You're right about the manual for the mobo - interestingly, though, when I read thru the section on integrated peripherals & saw the screenshot of the BIOS, I checked my own handwritten notes on my BIOS settings and the digital photos I took of every BIOS page (I figured I'd be able to read one or the other!), my BIOS does not have the entry for the SATA-IDE controller! (see screenshot)
The BIOS update I got from Gateway says it is version 3.4, dated 12/14/2004; while on the MSI site there is no version 3.4 - however, version 3.6 (dated 12/21/2004) says it will "Update Raid 8237 firmware."
On top of all that, when I used MSI's "Live Update" feature, which supposedly scans your system and tells you what you need to update on your mobo, it tells me I have the latest BIOS installed!
I think this means I should flash my BIOS, and probably use the version I got from Gateway.
Any suggestions? I am afraid to mess things up; everywhere I turn I get these warnings about how flashing your BIOS wrong can completely destroy your computer!
Thanks again - your help is much appreciated!
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Why didn't I just buy a new computer?!?!?
"Asking if computers can think is like asking if submarines can swim." - Unknown