Updating The Bios ....

[ThreeBow]

Hey there,

I have a couple of issues with my setup, and I'd like to update my bios
to rule that out but I have a couple of questions;

1/ Disclaimer
-------------

PLease note that XFX take no responsibily for the consequences of the update and it may invalidate your warranty, please contact your supplier if you are unsure.

How worried should I be about this?

2/ Raid
-------

If standard procedure is to clear CMOS after flash, will I loose my raid
config?

Thanks, ThreeBow


BTW, I know it's gonna make me sound like a fanboi but I have the
XFX 680i Sli + XFX 8800 GTx + XFi Fatl1ty and this setup is freakin awesome!

['Amp!']

Welcome fanboi..errr ThreeBow . Just messing with ya :icon_tiphat:

1 - Common practive in the industry. I have flashed my BIOS many times and barring any power failures to the computer you will be fine.

2 - If you clear your CMOS after the flash your computer will not recognize the RAID array. But there is good news. The data is still on your disks and re-enabling the array will allow it to function normally.

***Do not format the disks in any way or you will then lose the data***

As a precaution make sure to back up your data. Finally when you are done flashing, don't reset your CMOS just yet. I don't and all my setting are preserved though I use a different system then you.

If other people could chime in with their experience we will know if my results are atypical.

[ThreeBow]

Thanks Gonz, the raid info is reassuring.

I'm sure the disclaimer is standard as well, it's just that there appears
to be 3 revisions of this board;

nforce (I'm guessing reference design)
XFX (Changes unknown)
XFX A+ (Probably same tweaks as EVGA for Quad cores)

Thing is, if it meant a board revision then whatever was fixed wasn't
possible by bios alone and unfortunately I have the nforce (1st design)

How stable is this board?

There have been many issues with the initial 680i's from fried components
(mainly memory - just google) and this is why I raise the question when
otherwise, I'd have just gone straight ahead with it.

Thanks.

ThreeBow

[Kougar]

The fried memory issue is debatable... considering that 1.8v is stock for the mem people are running 2.4v+ I'm not surprised modules were frying, most RAM was never intended for those volts. All RAM that you can buy above 800MHz is only 800MHz RAM that was overclocked and overvolted to reach those clocks, at least until Micron starts releasing native 1067MHz designed chips sometime this year. I know of one instance where a bad BIOS was behind some of it, but that BIOS was quickly fixed and not a public release build anyway as far as I know.

I won't pretend to know anything regarding the RAID array RE BIOS resetting. After flashing the BIOS it is a good idea to clear it so changes won't conflict with old settings, but to be safe I'd say back up all your data first regardless. :)

[Rafterman]

It is good practise to set your bios to Defaults before and after you flash the bios and take it from there. It's rare but a bad bios flash is a pain in the neck, I know. It is also imo safer to flash the bios using a floppy(or CD), I will never again flash a bios from within windows.

[ThreeBow]

I seem to have taken this off-topic a bit :redface:

I guess I have a few questions about this board, it would be better to start
a new thread for each.

I know the disclaimer is standard practice, I'm just used to it being in tiny text
on an agreement before a download. Seeing it in full size, (No choice in a txt file)
coupled with the the reluctance to give out the Bioses early on just made me
panic a bit.

Sorry.

@ Rafterman:

I have similar setup to you, do you get the CTXFISPI hang on XP shutdown?
This is one of the reasons I'm looking to flash.

Thanks.

[xfxsupport]

I can see how you might get a little worried and it is standard pratice as The Gonz has pointed out. Nice system specs by the way!


XFX Support

[wag2639]

I didn't feel like wasting money or hurting my case by degrading it with a floppy drive. Can I flash it from a cd or usb stick?

I have the xfx 650i ultra

[remybfg10k]

I didn't feel like wasting money or hurting my case by degrading it with a floppy drive. Can I flash it from a cd or usb stick?

I have the xfx 650i ultra
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