how to know the correct version of bios for update

[jraju]

Hi,
How to know the correct version of bios to get updated and how to do in running windows?
Will the bios update create some new menu in my bios? if not, what is the use of bios update?
Why driver update program like drivermax does not find updates for bios?
Can i add any item in Boot priority menu and make it workable thro registry tricks

 

[Layback Bear]

My rules of the thumb when it comes to bios updates (flash)

1. Always use the motherboard manual instruction to do a bios flash.

2. Only do a bios flash if the problem you are having is listed in the bios information as a repair for the problem you are having.

3. Never do a bios flash just because their is a new one. If your not having a problem leave the bios alone.

Example: Here is my bios on the system I'm typing from now.

BIOS
Brand American Megatrends Inc.
Version 0502
Date 11/16/2010

I'm not having any problems so I leave the 2010 bios alone.
If I do get a problem 99.9% of the time it's not caused by the bios version.

As far as I know you can't flash the bios from within Windows 7.
Your bios is installed on/in the motherboard not in Window 7 registry.

On some motherboards if a bios flash goes a muck your motherboard will become unusable. Possibly the motherboard manufacture will repair it.

Driver update programs like drivermax will most likely do nothing but cause problem. Install a bunch of PUP's and be very difficult to remove completely.

 

[jraju]

Thanks for information.
i saw configuration of usb 2.0 version. It does not show in boot menu but in advanced option.
Does that means it will support booting from pendrive if that is plugged to usb 2.0 port instead of 3.0.?
if it is not bootable or shown as boot priority device, then what is the information it gives?
Why pendrive is not shown in boot priority menu? Then where it is shown in bios? These are vital things that will benefit a lot of users, who find it difficult to actually read what bios says.
If mother board is already flashed with bios, then why they update? Could this update also be flashed thro bios and not through exes?
How to find the ports supporting different version of usb like 1,2,3 4 etc? where are these information available in computer?
Thanks for reply

 

[Layback Bear]

Their are many different bios and configuration in them.

Most information needed about your motherboard and bios is in the motherboard manual.
Everybody should have the manual for their motherboard.

No way can anybody explain every setting in ever bios for all the various motherboards.

I have two Asus motherboard system and the setting are different it their format.
That is why I keep my motherboard manuals a few steps away.
When I need them, there they are.

Some motherboard manuals are online and can be downloaded and printed out for saving.

 

[jraju]

If a person is having problem in booting or BSOD, he is in need of either repair or reinstall. Now, if he wants to have the OS thro usb, he must have the priority set to boot from pen drive. If the option is not there, in older computers, what should he do?
If the mother board manufacturer stops support to this older model, then how to accomplish the task?
Is there any thing that could include the pc from booting from pendrive which has the OS? These are things that one should know, whether he could install the OS in anyway possible. If his dvd is corrupted and he wants to boot thro usb dvd, what is the solution?
Why bios for each system version is not available in mother board sites?
There are so much possibility of boot errors and getting solution to each one is a marathon exercise. If the harddisk is having any problem, then there is simple failure of all.
Any one may get disk controller errors? Is disk controller relate to the drivers of hard disk.Is it not auto installed in windows 7? Is this denote a harddisk failure? (because the disk is not workable somehow)?
I want to know about all these things, as i encountered numerous type of errors in the initial install stage itself.
Coming to bios, the manual are too technical to understand. The menu is difficult to understand. for eg. achi is a item, when you browse the tab in the bios. There is no choice there, to change this. Is it automated bios settings?
The problem is more , because, the OS is supplied by some other and the Motherboard manufacturers are different.
I understand that BIOs is much important in booting process of pc.
N.B: My technician changed my mobo and processor, but still the bios menu does not show any extra item.

 

[AddRAM]

Isn`t the usb showing up in the boot menu, as I said in your other thread, there is no reason to go into the bios everytime you want to boot from something like that.

But there should be something in the bios that`ll let you boot from usb.

If there`s no option to boot from a usb stick then your stuck.

You are using an older board, if you had something newer you wouldn`t be having these problems.

I`ve never had an issue with my Z77, Z87 or the Z170.

Did you put an Operating System on a pen drive ?

Tell us, which one ?

 

[jraju]

Hi, I do not have the problem now. Please see my thread topic. I want to know a little more about bios and its secrets.
If suppose one has the OS, in his pen drive and if his bios does not support boot from pendrive, what should he do to get it done. I want your solution for this query. If suppose, he changes his mother board to new, then would it not have compatibility issue with other hardward he had prior to the change in the mother board.

 

[AddRAM]

Of course, the only way to understand a bios is to get in there and search around, and use google to research it.

We here have no idea what your bios is all about.

If you want to know what version your bios is, just go into the bios, it will show you.

Like I said, if you can not boot froma usb stick, a bios update may or may not fix that, you have to read the details of the newer bios.

If there is a newer bios out then you can update it, if there isn`t then you use what you have.

 

[jraju]

So, if one has this problem , there is no solution other than buying another new system, where he is having the pen drive as boot priority. ok?

 

[essenbe]

I believe this may be your Manual http://downloadmirror.intel.com/15196/eng/D915GAV_D915GAG_TechProdSpec.pdf

You should be able to enter the one time boot menu to select the USB (if it is bootable) by pressing F10 uring the manufacturer's logo. If you don't do it quick enough, you will boot into your OS.

Or press F2 to enter BIOS. Please make sue this is your Motherboard.

 

[jraju]

Really thankful to the link. But i have changed the mother board and processor. How did you know the manual for my system. PL.

Please also tell what is meant by these words in manual
To install an operating system that supports USB,
verify that Legacy USB support in the BIOS
Setup program is set to Enabled and follow the
operating system’s installation instructions.
I do not understand this. Think that my bios support boot from usb. I have already informed that i have 2.0 usb port support in all my usb ports.
From the reading, i could say, that my bios support legacy mode.

 

[jraju]

The details from speccy
Motherboard
Chipset Vendor Intel
Chipset Model i865P/PE/G/i848P
Chipset Revision A2
Southbridge Vendor Intel
Southbridge Model 82801EB (ICH5)
Southbridge Revision 02
System Temperature 47 °C
BIOS
Brand Intel Corp.
Version SA86510A.51T.1004.2006.0705.1741
I think that the manual is suitable for my old mothr board
Date 07/05/2006

 

[AddRAM]

Well, if you think your bios has support to boot from usb, I don`t understand why you are having so much trouble.

What exactly are you trying to boot from using usb ?

 

[jraju]

The problem of old computer bios is that it does not contain this usb in boot priority menu.

 

[AddRAM]

You don`t seem to understand, there is no driver update program to update a bios, and you can not add anything to a bios.

The bios is written by the Bios company ( Megatrend for example ) you can`t change it.

 

[AddRAM]

The problem of old computer bios is that it does not contain this usb in boot priority menu.

Exactly, so you can`t do it.

I ask again...

What exactly are you trying to boot from using usb ?

 

[jraju]

Hi, Thanks for all the responses from all the experts. Now i know for sure, that nothing could be added to bios. Please tell what that issue in my post 12 meant

 

[essenbe]

As you quoted above, make sure legacy USB is set to enabled in BIOS. If that is not your motherboard, completely fill in the correct system specs. Then find the Manual. Google is your friend. We need your correct system specs to help you.

 

[jraju]

Hi, essenbe
The specification is not given by me, but actually generated. I do not remember. But i gave the speciication in my post13

 

[ThrashZone]

Check again Mother board entry is blank.

If the flash can not boot it usually means it's not marked as active
What is on the flash drive.