Is this BIOS upgradable & does it need to be done now ?

[Tushar]

Here are the results obtained from AWARD BIOS Wizard & SiSoft Sandra.

Would anybody throw light on the differences of BIOS Details presented by the two ?

Additinally, does this BIOS need to be upgraded / flasehd. If yes, where can I find the utility, it's number and the URL. Sorry for many questions together.

Here are the results.

Results from AWARD BIOS Wizard

Program: Unicore BIOS Wizard Version 1.5
Program: Unicore Chip Detect v0.72 2000.03.10
BIOS Date: 03/28/00
BIOS Type: Award Modular BIOS v4.51PG
BIOS ID: 03/28/2000-693-596B-8671-2A6LGV3DC-00
BIOS Eval: BIOS-I-2M (2K000328)
Chipset: VIA 82C691 rev 68
Superio: ITE 8671 rev 1 found at port 279h

Result from Sisoft Sandra

< System BIOS >
Manufacturer: Award Software International, Inc.
Version: 6.00 PG
Date: 03/28/2000
Plug & Play Version: 1.00
SMBIOS/DMI Version: 2.20
ID No.: FC 01 00
(EE)PROM Size: 256kB (2Mbit)

< Features >
Can be Updated (flashed): Yes
Can be Shadowed: Yes
Is Socketed: Yes
Supports APM: Yes
Supports ACPI: Yes
Supports Plug & Play: Yes
Supports ESCD: Yes
Supports Enhanced Disk Drive: Yes
Supports Selective Booting: Yes
Supports LS-120 Boot: Yes
Supports ZIP Boot: Yes
NEC PC-98 Spec Compatible: No

< Performance Tips >
Notice N224: SMBIOS/DMI information may be inaccurate.
Tip T207: A SMBIOS/DMI 2.3 or later compliant BIOS is
recommended. Check for a BIOS update.
Tip T212: BIOS can be shadowed so check whether it is.
Tip T211: BIOS is flash-able and socketed so it can be upgraded
when needed.
Tip T2: For more information about tips, press F1 and scroll
to the Tips section.

[Platypus]

Others here would know more than me about the specifics of the reports, but I can offer some general comments.

A bios update must be obtained from the motherboard manufacturers website, as the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) varies according to each make and model of board.

The general rule-of-thumb is you don't need to upgrade a BIOS unless it is causing a problem. At the manufacturers site you should find a revision history of the BIOS versions available for your board. This should help decide whether you need to upgrade, as it will list the problems each new version dealt with. It may also help to sort out the conflicting version numbers given by the diagnostic software.

For example, new versions may have been issued for things like Windows 2000 compatability, AGP problems with a certain video card etc. If you have never had any of the problems the newer BIOSes cure, you may not want to update. If you do want to update, a flashing utility and instructions will be available as well as the file containing the updated BIOS. Follow the instructions exactly, as doing it wrong could make the system unable to start.

You could also find some useful information in other discussions on these forums, in particular "AMI bios upgrade" in this forum - and a search on "flash" or "bios" may be worthwhile.

[condor]

I agree.

Sisoft Sandra is a nice info tool

it's in no way accrate.

no Windows based diagnostic can ever be 100% accurate.

if you want accuracy get hardware ifo for DOS http://www.hwinfo.com
and boot from a clean floppy with the software on it.

you really don't need to tweak your BIOS if everything's okay

"If it ain't broken - DON'T FIX IT !!!!"

and even when you have a problem - bios updates is meant for experienced technicians.

this forums is filled with people who updated their bios and now their system won't boot.

[TRICKPLAYER]

If it's not broke, don't fix it.

remember that motto, and your troubles with computers will be over

[Tushar]

Thanks for all that advice that I am sitting pretty till I have no probs.

But one doubt still lingers why are 2 tools indicating different BIOS details especially the versions ? Definitely AWARD is displaying what is the signon screen at the start of the machine and their wizard is correctly detecting so I am not fooled, Still Sandra ... ??

Thanks again.

[Ruslan]

Originally posted by Tushar:
Here are the results obtained from AWARD BIOS Wizard & SiSoft Sandra.

Would anybody throw light on the differences of BIOS Details presented by the two ?

Additinally, does this BIOS need to be upgraded / flasehd. If yes, where can I find the utility, it's number and the URL. Sorry for many questions together.

Here are the results.

Results from AWARD BIOS Wizard

Program: Unicore BIOS Wizard Version 1.5
Program: Unicore Chip Detect v0.72 2000.03.10
BIOS Date: 03/28/00
BIOS Type: Award Modular BIOS v4.51PG
BIOS ID: 03/28/2000-693-596B-8671-2A6LGV3DC-00
BIOS Eval: BIOS-I-2M (2K000328)
Chipset: VIA 82C691 rev 68
Superio: ITE 8671 rev 1 found at port 279h

Result from Sisoft Sandra

< System BIOS >
Manufacturer: Award Software International, Inc.
Version: 6.00 PG
Date: 03/28/2000
Plug & Play Version: 1.00
SMBIOS/DMI Version: 2.20
ID No.: FC 01 00
(EE)PROM Size: 256kB (2Mbit)

I do not trust both utils. If You run CTBIOS util, You would got more information (for example,what this MoBo made by Vtech company)
Useless info also,though, because there is no such MoBo manufacturer. LoL.
But... From my memory... it's PC Partner MoBo. Look at MoBo PCB ID numbers (printed beetwen slots). Choose Yours here: http://www.pcpartner.com.hk/bios/viabios.htm
By the way, I've seen a lot of ASKA(tm) MoBos... also made by PC Partner...

[Tushar]

Thanks Ruslan for the help provided. I went to the page you mentioned after having opened my computers case, noted the PCB ID and found all the details on that page. I also could find the flashing utility there and also an electronic (.pdf) copy of the printed manual I already had.

The doubts are cleared now. I note that I need not flash my BIOS since everything is as desired and I do not wish to change processor etc. on the MOBO. Also, the AWARD wizard is detecting the BIOS correctly. These details are found on the page mentioned by you.

Thanks again and thanks everybody for helping me clear the doubts.

[MAHMOAD]

snak