Help with my Z96j Bios (update to Core 2 and fix the graininess)

The Asus website is no help(not very user friendly), I can't even find any info on the Z96j. I've searched here and came across many different threads concerning updating the Z96j bios. Most are old, and I'm still a little unsure of things so I'm posting myself to be sure(as a BIOS is pretty important).

My main reasons for considering a Bios update, is that I might be getting a Core 2 to replace my Duo. I also want to correct my graininess issue.

Right now in System Information, my bios is shown as: American Megatrends Inc. 080012 29/05/2006

On the Asus website http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?SLanguage=en-us&model=Z96Js&type=map&f_type=3 There are only 3 BIOS versions shown. My current one isn't on there. I'm assuming the version I need to correct both my issues is 1203, the most current one?

How do I install this? The only utilities I could find on the Asus site are these http://support.asus.com/technicaldocuments/technicaldocuments.aspx?root=198&SLanguage=en-us which none are shown for the Z96j. But I found this http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?SLanguage=en-us&model=Z96J&type=map&f_type=23 but it doesn't come with any instructions.

So my questions are;
1) Does the 1203bios fix the graininess and update for Core 2?

2) How do I back up my current bios (since I can't download it from the Asus site, just in case I need to go back)

3) How do I update my BIOS?

Thanks

 

For one, you don't need a BIOS update for the Core 2. You do not have a Core 2 processor.

For two, the graininess of the screen is something that cannot be changed...unless you want to buy a new screen or new laptop.

 

OP: "My main reasons for considering a Bios update, is that I might be getting a Core 2 to replace my Duo".

 

Whoa, I can read. Anyway, as for updating the BIOS...that website download is an executable program. Run it, and that will update for you. I'm not sure how to back up your previous BIOS though.

 

I thought there was a huge thread here a couple years ago and at the end they had found that a bios update indeed fixed the issue? I just can't seem to find the old threads.

 

Yes, the Z96J is one of the few laptops that has a bios fix for screen graininess. Besides that, Greg is right regarding swapping out the screen for resolving the graininess issue- most laptops would have to take that route.

 

Ok good to know. Can anyone confirm then if 1203 indeed fixes that(I'm pretty sure it does)?

And most importantly, how can I backup my current bios? I've googled it and the process seems BIOS dependent, so here seems my best bet.

And then just wondering, if a BIOS update for one machine can fix it, why can't a BIOS update fix it for all the rest?

 

Well, I guess it is possible...if the GPU had some bad VBIOS programming and the BIOS updated changed that...maybe.

 

I think he's looking for this post:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=1654571&postcount=321

The Merom BIOS also supposedly fixes the graininess, but some people were complaining that it was somewhat of a minor fix and that it was still visible if you looked close enough. I never kept my Z96J long enough to try that fix, since it had other issues which I didn't like (ie: backlight flicker at low levels, burning hot power brick, graininess, HDD compartment makes HDD go to 50-60C when it does 35C in a desktop case, etc.).