Is it a good idea to update the BIOS or the HDD driver?
what kind of problems could arise from updating?

Well a leson we all have learned on time or another....dont upgrade unless its not working or has an issue. If it work leave it alone...Unless you know how OR want to learn how to fix it again

Alright, I think I get the picture , lol don't fix it if it ain't broke.

I agree with painer, but there are times when there is an issue that may require you to do it. If you do...make sure you have all your ducks in a row and follow the instructions to the letter. Flashing bios can be a very simple procedure, but can also leave you with a dead mobo.

When you go to your motherboards website and check out the latest and greatest bios there will almost always be some information that tells you what the new bios will fix or ugrade. If you see something that will help you (like a cpu upgrade or a fix for a problem your having) then by almeans do the flash. But if nothing in the new bios will help you out....follows Pains advice. If you do flash any type of bios , make you you read the directions and understand them completely....its too late to have misunderstandings in the middle of a flash.

Thanks all. but it wasn't really my BIOS that was giving me problems, my HD has been acting up, I don't know what's wrong with it though.

sounds like a big problem...

Yeah it's been having trouble booting, read, write errors etc... I think I am going to get myself a new one anyway.

On that note, does anyone know were I could get a Barracuda SATA HDD diagnostic tool?

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads

Thank you pain.

Pain can find anything....by the way Painer, were is the damn address for that Blowup Love doll you promised me?