Updating BIOS, Need help. I'm confused :(

[BlackZ06]

I'm building a computer for the first time here and am a little confused at this part. Would it be best to update the bios before installing xp or after? As for the actual update its on an IC7-G, I make the bootable disk then extract the new bios files onto it... make sure it boots to the floppy first and say i dont have xp installed will it go to dos automatically? then once I'm in the dos type "A:\>awdflash BD72_AJ.BIN /py /sn /cd /cp /cc /cks /R " then what happens does it automatically restart with new BIOS or do I have to do anything after that?? Sorry if I'm sounding like a complete idiot but its ust not clicking right now. Thanks for the help!

[RobertTheoret]

Firstly, It dosn't make any difference if you update BIOS before or after you install Windows XP (Pro or Home) If its a new machine it is better to update BIOS first in case something goes wrong then you don't have to re-install Windows.

Second, yes the machine will restart with the new BIOS if everything was done right.

3) Just a personal preference, I like to write down what my old BIOS is re: the settings that you have on the machine now. Just to make sure that the new BIOS installes the new setting.

4) And most important. Back up your old BIOS on a bootable floppy disk, it could save your a** if something decides to go wrong. VERRY VERY IMPORTANT !!! Make sure you do not interrupt the update as it is taking place, otherwise the BIOS update will not load successfully and you will be left whith a machine that wont start at all. The reason beeing that the BIOS update removes the old BIOS and then installes the new one, so if the update cant complete you are left with NO BIOS AT ALL, and that means a dead machine that wont even boot up.

Last, read BIOS UPDATE INSTRUCTIONS sticky, listed at the first sticky in this thread.

Good luck and everything should go well.