BIOS Optimization Guide

[VirusType2]

I came across this great resource while trying to figure out what some of my BIOS settings did.

If you would like to check to be sure your settings are optimal, or if you just got a new motherboard and have no idea what these settings do, then this guide is quite helpful.

The Definitive
BIOS Optimization Guide

http://www.techarp.com/freebog.aspx?sort=cat#here

 

[AtomicSpark]

Protip: Do not flash your BIOS from Windows. Seriously, what the hell were you thinking?

 

[VirusType2]

You launch it from Windows, Windows shuts down and reboots to the BIOS to update. (EDIT actually that depends on the Motherboard probably, and I honestly don't think a USB drive or floppy drive is more stable than a HDD. In my experience, they aren't.) Also I have UPC battery backup.

Also, I haven't updated it.

IMO, you shouldn't flash your BIOS unless you are having a problem specifically addressed by the BIOS update.

My old motherboard has a problem where sometimes the PS/2 will not work. Since all I had at the time was a PS/2 keyboard, I downloaded the BIOS updated which specifically fixed the PS/2 functionality. I used battery backup (UPS) and a brand new $30 floppy drive and guess what? The update froze. Came back an hour later it was still frozen. Now I knew beforehand that it only takes a few minutes, so I had no choice but to power off the computer. Well, I don't know why it didn't work but that turned me off. The computer still worked fine, so I guess I was lucky. I decided to just use a USB keyboard and not deal with it.

The reason I was concerned about the BIOS update for my new MSI board, was because I read a user review on newegg saying that only 4GB of his RAM was recognized, though he had 8GB. He said he had BIOS revision 1.0, and after he updated it, it worked fine. Then another user review the guy said the BIOS update wouldn't work in Windows 64Bit. However, nobody eles reported the same problem, even those who say they had 8GB of RAM and had no problems. This is basically all I had to go on. At this time, I had not even ordered my MSI mainboard yet.

I ended up only getting 4GB of RAM for the time being, and I ended up with board revision 1.1.

So, if I ever get another 4GB of RAM, and it's not recognized, then I suppose I'll need to update the bios. And I will deal with it then.

I am not having any problems with my Mainboard, so I'll just leave well enough alone.

1.0: First revision

I have BIOS version 1.1:

- Update CPU micro code.
- Update NB module.
- Update SB module.
- Improved memory compatibility.

1.2:

- Update CPU micro code.

Support XEON CPU X3450

1.3:

- Update CPU micro code.

1.4:

- Update CPU micro code.
- Update NB module.
- Support low voltage XMP memory.
- Update M-Flash module.
- Improved memory compatibility.

I'm not even sure what some of these things mean exactly.

But with all of these updates within 3 months, there could be another one soon, so it might be a good idea to wait anyway.

I'd like the update, but it's not worth the risk to me at the time. I have no money to even pay for shipping to have the BIOS replaced (overall, probably not any cheaper than just buying a new board), so it would be stupid to take a chance

updated CPU Microcode
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcode

Update NB Module?

Northbridge:

The northbridge on a particular system's motherboard is the most prominent factor in dictating the number, speed, and type of CPU(s) and the amount, speed, and type of RAM that can be used.

I wish MSI gave more details on the updates.

 

[Bakurei]

If you flash from windows make damn sure you don't have anything on the background that might interupt it. Tried to flash one acer laptop while having comodo on, interupted the bios update and I had a fried laptop. Well it wouldn't have been that way if acer hadn't decided to write over the blind boot sector...

Remember, if you fail the bios flash, the bios memory usually has a place that should not be overwritten. It will allow you to flash the computer even though the last bios update failed.