Upgrade Laptop Phoenix BIOS

I have what I thought was a relatively simple task to do.

Upgrade my Laptop BIOS in anticipation of installing W7 Ultimate, or save the download until I actually launch into installing W7.

I have a Toshiba Satellite Pro P100, Model PSPA4A-005002 (probably an Australian model number), 17" screen, running XP Pro SP3 OS.
I note there is a PSPA4E ( European model) so I assume the last "A" is for Australia.

The installed BIOS is a Phoenix BIOS version 2.10
It is probably 3-4 years old and BIOS boot sequence is:
1 - HDD
2 - CD/DVD
3 - FDD ( Floppy disk drive) Remember them. :-D
4 - LAN

No mention of USB as an option.

All I wanted to do was to go to the Phoenix site.

1 -Find out the latest Toshiba/Phoenix BIOS for XP
2 -Find out the latest Toshiba/Phoenix BIOS for W7
3 -Download them both
4-Install new XP BIOS now
5-Save latest W7 BIOS for later

I have spent hours googling various sites, downloading various "download upgrade" programs, running them and still not really actually getting anywhere, unless I pay $$$.

I don't mind paying as long as they work, but the runaround I am currently experiencing is putting me of paying upfront. :cry

Can anyone help me simplify what I thought was going to be a simple task?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.:major

Bazza

 

Your bios updates are listed on toshiba's site, as they are specific to that model of pc/laptop.

found this list, by selecting windows xp in the os type. Shows a version of the bios as 4.7
http://www.mytoshiba.com.au/support/notebooks/satellite/pro/p100/pspa4a-005002/download?os=22

you might want to verify that, i don't see any documentation. maybe it's included in the download. the same bios update comes up when you select vista as the os. Bios updates arent generally os specific. they might sometimes include updates that will help make the computer more compatible with a newer operating system.

also, you probably do not even need to update your bios in order to run windows 7

 

Thanks Halo and thesmokingun. I really appreciate your replies.

I know the consensus regarding BIOS updates (and lots of other stuff) is if it ain't broke don't fix it.

I'd like to be able, (temporarily) to pull out my main 2.5" drive (C and using an external drive (3.5"), install W7 on that external drive, to see what happens on my P100 laptop.

The existing BIOS does not mention being able to boot off an external USB hard drive, so that is why I figured I'd like a BIOS update.

The existing BIOS will boot off a CD/DVD. Would another temporary alternative arrangement be to boot off a CD/DVD, after removing my existing C: drive? Install W7 on the 3.5" external drive and try to run W7.
I could dodge a BIOS upgrade that way.

That way I'd be able to iron out any W7/P100 problems, one by one, and still have my old C: drive (XP Pro) to slip back in if necessary.

I have run the Windows 7 Adviser and most problems seem to relate to out of date Toshiba OEM stuff. The rest mainly relate to other company programs that need updating.

I have a 2.5", 500gig, 7200rpm laptop drive on order.

Hope this all makes sense to you. I think I'm going around in circles. :confused

Bazza

 

Booting off an external hd is a hardware function (depends on the motherboard). I don't think a BIOS update (software) will change that fact.

 

Thanks plodr. I should have figured that out for myself. Doh. :-D

Bazza

 

Not entirely true. BIOS updates often allow use of 'newer' hardware; most commonly for higher spec. CPU's than were available when the motherboard was built.

It has also been common for some 'manufacturers' (of laptops especially) to 'fix' the BIOS so that only recommended hardware (think supplied by manuf. at high cost) can be added or updated.

Presumably due to chipset incompatibilities, there are some combinations of USB external hard drive and motherboard that don't play nicely together; aren't bootable when everything checks out ok, stops the PC from booting, isn't recognised by Windows if it's connected at boot, ...

 

Just to confirm plodr's suspicions. I re-formatted a Maxtor 160 gig Extrernal hard drive and tried to install W7 on it.

I altered the BIOS to boot up from CD/DVD first. (W7 install disk)

After getting through to select drive for Custom install W7.
Here I chose "Disk 1", the 160 gig drive.

Windows came back with the message that it cannot install on a USB drive, or IEEE 1394 port.

At this point I exited and cancelled the installation.

Thanks plodr, you were correct in your suspicions :major.

Bazza

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