Flashing (And not the pervy kind)

[paradidle]

Just about to download a driver that says "Microsoft windows XP based video BIOS flash for inspiron 8600 and the ATI 9600 PRO Turbo."

What does "flashing" the BIOS do?

Cheers

[Blub2k]

If you dont know then I would not do it.
It is to reprogram the basic functionality of a hardware device by changing the software on the device. You can screw up a device if you do it wrong, if it is just a graphics driver then it should be alright but if it goes wrong can be b0rked.

[Skii]

Just about to download a driver that says "Microsoft windows XP based video BIOS flash for inspiron 8600 and the ATI 9600 PRO Turbo."

What does "flashing" the BIOS do?

Cheers

Re-programmes the flash memory on the motherboard. Basically the Bios is a primary simple programme that your PC uses to determine what devices are attached to the PC, how to boot them up, in what order, it also manages all off the data flow to hard disks etc. Bios revisions are released by manufacturers that corrrect flaws or mistakes, or improve the speed or efficiency that the bios operates at, this is why you flash the bios to upgrade it. Also you can re-programme a motherboard or graphics card into thinking it is a faster device than it actually is - an example it flashing a 9800Pro graphics card to a 9800XT or an Fx5900 to an Fx5950.