On your Xp - no need to worry you'll be ok. But i've not seen any programs for back-ups be 100% Win 7 ready - (yet). Someone will answer your question on the correct method for flashing that MoBo. I can say you need to flash it from DOS and not from within windows. Switches can be helpful on certain mobo's. But most of it is automated as far as the actual flash goes.
I'm using Acronis True Image Home 2009 (is that v11?) on my Win7 x86 system without any issues, at least as far as I can see. When flashing a modded bios, it's recommended that you clear the CMOS. Just read the help/instructions for your particular BIOS flashing tool.
Thanks for the inputs Gents. I figured XP would not be affected but it's nice to hear that from others. I'm quite familiar with Flashing Bios for my various Boxes (and those I build for other folks) and clearing CMOS. My concern is the use of "switches" as mentioned in various posts I read. I don't understand their purpose for this job. One of the 3 methods on my P5N32-E SLI allows me to boot directly to do a Bios Upgrade with no need to go into DOS, or Windows => although I can upgrade using those as well. I'm thinking of using the direct method as it is rock solid. Acronis True Image Home 2010 is supposed to be officially Win7 capable but is Acronis True Image Home 2009 ?
Gents, I couldn't wait any longer. Ammarman modded and posted the Bios for my Motherboard (Thx!) and I didn't hear back on the "switches" so I just Flashed my Bios in the ususal manner and it seems to have worked! Thanks for the help and feedback Folks. No onto finding Win7 64 based applications!