF IT AINT BROKE, DONT FIX IT A8N-SLI Deluxe AMD X64 3500+ Wnchst Corsair 2x512 DDR400 Dual Channel GV-NX6600128D PCIX Graphics Card Ggbyte GT Pro CPU Cooler Zalman VF700-CU VGA Cool

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