Updating motherboard and such

[RoAcHcliP]

Mellow greetings pc chat, its just occured to me that i have not updated my motherboard and bios since i got my computer (say 2 years ago).

 

First question, do i need to? Im sure my motherboard and bios are out of date, but is it very important that i do so?

 

Second question - Which bloody updates am i supposed to use i have no idea. I looked on various websites but it was rather complicated for me, so instead below is a screenshot which indicates which my motherboard and bios are, and version. Could someone be a dear and post the right download link for the update for me because i was totally lost for all the choices i was given.

 

thanks very much

 

[Luke15]

Dont update the bios is you can help it, cause there is a chance something could go wrong, and youl be annoyed.

[anus]

There is a good side to updating the BIOS as well, you could get more overclocking features and other features off the BIOS and correct somethings which are wrong atm. It's a very easy procedure, I doubt you'll go wrong, but don't count on it.

[RoAcHcliP]

ok never mind the bios/ sexpistols, but how about the motherboard? Should that be updated?

[Wolf68k]

In your case only update if you feel the need to. There isn't too much of a reason I can see for updating.

Here are your BIOS and what they fix http://www.ecsusa.com/downloads/p4vmm2.html

 

If I'm reading it right your BIOS date is April (04) 02, 2001

 

If you have any problems with your PS/2 mouse or with USB thumb drives, then you might want look into getting updated.

 

 

Now the other problem is that your mobo is so old you have to flash/update the BIOS the old fashion way. By downloading the flash utility and the BIOS image. Putting on a floppy disk and then booting from that disc. And then following whatever steps and commands are called for to apply the update.

 

Today most mobo comes with a Windows based program that can do the update while in Windows but before that it goes out on the net and finds the latest and the right BIOS for you. All you have to do is watch and wait for it to tell you to restart.

Some other mobo, like my ASUS, has the flash utility built into the mobo itself I just have to restart to it and have the BIOS image on a floppy.

[RoAcHcliP]

Ok i think im going to get a new motherboard. What kind of hassle am i looking at here, i supposed windows will have to be reinstalled....everything reinstalled?

 

I also have a Nvidia 6800GS AGP, and it is only running at 4X since my motherboard doesnt let it run at 8X...i need a new motherboard.

 

Any suggestions for a good motherboard which wont cost me an arm and a leg?

 

Thanks for the replies so far

[Wolf68k]

If you can find one that will support your CPU socket type, that is if it's Socket775, and supports AGP and PCIE16x

This way you can upgrade the GFX card later to PCIE without the need to buy a new mobo.

 

But yes you'll have to reinstall everything; OS, drivers, programs, games.

Now you can use the Files & Settings Wizard to back up your settings and save those along with our other backups and you can then use the same wizard to restart them. This way you'll have many of your settings and restore them. Keep in mind these are Windows settings, not settings for programs and games.

[RoAcHcliP]

Ok thanks, i guess i gotta lug this thing up to a computer shop and let them take care of it, thanks for the help wolf and others