What is 'flashing the BIOS'??

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

I am trouble shooting here and I am reading
about 'flashing the BIOS'[Asus P4P800]. What is BIOS
flashing and what does it do? I am getting errors and I
am hoping this may help but I'd like to learn what it does
first and if it'll toast my current XP install and
documents.

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (More info?)

NO! This is not "drivers"!!!!

Flashing the BIOS is more complex.


Each motherboard has a special integrated circuit (CMOS chip) which stores a
special program (BIOS) that the motherboard needs in order to start up
correctly. This special program can be update, at the manufacturer's
discretion, in order to add/remove controls or fix start-up problems.
Flashing the BIOS is was method in which the motherboard manufacturer has
for you to replace the special program (BIOS) on the CMOS chip.

Flashing the BIOS should not be done for every problem. Only should be done
to add new features (like 160G or greater hard drive support, faster
processor support.)

What are the errors you are getting?


<anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:1885a01c42304$5c4e4050$a001280a@phx.gbl...
> Flashing the bios is basically updating it's "drivers".
> You will have to do some reading up on it though, because
> you can really mess up your PC if your not careful. Also
> you should check your motherboards web site and see if
> they have auto flashing your bios. If so it is alot
> easier to do.
>
> ADAM
> >-----Original Message-----
> >I am trouble shooting here and I am reading
> >about 'flashing the BIOS'[Asus P4P800]. What is BIOS
> >flashing and what does it do? I am getting errors and I
> >am hoping this may help but I'd like to learn what it
> does
> >first and if it'll toast my current XP install and
> >documents.
> >.
> >