BIOS Gateway to Intel

[Guest]

I have a Gateway system with a Intel Integrated 440BX Slot 1 motherboard, BIOS 4R4CB0XA.15A.0018.P08, date 4/15/99. I have been on the Intel's web site and found info on the motherboard. There is a BIOS update, 4R4CB0XA.86A.0020.P14, date 6/27/00. As you can see the BIOS numbers do not match between the first and second period. My questions are:

1)Does Gateway modify the motherboard so you can only use there BIOS?

2)Is it a smart idea to update to the Intel BIOS or am I taking a big chance?

3)Gateway told me the floppy disk I use to boot and update the BIOS is the same one I need if I have to recover the BIOS by setting the jumper on the motherboard to BIOS recovery. Is this True?

Thanks
Mark

 

[Crashman]

I have put Intel BIOS on MANY Gateway boards without a problem. Unlike Dell and HP, they usually use stock boards. But some newer BIOS are secured so that they must be provided from the same vender or they won't flash! Generally if it's exactly the same board I'd say go for it!

Back to you Tom...