I've been using EB's (Express BIOS) since they first hit - from XP to Windows 7 and have never even come close to having an issue. And I'm somewhat of a BIOS obsessive person.
To each his own but there's always going to be horror stories about everything and anything, Just like those that says SP1 hoses Windows 7.
Yeah you can hose your system doing a BIOS update through Windows, but you can do the same thing through DOS or other methods as well.
My two cents.
Yes, the only precaution one has to undertake while flashing with DOS is to ensure that there is no interruption. This is applicable to Windows flashing also.
Other than that by doing it through Windows one is introducing additional risk elements.
Well, it may not happen to everyone and everytime ( there are many variables known and unknown), but that does not take away the additional risks altogether. That I have not met with any accidents does not mean that others too will not.:)
The number of flash failures reported with Windows flashing are many.
Consequently many precautions are advocated before doing a Windows Flash.
From HP Forum:
"You can flash the BIOS in a windows environment.
However, if you flash the BIOS in a windows environment you MUST, repeat...MUST, disable or uninstall your antivirus program. As a further precaution you may want to flash the BIOS in the windows safe mode.
If you do not disable or uninstall your AV program when performing a windows based flash, your antivirus program may attempt to interrupt the flash thinking a virus is attacking your BIOS software. If the AV program is successful in interrupting the flash, it will also be quite succesful in rendering your nice dc7800 business desktop quite useless."
Another affected user who bricked his Abit PC doing Windows flash:
" Yeah, there is always a risk when flashing BIOS, but I've never had an issue doing it in DOS. It could just be really bad luck that something conflicted with the program, or just the Flash Menu being poorly coded."
Other Users:
"As others said just make sure if your overclocked to set your system back to stock settings before you flash and also disable any programs that you have running such as virus software etc."
"Disconnect ALL external hardware
Turn you computer off then on again, to shut down all processes
Shut down ALL programs especially anti-virus
Make sure you are on a.c. (laptops)
Remember if can take upto 45 minutes, don't be tempted to reboot your computer even if it appears to lock up."
Like Signus, I had also done a number of DOS flashing and never a failure and no need to bother about all the above user experiences and statements. No worries and as easy as A, B, C. My 2 cents on it. :).
(On a personal note, when I purchased two different models of Zotac Mini-PC and needed to update the bios that fixed various problems in the new release, I browsed through the Zotac Forum only to find that almost everyone who tried Windows flashing, bricked their brand new mini-PCs and had to return it to Zotac. May be a bad code. I took the traditional route and sailed through happily)
Wichever way you choose be aware of the risks and take cover.
Last edited by jumanji; 24 Dec 2011 at 14:02.
Bottom line is flashing a BIOS is risky, no matter the method. I personally feel the EB way is easier, and safer. That's me.
And I can argue that just because someone had an issue does not mean everyone else will
Anyway moving right along.
Good for others to know both the viewpoints and be their own judge. Happy X'MAS.
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