How to Update Computer BIOS

A computer’s basic input/output system (BIOS) is where one or more sets of commands are stored on the motherboard’s firmware. It is the first software that runs at computer startup that controls functions such as the CD drive, mouse and keyboard. This article will guide you to update the BIOS in the right way. Each computer has a different BIOS manufacturer and uses different shortcuts to access it, but the update method is generally the same.

Table of Contents

Steps

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Determines the current BIOS version. You can visit the manufacturer’s website to find this information.

Open the System Information application on Windows. On Windows Vista and Windows 7, enter msinfo32 in the search bar (or Run dialog box on Windows XP), and then click System Summary.
The BIOS version will be displayed below the computer’s processing speed. Rewrite the version number and date (if applicable).

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Identify the system root. This is an important step to locate and download the correct BIOS version update.

Do you buy pre-assembled computers, or buy components and assemble them? If it’s a pre-assembled machine, such as a Dell computer, check their website; if you assemble it yourself, visit the motherboard manufacturer’s website. Look for the “Drivers and Downloads” section.
Be sure to download the correct BIOS update for your computer. If you mistakenly download an update of another series, it will damage the computer.
Remember to download Read me files and other documents and read them! This is not the time to ignore these documents. There are many important precautions you should learn before updating the BIOS, ignoring them can have serious consequences.

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Make a backup of the current BIOS first! If you use Windows or other operating system BIOS update software, back up the BIOS image first. Most BIOS update programs have this function built-in (“Save” or “Backup”), and recommend taking a backup step. Visit the manufacturer’s website for recommendations on how to back up the BIOS.

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Prepare the system. The biggest danger in the BIOS update process is power failure. You can’t control the power company, but you “can” control their influences.

If you update the laptop, fully charge the battery, and continue to charge it. In the event of a power failure, the machine will continue to run because of the battery.
If you update your desktop computer, you should use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Like laptop batteries, a UPS will keep things running even during a power outage.

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Perform the update. Run the downloaded installation program or the .exe file to update the BIOS.

If the software requires you to use a floppy disk, use a 1.44MB 3.5″ formatted disc.” Some floppy disk images contain the “autoexec.bat” file that will automatically run the BIOS update, others only contain the software. update, the BIOS image is up to date and may contain a ‘readme’ file with instructions.If there are no instructions, but there are at least two files (“A06_123.bin” and “awflash.exe”), please follow these steps: Enter the command “awflash A06_123.bin” and press Enter This will update the software and locate the file A06_123.bin to update the BIOS.
Compare two versions. Most BIOS update software will read the current BIOS image and determine it, and then compare it with the downloaded version. If the current version of the system is older it will proceed with the update. The user interface of the BIOS software is often different, but there are still basic menu or selection buttons like “Write”, “Update”, or “Confirm” to proceed. BIOS update.

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Restart the computer. Once completed, many update programs will automatically restart the computer. Some programs will ask for your permission, while others will give you a startup warning before updating. A few programs require you to manually restart your computer. To do this process manually:

Turn off the computer completely by pressing the power button or using a command on the operating system.
Turn off the master power switch on the back of the computer, if present.
Wait a minute.
Turn on the master power switch, if available.
Start the computer.

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Erase current BIOS settings if recommended. This is not always necessary, it depends on the features that have been changed between the current version and the update. Follow these steps:

As soon as the machine is turned on, start the BIOS utilities. On most systems, you can do this by pressing the Delete key during the first 2-10 seconds of booting up. Some other operating systems may use the F2, F10, CTRL, Enter, etc keys
If you don’t know the sequence of keystrokes to access the BIOS, watch the computer screen for instructions.
To clear BIOS settings, look for “Restore Defaults” or “Load Fail-Safe Defaults”. They can be located on the main page of the BIOS utility or on the last page of the menu. Use the arrows to navigate, and follow the on-screen instructions. Once done, save the settings and exit the BIOS utility.

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BIOS configuration. You can change the settings if you want. If you’ve never changed BIOS settings before, don’t try. Most computers only work properly when using the default BIOS settings.

Advice

BIOS updates come out to fix existing bugs, add support for new hardware and standards, or add functionality. Read the BIOS update’s introductory notes or other documentation to find out what the computer will be upgraded to.
The BIOS provides the operating system with hardware information, and is designed to support components within a specific range. BIOS is usually EEPROM, aka Power Supply Stop Lossless Memory, it’s programmed with “firmware” and is capable of storing small amounts of information important to the user’s settings. BIOS parts are often soldered to the motherboard so it is not convenient for the user. Other components are inserted into an empty drive, making them easier to replace.
If the BIOS firmware is corrupted and you have a similar motherboard with the same CPU socket and the same BIOS chip, you can restore the BIOS if you are willing to risk another BIOS chip . Please refer to more articles about BIOS Firmware recovery.
If the system is still working fine, you should only update the BIOS when you are ready to drop the current version (for a long time) in case the update fails. Manufacturers usually accept to repair systems and motherboards that fail to update the BIOS, as long as they are still under warranty. However, this process is quite time consuming and involves many of the following sequences:
- Contact technical support and verify BIOS update related issues.
- A Product Returns Warranty (RMA) or similar tracking number applies.
- Send the product to the manufacturer.
- Wait for approval (check) and repair or replace.
- Wait for the product to be sent back for a refund.

Warning

Do not update the BIOS unless you are sure what you are doing. Because if you don’t follow the manufacturer’s instructions, you can damage the BIOS.
Make sure the power is stable when updating the BIOS. Any large fluctuations or power outages that occur during this process can damage the BIOS. Therefore, do not shutdown or restart the machine while updating the BIOS. If updating the BIOS from a bootable operating system, disable all unnecessary and background applications.
Download BIOS update software from a trusted source. It is very dangerous to download BIOS from a source other than the manufacturer’s website. For example, the same developer’s version of the BIOS software for one manufacturer’s motherboard may not work with another manufacturer’s motherboard. Using the wrong version of the BIOS can “break” the machine, so it is necessary to replace or reprogram the BIOS by the manufacturer and rebuild the unbootable computer until the process is complete.
This process is very vulnerable so any fluctuations from the power supply could be a firmware failure. You need to be very careful to do the process safely.

Steps

Advice

Warning

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