- Joined
- Oct 25, 2009
If this were 15 - 20 years ago, I might agree with your logic. But not today. While flashing a BIOS is not risk free, it is very rare for an update to fail to the point you cannot recover. On the other hand, replacing components on a motherboard, for the vast majority of users - even highly experience users, poses many more and much greater risks.
I point out to you, and everyone else reading, that the process of updating firmware via software was developed to AVOID all the risks (and costs) involved in replacing hardware components on circuit boards.
Many motherboards have many firmware upgrades through the life of the motherboards. We are not talking about a one-time event.
A tried and proven software solution that guides you through an upgrade process is always much safer (and cheaper!) and easier than messing with replacing a hardware component on a motherboard. Plus, software solutions are much more timely. The logistics involved in creating, inventorying, and distributing replacements chips takes a lot of time (and money). It could easily take weeks or more to ramp up production each time a new update was developed. Then days to ship the device once ordered. But it would just take seconds to post the update to a website, and seconds to have it delivered (downloaded) to you.
Please note I am certified master electronics technician for 40+ years. I have done much component level maintenance, replacement and repairs on PCBs. And as a computer technician, I have updated the firmware of many motherboards too. Flashing a BIOS firmware IC is MUCH safer, cheaper, and faster than replacing the firmware device.
I point out to you, and everyone else reading, that the process of updating firmware via software was developed to AVOID all the risks (and costs) involved in replacing hardware components on circuit boards.
Many motherboards have many firmware upgrades through the life of the motherboards. We are not talking about a one-time event.
Whoa! I totally disagree with the first part of that statement! Risk factors must always be considered in any decision making process. As for the second part of your statement, you CAN NOT avoid and must not simply dismiss the risk factors involved working inside a computer case containing highly ESD sensitive devices! Not to mention the deadly potentials (voltages) that exist inside a PSU.I see no reason to making a decision on the basis of comparing risks, if a risk can be avoided it should be.
A tried and proven software solution that guides you through an upgrade process is always much safer (and cheaper!) and easier than messing with replacing a hardware component on a motherboard. Plus, software solutions are much more timely. The logistics involved in creating, inventorying, and distributing replacements chips takes a lot of time (and money). It could easily take weeks or more to ramp up production each time a new update was developed. Then days to ship the device once ordered. But it would just take seconds to post the update to a website, and seconds to have it delivered (downloaded) to you.
Please note I am certified master electronics technician for 40+ years. I have done much component level maintenance, replacement and repairs on PCBs. And as a computer technician, I have updated the firmware of many motherboards too. Flashing a BIOS firmware IC is MUCH safer, cheaper, and faster than replacing the firmware device.