Graphics card installation problem. BIOS updating?

[HAYABUSA-FMW-]

PC:
http://www.emachines.com/support/product_support.html?cat=Desktops&subcat=T-Series&model=T6522
It doesn't mention the included 300W power supply there.

Graphics Card:
http://www.pny.com/products/verto/mainstream/7300gs.asp

Problems: Flickering, refreshing, random crashing and freezing, and the blue screen error report of an "infinite loop."

I looked up the problem and found a little help:

Link as the URL is too long for a forum topic. (http://nvidia.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/nvidia.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=22&p_created=1096486168&p_sid=dE6E7k4i&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfc m93X2NudD0zMzkmcF9wcm9kcz0mcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PSZwX2N 2PSZwX3BhZ2U9MQ**&p_li=&p_topview=1)

I didn't know the motherboard type or manufacturer so I looked that up also:
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/46889/?o=140



Here's the motherboard spec/info.
http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=RS480M2-IL&class=mb

That site led to the BIOS updates here:
http://www.msi.com.tw/program/support/bios/bos/spt_bos_detail.php?UID=682&kind=1

I downloaded the latest two zip files and read the read me file's included but they weren't much help to me at first glance:


Special Note:
The BIOS and DEVICE DRIVERS contained here are exclusively for Micro-Star products only. Micro-Star assumes no responsibility for any damages resulting from improper use or lack of technical expertise.

WARNING!!!!!
DON'T FLASH FROM A FLOPPY DISK!!!!
DON'T FLASH WHEN YOUR SYSTEM IS RUNNING FINE!!!!
DON'T FLASH IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!!!!

Award BIOS Flash Procedure
etc.

So I purchased the PC back in October 2005. Should I only download the zip BIOS update since that date?

How do I go about updating my BIOS with the unzipped files?

I just do not want to end up in disaster from not knowing what I'm doing here so I'll admit I don't know what I'm doing.

I also read updating a BIOS can royally screw up your computer and void your warranty. So any help here would be appreciated.

Just read this over which contradicts what the previous links said and also that if the manufacturer used only the specific board, it will be ruined if I update it with the wrong info:

http://www.emachineupgraders.info/dir1/support/usa_motherboards.shtml


T6522 MS-7093 AMD Athlon™ 64 3500+ 2.2 GHz

http://www.emachineupgraders.info/dir1/motherboards/socket939/msi7093_downloads.shtml

So I figured out I have the Phoenix/Award BIOS/Motherboard chipset(not the previously linked to MSIsite/AMI) one, MS-7093 and downloaded the last link there of the latest zip file and unzipped it.

What next?

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: HAYABUSA-FMW- on 2006-04-06 01:43 ]</font>

[VioletSkye]

There are several ways to flash a BIOS depending on the board. The particular BIOS update you linked to requires that you start up your pc with a boot disk (which is easy to make) and flash it from there using DOS commands. **IMPORTANT** MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE CORRECT BIOS UPDATE BEFORE FLASHING YOUR BOARD!!!!!!!!** In the zip file there are instructions for checking to make sure you have the correct BIOS version for your board and it also mentions making sure that BIOS Protection is disabled, otherwise it won't update. Are you positively sure that you have the correct BIOS? Download CPU-Z (http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php) and run it. Select the MAINBOARD tab then post an image of that for me to look at.

After doing a little searching through that site, it appears as though you do have the correct page for their BIOS downloads for your model. I would still like to see your CPU-Z image though. Also are you using the drivers that came with the video card or the latest drivers from the nVidia site?

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: VioletSkye on 2006-04-07 18:03 ]</font>

[HAYABUSA-FMW-]

I first tried the drivers that came with the card, searched around for the latest drivers, and also found an MSI program to easily flash my computer's BIOS.

It searched out the correct version automatically, flashed it in windows mode even, and all without a boot disk.

Such a frustrating ordeal just from this board being outdated or ATI based while the card is Nvidia. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif

Thanks for your help regardless. Always appreciated. http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

[VioletSkye]

Yeah there are a number of flash utilities out there so thats great http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif Some boards recommend not using a Windows based Flash utility so to be safe, unless it specifically mentions it, I don't usually bring it up. I'm assuming you used MSI Live Update. Anyway glad to hear you got everything working successfully http://www.pso-world.com/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif