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Which BIOS do I have?
Hi:
I need to upgrade my BIOS because I need to install a hard drive (4.1 GB).
I got a Gateway2000 Desktop 4DX2-50 but I didn't know which BIOS do I have to upgrade for it?
The Gateway's instructions to know the BIOS are:
> If you're unsure as to which BIOS you
> need, you can find out by restarting
> your system. On restart, the BIOS
> information will be displayed almost
> immediately. Your screen will display a
> phrase like "PhoenixBIOS" or "AMI BIOS,"
> followed by a copyright date.
> There is also a series of letters and
> numbers. These letters and numbers
> indicate the BIOS version you have on
> your system. Write down the BIOS version
> information. You will know that you
> have the proper BIOS update if the first
> series of numbers (or, in some cases,
> the last series of numbers) matches what
> you have written down.
I saw on its screen:
PhoenixBIOS Version 4.04.9
But I didn't find something like this in the Gateway's Motherboard reference.
I hope you can help to understand my BIOS.
I really appreciate if you can help me.
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I really can't identify which bios update you need without knowing what the model of your motherboard is. However, I found the following listing for the ARIES Mini-Desktop MotherBoard:
www.gateway.com/support/product/drivers/bios/486mini.shtml
go to the bottom of the page and you will see
lp4049.exe Bios version 4.04.9
However, I suggest sending gateway an email (the links are on their pages for email support) and asking them which update you need. Identify your system by full name (such as ARIES Mini-Desktop) etc...
You need to make sure you get the right update since flashing a bios with the wrong one can kill the entire motherboard.
[This message has been edited by RGK01 (edited April 06, 2000).]
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Before you get too carried away on flashing the BIOS, you should make sure that it is absolutely necessary. Are you upgrading the BIOS because it doesn't recognize the hard drive at its full capacity? Maybe it only sees your hard drive as 500MB or 2GB? If so then all you need to do is install a drive overlay - such as EZ-Drive or Disk Manager. The best place to find the correct software that will work with your drive is to visit your hard drive manufacturer's web site. They should have the software you need available for download.
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Steve Taylor - Service Manager
Altoplanos Information Systems, Inc.
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho USA
www.altoplanos.net
