💻 How to update the BIOS, why, how and what you need to do

When you need to update the BIOS and why

Basic input output system is developed by third-party companies for motherboards with regard to their characteristics and capabilities. Support for processors, memory, overclocking capabilities - all of these skills can become obsolete over time. Therefore, software companies release updates for BIOS. That is, it is possible to draw an analogy with any operating system - every last update resolves bugs and adds new features. Overall PC BIOS update - not the most urgent problem. Many systems can operate for years without updates, at katabatic BIOS. The update may be necessary, for example, if the new equipment will not work with the old motherboard, and in other similar situations.

How to determine the model of the motherboard and BIOS version for flashing

To update the BIOS you need to know your site to pick up the same type and revision. And also need to know the motherboard model, for which it is designed. Determine all of this can be as a regular Windows tools, as well as through third-party programs.

operating system

To determine the model of the motherboard and BIOS version, you can use a few simple techniques that are provided by the system itself. Probably the easiest way - to use utility msinfo32. You simply enter the command msinfo32 in the search menu line "Start" or the command line.

The second method you need to use the command line and it gives only information about the motherboard. You must enter the command wmic baseboard get product.

By the way, using wmic and baseboard get manufacturer settings commands are available on the motherboard manufacturer data.

It is worth noting that the BIOS version can be found, not surprisingly, most of the BIOS.

It is not always such a possibility. You can also see information about the basic input-output system to the POST screen after turning on the PC. The POST test very quickly, so you need to have time to press the Pause / Break button to lock the page and view the data as it should.

Third-party software

There are also special programs to determine the type, model and on the PC manufacturer. Here are a few names of programs that can help to identify motherboard and BIOS version: AIDA64, PC Wizard, Piriform Speccy and other analogues.

How to find a program to update the BIOS, depending on your computer or laptop

That's where we can help and information obtained from the analysis of versions of BIOS and motherboard model. Generally, there are two ways to update your current BIOS: from Windows and from under the BIOS. There is also outdated, implying the use of DOS, but almost all the software is now able to update and more convenient ways. In any case, we first have to switch on the motherboard or laptop Developer site. If the computer assembly was made a major brand, instead of the motherboard developer, you can visit his website. Here we need to find a suitable under our motherboard update file. For example, we were able to determine that the motherboard designer - ASUS. We pass on its website in the support section.

Here you can select the device class and the model board. And then go to the "Drivers & Utilities" section. In this section, there is a separate category of the BIOS and software. In the task list, you can select the most recent version of the update and download it.

Major brands developers motherboards and PC assembly work in a similar way. That is, keep updating your BIOS version on the official site.

How to reset the BIOS in many ways

After determining the version of the BIOS and motherboard model, you can try to update the BIOS. Depending on the model and version can be used in different ways.

BIOS update under Windows

The easiest and most convenient way. But the realization of again can be of two types. First - just download the executable file from the developer. He will check whether the update is appropriate for the board, and set if necessary. Second - use embedded software developer, for example, MSI LiveUpdate or ASUS Update. Each brand their utilities to monitor system performance, update it and adjust. Some of them even allow you to not go to the developer's site manually, and do checks for updates and installs them. The user needs only to confirm the action.

Update BIOS from a BIOS

This method is not supported by all models of motherboards and, accordingly, not all versions of the BIOS. First, in any case, will have to visit the official website to find and download the firmware. Then you need to reboot into the BIOS and find the built-in update utility. For example, in the old BIOS on ASUS devices, it may be in the Advanced section under item Start Easy Flash. In the new - in the same section, but called ASUS EZ Flash 3 Utility. Generally, each developer names may differ among themselves and from version to version. Search should be something with Flash words, Easy Flash, Flash Utility, Q-Flash, Update, and so on. D. These tools have their own file manager that has access to the file system as the main drives and USB-flash drives. After selecting the desired file and confirm your decision to wait. The process may take approximately 2 minutes.

Update BIOS from a USB drive

This method is suitable in cases where there is no way to boot the system and update under Windows. However, still need the firmware file you want to download. This can be done from another computer - a neighbor, a friend or at work.

Generally, a flash update includes a method for renovation of BIOS, previously described. But we are more interested in how to upgrade it with the stick, that is bootable. In fact, it is the update using the DOS, the confusing and complicated version of the firmware. First, a little theory. DOS - Disk Operating System, developed in the last century. Why is it used so far? Because it is placed on several diskettes (abridged version and all in one), does not require pile drivers and work in text mode. That is, for a one-time setup of any equipment - the perfect tool. To the flash drive can operate autonomously, it must be present in the image of the system, in this case DOS. Also, we need a program for flashing the firmware itself. The program is called AFUDOS and you can download it almost every brand on the site. Firmware is selected individually by each model of the motherboard.

Now we need to make so that we can boot from our stick in DOS mode. This can help us to Rufus program. This is a small utility that can create partitions on the USB flash drives under the most different kinds of operating systems.

You need to run the program as administrator. Settings are fairly simple, they just need to remember.

• device - our USB flash drive;
• partition scheme - MBR for computers with the BIOS or UEFI;
• file system - FAT32;
• establish a tick on the items "quick format" and "create a boot disk";
• the drop-down menu select the type of system. In our case

Then press "Start" and the program will create a bootable USB flash drive. Now it is necessary to move the AFUDOS program and firmware. In fact the flash drive is ready.

Next, reboot into the BIOS and find the item responsible for the procedure for loading media. This can be Boot, Boot Priority, and the like. We establish our first USB flash drive in order. Save the settings and reboot. If done correctly, then after downloading we should meet greeting FreeDOS. To start the process of firmware recruit team afudos /name_update.rom. Where name_update.rom - file with our firmware. If done correctly, it should start the process of firmware. After successful completion of the need to re-enter the BIOS and reset to factory settings.

As you can see, the process is not the easiest. Yes and outdated. Now, many manufacturers have saved its users from these torments, and implementing integrated tools allow updates directly from under Windows.

A little about the consequences

It is worth remembering that the BIOS - it is an important component of the system in case of an abnormal situation, he can not even boot. Therefore, it is important to carefully approach the selection of firmware, model and method. The best option is to simply read the instructions on the official websites of developers. Usually, there are very many. If they recommend to make a backup, you probably should do it, because the consequences can be irreversible. Regardless of the way the firmware will need to reset the BIOS to the factory after the upgrade.

Also, do not update the BIOS if the battery enabled, as there are cases where the remaining charge is not enough to end the operation and firmware update is interrupted.

In the comments, you can share your methods or tools for firmware updating BIOS.