Gateway XP notebook, save & upgrade BIOS, no floppy drive

[davegmail]

Gateway XP notebook. How do you save BIOS, has no floppy drive? USB drive, CD Rom file?

What utility & method would you use to upgrade & save Bios?

I was told about Winflash utility on my Recovery CD to help ugrade BIOS. What do you use to save BIOS prior to upgrading, in case of failure, etc.?

Thanks, Dave Y

 

[micker377]

I just upgraded the BIOS on my ECS mobo. First instruction on the WinFlash directions was to NOT use the WinFlash on the supplied CD! When you download the proper BIOS upgrade, the package will include a new version of WinFlash. When you do start to upgrade, the program will give you the choice of saving the old BIOS. As to where to save this, beg, borrow, or steal a USB floppy drive. The only problem here is that if you DO have to restore the old BIOS, your laptop may not recognize USB! Why are you upgrading the BIOS? I had to in order to use the newer CPU properly. Unless there is a definite reason to upgrade, leave it alone. I've never had one go wrong (usually the BIOS upgrade won't continue unless it is the right one). Make sure that you are on AC power if you do try. If ANYTHING interrupts the BIOS writing - you have a nice door-stop!!!

 

[davegmail]

micker377 - thanks! Gateway Laptop needs bigger drive, old is 30 GB, newer is 160 GB. I cloned drive successfully, then swapped, no recognition. Older BIOS won't support larger drives. I will contact Gateway about your info on newest WinFlash included in BIOS package. Also USB floppy drive - I'll get this.

Dave Y