Updating your computer's BIOS. How to update bios, whether to update bios

Hello dear blog visitors! Today I decided to update the BIOS on my computer and write a blog about it. I took photos and screenshots, so the article will be interesting and most likely long, well, no big deal, but understandable :).

About the system BIOS I have already written many articles, and if you want to know what BIOS is, then read this article. My computer is already a little old :), and I haven’t updated the BIOS on it yet, so I decided that there should be an update. Now we will look at how to determine which motherboard is installed on your computer, where to look for BIOS updates, how to update BIOS and decide possible problems in the process of updating.

Why update BIOS?

Well, I think everything is clear here. Updates will almost always improve the performance of devices; the BIOS is the same. After the update, new functions may appear, operation stability will increase, and support for new technologies and components will appear. In short, you need to update, and it's better to do it often.

I want to say right away about the dangers of updating the BIOS system. Everything must be done carefully and according to the instructions; in case of any failure there may be bad consequences. Although this update method, which I will write about today, seems to me to minimize all risks.

Motherboard and BIOS version

Before we start updating the BIOS, we need to find out what motherboard and BIOS version is installed on our computer. Because we will download updates from the manufacturer’s website motherboard.

For this we need a program EVEREST, you can download it on the Internet by typing in search engine request “download EVEREST”. Install the program and run it. If these steps seem very complicated to you, then it is better for you not to update the BIOS yourself, but if you really want to, then contact a computer service.

Well, if everything is fine, then launch EVEREST, go to the tab “System board” and look at what motherboard is installed on your computer.

As you can see I have a motherboard MSI MS-7267, that’s why we will be looking for BIOS updates. Below I have highlighted a link that leads to a page for downloading various updates from the manufacturer’s website. Follow this link and open the BIOS tab in the EVEREST program to see what firmware version is installed.

After the firmware we will compare these dates and version. As you can see, I have a BIOS version from 2007, and a video adapter version from 2005. We will update :).

Where can I get BIOS updates?

Now we return to the website of the motherboard manufacturer, mine is the MSI website, I opened it via a link in the EVEREST program, but it can be found simply through a search. Or just the Russian version of the download section of the MSI website ru.msi.com/service/download/.

As you can see, there are three options for searching for updates.

The first method at the request of MSI MS-7267 did not give me any results, probably because the motherboard is already old.
I didn’t even use the second method, because it immediately says that this is an option for new models. If you have new product, then you can search for it in the list.
Well, the third option allows you to download a utility that will scan your computer and provide a list of necessary updates, with the ability to download them. Great! Click “Click here” and click “Open”.

The archive will open, run the installation file LiveUpdate.exe in it and install the Live Update 5 utility in several steps.

After the installation is complete, launch it and click on the “Scan” button, wait a few seconds while the utility looks for updates.

The program will display a list of results. We are interested in the update called “MB BIOS”. If such an update is in the list (usually it is at the very top), then there is a BIOS update for our motherboard. Download it to your computer by clicking on the “Download” button (arrow).

It’s better to click “Browse” and choose a location to save the update file yourself. For example, I saved it to my desktop.

That's it, we now have the BIOS update file, now we can move on to the next stage.

Run the saved file with the BIOS update and follow the instructions.

Click “Next”.

Let's continue...

There are two options here: the first is probably to write the firmware image to USB flash drive, and update the BIOS from a flash drive (or for firmware, if it is impossible to update from Windows). But since I didn’t have a free flash drive, I chose the second option, which, judging by the title, means flashing the BIOS from Windows.

Here we need to bury running programs and click “Next”.

Press any key. The computer should restart. That's it, the BIOS is updated!

Problems after updating BIOS

I have two small problems that I think are worth writing about.

1. Immediately after the first reboot, a black window with white text appeared (unfortunately I didn’t take a photo), in which you had to press F1, seemingly for settings. And F2 to boot optimal settings BIOS. I pressed F2 and this message no longer appeared.

2. The second problem is the absence of the A: drive.

You can simply press F1, but this message will still appear. The computer just doesn’t find drive A:, it’s a floppy disk, I don’t have it, but it’s listed in the BIOS. I also got this error after. It's very easy to disable it.

Let's go to the section.

Place the cursor over the item and press “Enter”.

Select from the list, press “Enter”.

Save the changes by pressing F10 and confirm saving the settings. Exit the BIOS by pressing “Esc”.

Well, that's all friends, the BIOS has been updated, the problems have been fixed, I hope the computer works :).

At the beginning of the article, I posted my screenshot from the EVEREST program, with the BIOS firmware version before the update. Let's see what has changed there.

As you can see, everything has been updated. Although the year of release of the update is 2009, this is due to the fact that I have an outdated motherboard and updates for it are no longer released.

I hope everything worked out for you. Good luck friends!

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Updated: January 12, 2015 by: admin

As you probably know, BIOS is a firmware that is stored in a ROM (read-only memory) chip on the computer motherboard and is responsible for the configuration of all PC devices. And the better this program, the higher the stability and performance of the work operating system. This means that the version of CMOS Setup can be periodically updated in order to improve the performance of the OS, correct errors and expand the list of supported equipment.

When starting to update the BIOS, remember that if this process fails and the equipment fails, you lose the right to warranty repair from the manufacturer. Be sure to ensure uninterrupted power supply when flashing ROM. And think carefully about whether you really need to upgrade the firmware.

Method 1: Update using the utility built into the BIOS

Modern motherboards often have firmware with a built-in utility for updating the firmware. They are convenient to use. Let's take, for example, EZ Flash 2 Utility from ASUS.

Download the required BIOS version from the hardware manufacturer's website. We transfer the installation file to a USB flash drive and insert it into the USB port of the computer. Reboot the PC and enter the BIOS settings.
In the main menu, move to the tab "Tool" and launch the utility by clicking on the line .

Specify the path to the new firmware file and click Enter.

After a short process of updating the BIOS version, the computer reboots. The set goal has been achieved.

Method 2: USB BIOS Flashback

This method has recently appeared on motherboards from well-known manufacturers, such as ASUS. When using it, you do not need to enter the BIOS, boot Windows or MS-DOS. You don't even need to turn on the computer.

Method 3: Update in MS-DOS environment

Once upon a time, updating the BIOS from DOS required a floppy disk with a utility from the manufacturer and a downloaded firmware archive. But since floppy drives have become a real rarity, now a USB drive is quite suitable for upgrading CMOS Setup. You can learn more about this method in another article on our resource.

Method 4: Update in Windows

Every self-respecting computer hardware manufacturer produces special programs for flashing the BIOS from the operating system. Usually they are on the software discs included with the motherboard or on the company’s website. Working with this software is quite easy; the program can automatically find and download firmware files from the network and update the BIOS version. You just need to install and run this software. You can read about such programs by clicking on the link below.

In conclusion, a couple of small tips. Be sure to back up the old BIOS firmware on a flash drive or other media in case of a possible rollback to the previous version. And download files only on the official website of the manufacturer. It is better to be overly careful than to waste your budget on repair services.

Most PC users are unlikely to need to know how to update the motherboard BIOS, since this process is quite risky and does not provide much benefit.

However, in some cases an update is still required:

If there is unfinished microcode on the board (as a result of the manufacturer’s attempt to beat competitors by releasing the product earlier);
If necessary, eliminate some problems with integrated devices (for example, refusal to work with a theoretically supported type of memory or processor).

Checking Upgradeability

Having decided to reinstall the BIOS on the motherboard of your PC, first of all, you should make sure whether you need to update this collection of firmware and whether this is possible.

You can find out this on the manufacturer’s website in the technical support section (CPU Support List).

As a rule, it also contains information about the compatibility of processors and BIOS versions.

However, before doing this, you should definitely find out the revision of your motherboard and the parameters of the BIOS already installed on your PC.

Checking the revision and BIOS

There are several ways to determine a revision:

look at the inscription on the motherboard;
read the labeling on its packaging.

The last option is simpler - but only if the box from the board has been preserved. In addition, sometimes a computer is purchased assembled, and the box goes directly to the entire system unit.

Therefore, most often you have to remove the side cover (after disconnecting the PC from the network) and look for inscriptions like REV 1.0 or REV 2.0 on the board. This is a revision.

Determining the version installed on BIOS board requires less time.

Usually it is enough just to display the system information window by entering the text “msinfo32” in the command window (Windows keys + R).

Among the information provided, you can find the manufacturer of the motherboard, its model, and BIOS version.

When all the required information about the board has been received, you should visit the official page of its manufacturer and check for BIOS updates.

Sometimes data is presented on English However, most manufacturers have official resources and technical support in Russian.

Finding BIOS information for your board is usually quite easy.

Advice: If the computer was purchased already assembled and has a certain model, you can try to find suitable BIOS versions on the manufacturer’s website system unit. As a last resort, at least the parameters of the board will be indicated here, knowing which you can continue your search on the resources of the company that issued it.

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Update methods

Depending on the specific model of the board installed on your PC and its manufacturer, the BIOS can be updated in one of three main ways:

from DOS mode, present on everyone, even modern computers, designed to work with Windows OS;
from Windows;
by using special programs(utilities) produced by manufacturers and allowing flashing not from Windows or DOS, but directly from the BIOS itself.

Update in DOS

The first option was used 20 years ago, although at that time a boot floppy disk was required for flashing.

Now you will need a special disk or flash drive where the Autoexec.bat (or Update.bat) file is located, which is necessary to start the installation.

Additional utilities and BIOS elements should also be recorded here.

Having prepared a bootable USB flash drive (you can use special programs for this), you should set the ability to boot from media in the same BIOS and proceed with the update.

It will take a little time, but it is very important that the computer is not turned off or restarted at this time.

Updating the firmware package through Windows is much easier, although not much faster. To do this, you must first download it from the manufacturer’s website new version BIOS that will be installed on the board.

In addition, all manufacturers have their own installers.

For example, Asus has this application ASUSUpdate.

Before starting the flashing, install the utility, like a regular program, and then open it.

When the request appears on the screen, select the update “from file” and indicate the path to the BIOS package already located on the computer’s hard drive.

Sometimes the utility can find, download and install the latest version suitable for the board on its own

Update Utilities

In order to be able to update the BIOS using proprietary programs from the manufacturer, you should find them on the official pages of the manufacturers.

There are such utilities, for example, on the pages of manufacturers Asus, Gigabyte, MSI and Intel.

This option is most suitable for regular users as it requires the least amount of steps and also avoids the mistake of using the wrong BIOS.

Advice: While the utility is running, you should close all other programs. In addition, it is not recommended to perform any actions on the PC. Moreover, it takes little time - up to a minute on new computers, 2-3 minutes on old devices.

ASRock

ASRock, a company that produces motherboards for powerful processors and the latest memory modules, has its own flashing utility.

This can usually be accessed by pressing F6 when testing or booting the system.

The utility itself finds the necessary storage media from the BIOS and displays only suitable firmware. After selecting the desired version, with just one click, you can update in a couple of minutes.

ASUS

Most of the latest motherboard models Asus boards successfully updated using the USB BIOS Flashback utility, which is downloaded from the website of the Russian branch of the manufacturer.

For older versions, Asus Update Utility running on Windows is used.

MSI

You can reflash MSI motherboards using the proprietary MSI Live Update program, which automatically detects the appropriate versions and downloads them from the network.

You can find the utility and instructions for it on the official website of Micro-Star International.

Gigabyte

The best place to download utilities for updating the BIOS of Gigabyte boards is on the manufacturer’s official website. It automatically detects the required version and downloads it from the network.

How to connect the motherboard to the front panel - Instructions

Board manufacturers Foxconn, Toshiba and most other lesser-known manufacturers most often do not have their own universal utilities.

Sometimes reinstalling the BIOS using proprietary programs of these brands is not possible for all motherboard models.

In this case, other flashing methods are selected.

In the vast majority of cases, the user No need update the BIOS, but there are exceptions when updating the BIOS is simply necessary to gain access to different functions or new features. For example, to install a new generation processor on a compatible motherboard that was originally designed for earlier processor models. Often this scenario is directly related to updating the BIOS, and in such cases the user has a question: how to update the BIOS?

For reference: This article describes basic principles and concepts the very concept of updating the BIOS. Each manufacturer has its own BIOS/UEFI update process. Therefore, it is best to consult the official manual from your PC or motherboard manufacturer. After reading these instructions, of course.

Although modern computers use UEFI instead of BIOS, this article refers to “updating the BIOS” as including updating the UEFI. You can find out in a separate article.

Warning: Be very careful when updating the BIOS. If your computer freezes, crashes, or loses power, the BIOS or UEFI may become corrupted, leaving your device bricked. This risk must always be taken into account. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to contact a specialist, technical support, or completely abandon the idea of updating the BIOS. And yes, not worth it update just like that. If you do not know why exactly you need to update the BIOS, it is better not to update it at all. The universal principle “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” applies to this procedure like no other.

How to check BIOS version

Before updating the BIOS, you need to find out if there are new versions for the motherboard. And to do this you need to find out the motherboard model or BIOS version.

How to update the BIOS of a computer or laptop

Now go to your motherboard or computer manufacturer's website to check if there are any motherboard software updates available. The section with driver downloads often lists all BIOS versions released for this motherboard. Select the latest option or the specific version you need. It should also be noted that manufacturers often offer beta BIOS versions, which may not be as stable as the release versions. We do not recommend installing beta versions unless you have experience with BIOS flashing and other experiments. We remind you that you should install a specific BIOS version only if you know what you need it for.

Again, each manufacturer may have its own peculiarities of website structure and download section, but basic principle such that BIOS versions are often located in the section with drivers for your specific computer or motherboard.

Most likely the BIOS will be packaged in a ZIP archive. Unzip its contents to any folder and familiarize yourself with the contents. There are also cases when the BIOS is loaded as an executable file.

There are several methods for flashing the BIOS, but you need to look for the one recommended by the manufacturer depending on the motherboard or computer. The frequently downloaded BIOS file contains a Readme file where you will find detailed information about the installation and flashing process.

Some manufacturers have provided a special button for updating inside the BIOS. You load the updated BIOS onto the flash drive, reboot your computer, open the BIOS, click the update button, select the file on the flash drive, and the BIOS magically updates to the new version. You can get into the BIOS in different ways. Often these are the F12, F2 or Delete buttons, which must be pressed while the computer boots.

There are also more traditional instruments for BIOS firmware based on DOS. You will need to create a DOS Live USB flash drive, copy the firmware utility and the BIOS itself to it. After this, the computer reboots and starts from the created USB flash drive. After this, the BIOS flashing procedure takes place inside the minimalist DOS interface. Often the command for flashing looks like flash.batBIOS.bin or something like that. If your computer's motherboard BIOS must be flashed via DOS, the manufacturer will likely ensure that necessary files downloaded along with the BIOS on the official website. This must be a file with permission bat or exe. We remind you: Always look for guides on updating the BIOS on the manufacturer's official website. This approach guarantees you a minimal chance of making a mistake.

All the described methods for flashing BIOS can slightly frighten an unprepared user and discourage him from flashing. And this is good, since, most likely, such a user does not need to flash the BIOS at all. Still, there are more friendly, but at the same time more risky ways to update the BIOS. Some manufacturers have developed special applications that can update the BIOS inside Windows itself. It is difficult to recommend this method.

The developers themselves often do not advise using them (paradoxical, but true). It is best to use the update mechanisms built into the BIOS or a DOS Live flash drive. MSI, for example, advises its users to update the BIOS exclusively within the BIOS itself.

Flashing the BIOS inside Windows can lead to a number of problems. Software running on Windows may prevent the utility from properly uploading the firmware. The fact is that BIOS is low-level software that should very deep get into the hardware of your computer. There is a risk that the operating system's protective mechanisms will interfere with this process and interfere with the operation of the utility, which in turn will lead to BIOS errors or failure. Keep this in mind. If there is an alternative, it is always better to use DOS or the built-in BIOS update mechanism than the Windows application.

In general, the BIOS update process consists of the following steps:

Download the BIOS from the official website.
Copy it to a flash drive.
Boot into BIOS.
Launch the update mechanism and select the downloaded file.
Wait for the process to complete and restart the computer.

Yes, you won't find specific instructions here. This is impossible to do due to the abundance different manufacturers and various nuances, but we hope that this article has provided you with general impression about what a BIOS update is and how it all works.

When you turn on your computer, all control is transferred to a small firmware called BIOS. It performs many functions: it checks the hardware, controls the management of the OS boot loader. It is through it that you can configure the boot priority of devices, set exact date and time, will set a password. However, over time, the program version becomes outdated and many users wonder whether to update the BIOS and how to do it correctly?

Therefore, it is worth familiarizing yourself with all the intricacies of updating the BIOS in order to avoid problems in the future.

Is it worth updating the BIOS?

Many people ask the question of whether to update the BIOS. However, in pursuit of a newer version, users only get a lot of problems, not benefits. Therefore, you should only update the BIOS in the following cases:

New devices are not detected on the PC. For example, you replaced hard drive to a newer model, but the old BIOS version does not detect it. In this case, it is worth updating the firmware.
The old BIOS version does not save settings, there are glitches and errors.
Your BIOS version does not support booting the system from removable media, such as a flash drive, and your disk drive is faulty.

IMPORTANT! Under no circumstances should you update the BIOS if your PC is under warranty. This will void your warranty service.

How to determine the BIOS version?

If you are wondering how to update the BIOS, then the process of correctly replacing the program is important to you.

First of all, you should determine the motherboard model and BIOS version. PC documents do not always contain correct information. It's worth double-checking the information. To do this, it is better to use the AIDA64 utility.

After installing and launching the program, go to the “Motherboard” section and look at the motherboard model.

Now we go to the motherboard manufacturer’s website and look for a new BIOS version.

Step by step BIOS update

You can update the BIOS in several ways:

A special utility that is available on the website of the motherboard manufacturer and allows even a novice user to update the version of their firmware. However, as practice shows, the operation of an antivirus, third-party applications or a power outage can ruin the update process.
Using the Q-Flash utility, which runs without the computer supporting drivers, antivirus and other elements. We will focus on this method.

To update the BIOS, reboot the PC and press Del and F2. The BIOS menu will open. You need to change the program settings to optimized ones. To do this, select the Load Optimized default function, and then click F10.

The computer will restart. You need to turn it off again and get into the BIOS.

The settings menu will reappear on the screen. At the bottom there will be a Q-Flash utility. Press F8, and then select the Y arrow to launch it.

Initially, save the version of the old BIOS by clicking Save BIOS Floppy and selecting the storage location, and Update BIOS Drive.

Then select the flash drive or disk on which you saved the downloaded BIOS version.

The system will ask you to confirm the update. Click OK and wait for the program to update.

The update process will only take a few minutes. The PC will then reboot.

Using this method you will successfully update the BIOS. The main thing is not to press any buttons or turn off the PC.