Lang Murphy

"CB" <CB@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0B27129C-B0F9-4162-9A29-6CDA20BAC94F@microsoft.com...
>I have read on many websites and in many discussion groups that one should
> not update the bios unless there are problems with the existing bios. In
> other words, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it". However, shortly after
> receiving my new computer (Vista Premium preinstalled) I received an email
> from Dell telling me to update my bios. I updated the bios and everything
> was
> OK.
>
> I recently received another email from Dell telling me that the bios
> needed
> updated again so I went to support.dell.com and downloaded the bios
> update. I
> tried to install the bios update but the application would not work. I
> called
> Dell technical support. The Dell support rep took control of my computer
> via
> "remote assistance" and attempted to flash the bios. During the process
> the
> current bios was erased but the updated bios would not install. At that
> time
> the Dell rep decided to restart my computer. I told him that the current
> bios
> had already been erased and I didn't think it would be a good idea to shut
> down the computer. He informed me that everything was OK and proceeded to
> shut down my computer.
>
> Of course, as I suspected, with no bios the computer would not operate. He
> then told me to boot again and keep pressing the F12 key, which I knew
> would
> not work since I had no bios. He then instructed me to insert the
> installation DVD and boot the computer but I knew this would not work
> either.
>
> My motherboard was fried during the bios update flash. Wasted, kaput,
> trashed. However, Dell is sending a technician to my home to replace the
> motherboard. The third-party technician told me two things: (01) Never
> update
> the bios unless there is a problem and (02) the Dell technical rep was
> very
> ignorant of the consequences of his actions.
>
> The majority of readers of this newsgroup undoutably know that one should
> not update the bios if it is working properly. I also was aware of this.
> However, Dell instructed me to update it anyway and I was stupid enough to
> listen. This post is for the uninformed who don't know the consequences of
> updating the bios. I am still kicking myself in the ass for taking Dell's
> advice.
>
> I am more fortunate than others regarding this matter because I have three
> other computers to use while my new computer is being repaired. I think
> the
> motherboard was fried during the flashing of the bios, not due to the
> shutdown. The Dell computer's motherboard was destroyed by A Dell update.
> I
> don't understand why Dell would want anyone to update their bios when they
> know fully well what the consequences can be.
>
> I have two suggestions: If your computer is under warranty and the
> computer
> vendor wants you to update the bios you should update the bios. Once
> enough
> motherboards are fried and the vendor has lost a substantial amount of
> money
> they will reconsider the value of needlessly updating the bios. Secondly,
> if
> your computer is NOT under warranty you should not update the bios
> regardless
> of what the vendor tells you.
>
> Have a nice day.
>
> C.B.
>
>


Wow... that guy should be canned! Unbelievable...

I'm a Dell consumer. I have, uh, lessee... 10 Dell's here. (9 work PC's,
provided by my employer and one personal PC, funded by me. My son also has a
Dell desktop and my daughter has a Dell laptop, both away at school, both
funded by moi.)

For my personal PC's (I also have an eMachines here at home), yeah, I don't
touch the BIOS, just about ever. Unless it might fix an issue I'm having.
That said, I don't think I've flashed the BIOS on any of my personal PC's in
the last couple of years.

The work PC's are another matter. I generally don't flash the BIOS on them
either, except if I ever have to contact MS support about something because
the first question out of the support person's mouth is, usually without
fail, "Is the BIOS the latest BIOS?" They won't continue the conversation if
it's not. Now... maybe that's an MS ploy to terminate the support call
quickly, but I guess it makes sense because if they have to reference
solutions based on the latest BIOS, then... well, I guess that's reasonable.
(And maybe not... I dunno...)

Lang