After my initial whinings about not being able to play Rift for long periods of time due to graphics card overheating, I did manage to find a newer version of my graphics card drivers, install them, and see some improvement to the point that I was able to run Rift on Ultra settings with no frame rate loss and more importantly, no more crashes!
That is, until sometime this past week. I’m not sure when the change occurred, since I have not played daily, but my last two gaming sessions in Rift have ended with the black screen of frustration and a complete powerdown of my laptop. I played a little over an hour both times. A quick perusal of the Rift forums, and other forums dedicated to my particular laptop, suggest that upgrading my bios is the only surefire solution after graphics card drivers are updated and various settings tweaks have been tried and failed. However – and here I lose my geek cred – although I have no problems flashing my smartphone, I’m not willing to take my chances on my considerably more pricey computer, especially when it’s only one game that’s causing me these problems. I just wish it weren’t a game I’m actually currently trying to play.
Mr. Randomessa and I are now sitting pretty at level 17, having a few stunning successes with The Black Garden and were happily stomping invasions across the land when this latest blackout occurred. I suppose now I will have to restrict myself to strict 60-minute gaming sessions to preserve my hardware.
The Scarred Mire doesn't make for extremely pretty backdrops
Casual Is As Casual Does 
A BIOS update is really nothing to be afraid of. I wouldn’t do it just for vanity if everything is perfectly fine, but if something is not quite right, you absolutely should go for it. I’ve never had a BIOS update fail or do anything bad to my system(s). Think of it like that: it takes place on such a basic low-level, that your PC would have to be fundamentally borked for it to even be possible to go wrong. Just have a look at your current settings and make sure you know/remember how to set things up afterwards, and do it! 🙂