UNSOLVED
update BIOS
I'm about to clean install my system. I got the XP CD with my computer in Jan 2004. And I wanted to update my BIOS while I'm clean installing but I wasn't sure if the update would be a good idea or even compatible with a CD that is about two years old. Is it safe to go ahead and update the BIOS because I think my BIOS is over two years old and I still have the same XP CD I got in Jan 2004. Do I need to get a new CD?
199
0
Posted February 19th, 2006 23:00
@Liz81 wrote:
I already got the DELL ResourceCD that has the drivers and utilities on it. Last time I had XP reinstalled, I didn't have to burn anything on a CD. Thanks anyways.
If you didn't install anything but XP last time, then the install was not done properly.199
0
Posted February 19th, 2006 23:00
You could download the SP2 update in advance here: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=049c9dbe-3b8e-4f30-8245-9e368d3cdb5a&DisplayLang=enThen burn it to CD prior to reinstalling your XP OS. Then install the service pack prior to connecting to the internet. I would also download the drivers from Dell Support prior to the reinstall. At a minimum d/l the chipset driver and video driver.199
0
Posted February 19th, 2006 23:00
I already got the DELL ResourceCD that has the drivers and utilities on it. Last time I had XP reinstalled, I didn't have to burn anything on a CD. Thanks anyways.199
0
Posted February 20th, 2006 00:00
Based on the date of your system, you definitely will need Service Pack 2. You can download it in advance or you can get them via Windows Update. The advantage of getting it in advance is the additional security patches will be in place prior to connecting.
There may or may not be newer drivers etc. since your Resource CD was printed. You can check this out now by going to Dell support. Good luck.
199
0
Posted February 20th, 2006 00:00
I think it's impossible to get XP working at all if I just installed XP lol. I did install everything else like drivers and applications and things that XP needed so the XP was installed properly last time. Are you saying to just forget about the ResourceCD because it's no good anymore?199
0
Posted February 20th, 2006 04:00
Liz81,
If your system is operating properly now you can use the Resource CD again without a problem. Further, unless there is a feature in a newer BIOS which corrects a problem you have had with your system updating a BIOS for updating's sake is strongly NOT recommended.
199
0
Posted February 20th, 2006 14:00
Ok I was planning on updating windows... or in other words, I was going to install the automatic windows update as soon as I reinstalled. I think that's why someone told me that I should update my BIOS. I don't think my BIOS is having a problem. I'm just clean-installing because some applications don't work, can't be removed, automatic windows updates don't work, system restore don't work and the registry is like a dumpster... or a mess. I'm not planning on installing SP2 though because of the experience I had with it before. So I wanted to just stick with the automatic windows updates.198
0
Posted February 20th, 2006 15:00
Liz81,
I'd recommend you seriously reconsider your decision to not install SP2. Since you are planning a clean install and since SP2 installation problems are almost invariably associated with spyware/malware/viruses your best opportunity to have a successful installation is immediately after you have installed XP SP1. In addition to everything else, after you isntall SP2 you will have only 33MB of Critical Updates to download (based on my experience of this weekend) as opposed to a much greater amount represented by those issued between the release of SP1 and SP2.
154
0
Posted February 20th, 2006 16:00
LOL . . call three Dell techs and you will get three different answers . . You have Denny helping . . He is better than any Dell tech you can find . . you can take his answer to the bank!
rickmktg
2 Intern
•
11898 Posts
199
0
Posted February 19th, 2006 22:00
Yes it's fine to update the bios, and the CD you have is fine also, although you will have to do a bunch of Windows Updates.