flashing bios is scary !

there's a bios flash to update bios for dv6 3050us


on HP's wesite


but i've never done flashing bios before,, scare i might mess it up

so is it worth flashing the bios for the update

it says bios update for amd cpu notebook which i have x.x

 

As long as you follow the directions you should be fine but if you are not having any problems then I wouldn't even worry about updating.

 

I bricked a laptop flashig bios once, so I've became phobic since then...

In my case, I would only do it if strictly necessary, but that is my humble and fearful opinion...

 

Don't do anything stupid like unplug the power and remove the battery while it's flashing, and you'll have no trouble.

(not saying you did anything stupid, agusman, but the vast majority of the time these things don't just happen for no reason).

 

Rule of thumb don't upgrade a BIOS unless it's fixing a problem you currently are having or a new feature they are giving you, that you need. If none of those two things applies to you then forget updating. Even most computer makers and motherboard mfg will tell you the same thing.

 

The main thing to do is restart your computer before installing the BIOS update, keep it plugged into wall power, and just don't touch it AT ALL while the installer is running. Just sit back and watch.

But like stated above, if the notes for the updated BIOS don't say that it fixes a problem you're having (sometimes fan speeds are fixed, etc.), then don't worry about it.

That said, I have updated the BIOS on my Envy here 5 or 6 times, and every time it's gone smoothly and made my machine run better. YMMV.

QFT

 

I've found it pretty straight forward. Just don't mess around with the power cord/battery or do anything while the installer is running

 

I found it frightening, I was shaking and everything... Then the computer froze, and wouldn't do anythings, THATS when I started to crap myself... For some STUPID reason, I actually turned it off, but it worked! I started the Flashing again, and it worked great! Would never like to go through that experience ever again.

But yes, like said above, only do it if you HAVE to (I did mine because the BIOS I was on wouldn't allow me to run Vista/7)...

 

Just to minimize the chances of bricking the system - never flash it through Windows. Burn it on a bootable DVD/CD/USB/etc, load from it and whoa!
Good Luck.

 

Hi guys, sorry to be off topic, but I need help flashing my bios. I have an Asus G51Vx, and I can't find the bios update utility on teh website? Anyone know where to find it? I don't have the original disks.

EDIT: Found out how. Used Winflash.

 

First I used Winflash and after knowing that it is dangerous (might brick) I flash in bios via usb fd. safer. @_@

 

lol flashing BIOS is easy..vBIOS is the part.

 

I flashed my bios using winflash, scary now that i think about it

While it looks like it updated, i am still checking to see if everything is working fine. I would suggest everyone do more reading beforehand and not the other way around.

 

The only time I get nervous is when its a manufacturer software tool within Windows to do the update. I did my desktop once using Asus tool to do it within windows instead of off a floppy. It locked up, I left it for like 2 hours, shut it off and it would not boot. Lucky the chip that housed the BIOS was removable, I sent it in to Asus, they sent me a new one, and all was well. Thats the last time I ever did a BIOS update.

 

I was bit worried about flashing since i never done it before..
Then i did so many bios update for my lenovo netbook (s10),
now it is like installing a driver.

Personally I like windows based ones than bootable disk/usb ones...(less scary LOL)

 

Why is it scary? Unless you start fiddling with your computer while its flashing, you are perfectly fine. Its not like it have some sort of bomb trigger that goes off if you touch the BIOS.

I am used to fiddling around with everything and you live and you learn. Dont be scared to try things out

 

Agreed on the first part.

As for bootable USB/DISK, I prefer when it's built in within the bios, so you just need to upload the file on a USB stick and thats it .

 

What's wrong with using WinFlash? When I was having issues with my first G51J, the Asus tech had me use WinFlash to update my bios. You'd think the manufacturer's tech would not want to do something risky?

 

Manufacturers do not want people working on their own laptops period. 99.9% of the users out there often make things worse.

 

I definitely agree with the 99.9 remark, although owning a laptop in speculating the general publics useage of them, just by first hand experience owners should teach them selves the techniques on up keeping the equipment like anything else. Except laptops, need more care then most any other devices. All laptops over time, at least the good ones that last, will build up residue in them from all the debris in the air over the span of its life time and cause a soot to almost mold into the material. This soot has to be removed from wipping it away with some type of cleaner, I use alcohol.

 

+1

BIOS flashing had come a long way from being a time bomb. Some laptop comes with BIOS flasher build in the BIOS itself, like ASUS with their own Easy Flash. No need to know the command, just download BIOS, put in USB flashdrive, reboot and go to BIOS, start Easy Flash, select USB drive and corresponding files and press Yes

Although I strongly suggest updating only if the newer BIOS fix the problem you facing, or have additional updates that you use

 

I've also bricked my machine trying to update the bios once. It wasn't a pleasant experience, but I didn't let it stop me, and now I'm running the latest revision of my bios! In my case the motherboard died & wasn't flashing the bios =/, had to wait a week for a replacement, but alas lesson learned

Mainly, I think some update applications/utilities have become better suited, though, I must concede the loud beeping prompting me that the bios update was underway woke my brother up (was in his room checking some forums) lol

 

I myself only had the courage to flash my Asus G73Jh after the people at asus Rog forums posted an actual video of him doing that. Then it became very easy though I was a bit nervous still. But much better seeing what you are supposed to do rather than just reading steps.

 

1hit happens.... I bricked my notebook bios when i flashed a official bios update for making a dump of it. However i flashed a million modded BIOS´s and all of them worked.
And stupidly the new BIOS also killed the InsydeH20 recovery blocks.... So it was not able to recover from my USB....

 

^ Resurrecting dead threads is pointless ^

To make this post somewhat relevant to whoever that might be, Flashing BIOS is scary and unless it fixes a current problem you are experiencing, don't flash your laptop, or anyone for that matter.

 

I just flashed my BIOS due to problems with DCHP and Time issues. I followed the recommendations from Windows Error Reporting. I used my manufacturer's website, in my case, ACER, and read all of the instructions carefully before attempting the flash. I had no problems. The only confusing issue was the way the file was set up. I had to hunt for the WinPhlash file, and then for the set of instructions that came with the file. Once I found those, I was good.

This was my first time flashing the BIOS, and it can be scary, but most of Windows utilities are user friendly. I just didn't touch anything while the flash was running.

 

I upgrade every chance i get.
Takes around 45 seconds to flash?
Lol.
But the files on a fat 32 usb.
back up bios you have, and flash new.
Besides, it flashes the boot sector last(usually) so you will be okay

 

I once bricked a modem when a toy leaped of my monitor and terminated the flashing program. (press any key to stop) I was pissed

 

haha, I have bricked so many things its not funny, normally by my own stupid mistake ie not putting a heatsink on, or having an unstable OC and trying to flash a system. If you take your time though its pretty safe.

 

I have bricked a friend's laptop once, and the weird thing was that I didn't do anything wrong. I opened the installer and waited until it was complete, and we rebooted the computer, but it couldn't! The screen would just stay black. He sent it in for a repair, claiming he hadn't touched anything (lol), and it ended up with that they switched the motherboard and the keyboard with no charge.

Since then, I will never update a bios for a friend because it can go terrible wrong. I've done it several times on my computer though, and it has always gone smooth.

 

Some desktop motherboards now have backup BIOS onboard to fall back on if you misflash something. Unfortunately it does not look like laptop motherboards have this yet. Frankly, I doubt they ever will.

 

i always wondered, does flashing the bios voids the warranty?

 

Just read carefully the instructions and everything will be okay don't worry.
Is easy to flash the bios if you read the instructions and not mess with the power cord and battery while flashing the bios.

 

+1 , anyone ??

 

^^^^ Sting' Flashing BIOS will not void any warranty that I am aware of; as long as you use BIOS update files from manufacturer's site. My approach is if flashing solves an issue for me I do it; or else I leave it alone since there is always a small chance you can brick your computer.

 

hello guys. i am about to put a ssd in my MSI GX660 and i found out through this forum that my laptop wont take advantage of it unless i flash my bios. i am reeeally scared to do so but it seems that its the only way to go. and adding to this, there doesnt seem to be a formal upgrade, instead this great guy in here (majster msi) has done a custom bios. i will try to do it and i ll let you know if anything goes wrong..

 

Just follow the instructions to a "T" and you'll be fine. Heck, I know I was scared to death when flashing my P150EM's bios, but it's over before you know it and everything will be fine provided you follow directions. The people on NBR that release BIOS mods wouldn't do so unless they were relatively benign, and they'd say so if anything was dangerous.

 

I actually have a funny question... So since having a badflash sounds like a fear... Cant we just make a Backup of the Bios? Does anyone know how i can make a backup?

 

Good Q, Go the the manufacture's (of the BIOS) site and look for a tool to do this. One issue you may run into (at least with ASUS) is that you will not be able to roll the BIOS back with the tools provided by ASUS. What brand of BIOS does your machine have?

this article explains in detail about the location of BIOS http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Where_does_BIOS_reside

 

Very helpful. Some folks upgrade then regret it when discovering some backdoor tricks (e.g. overclocking) get eliminated!

 

Rule of thumb:
1. If the bios is not updateable from bios itself, don't bother doing it (don't use tools like update from windows,etc. I've bricked it once)
2. If you're too scared, ring your nearby authorized service center and prompt whether they can upgrade your bios or not (yes, upgrade there risk free )

In some weird ways, on several companies' policies, they may void your warranty when you brick your notebook (successful bios update will never void your warranty but the bricked one may, wierd eh )
If you're good at electronics, buy a eeprom flasher and you're out of this hell loop

 

Just follow the directions listed on the website!