Re: Looking for BIOS Update

micro wrote:
> I have CF94510J.15A.0028.2006.1213.1629
>
> The computer (emachine with XP home in it, but was originally vista
> which was wiped out and XP installed) keeps shutting down and telling me
> there is something wrong with registry files on boot up but says that it
> had to go look for them elsewhere and found/fixed the problem. (I've
> been running this computer without incident for over a year now) It'll
> run for a while then shut down again. When I sent error report into
> windows, it tells me I need to update the BIOS but the numbers on the
> updates don't match up with my mobo. (Processor Intel pentium D 925) Am
> unsure and don't want to mess up the flash... anyone able to help?
> This computer runs the automation for my radio station which is
> currently off air. An expedited answer would sure be MUCH appreciated!
> My advertisers are paying by the minute for their airtime!
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Micro
>
>

"When I sent error report into windows, it tells me I need to update the
BIOS." If the Windows OS itself is telling you to update the BIOS, keep
in mind that Windows/Microsoft can really miss the mark on hardware.

You have a modern 945 chipset motherboard designed by Intel for Gateway.
There is no reason why it should not run properly with XP.

When you installed XP, did you install all the required hardware
drivers, starting with the drivers for the Intel 945 chipset? When you
installed XP, did you do so with a CD that has Service Pack 2 or 3? If
not, either of these could explain the instability you are seeing.

The BIOS identification string is for a motherboard made for an
eMachines computer. A Gateway BIOS update will not work. But, as I
said earlier, I do not think that the BIOS is the problem... Ben Myers

micro wrote:
> Thanks for your help.
>
> The computer was still shutting off and giving the same error on
> reboot. We called a local tech guy and he said to try and replace the
> power supply. He thought that the power supply might be faultering and
> causing it to reboot? We have replaced the power supply and so far it
> has not shut down any more.
>
> To answer your question, yes, we used a CD to load XP and it has been
> working fine for over a year, This is a recent development but haven't
> changed the O.S. recently so that is why it surprised us so.
>
> Also, my logmein that I use to access the station from home has
> recently updated. Now I'm thinking that if the power supply doesn't fix
> it, I'll try backdating to before the logmein update, as logmein account
> has been behaving strangely only on this computer since the update.
>
> Micro
>
>

You got excellent advice. I momentarily forgot that eMachines have the
really cheap and crappy Bestec power supplies, known to fail a lot and
to take out the motherboard when they fail. Seems like you replaced the
power supply just in time.

A couple of months ago I recycled about 8 absolutely perfect and empty
eMachines cases. I kept them for a while hoping that a good eMachines
motherboard would show up. The cases were empty because I had removed
the dead Bestec crapola power supply and the motherboard taken down with
it. Even old eMachines motherboards sell for big bucks on eBay because
people need replacements... Ben Myers