chipset drivers

[mill]

Should a person update there chipset drivers and bios, just because they come out with a newer ver. or should they wait untill they have problems with the old ones.

[soup]

I have been told if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[bill7621]

I agree, wait till you have issues. However, if you do update and it doesn't go as planned , you could do a driver roll back.

[Chewy]

is that the NF4 asus board mill?

[mill]

Thanks Soup I useally live buy them rules to "if if aint broke dont fix it". Im trying to fight the temptation, and getting some other veiws on the subject

[mill]

is that the NF4 asus board mill?

yes Chewy,

Thanks bill

[Chewy]

if UncasMS goes for it I would too. He had that board?

[mill]

ThanksI was just thinking of him.

[soup]

Whatever you choose to do, I hope it turns out well.

[ed klein]

I always update my BIOS whenever there is an update from Asus.
I started out with the BIOS version 3 on a Asus A7N8X (2.O DELUXE) and I am up to version 8 now. Just be sure you write down ALL your current settings in case you have to adjust some of them back to the previous settings. The newer BIOS setting don't always use the default settings.
I update mainly for the SATA changes. I consider BIOS update just like updates would be for a software program like RipIt4Me. I believe they should always be done.

[bill7621]

OK, I misunderstood the question. I didn't realize mill was asking about updating his bios. So, for the record, how is this done?

[Chewy]

some are doing it from windows, I still use pure dos, first make a floppy startup disk, then add the flasher utility and new bios to it.

print out the directions for the dos commands(or make a note)

takes note of any special settings in bios

boot to floppy, and flash

after rebooting go directly into bios and use setup defaults, then reapply any custom settings from your notes or memory

It's another if it ain't broke don't fix it, especially if everything's fine already.

Putting a new cpu in a motherboard with older bios, bios update is often necessary.

if you buy a new mobo that's just come out, be prepared to flash several times in the first several
months

[bill7621]

Thanks for the fast reply, Chewy. Since I have a stock Dell Dimension 4300 that's 5 years old and evrything runs as good as can be expected, I'll follow your advice. It ain't broke, I ain't fixing it! This thing still does everything I want it to, so it's good enough for now.

[mill]

Im going to have to give it a try i wont be satisfied if i dont. Whats the difference between using dos or windows? Is one safer then the other?

[Chewy]

dos is always safer, but you don't need a startup disk with that computer,
there's probably an onboard utility from bios to flash, will have to put the flash on a good formatted floppy tho