How to flash your BIOS

So I have been having an occasional weird crackling that occurs in my speakers and I've been told it's possible that updating my BIOS could help solve the problem. Well, I have an EVGA 750i FTW motherboard and I looked and found they say to do it all I need is to burn the .ISO they provide to a disc and boot from it and it will do it. My question is simply, do you all know if it would be automated or is it going to ask me something that I have to select or anything else?

It also made mention of clearing the CMOS by powering down - does this require anything extra than just a shut down (Like unplugging the machine, removing the battery, anything else like that)? I'd appreciate the advice, I've mostly never done these because I was afraid I'd screw it up but I don't know if I'm going to have to like direct the BIOS file where to install or tell it my version or if it's all automated. If they've made it automated then not really much to worry about I suppose - just want to know before I go through with it!

First things first:
WARNING: Look at the bios release notes. If it doesnt specifically state a known issues being fixed you are having, it may not help. Also, I wouldn't update the bios unless it does fix the issue you are having. No point in taking the potential risk.


Having said that, if you are Overclocked you will need to RESET TO OPTIMIZED DEFAULTS first.
Even if you are not OC'd reseting to optimized default before flash is always a good idea IMHO. But a MUST if OC'd.

Make sure the first boot device is set to CD ROM, and that you are in IDE mode.

Boot from the CD and follow the prompts.

After the bios flash is successful, you need to go back into them, RESET TO OPTIMIZED DEFAULTS again, and restart the MOBO. (Hard power down)
Then make all the needed settings you need to.
The hard pwer down may not be needed, but I always do.

Generally speaking, this is all youll need to do.
All boards are are slightly different to reset CMOS. Some require removing the battery, others have a little jumer you move. Im not sure about yours, so checking the official forums/manuals may be a good idea.

Adrian said:

I question if re-flashing your bios will correct the crackling issue from the speakers where you may have dirty /corroded contacts in your connections, or if you have an issue with your sound card. Disconnect your RCA mini jax connectors and clean with a rough cloth and reconnect them and see if the popping sound continues, update your driver on your sound card.

I understand the reasoning for this suggestion however I bought a nice Digital Coax cable and am using above average components in both ends. I already thought to check both to ensure they were plugged in properly and unplugged both ends anyway and it didn't fix the issue (There's a thread under audio about a crackling problem and that's the exact issue I have so it's not a normal one - most likely driver induced).

Thus said...this is why I dreaded doing a BIOS flash - I always assumed they were complicated and hard to do and it still seems as though they are. Ugh...I think dealing with the occasional obnoxious sound problem is more worth it than messing with the BIOS. Admittedly going to school to be a CIS I probably should learn to do this but not on my personal everday gaming machine...appreciate the steps and advice, I'll keep them in mind when/if I ever flash a BIOS.

Yeah, M-Audio is bad about drivers - but I never had issues with XP (32 bit though), Vista (64-bit) and generally with Windows 7 (64-bit). It's just an occasional thing, but something I think each individual manufacturer has to create drivers to address. Vista and Windows 7 are similar enough that I imagine all the 7 drivers will do is hopefully fix this strange issue with the occasional crackling. It's sporadic - never so constant and repetitious to really hinder me just annoying when it does happen and uncontrollable/unresolvable by my actions.

I personally hate Creative though, their sound cards are utter crap IMHO and they're world famous for bad drivers - and they are the largest alternative to my current card. HT Omega I had considered some time back but to keep my features of this card I'd have to buy like the $150+ version they sell...ouch.