PCTech Forums

by **Daninku** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 12:29 am

Hey. I was thinking of upgrading my BIOS, but I'm not sure about it, cause I've never done so before. SO I have decided to post some questions before.

If I decide to upgrade my BIOS (date: 1999), will it help the system performance?

Is it difficult or is likely a normal installation?

Do I have to pay for an upgrade?

Any suggestions please? I want to try this if it's possible

Thanks in advance mates.

by **Dave_Lethal** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 2:03 am

I've never upgraded mine before either....I would like some info too

by **liljim** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 2:17 am

Its always good to update your bios.The updates usually correct bugs or add new features which can sometimes increase performance and stability.There should be some type of "release note's" with the update that will tell you what the update will do.There should also be instructions to help you sucessfully update.It is not difficult to do and you dont have to pay for it,the update will be free and should be avaliable for download from your motherboard manufactor's site.There are a few things to know about flashing though,
Be SURE you download the correct update for your board.Bios roms are very specific,if you attempt a flash with the wrong rom (update) you can cause irreversable damage.Most boards now have a protection feature that will alert you if the rom doesnt match your board.Another concern is power failure during a flash.If you lose electricity during a bios flash,you will most likely have to purchase a new bios chip or possibly a new board.The safest way is to be plugged into a battery backup unit.There are some bios manufactors that have a recover option however the results are not guaranted.

Dont let any of that scare you,its just best to know the possibilities of what your getting into.
If you would like,you can give us your board info.Maybe we can help you check for updates and insure you get the right one.

by **Dave_Lethal** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 2:28 am

Here's mine

Computer:
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
OS Service Pack Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer 6.0.2900.2180 (IE 6.0 SP2)
DirectX 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)
Computer Name DAVID
User Name default

Motherboard:
CPU Type Intel Celeron II, 700 MHz (10.5 x 67)
Motherboard Name GVC DR742E (3 PCI, 1 AMR, 2 DIMM, Audio, Video)
Motherboard Chipset Intel Whitney i810E
System Memory 384 MB (SDRAM)
BIOS Type AMI (06/09/00)
Communication Port Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

Display:
Video Adapter Intel(R) 82810E Graphics Controller (Microsoft Corporation) (32 MB)
Video Adapter RADEON 9200 - Secondary (128 MB)
Video Adapter RADEON 9200 (128 MB)
3D Accelerator ATI Radeon 9200 (RV280)
3D Accelerator Intel i752
Monitor AcerView 77e [17" CRT] (8465571)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter Intel 82801AA I/O Controller Hub - AC'97 Audio Adapter

Storage:
IDE Controller Intel(r) 82801AA Bus Master IDE Controller
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive SAMSUNG SV3064D (28 GB, 5400 RPM, Ultra-ATA/66)
Optical Drive SAMSUNG DVD-ROM SD-608 (8x/40x DVD-ROM)
Optical Drive SONY CD-RW CRX140E (8x/4x/32x CD-RW)
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

Partitions:
C: (FAT32) 29166 MB (13241 MB free)

Input:
Keyboard Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse Microsoft PS/2 Mouse

Network:
Network Adapter D-Link DFE-530TX+ PCI Adapter (192.168.254.3)

Peripherals:
Printer HP DeskJet 850C
USB1 Controller Intel 82801AA I/O Controller Hub - USB Controller

by **liljim** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 2:51 am

Dave_Lethal, is this a micron PC?

Im finding several boards with GVC DR742E.Micron makes several different models,if you do have a micron you will need to go

by **Dave_Lethal** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 2:58 am

Yep, it's a Micron.

I entered the serial number and here's what I got...
Category Description QTY Part Number KB
Processor Intel Coppermine 700MHz 66 FSB 128K FCPGA 1 CPU001875-00 link
Memory 8M x 64 64MB 100MHz SDRAM DIMM 1 MOD001691-00 link
Hard Drive Samsung 30.6 GB ATA 66 5400 RPM 1 HDI001576-00 link
DVD/ROM Samsung 8x DVD-ROM Drive 1 DVD001069-00 link
CD/RW Drive Sony 8x4x32 Variable Speed CD-R/W Drive 1 CDI001173-02 link
Case Lite-On Micro ATX Side Panel 2 CSE001578-00 link
Installation Service CUSTOMIZATION BUILD TO SPEC 1 LAB001092-00 link
Installation Service HOST PRO WEB HOSTING ICON 1 SPS001527-00 link
Installation Service LYCOS HOME PAGE 1 SPS001603-00 link
Installation Service ASK JEEVES ICON 1 SPS001624-00 link
Installation Service CONNECTEDSUPPORT COM DESKTOP ICON 1 SPS001714-00 link
Installation Service 1 YEAR WARRANTY (N) 1 WAR001031-00 link
Installation Service MICRON SYSTEM README DOWNLOAD 1 SPS001748-00 link
Installation Service RS REGISTRATION ELECTRONIC FLYER DOWNLOAD 1 SPS001778-00 link
Installation Service MILLENNIA RS2110 BTS2 DOWNLOAD 1 SPS002004-00 link
Installation Service NORTON 2OOO ANTIVIRUS ICON 1 SPS002006-00 link
Installation Service MICRON UNIVERSITY URL ICON 1 SPS002007-00 link
Case Lite-On Bezel for Burst III Millennia 1 BZL001056-00 link

by **liljim** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 6:04 am

Give me the serial and i'll see if i can find you a flash.

by **Dave_Lethal** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 6:07 am

2473835-0001

by **liljim** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 7:25 am

Im afraid this is as close as i can get you with the info i have

http://support.mpccorp.com/apps/compdriv.asp?ID=34

I cant determine which board is in your machine.There are several different GVC 810e DR742e boards.

by **Dave_Lethal** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 7:34 am

Eh, I'll just stick with my current BIOS, it seems fine anyway.

Thanks for the effort though

by **Daninku** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 11:25 am

Ok, I will post some details later. I am going to use Everest and will tell you what it says about my motherboard. I guess VGA and others info are not needed for this operation right?

by **Daninku** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 1:12 pm

OK... here it is:

Summary:

Computer:

Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Service Pack: Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer: 6.0.2900.2180 (IE 6.0 SP2)
DirectX: 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)

Motherboard:

CPU Type: Intel Pentium IIIE, 800 MHz (6 x 133)
Motherboard Name: Soltek SL-65FV(+)/FV-S
Motherboard ID: 12/16/1999-693-596-W977-2A6LGSNEC-00
Motherboard Chipset: VIA VT82C693A Apollo Pro133
System Memory: 128MB (SDRAM)
BIOS Type: Award Modular (12/16/99)
Company Name: Soltek Computer Inc
Product Information:
BIOS Download

CPU:

CPU Properties:

CPU Alias: Coppermine, CuMine, A80526
CPU Stepping: cC0
Instruction Set: x86, MMX, SSE
Original Clock: 800 MHz
L1 Code Cache: 16 KB
L1 Data Cache: 16 KB
L2 Cache: 256 KB (On-Die, ATC, Full-Speed)

CPU Physical Info:

Package Type: 370 Pin FC-PGA
Package Size: 4.95 cm x 4.95 cm
Transistors: 28.1 million
Process Technology: 6M, 0.18 um, CMOS
Die Size: 90 mm2
Core Voltage: 1.70 V
I/O Voltage: 3.3 V
Typical Power: 11 - 25 W (depending on clock speed)
Maximum Power: 16.0 - 37.5 W (depending on clock speed)
Company Name: Intel Corporation
CPU Utilization: CPU #1 (100 %)

BIOS:

BIOS Type: Award Modular
Award BIOS Type: Award Modular BIOS v4.51PG
Award BIOS Message: REV C2
System BIOS Date: 12/16/99
Video BIOS Date: 08/01/03

BIOS Manufacturer:

Company Name: Phoenix Technologies Ltd.
Product Information:
BIOS Upgrades:

by **liljim** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 6:49 pm

Daninku, There is an update avaliable for you dated 1/1/02

you can get it

Download the update,extract it to a folder.In the folder will be the Award flash utility,the bios update and a text file with instructions on how to flash your system.

by **Daninku** » Fri Dec 17, 2004 11:16 pm

Will the process take long lijlim?

by **liljim** » Sat Dec 18, 2004 12:05 am

Not at all,Usually a minuite or 2.

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