to scared to flash bios but needs to?

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Pe-Killer

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I need to flash my bios and update to run the new amd phenom 2 cpu's but am scared. .Either that or i should consider a new motherboard but i like my motherboard. I got the gigabyte GA-M57SLI-s4.

On the gigabyte web site they say it's risky.
Any1 tried flashing a gigabyte motherboard? got any advice? Is it really that risky?

I never flashed my bios ever or a bios for that matter.

Am scared:(
 
the risky part is if you have a power outage during the procedure it would fuxxor your mobo, other than that it's pretty safe. just make sure the power don't go out while you are flashing the bios. that's about it. it takes like a minute or two to complete. no big deal really, don't be scardy cat :p
 
Lord Fubar said:
the risky part is if you have a power outage during the procedure it would fuxxor your mobo, other than that it's pretty safe. just make sure the power don't go out while you are flashing the bios. that's about it. it takes like a minute or two to complete. no big deal really, don't be scardy cat :p
Click to expand...

We almost never have power outage in this area but i know my luck:( And gigabyte web site has a app to do it with on there web site.
 
Why do you want to flash your MB?

My rule is - never, ever flash, unless you really need it (such as upgrading to more memory, and only a BIOS upgrade will be able to handle the extra RAM).

To be on the safe side, get a proper UPS and have your PC connected to it during the flashing process - so if the power fails, then you'll still be covered.
 
The_Librarian said:
Why do you want to flash your MB?.
Click to expand...

He wants to upgrade his CPU.


As everyone has said, it's only risky if you or Eskom pulls out the power cord. ;)

If for some reason you do experience a power outage while flashing the BIOS, all is not lost. Most reputable PC repair shops can reflash a dud BIOS. Pinnacle Micro reflashed the BIOS on a dud board of mine for R250.
 
Last edited:
genetic said:
He wants to upgrade his CPU.


As everyone has said, it's only risky if you or Eskom pulls out the power cord. ;)

If you for some reason you do experience a power outage while flashing the BIOS, all is not lost. Most reputable PC repair shops can reflash a dud BIOS. Pinnacle Micro reflashed the BIOS on a dud board of mine for R250.
Click to expand...

Or you flash with a bad update/wrong update(with flash app that doesn't verify the chip)
 
I flashed my Gigabyte MB, is has a built in tool in the CMOS you can use. I just put the file on a flash drive and flashed it using the tool. Was quick, less than a minute. Also thinks it checks the file before it starts flashing to make sure it is the correct version and that it is not corrupt
 
gdiza said:
Does it have a application that does it (via online?)

Do it that way.
Click to expand...


No,No,No. Unless Gigabyte is totally different from Asus flashing with the windows utility is the worst possible option. Most bad flashes that occur on the asus boards come from flashing with the windows utility.

From Drone 42's comments it seems the Gigabyte has a similar program to Asus's ezflash program. I would use that. I always use the usb flash drive method when updating my bios for my boards.
 
Don't most Motherboards have dual BIOSs for this very reason?
 
I flashed a gigabyte mobo about 6 months ago, and had to wait 3 weeks for the supplier to swop it out! they're update programs are poorly built, and tech support is lame.

if you do do it, do it with care - and do NOT do it in windows - the bootloader is unable to read SATA drives in DOS, so you're fooked.

gigabyte supposidly stores the bin file in a hidden partition on your drive, and if the bootloader cant read it, it wont execute, leaving your bios spoilt
 
Aqox said:
I flashed a gigabyte mobo about 6 months ago, and had to wait 3 weeks for the supplier to swop it out! they're update programs are poorly built, and tech support is lame.

if you do do it, do it with care - and do NOT do it in windows - the bootloader is unable to read SATA drives in DOS, so you're fooked.

gigabyte supposidly stores the bin file in a hidden partition on your drive, and if the bootloader cant read it, it wont execute, leaving your bios spoilt
Click to expand...

I agree.

NEVER FLASH THROUGH WINDOWS!!!

Trust me, I know :P
 
The_Librarian said:
My rule is - never, ever flash, unless you really need it (such as upgrading to more memory, and only a BIOS upgrade will be able to handle the extra RAM).
Click to expand...

If I followed your rule I'd still be getting daily BSODs in Vista, I had no reason to flash my bios but since my MB is new better bios revisions looked tempting and one update supported more memory manufacturers and since then I never got a BSOD when using Vista.
 
I flashed thru windows about 5 times...never had a problem...I must be lucky :D

Nothing to be scared of...there's a first time for everything!
 
I've flashed through windows a few times, only toasted one mobo (old Pentium 2). Did lots of times through Asus' BIOS with a USB flash drive without any problems. It checks whether the file is corrupt and that it's indeed the correct motherboard's BIOS you're trying to flash with. Dunno if gigabyte's BIOS utility does the same :)
 
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