BIOS Update

[Griffin]

I am trying to upgrade the BIOS on PC to BIOS Update [TS94610J.86A]

When I run it, however, it says it cannot proceed due to a programming or internal error.

Any suggestions?

 

[Saltgrass]

This really isn't a Windows 7 question, but are you using the correct utility for the bit version you have for Win 7?

My system has a utility it starts from the bios to update the bios. Each motherboard seems to have different ways of doing this, so read the instructions for your motherboard. You may have to create a boot media or use some other utility.

 

[Wishmaster]

IMHO, flashing the bios should never be done unless the update specifically targets and resolves a problem you are actually having.

Having said that, I would also strongly discourage the flashing of bios from within Windows, regardless what type of MOBO you have.
The chance of failure, and rendering the Motherboard useless, is much higher if you flash from Windows.

Look around the official site for your Motherboard, where you got the bios update.
There should be other options for the updated bios, such as in a .ISO or USB flash form.

Flashing via USB drive is the most trouble free way, and the safest in my experience.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Griffin, welcome to Seven forums!



If you can give us some details why you find a need to update the BIOS of your PC, is it something you need to do to fix an error with the machine or is it just something you'd like to try; maybe we can help you find the right course of action.

 

[bobkn]

You didn't supply much information, but I see that the BIOS update that you list is for a discontinued Intel desktop board.

Since the update dates from November 2007, the Windows version may not run properly under Windows 7. It might run in compatibility mode, as it supports Vista.

There are 4 ways to upgrade the BIOS:

BIOS Update [TS94610J.86A]

If it was my system, I'd probably download the .iso version which can be used to create a bootable CD:

Download Locations

Instructions for using all 4 forms of the BIOS updater are here:

http://downloadmirror.intel.com/14847/ENG/BIOS%20Update%20Readme.pdf

 

[cloud8521]

IMHO, flashing the bios should never be done unless the update specifically targets and resolves a problem you are actually having.

Having said that, I would also strongly discourage the flashing of bios from within Windows, regardless what type of MOBO you have.
The chance of failure, and rendering the Motherboard useless, is much higher if you flash from Windows.

Look around the official site for your Motherboard, where you got the bios update.
There should be other options for the updated bios, such as in a .ISO or USB flash form.

Flashing via USB drive is the most trouble free way, and the safest in my experience.

i disagree, such as when you are using an unlocked cpu or overclocked one, sometimes bios updates do help with lowering and changing how much volts you may need for it to remain stabler, such on my dual unlocked to a quad from a bios update went from needing 1.4 volts to 1.26.

as for flashing in windows, it really does depend on the board, but it does help mine has 4 backups of the original bios, 1 on a bios chip that cant be changed sitting under the used bios chip, one on my hard drive and one on the cd, so if i do have a problem with the bios, then it can be fixed without struggle, flash in the os to your hears content, wont hurt it.

 

[Product FRED]

My ASUS board can emulate one drive as another. For example I can assign my flash drive as a floppy drive (A:\). But, my board also has a flashing utility built in. I didn't know you could flash from Windows.

Also, I totally agree that you shouldn't need to flash your BIOS unless you have a problem or if the update adds features you're looking for.

 

[sygnus21]

I didn't know you could flash from Windows.

This is a BIOS update for Intel's Desktop Board DP55SB - BIOS Update [KGIBX10J.86A]

Express BIOS Update [KGIBX10J.86A.4752.EB.EXE] - Self-extracting Windows*-based update file includes Software License Agreement and the utility for updating the BIOS. It is designed to be used on Windows* systems

I've been doing my BIOS updates through Windows since my D975XBX2 MB starting with Vista in 08. I find it rather nice and easy

PS - It really would help if the OP at least told us what MB he's trying to update. Everything is a guess without that info

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

PS - It really would help if the OP at least told us what MB he's trying to update. Everything is a guess without that info

That's why I tried to get some info from them.

 

[CommonTater]

IMHO, flashing the bios should never be done unless the update specifically targets and resolves a problem you are actually having.

i disagree, such as when you are using an unlocked cpu or overclocked one, sometimes bios updates do help with lowering and changing how much volts you may need for it to remain stabler, such on my dual unlocked to a quad from a bios update went from needing 1.4 volts to 1.26.

Ummm... in that case it is targeting a specific problem.

Really Wishmaster is right. Bios Flash should be a last resort.

 

[pparks1]

Count me in as one of the people who usually on personal equipment do BIOS flashes "only" when they actually benefit me. On work machines, I usually upgrade a little more freely as I have warranties and service contracts and spare equipment in the case that something really bad happens.

 

[sygnus21]

I'm on the other fench, I do BIOS updates as soon as they release. Never had an issue doing it this way and it's one less thing to worry about.

 

[cloud8521]

IMHO, flashing the bios should never be done unless the update specifically targets and resolves a problem you are actually having.

i disagree, such as when you are using an unlocked cpu or overclocked one, sometimes bios updates do help with lowering and changing how much volts you may need for it to remain stabler, such on my dual unlocked to a quad from a bios update went from needing 1.4 volts to 1.26.

Ummm... in that case it is targeting a specific problem.

Really Wishmaster is right. Bios Flash should be a last resort.

that'snot a problem tho. and i did not know it would, but i did it anyway.

 

[Griffin]

Sorry for the late response, I took my rig apart yesterday to put it in a new Antec 1200 and I bit off more than I can chew. I thought it would be a simple matter of plugging everything back in.

After a trip to the library to download a copy of the manual for my motherboard and a trip to the store to buy a new Corsair 750W power supply, I finally have my computer up and running.

Here's my configuration:

Platform : Intel Averill Fundamental

Mainboard : Intel D946GZIS

Chipset : Intel i946GZ

Processor : Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 @ 2666 MHz

Physical Memory : 2048 MB (2 x 1024 DDR2-SDRAM )

Video Card : NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTX

Hard Disk : WDC (500 GB)

Operating System : Windows 7 Professional Professional 6.01.7600 (x64)

DirectX : Version 11.00

Mainboard : Intel D946GZIS

I bought some more RAM so my machine would run smoother with the Windows Upgrade to 7 and a friend of mine told me to update my BIOS to prevent the machine from crashing with more that 2 GB of RAM.

Thanks for all of your help with this.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again Griffin.



So you have everything you needed now, you've sorted the BIOS issue?

 

[Griffin]

No, I don't know if I should install my new RAM and hope for the best or if I should try to update the BIOS again to make sure my system can use the RAM.

I don't want to open the RAM to have it be useless and un-returnable.

 

[zigzag3143]

No, I don't know if I should install my new RAM and hope for the best or if I should try to update the BIOS again to make sure my system can use the RAM.

I don't want to open the RAM to have it be useless and un-returnable.

Bios dont upgrade unless you absolutely have to can be dangerous

Ram, you need to try it.


Ken

 

[MadMaxData]

I'm definately siding with the older, more experienced crowd on this issue. The very last thing you ever want to have to do is flash the BIOS. I've been building rigs for almost 2 decades now, and I've never once had to flash a BIOS. Unless you suspect a completely fried motherboard, then leave the BIOS alone. Unless of course you have the money to purchase another board at the drop of a hat. Of all the things you can do to correct hardware symptoms, flashing the BIOS had better be the very last option. When I first joined this forum, and saw people advising other inexperienced users to flash their BIOS because of an occasional BSOD, I about flipped my wig...LOL

I see others have flashed many a BIOS successfully. More power to you, but your playing with fire, and eventually it will bite you in the ass. Trust me.


Max

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

I'm definately siding with the older, more experienced crowd on this issue. The very last thing you ever want to have to do is flash the BIOS. I've been building rigs for almost 2 decades now, and I've never once had to flash a BIOS. Unless you suspect a completely fried motherboard, then leave the BIOS alone. Unless of course you have the money to purchase another board at the drop of a hat. Of all the things you can do to correct hardware symptoms, flashing the BIOS had better be the very last option. When I first joined this forum, and saw people advising other inexperienced users to flash their BIOS because of an occasional BSOD, I about flipped my wig...LOL

I see others have flashed many a BIOS successfully. More power to you, but your playing with fire, and eventually it will bite you in the ass. Trust me.


Max

Well said MMD!

 

[sygnus21]

The Windows BIOS update is as simple as installing a driver.

Here's a quick tutorial from Intel - Windows Express BIOS Update | Intel.com - Video / Audio Center. There's also a tutorial on a BIOS recovery, should you need to do so, right after the BIOS update video. Just let the video clip continue to play.

Here's the BIOS (Windows) upated for your MB - BIOS Update [TS94610J.86A] - The file you want to download is TS94610J.86A.0087.EB.EXE

And yes, you should update the BIOS, especially if you've never updated the board since purchase.

BIOS Release notes - http://downloadmirror.intel.com/14847/ENG/TS_0087_ReleaseNotes.pdf

PS - I've been doing BIOS updates since I started building PC's in 1998. This express BIOS update is the simplest I’ve seen yet.