BIOS updating

[BAZ]

I am not sure and want to know if I need to update my BIOS.

This laptop is 2 years old, and is running all well. I haven't had any crashes etc. But I am wondering if updating the BIOS will prolong my machine's life.

Here are some screenshots which give basic info. about the laptop in question.







PS I didn't like the idea of paying more than 20 quid for their yearly subscription.

 

[Dwarf]

Unless the BIOS update corrects a problem that you're having, then I wopuld leave well alone. These updates are usually to enable the motherboard to support newer hardware such as processors. Since yours is a laptop, you wouldn't be able to upgrade anyway, so I would leave it as it is.

 

[Bill2]

STOP PAYING FOR THAT SUBSCRIPTION!

1) First of all, fully authorized and legitimate bios updates should be available from your PC manufacturer's website. Use those, IF REQUIRED, not ones from a 3rd party website.

2) Bios updates do not prolong your computer's life. They may simply resolve a problem or provide a new beneficial feature. If you never update the bios in the computer's lifetime and dont experience any issues (as you said), you'll be just fine.

3) Flashing the bios can be risky! It has the potential to brick your motherboard if you dont do it right. also, the most important thing to do before flashing a bios is to be prepared for a bad flash. How? having a bootable usb/cd with a working bios ready and being fully conversant with the recovery procedures. A lot of people dont take that basic precaution and get bombed.

Nobody can say with 100% guarantee that a bios flash will succeed. That way computers can be most temperamental (like cats).

So:

1) Research your bios update options at Toshiba's website.

2) If you discover a bios update for your model, go through its CHANGELOG. That'll tell you what it brings to the table.

3) If you see something desirable, take ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS that I mentioned and then proceed.

Otherwise, sit tight, watch TV and have a beer! Your computer will be fine.

 

[BAZ]

Okay thanks.

So BIOS updgrae doesn't actually improve the reliability of a machine? I heard it was so.

Another similar question please... I have a computer with Vista installed on it, and it has 2 physical hard drives. I installed Windows 7 on that alongside Vista, now when I use Windows 7 I can't see my hard drive partitions from the other drive. Is that a BIOS problem? Or its to do with hard drive's driver not being compatable with windows 7?

 

[BAZ]

Thank you for the useful info., Bill2. Now I think I best leave it as it is since I don't really have any big isses with current state of my laptop.

So could someone answer my second question in post # 4. Do I need to update BIOS on that desktop? Or need to update some driver?

 

[Mellon Head]

STOP PAYING FOR THAT SUBSCRIPTION!

1) First of all, fully authorized and legitimate bios updates should be available from your PC manufacturer's website. Use those, IF REQUIRED, not ones from a 3rd party website.

2) Bios updates do not prolong your computer's life. They may simply resolve a problem or provide a new beneficial feature. If you never update the bios in the computer's lifetime and dont experience any issues (as you said), you'll be just fine.

3) Flashing the bios can be risky! It has the potential to brick your motherboard if you dont do it right. also, the most important thing to do before flashing a bios is to be prepared for a bad flash. How? having a bootable usb/cd with a working bios ready and being fully conversant with the recovery procedures. A lot of people dont take that basic precaution and get bombed.

Nobody can say with 100% guarantee that a bios flash will succeed. That way computers can be most temperamental (like cats).

So:

1) Research your bios update options at Toshiba's website.

2) If you discover a bios update for your model, go through its CHANGELOG. That'll tell you what it brings to the table.

3) If you see something desirable, take ADEQUATE PRECAUTIONS that I mentioned and then proceed.

Otherwise, sit tight, watch TV and have a beer! Your computer will be fine.

Good advice!