4 Upgrading the BIOS

This chapter describes how to upgrade the BIOS and how to recover the BIOS if an upgrade fails.

Preparing for the Upgrade

Before you upgrade the BIOS, prepare by:

Obtaining the BIOS upgrade file

Recording the current BIOS settings

Creating a bootable diskette

Creating the BIOS upgrade diskette

Obtaining the BIOS Upgrade File

You can upgrade to a new version of the BIOS by using the BIOS upgrade file. The BIOS upgrade file is a compressed self-extracting archive that contains all the files you need to upgrade the BIOS. The BIOS upgrade file contains:

New BIOS files

BIOS recovery files

Intel Flash Memory Update Utility

You can obtain the BIOS upgrade file through your computer supplier or from the Intel World Wide Web site:

http://developer.intel.com/

NOTE

Please review the instructions distributed with the update utility before attempting a BIOS upgrade.

The Intel Flash Memory Update Utility allows you to:

Upgrade the BIOS in flash memory.

Update the language section of the BIOS.

Recording the Current BIOS Settings

1. Boot the computer and press <F2> when you see the message:

Press <F2> Key if you want to run SETUP

NOTE

Do not skip step 2. You will need these settings to configure your computer at the end of the upgrade procedure.

2. Write down the current settings in the BIOS Setup program.

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Intel SE400BX, Motherboard manual Upgrading the Bios, Preparing for the Upgrade, Obtaining the Bios Upgrade File

Motherboard, SE400BX specifications

The Intel SE400BX is a high-performance motherboard designed primarily for demanding enterprise applications, delivering reliability and scalability for a wide range of business needs. This board is specifically tailored for use with Intel’s Pentium III and Celeron processors, providing a solid foundation for both server and workstation configurations.

One of its standout features is the support for Intel’s Slot 1 architecture, which allows for easy processor upgrades without the need for complex socket replacement. This flexibility is essential for businesses that require adaptability in their technology to keep pace with evolving workloads.

The SE400BX motherboard is equipped with a versatile Intel 440BX chipset, renowned for its stability and exceptional memory handling capabilities. This chipset supports up to 1GB of SDRAM using the DIMM standard, ensuring that your system has adequate memory bandwidth for multitasking and demanding applications. Additionally, it features dual-channel architecture, enhancing data flow and minimizing bottlenecks, which is critical for high-performance computing tasks.

Storage connectivity is another strong suit of the Intel SE400BX. The motherboard includes an ATA-66 interface, supporting both hard drives and optical devices. With up to four IDE connectors available, it allows for ample storage configuration options, enabling users to set up various RAID configurations for redundancy and increased data access speeds.

In terms of connectivity, the SE400BX offers integrated networking capabilities, including a built-in Ethernet controller, which simplifies installation and eliminates the need for a separate network card for basic networking tasks. This feature makes the motherboard an appealing choice for businesses looking to reduce components while maintaining solid networking performance.

On the expansion front, the motherboard provides three PCI slots, offering ample room for additional cards such as graphics cards, sound cards, or specialized expansion cards for specific business needs. This expandability ensures that businesses can tailor their systems to their own unique requirements without being constrained by the motherboard’s capabilities.

Overall, the Intel SE400BX combines powerful performance, reliability, and essential features that meet the demands of enterprise environments. Its strategic design and advanced technology make it a valuable addition to any business looking to build a robust computing infrastructure.