Is there a particular order when updating chipset drivers and bios?

[mikeny]

Do I update the chipset first then bios or it doesnt matter? Can I update the mobo's chipset, bios and any updates from Gigabytes website on drivers and chipset and save to the desktop and double click on it? My mobo is Rev 1.0 and F3. I made a restore point in windows just in case something goes wrong, would the restore point save me just in case the mobo "chokes" on one of the updates? I see if something goes wrong thats it the mobo is dead. Anyone help would be appreciated. Thanx

 

[localcpuguy]

It doesn't matter which order you do it in. I would reccomend doing the chipset drivers, then all others. If you chose to flash the BIOS, that is going to happen outside ow windows anyway; on a floppy or USB flash-drive (assuming Gigabyte doesn't have software to do it from Windows, but I don't think that's possible).

 

[Sunder]

If you are starting from scratch and have a BIOS update to run, I would do that before even installing the OS ... though you might as well do it before the chipset if you're updating both under other circumstances.

Of course, no restore point will help you recover from a failed BIOS flash, so take all precautions recommended by the manufacturer.

As for other drivers, they should always come after. Otherwise you will likely be searching for drivers that the chipset driver will either install or help identify.

 

[mikeny]

Sorry, I forgot to mention that my system is already built. I built it last year so everything is already on it; OS, components, ect. I bought the DS3 last summer (August '06). A few people mentioned I should update my mobo. I also have the latest drivers on my video card and sound card.
I took out my floppy month ago which is why I cant do flash bios. But the next page after Flash BIOS is BIOS Utility.
The DS3 manual has on page 63 a BIOS Utility to allow users to update their BIOS under windows which I was going to do originaly. WOuld the BIOS utility be more safe to do? If yes, should I do the BIOS Utility first or chipset update?
Im a little confused also: Is the Chipset update a driver or is it the F's all combined? or is F3 the BIOS?

 

[ethel]

F3 is a bios version.