Updating BIOS

[VirusType2]

Hey, just a minute ago, I noticed that my BIOS is old and there are a stack of updates for my motherboard. There are fixes for issues I've had, and so I would like to update.

I have never done it before, have no idea what bad things can happen, don't know what to expect, and I have heard horror stories.

Is this what is called to 'flash my BIOS'?

If I flash the BIOS, my OEM XP OS will not work anymore after I do it. Right? See quotes:

Originally Posted by VirusType2
I'm using my OEM XP for all it's worth, then I'm moving on, since I hear that this copy of OEM XP is tied to my motherboard, so If I replace the mobo, XP won't work. Some licensing deal with MS and emachines to keep the price down for eMachines.

It is. I have an OEM copy of XP, and I found this out the hard way when I decided to flash my BIOS, and Windows decided that a new BIOS means a new motherboard.

Should I just live with the issue/s then? The only one that stood out as something that I noticed was the fact that sometimes the PS/2 keyboard doesn't do anything. This is fixed in the update.

It's not bothering me anymore or right now, since I'm using a new USB keyboard.

Should I just live with it?

 

[Barney Fife]

I don't think and I very much doubt that your OEM XP is tied to BIOS. MB yes but not BIOS. either way if the unthinkable happen and XP says that the BIOS it knew has gone missing, you can always call Emachine and or Microsoft support and tell them what you have done.
There are different ways of flashing BIOS but the most common way to flash BIOS is though the Floppy. DL Newer BIOS (Stay away from Beta BIOS) and save it in an empty, formatted floppy disk. Reboot system while floppy-seek/boot is enabled. Do not interrupt system while BIOS is being flashed.

Good Luck.

 

[VirusType2]

I don't think and I very much doubt that your OEM XP is tied to BIOS. MB yes but not BIOS. either way if the unthinkable happen and XP says that the BIOS it knew has gone missing, you can always call Emachine and or Microsoft support and tell them what you have done.
There are different ways of flashing BIOS but the most common way to flash BIOS is though the Floppy. DL Newer BIOS (Stay away from Beta BIOS) and save it in an empty, formatted floppy disk. Reboot system while floppy-seek/boot is enabled. Do not interrupt system while BIOS is being flashed.

Good Luck.

I can't believe it requires a floppy. I haven't had a floppy drive since I had an Atari ST home computer (1987?), and even then it was the 3.5" floppy drive.

Is there a substitute? I have a DVD Burner and a media hub (SD/MMC/SM/MS/MS-PRO). the only media formats I have though are DVD ROMS, CD ROMS, and a 2GB USB flash memory.

 

[Barney Fife]

I can't believe it requires a floppy. I haven't had a floppy drive since I had an Atari ST home computer (1987?), and even then it was the 3.5" floppy drive.

Is there a substitute? I have a DVD Burner and a media hub (SD/MMC/SM/MS/MS-PRO). the only media formats I have though are DVD ROMS, CD ROMS, and a 2GB USB flash memory.

Like I said: there are other ways you can flash BIOS, flashing through the floppy disk is one of the ways most MB manufacturers prefer, however you can consult with MB manufacturer and find out which way they do business; when flashing BIOS.

Good Luck.

 

[function9]

I like using a usb thumbdrive to flash BIOS as I haven't used a floppy in about 6 years or so. HP has a good utility that formats and transfers the necessary bootfiles onto the drive. It's made for their thumbdrives but works with many other brands.

The only requirement for this is that your motherboard must be able to boot from usb. Check your boot menu in BIOS that you can.