I formatted and reinstalled, which I occasionally do. On my computer manufacturer's website, it has a BIOS update and an AGP chipset update. How do I know if I actually need to do these or not? I bought my computer in early 2005. The updates are as follows:
(1) AGP Chipset Driver, Ver 1.17E,dated 3/9/2004
(2) AGP Chipset Driver, Ver 1.21, dated 5/24/2006
(3) Bios Update MS 7060 (DOS), dated 2/24/2005
2007-04-29 16:14:44 · 4 answers · asked by shalease17 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Update the AGP Chipset Driver to the latest version.
Do not update the BIOS unless the update adds a feature you need; in most cases it does not.
2007-04-29 16:23:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
usually,there is no need to update unless there is a reason like something requiring and directing you to do so.( unless you are just an update freak like alot of us are) The more accurately you know the date of your existing versions the more accurately you can tell if the updates you see are actually an update. For instance, If you bought your computer in 2005,obviously,the 2004 chipset driver is not an update.The 2006 update appears to be an update from your apparrent 2005 version. Some manufacturers websites offer automatic update configurations and this is usually the best option.
2007-04-29 23:56:51 · answer #2 · answered by Convinced 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The BIOS update you may not need unless you do a processor upgrade. You can usually tell what BIOS you have on boot. One of the first things to show on your monitor during POST is the BIOS version and date. The AGP update you should get the newest version. Usually it is more stable than the last version and will wrok with a larger variety of hardware. Anytime you reformat and reinstall your OS you should get and install all the drivers for your MOBO from the manufacturer. They are always free. Once your equipment becomes old school you should keep yourself a hardcopy of any software need to get it running.(drivers) There will not likely be any newer updates after that point.
2007-04-29 23:30:34 · answer #3 · answered by Citizen Slave 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Drivers: always update to latest and greatest. You can ignore the older version and skip right to the latest.
BIOS: don't touch unless you actually have problems, such as incompatibility with new peripherals, new CPUs, and such.
2007-04-29 23:23:34 · answer #4 · answered by Kasey C 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋