Either the mobo BIOS or video card's BIOS? They're like 6 years old.
I heard "Linux doesnt use the BIOS after booting", so I'm wondering if it would matter.

I "inherited" another computer and am about to install Slackware on it.

CPU: P4 2.6GHz
Mobo: Intel 865PE Neo2
Graphics: nVIDIA G-Force FX5200 (AGP)

Do you have any problems with the machine, or are there known problems with the hardware that the BIOS update is supposed to fix?

If not, then no.

Updating the BIOS is dangerous. Some update process fails unrecoverably just like what I had on a failing MB. It could also make your firmware memory more volatile. Also most BIOSes from 2004 are already stable even from first release. In my opinion 6 years is no longer much of an age for BIOSes.

Hi,
Most GNU/Linux use the IPL(Initial Program Loader) on the MBR which is recognized by the BIOS initially. This IPL will then utilize the SPL(secondary) to boot the kernel via initrd. The BIOS is not needed once the kernel has loaded and things are recognized then properly configured.

If you are not having hardware issues at boot or need for other OS then why update the BIOS?

linux kernel is constantly reading BIOS or it would never know when BIOS sees a usb or other devices get plugged in. That said some Bios are strictly written for some proprietary motherboards like Acer and many of the hardware features will not work with out the M$ Plug N Play.

I worked on this problem with acer and updating bios pretty much would brick your computer. 99 percent of the updates were for M$. I have found this on many other Boards.
If your computer boots and runs leave flashing bios alone.
I really like some of the proprietary cases so gutting them and putting new Motherboards in them is one way to go. But not for the beginner.

Wow, those were quick replies.
Should I add "[Solved]" or does someone else do that?
Thanks.

Hi,
Maybe on the IPL & SPL but after that the kernel doesn't need the BIOS.

As I stated before the initialization is the only part for the recognition of the boot device for loading of the bootloader that passes control to the kernel via the initrd. If your BIOS deosn't recognize a partitcular device as boot then hopefully a BIOS update will allow the boot of the device after updating BIOS. The manufacture data should be checked before any attempt at updating BIOS.

M$ does use the BIOS for operations not a Linux kernel other than booting IPL & SPL via the MBR.

Hi,

As the OP, you can mark the thread as [Solved] via the Thread Tools.