Flashing Bios on a P4 dell....I need your oppinions plz

06-08-2001, 07:07 | posts: n/a

Hello everyone, 
I got a new computer and I'm wondering if I should update my bios. Will updating the bios make a big difference (mostly in gaming performance)? I heard if it isn't done properly I could fry my system and that would suck. I currently have bios version a02 and there is a bios version a06. Do you guys think it's worth the flash? 
 
Thanx in advance 
 
System specs: 
------------- 
 
Dell 8100 series 
Bios version a02 
P4 1.3Ghz 
128MB PC800 RD ram 
64MB Nvidia Geforce2 Ultra GTS w/ DVI 
SB live 
17' P780 trinitron Max 1600x1280 @ 60hz 
Detonator drivers version 7.58

06-08-2001, 12:11 | posts: n/a

Well first off why do you want to flash your BIOS?

06-08-2001, 15:10 | posts: n/a

G-H-O-S-T, 
I am very interested in your post. I can't help, but I also have a new Dell computer.... 
System specs: 
------------- 
 
Dell 8100 series 
Bios version a02 
P4 1.4Ghz 
256MB PC800 RD ram 
64MB Nvidia Geforce2 Ultra 
SB live 
Detonator drivers version 12.00 
 
I can't figure out, nor has Dell Support responded..to even access the "real" bios settings. Sure hitting the "del" key @ start-up takes you in, but there are very few settings that are accessible there. Have you figured out any more than this?

pitydafoo · 06-08-2001, 15:41 | posts: 2,142 | Location: Tennessee, USA

I work with Dells all the time here at work. Flashing the BIOS on them is quick, easy, and painless. Just make sure you don't cycle the power while it's updating. Just download the file, it will make a floppy that you boot with. From there pretty much everything is automated. Let me know if you have any trouble with it, and READ ALL DIRECTIONS CAREFULLY! I'd go for it, though. I doubt it will cause you any trouble, usually it is to enhance/fix problems. Good luck!

06-08-2001, 17:52 | posts: n/a

If you aren't having any problems (especially with an brand new OEM system) I would leave it alone. If its an OEM and it ain't broke don't fix. When you start building your own systems, start adding new components and are into tweaking your machine, then mess around with the BIOS

pitydafoo · 06-08-2001, 18:03 | posts: 2,142 | Location: Tennessee, USA

In this case, I'd go with the update. This is early hardware that is being better optimized all the time. Dell does well on their BIOS updates, I've yet to have a problem with one, and it has been good about fixing niggling problems (or preventing them from coming up). Of course it's up to the user, but like I said, it's very easy on the Dells (not much to screw up). On hardware as young as this, the newer the BIOS revision, the better.

06-08-2001, 22:22 | posts: n/a

Thank you for all your oppinions <IMG SRC="smileys/smile.gif"> 
If I flash the bios will I notice a difference in day to day tasks?Will updating the bios increase video performance (By this I mean will I notice an increase in videogame performance)? 
 
Thanx in advance

pitydafoo · 06-09-2001, 05:04 | posts: 2,142 | Location: Tennessee, USA

There probably will not be anything night-and-day different, but some things should be a little quicker or more stable. However, there is a possibility you won't really see much change, but it shouldn't hurt anything. Like I said before, on early versions of hardware such as this, they are learning new ways to optimize it all the time, so I think the newest BIOS revision available is a good idea.

06-09-2001, 08:55 | posts: n/a

No no no. If you aren't experience any problems or any differences in performance that can be proven, then don't **** with it. 
 
Q: What is BIOS? 
 
A: BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System. 
 
All computer hardware has to work with software through an interface. The BIOS gives the computer a little built-in starter kit to run the rest of softwares from floppy disks (FDD) and hard disks (HDD). The BIOS is responsible for booting the computer by providing a basic set of instructions. It performs all the tasks that need to be done at start-up time: POST (Power-On Self Test, booting an operating system from FDD or HDD). Furthermore, it provides an interface to the underlying hardware for the operating system in the form of a library of interrupt handlers. For instance, each time a key is pressed, the CPU (Central Processing Unit) perform an interrupt to read that key. This is similar for other input/output devices (Serial and parallel ports, video cards, sound cards, hard disk controllers, etc...). Some older PC's cannot co-operate with all the modern hardware because their BIOS doesn't support that hardware. The operating system cannot call a BIOS routine to use it; this problem can be solved by replacing your BIOS with an newer one, that does support your new hardware, or by installing a device driver for the hardware. 
 
Sooo, after all that you should only mess with your BIOS if something isn't performing like it should. (Especially in an OEM system)

pitydafoo · 06-09-2001, 17:36 | posts: 2,142 | Location: Tennessee, USA

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by Sweaty: 
No no no. If you aren't experience any problems or any differences in performance that can be proven, then don't **** with it. 
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> 
 
How can you tell if you have any proven differences in performance? Unfortunately Dell does not have listed everything they changed on theur site, but in an oem system is really where your safest with a BIOS upgrade since they provided most or all of your components. If they have found a way to make some or all of the system components interact better, then it's worth it. Why do you think they made a BIOS revision for it? Either they found a component that someone may add that may cause problems, or they fixed/optimized existing components. What I've been sayingis that the BIOS flash process on Dells is quick and easy. If there is little to no risk of trouble with it, I still say it's worth upgrading on components such as the P4 and 850 chipset that have new optimizations for them all the time. I understand your viewpoint, but I still hold that BIOS updates on OEM systems are a good thing. I've done a ton of them, I've yet to have trouble with any of them, and they have fixed many a problem.

06-09-2001, 19:52 | posts: n/a

Yeah nevermind I totally lost my train of thought. I think I'm starting to suffer from lack of sleep.

07-01-2001, 11:18 | posts: n/a

Well I finally updated my bios from version a02 to a07. I'm guessing everything worked out ok since I can still use my computer. Thanks to all the people who gave me advice <IMG SRC="smileys/smile.gif">

pitydafoo · 07-02-2001, 19:23 | posts: 2,142 | Location: Tennessee, USA

You're welcome, glad to hear everything went well.

qube · 07-06-2001, 03:06 | posts: 795 | Location: T-O-R-O-N-T-O

Beware! If you ever have trouble with your Dell and they find out you've flashed your BIOS for no good reason (ie. Support 'authorizing' you to do so) your warranty is as good as dead. 
 
That is, unless you're a business client <IMG SRC="smileys/smile.gif">

pitydafoo · 07-06-2001, 20:54 | posts: 2,142 | Location: Tennessee, USA

Naaah...only if you killed the machine while flashing the BIOS. Anything other than that, and you won't have any problem. You don't have to have them "authorize" you to update it. They put those out there for you to update it. If you follow directions, and update it properly, you won't have any trouble with the pc or service.

04-05-2004, 22:01 | posts: n/a

that computer is not worth flashing the bios