Information and help with BIOS updates

Additional information and help with BIOS updates

Notice: Computer Hope cannot and will not provide users with BIOS updates; this task must be handled directly through the computer or motherboard manufacturer. See the motherboard drivers section for a listing of computer motherboard manufacturer driver and BIOS update pages or our support section for computer manufactures. This document has been created as a reference point and a help section regarding BIOS updates.

Unlike earlier computers that date before 1996, new computers have a Flash BIOS, which enables users to update the BIOS chip on motherboard using a softwareprogram. These programs have the capability of correcting issues that may be occurring with your computer hardware. These issues can include, but are not limited to, the below corrections.

• Add the capability of adding new hardware into the computer.
• Additional options or corrections to the BIOS setup screen.
• Correcting issues with incompatibility with hardware.
• Update hardware capacity and capabilities.
• Missing information or instructions.
• Update a startup logo.
• Older computers who need an update for the Year 2000 issue.

BIOS updates can sometimes be a costly mistake if not all the proper information and steps are known by the user before updated. Updating the BIOS improperly or with the wrong BIOS may cause your system to not boot. The steps below are steps that should be taken before upgrading your computer BIOS.

1. Only obtain the BIOS update from the computer manufacturer or motherboard manufacturer, unless the computer manufacturer or motherboard manufacturer is no longer in business.
2. Do not shut off or reboot the computer until the BIOS instructs you to do so.
3. Verify that the BIOS you have been instructed to use or the one that you are downloading will resolve the issue you are attempting to fix. Remember that BIOS updates only fix hardware issues and will not fix software issues, unless that software is directly related to the hardware.
4. Verify the BIOS version and make sure that the BIOS update you plan on using is the next version. For example, if your BIOS is 1.0a, and the manufacturer has 1.0b, 1.0c, 1.0d, etc. You should be updating to 1.0b. If you need 1.0d, update to 1.0b, 1.0c, and then 1.0d unless otherwise instructed by your computer or motherboard manufacturer.
5. Verify that the computer has been scanned for viruses. Some viruses reside in the writable portion of the BIOS, which can cause the BIOS to abort or fail.
6. If you are updating a laptop or portable computers BIOS ensure that it has AC power and is not running off the battery.
7. Finally, when upgrading a BIOS, it is important that your read the disclaimer and any other information or instructions included with the download. Many computer manufactures will not support a BIOS if done by the user of the computer without the instructions of a technician or company representative. If the BIOS causes any difficulty with the computer you may be held responsible.

How do I download a BIOS update without a working computer?

If you are unable to get to the Internet to download a BIOS update we suggest downloading and creating a BIOS diskette on a different computer. For example, a friends computer or a computer at your work.

Where can I find the BIOS version for the motherboard I'm using?

The BIOS version is often displayed when the computer is first booting. If you need to, usually pressing the PAUSE key on the keyboard will halt the boot so you can view the messages as the computer is booting. If you are unable to see the BIOS version during the boot sequence this information can be found in the CMOS setup.

Finally, if after following the above suggestions you still cannot determine the BIOS version, review the motherboard manufacturers web page for additional suggestions. Some companies include utilities with the BIOS update that can detect or display the BIOS version.

How do I install my BIOS update?

Note: All BIOS updates are different so the instructions below may not apply to your BIOS update

1. The majority of BIOS updates that are downloadable from the Internet will create a diskette to perform the BIOS setup. Often after this diskette has been created rebooting the computer with the diskette in the floppy drive will boot and start the update automatically.
2. Similar to the above BIOS update, some computers are set up by booting from a floppy diskette and running the command "install" or "update" from the command line.