X2 here I come - But with questions, questions.

Question

I am about to purchase a AMD64 X2 3800 or 4400.  Is there enough of an advantage going with the 4400 over the 3800 to justify the additional cost?
Also,  I am currently running the K8N Neo 7025 motherboard.  Still using BIOS 1.0.  Have not flashed before, as saw no need to do so.  System was stable.  People on this forum seem to say, "If it is not broke, don't fix it." So, that's why I am still using 1.0 and the fact that I am just plain chicken when it comes to flashing the BIOS.  I know that I must face a BIOS flash if I am to run the X2 on this motherboard.  So, I have the following questions:
1)  Is it best to flash in Safe Mode? 2) If not, should I close ALL open applications, as well as anti-virus, anti-spyware, WinPatrol, ewido, disable ZAPro anti-spyware, and Spy Guard.  3) Reset BIOS to default settings.  4) Use Syar2003's WinFlash method to flash the BIOS.  5) After re-start, shutdown and reset the CMOS.  6) Go into the BIOS and make any changes.  Install AMD utilities for the X2.
Did I get anything wrong or miss something? 
Your sage advise with be appreicated.  Thanks. AMD

Answer 1

1) Is it best to flash in Safe Mode?
Winflash doesn't work in windows safe mode .
2) If not, should I close ALL open applications, as well as anti-virus, anti-spyware, WinPatrol, ewido, disable ZAPro anti-spyware, and Spy Guard.
Shutdown whatever you can from sytemtray , realtime Antispyware/Antivirus is most important as they can interfere , Firewall is not.
3) Reset BIOS to default settings.
You should remove any overclock before flashing bios , Run the system stock .
Always do a shutdown after winflash (even if the prog. says restart) , remove power (AC) and clear cmos manually with mobo jumper.
The clear cmos option in winflash/awflash for dos doesn't work (properly) .
4) Use Syar2003's WinFlash method to flash the BIOS.
If you descide to flash from windows , yes follow that one is that safest way to get it properly for the Neo2 board.
5) After re-start, shutdown and reset the CMOS. 
Not exactly , shutdown after flash (no restart), remove power from PSU and clear cmos manually .
6) Go into the BIOS and make any changes.  Install AMD utilities for the X2.
Not quite .
After cmos reset , enter cmos settings once first only to "Load Optimized Defaults" followed by save + exit , nothing else (Important) .
Reboot one more time and watch the post screen for DMI build and update .
When this is finished , and doesn't show in post screen , go into cmos setup and set your own preferences.
Now you would be looking at doin' a xp new install or a repair install , followed by the amd cpu driver and x2 optimiser .