WILL BIOS UDATE FIX ERROR ACPI/AMLI UNDER XP PRO

[gotsometrouble]

HELPNEEDED/HELPNEEDED/HELPNEEDED/HELPNEEDED/HELPNEEDED


Hi all:

I have a major question on this issue.

I keep getting the error:(Event ID 5) "Error Message: ACPI BIOS Is Attempting to Write to Illegal IO Port Address_ (0x4d0)- (0x4d1) which lies in the protected address range. This could lead to system instability. Please contact your system vendor for technical assistance.


I´ve been reading a lot about this problem for a week now and I got to the conclussion that ONLY a BIOS update will fix the problem, Is this right?

If so, my current BIOS is:

BIOS Type:Award Modular Bios v4.51PG
BIOS ID: 04/21/2000-693-596-W977E-MS7117CC
OEM Sign-on: MS7117C 04/21/2000 DL
Chpset: VIA 82C691 rev 68
Version SMBIOS: 2.2


I bought this computer about 2 years ago with WIN98 2nd ED and I updated to WIN XP Pro. Everything works fine but this APLI/AMLI error. I dont have any software conflicts and I dont use Norton, Roxio or Logitech.


After a lot of search, I found that my BIOS Motherboard comes from Matsonic. I went to the web page

http://www.matsonic.com/download_via.htm

and I see there is a MS7117C update scrolling down the page.

I downloaded all the zips that I need on a 3/2 disc but before I screw something up I will like to ask someone over here if;

1.- do you think that this update will fix my ACPI error on WIN XP?

2.- Is it possible that after a BIOS update I´ll be still getting the APLI AMLI errors?

3.- Is there any other fixes or patch or tips that I could use to get rid of this error before I go on a BIOS update?

4.- Am I choosing the right download or I should go on another direction?


I will only go on a BIOS update if its the only thing I can do. I have never done a BIOS update so feel free to post anything you can consider helpful.Thanks a lot,

PS_ I´m from Spain so I could have some grammar errors :/

 

[bcastner]

I suspect it is your one of two hopes.
You could:

. Reinstall XP. When early in the process it asks for you to hit F6 to install additional SCSI or other disk drivers, hit F7.

This is the backyard way of telling XP not to query the BIOS and to install a non-ACPI "Standard PC" model for the remainder of the installation.

. Hit F5, and pick the Uniprocessor Standard Model, or if you know you have it, the APM model instead of the ACPI model.

Reference:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;299340

 

[linney]

Take heart, plenty of people manage to flash their bios without too much problem. Just read all the documentation (and make a print out) that came with the update. Make doubly sure it is for your machine.

As to whether it will fix this error up, well it may or it may not. A check with the Support at the site you got the bios update from may answer this.

These errors in a lot of instances (as you have observed) have no effect on your system and probably can be ignored. Older machines (I know 2 years!) are susceptible to this. A modern P4 would not be.

I had an old HP (with latest bios) that is still running OK and displaying this error at every boot-up but not causing any problems otherwise.

 

[gotsometrouble]

Will I have to restore all my data and drivers in case I decide to go on a Bios update or my data still remains on the computer and only some drivers ( monitor, sound, and via) get to suffer the changes?

Thanks bcastner and linney for your advises, I m still
studiyng the case but I think your answers are very helpful.

 

[linney]

A bios update will not involve your operating system it is done outside of the Windows environment and is a way to update information stored and coded into your computer's ROM (or Read Only Memory).

This provides the basic instructions for a PC's hardware.

 

[pechenegs]

I have also got these errors. I bought my pc in 2001 with ME on it and installed xp pro, but I have no probs with the errors and have no intention of flashing the BIOS, cos if it goes wrong your up the creek!

pech

 

[bcastner]

Note there can be other issues:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q222973