Advice needed please about BIOS update utilities

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I have just assembled a new rig. The mobo's BIOS is not the latest version. The model is MSI P965 Platinum. This is a newish board and the BIOS certainly isn't mature yet. . Normally I would leave the BIOS alone unless there were problems I need to fix but due to the newness of the mobo model I want to get the update in.

But my question is this. Is it wise to trust the manufacturer's Windows Based BIOS update utilities.

My usual BIOS update method is:
0) Verify correct functioning of floppy drive
1) Record all current BIOS settings on paper
2) Download new BIOS update files and utilities. Create a bootable floppy. Create second floppy with manufacturer's DOS based update utility and new BIOS files on it.
3) Boot from floppy, then run flash update program (this stage involves crossing fingers)
4) Clear BIOS (Mobo jumper)
5) Reboot. Check new BIOS settings against recorded settings. Fix as necessary
6)Reboot and use.

However MSI supply a BIOS update utility which I understand runs from Windows. Updating from this might be easier. I don't quite trust it though.

Does anyone have practical experience of MSI utilities and this one in particular. Am I safer using the older DOS boot disk method.

Thanks in advance.
 
well I used to sware by floppy dos based BIOS updates till I had a floppy disc error half way through update which screwed the BIOS and I had to RMA the board!

I've used the Gigabyte online update many times and never had a problem, I guess if you could use a USB flash stick i'd be happy to do it that way but i'd think twice about trusting a floppy drive again , though many boads come with bios backup these days!

Floppy drive / dos bios update is so 20th century, come on join the noughties and get with the 21st century :D
 
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yes 1DMF, I have a trusty Gigabyte GA-7ZXR Rev 1.0 Mobo still in daily use actually. I feel safer updating the BIOS on that due to the dual BIOS. Suppose I should have bought a mobo with dual BIOS this time round.

However the point about floppy failure is a good one. I'll have to stress test the new unused floppy drive for a few hours before risking a BIOS update if I go down that route.
 
Note: it wan't the floppy drive that failed but the floppy disk itself!!!!!

and I had formated it without errors before using it, then it decided to fail when reading the BIOS bin file!

I was not a happy bunny i can tell you! :eek:
 
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