[ADVICE OFFERED] BIOS question

[jjb]

In my quest to gain as much knowledge about the inner workings of my system and what makes it tick I recently visited this site http://www.unicore.com/biosmd/021801/bwz-rel.exe
and ran their BIOS wizard.This was a quick test and seems like a good way for anyone to get information on their BIOS.
I am pasting the information it provided me below.
My questions are:
1.Is it time to update my BIOS ?
2.What is DMI ?
3.My only concern to raise this question are the lines I bolded.

BIOS CAPABILITIES TEST REPORT
===============================

Generated by: BIOS Wizard 2.10
Date: January 14, 2002
Time: 15:33

PnP Version : BIOS currently supports latest version 1.0
PCI Version : BIOS currently supports latest version 2.1
PCI IRQ Routing Table : BIOS currently supports this feature
Enhanced Disk Drive
Specification : BIOS currently supports this feature
DMI Version : BIOS supports minimum version 2.2. Latest is
version 2.3
ACPI Version : BIOS currently supports latest version 1.0
APM Version : BIOS currently supports latest version 1.2
Booting From CD-ROM : BIOS currently supports this feature
Supports ESCD : BIOS currently supports this feature
Can be Updated (flashed) : BIOS currently supports this feature
Can be Shadowed : BIOS currently supports this feature
BIOS Chip in Socket : BIOS currently supports this feature
Supports Selective Booting : BIOS currently supports this feature
Supports LS-120 Booting : BIOS doesn't support this feature
Supports ZIP Booting : BIOS doesn't support this feature
Supports Network Booting : The testing of this feature is not supported by
the current DMI version
BIOS Manufacturer : Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
BIOS ID : 11/10/1999-i810-ITE8712-IWT-ME+C-00
BIOS Date : 11/10/99
BIOS OEM Signon : P6IWT-ME/i810L Ver Promise_3.0c 11/10/1999
BIOS ROM Size : 256K
Chipset : Intel Whitney 82810 rev 3
Super I/O Chip : Known super I/O chip is not found

 

[slipe]

Don’t update your BIOS unless you have problems. Common reasons for updating the BIOS are to get it to recognize larger HDs or faster processors. To just update your bios because you have found a site that gives you some information about your computer is not a good idea.

DMI stands for Desktop Management Interface, Direct Memory Interface or Digital Multiplexed Interface. I would think network booting would apply to the first but really don’t know. It appears it works fine – it just isn’t tested. I take it you are networked to even be screwing with it.

 

[RandyG]

Slipe's dead right, jjb.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it!


Most problems that afflict users of today are vecause they see something that might be neat, and decide to install it on their system.

I always think of a computer as a Frankenstein's Monster. It can be really undearable if you continue to monkey around with it, but to erase it's *basic brain pattern and put in a new one* is foolhardy, unless there are problems there.




*read this as flashing the BIOS*

 

[jjb]

Slipe and RandyG-thanks for the responses and answers.I do live by" if it aint' broke,don't fix it.Take my word gentlemen I am not "screwing" with anything that doesn't need "screwing".
I guess one could say I am constantly homeschooling myself through browsing and the help of this sight.When the day comes when it is broke I just want to be prepared and know where to look.