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Steps
Find your current BIOS version. You'll want this information when you visit the
manufacturer's website.
Open the System Information app in Windows. For Windows Vista and Windows
7, enter msinfo32 into the search bar (or the Run box in Windows XP), then click
System Summary.
Your BIOS version will be displayed under your computer's processor speed. Write
down the version number and date (if it appears).
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Backup your existing BIOS first! If using BIOS update software executed from
Windows or another operating system, backup the existing BIOS image first. Most
BIOS updater have this functionality built-in (e.g., "Save" or "Backup"), and will advise you
to perform a backup first. Check your manufacturer's website for information on their
recommended way to backup the BIOS.
Prepare your system. The biggest danger with flashing a BIOS comes in the event
of power loss during the procedure. You may not be able to control the power
Perform the update. Run the downloaded installer or .exe file for the BIOS updating
software.
If the software prompts you for a floppy, use a formatted 1.44MB 3.5" floppy
disk.Insert it into the drive and restart the system to boot from it. Some floppy
images contain an "autoexec.bat" file to automatically run the BIOS update. Others
will just have the update software, the updated BIOS image, and possibly a
'readme' text file containing directions. If there are no directions, but there are at
least two files (ie: "A06_123.bin" and "awflash.exe"), follow this example: Enter a
command such as "awflash A06_123.bin" and press enter. This will execute the
update software and specify the A06_123.bin file to flash the BIOS.
Compare the two versions. Most BIOS update software will read the existing BIOS
image and determine its version, then compare this to the downloaded BIOS
image. If the system's existing BIOS version is older, perform the update. The user
interface of BIOS software may vary greatly, yet typically menu buttons or
selections such as "Write", "Update", or "Confirm" will perform the BIOS update.
Restart the computer. After the update is completed, many update programs will
automatically restart the computer. Some updaters will request your permission to do
so while others will warn about this before starting the update. A few will prompt you to
power cycle the system yourself. To perform the power cycling procedure manually:
Completely power down the PC by either pressing the power button or initiating
the power off sequence from the operating system.
Flip the master power switch on the back of your PC to the off position, if
applicable.
Wait a minute.
Flip the master power switch back into the on position, if applicable.
Power up the PC.
Configure the BIOS. If you know the settings you want, change them now. If you have
never changed BIOS settings before, it is not required to do so. Most PCs will function
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Tips
BIOS updates may be released to fix existing bugs, add support for new
hardware and standards or add functionality. Read the release notes or
other documentation for the BIOS update you're considering to see if
the update will benefit your PC.
The BIOS provides an operating system with information about
hardware, and is designed to support a specific range of components.
The BIOS itself is typically an EEPROM, or Electronically Erasable
Programmable Read-Only Memory, that is programmed with "firmware"
and has the ability to save small amounts of information specific to user
configurations. BIOS components are often soldered to the
motherboard and therefore not serviceable by the user. Others can be
inserted into a socket, making it easy to replace with a new one.
If the BIOS firmware has become corrupted and you have a similar
motherboard with the same CPU socket and a BIOS chip of the same
type, you may be able to recover your corrupt BIOS if you are willing to
risk the other BIOS chip. See How to Repair Corrupted BIOS Firmware
If your system is currently working well, perform a BIOS update only if
you're willing to part with it (for an extended period of time) in the event
of a critical failure. System builders and motherboard manufacturers will
often repair systems and motherboards that failed to take a BIOS
update, provided they are still under warranty. Yet, this process is a
lengthy one, often involving the following steps:
Contact technical support and verify the problem is related to the
BIOS update.
Obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) or similar tracking
number.
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Warnings
Make sure to obtain the BIOS upgrade software from a reliable source.
Downloading a BIOS from sources other than the manufacturer's web
site is risky. For example, versions from the same BIOS software
developer for one manufacturer's motherboard may not work on a
different manufacturer's motherboard. Using the wrong BIOS or version
might "brick" the board, thereby requiring either a BIOS replacement or
reprogramming of the BIOS by the manufacturer and rendering the
computer unable to boot until that is done.
Avoid updating the BIOS unless you know exactly what you are doing.
Failure to follow a manufacturer's directions and precautions may corrupt
the BIOS as well.
The process itself is fragile since any power fluctuation during a flash
may irrevocably corrupt the firmware. Great care needs to be taken in
order to safely accomplish this.
Make sure the electrical power source is reliable when flashing a BIOS.
Any sizable fluctuation or loss of power during a flash process can
corrupt the BIOS. Therefore, never power down or reset a PC when
flashing the BIOS. If flashing the BIOS from a booted OS, first disable
all unnecessary applications and background processes.
Article Info
In other languages:
Italiano: Come Aggiornare il BIOS del Tuo Computer, Espaol: Cmo actualizar
la bios, Deutsch: Das BIOS des Computers aktualisieren, Portugus: Como
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