BIOS

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

"Browny" <Browny@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:24BA0045-E8D9-4CBA-910C-8D507101C0EF@microsoft.com...
> hey, im thinking on updating my BIOS, sounds simple but it aint.
> i have a Columbia V (GA-8SIML-NF5) Ver 2.0 motherboard which im not sure
if
> i have the wright BIOS as i heard it can damage the motherboard FOREVER!
>
> that scardd me but i really wanna update because i like updating/upgrading
> things.
>
> PS. is a Columbia V motherboard good because i have no idea

BIOS updates are usually for a reason, to correct a problem, to allow faster
CPUs, etc. If your computer is working there's absolutely no reason to
upgrade the BIOS and, as you stated, it might cause your computer to stop
working completely.

I'm not familiar with the Columbia V motherboard but if it's working and you
are not having any problems, then it's a good motherboard!

--
David R. Norton MVP (shell/user)
d_r_norton@yahoo.com

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

In news:24BA0045-E8D9-4CBA-910C-8D507101C0EF@microsoft.com,
Browny <Browny@discussions.microsoft.com> typed:

> hey, im thinking on updating my BIOS, sounds simple but it
> aint.
> i have a Columbia V (GA-8SIML-NF5) Ver 2.0 motherboard which im
> not
> sure if i have the wright BIOS as i heard it can damage the
> motherboard FOREVER!
>
> that scardd me but i really wanna update because i like
> updating/upgrading things.


Upgrading it simply because you "like updating/upgrading things"
would be a foolhardy thing to do.
Although a BIOS upgrade normally goes well, it is not without
danger. If something goes wrong while the upgrade is an progress
(for example, a lapse in power) you can be left with no BIOS at
all, and an unbootable computer.

Do a BIOS upgrade if you need to--because you are having a
problem that the new version is known to fix--not just because
one is available.


--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

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

Browny wrote:

> hey, im thinking on updating my BIOS, sounds simple but it aint.
> i have a Columbia V (GA-8SIML-NF5) Ver 2.0 motherboard which im not sure if
> i have the wright BIOS as i heard it can damage the motherboard FOREVER!
>
> that scardd me but i really wanna update because i like updating/upgrading
> things.
>
> PS. is a Columbia V motherboard good because i have no idea
>
> thanks

If you're not having any problems with your current BIOS, then don't
even think about flashing it. This, more than just about anything in
computing, is where "It it isn't broken, then don't fix it." applies.

Carl

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

Browny <Browny@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

>hey, im thinking on updating my BIOS, sounds simple but it aint.
>i have a Columbia V (GA-8SIML-NF5) Ver 2.0 motherboard which im not sure if
>i have the wright BIOS as i heard it can damage the motherboard FOREVER!

Yes it can.

>that scardd me but i really wanna update because i like updating/upgrading
>things.

You shouldn't try to update your BIOS unless the update will give you
a capability that you need and don't currently have. If it's working
well, LEAVE IT ALONE! Too much risk to mess around in this area.

--
Tim Slattery
MS MVP(DTS)
Slattery_T@bls.gov

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

Browny wrote:
> hey, im thinking on updating my BIOS, sounds simple but it aint.
> i have a Columbia V (GA-8SIML-NF5) Ver 2.0 motherboard which im not sure if
> i have the wright BIOS as i heard it can damage the motherboard FOREVER!
>


That's very true.

It's rarely necessary to update a BIOS unless you need the newer
version to fix a specific problem you're experiencing, or to provide
compatibility with new technologies or a newer OS. Given the great
potential that a botched BIOS-flash has for rendering a motherboard
completely and permanently useless, this is not something that should be
considered just so one can have the "newest and shiniest."


> that scardd me but i really wanna update because i like updating/upgrading
> things.
>


You're right to be "scardd." Updating for the sake of updating alone
is pure foolishness, if you've a working computer. Why take a chance on
creating a doorstop just for the sake of having the newest BIOS revision?


> PS. is a Columbia V motherboard good because i have no idea
>

Can't say. I've never heard of that brand/model. But then, I've only
been working with personal computers for 20 years.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

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

Hi Browny,

I agree with others on this one.
If you have no problems with the way your BIOS functions then leave it alone
!!

If you need to upgrade then you can find the BIOS updates from the
manufacturer
website ---->
http://www.giga-byte.com/Motherboard/Support/BIOS/BIOS_...(Rev%202.0).htm

The mainboard you mention is a Gigabyte board and as you correctly state,
you can
alter your board to a non bootbale state by flashing it with the wrong BIOS.

Regards
Arron


"Browny" <Browny@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:24BA0045-E8D9-4CBA-910C-8D507101C0EF@microsoft.com...
> hey, im thinking on updating my BIOS, sounds simple but it aint.
> i have a Columbia V (GA-8SIML-NF5) Ver 2.0 motherboard which im not sure
> if
> i have the wright BIOS as i heard it can damage the motherboard FOREVER!
>
> that scardd me but i really wanna update because i like updating/upgrading
> things.
>
> PS. is a Columbia V motherboard good because i have no idea
>
> thanks

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

thanks for scaring me people, theres no way im restarting with the CD in now.