Should I upgrade my BIOS?

Question

I just received a BIOS upgrade in the box with my battery/cable accessories I ordered from Dell.   Should I install it? I can screw things up if I do it wrong can't I?

Bay Wolf · Answer

Sometimes upgrading the BIOS can give you some new or improved feature.   If everything is working correctly, you do not need to do anything with the BIOS.   YES!  A BIOS flash can go bad and it will render your notebook inoperable.    If it works, don't break it.

RJRUNDE · Answer

I bought a new battery last year for my 8000 Inspiron, and it came with an updated BIOS on a CD.  The BIOS update was required for the battery to work properly.  I agree with Bay Wolf that a person should not update BIOS levels and drivers everytime an update is released, but I think you should so that you will not have an issue with the new battery.

Bay Wolf · Answer

Simple thing is this:   Put the new battery in.  If it works, then don't update the BIOS.   You also do not mention what computer you have.  If it is one of the newer models, the BIOS already will be able to handle the batterry.   If you do update the BIOS, then I suggest that you update it through DOS and not the Windows enviornment.  Less chance of a BIOS flash going bad.

GreyMack · Answer

It's also possible (and not entirely uncommon) to receive a "BIOS Update" CD with a version that is older than what is currently on the system, or older than what is currently available from the Dell site.

GM

sx270_UFF · Answer

If you do update the BIOS then first disconnect all network, usb, and printer cables; stop any anti-virus and spyware programs; get the machine as lean as possible. If you have access to an uniterruptible power supply (UPS) then use it while doing the upgrade. ... These are not essential steps, they are just eliminating possible sources of problems. ... I almost always apply BIOS updates. Read the update release notes to see what is included.

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Should I upgrade my BIOS?

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