Is updating bios a priority when new versions become available ?

alphaomega16 · 14 Jul 2007 at 19:13

Heya guys, I tried installing windows vista ultimate from a mates disc to see how I liked it but when installing it kept stop detecting the IDE HDD halfway through install and needed a restart before it would detect the hard drives again.

Not sure if its because of my system, or something wrong with bios version or it just doesnt like my system lol.

I did manage to get it installed at one point (out of about 10-15 tries) but I kept getting a blue dump screen, cannot remember exact details now but I was wondering if it was because of the bios version or not.

I have never upgraded the bios or attempted to from all the horror stories of having to replace it (Dont have the money) or problems as a result.

Here is details from CPU-Z

Edit
Does this board support SATA-II or just SATA ?

Tee Hee Johnson · 14 Jul 2007 at 19:51

dont know about the rest, but it is sata 2

from the asus site...

SATA 3Gb/s
A8N-SLI supports next-generation SATA hard drives based on the new SATA 3Gb/s storage specification. Furthermore, the chipset has two dedicated SATA controllers delivering more scalable performance and doubles the bus bandwidth for fast hard drive data retrieval and saves.

Tee Hee Johnson · 14 Jul 2007 at 19:56

actually re-reading that... it is usually the best idea to upgrade the bios, mainly if you are having problems...

my a8n-sli is on bios version 1805, which was a beta, but now think its an official one!

Always best to get newest drivers too, make sure you have the most up to date nforce ones for the motherboard

mattyrigby00 · 14 Jul 2007 at 20:04

only upgrade the bios if you have an issue which needs fixing.

word is that vista doesnt like a mix of hard drives- have either only sata or only ide during install.

alphaomega16 · 14 Jul 2007 at 20:46

mattyrigby00 said:
only upgrade the bios if you have an issue which needs fixing.

word is that vista doesnt like a mix of hard drives- have either only sata or only ide during install.

atm I only have IDE.

Maxtor Drives

Maxtor 6Y120L0
Maxtor 6L160P0

mame · 17 Jul 2007 at 11:47

to quote the asus site: Updating the BIOS only if you have problems and you are sure that the new BIOS revision will solve your problems.
Careless updating may result to more problems with the motherboard!

so read through all the release notes of the drivers before you do anything