What are the correct (and safe) steps to take in updating my computer’s motherboard BIOS?
Before updating my computer’s motherboard BIOS, it is important for me to determine the necessity of doing so. Updating the BIOS is a tricky process that can fail, leading to a complete system failure. Therefore, I need to ensure that the update is essential to support new hardware, fix existing bugs and glitches, or increase functionality.
In some cases, an update isn’t necessary, but when it is needed, a few steps and a lot of caution are all that it takes.
The first step I need to take is to determine where to locate and download the correct update version for my BIOS. For either a laptop or desktop computer, the manufacturer’s website will have the update for the BIOS of a pre-built computer system. For a custom-built computer system, the manufacturer of the motherboard will have the update for the BIOS.
Each manufacturer’s website will include specific information on updating the BIOS for its computer systems or motherboards. It’s important to view the instructions on the website for your specific BIOS since not all BIOS updates are performed in the same way. Once the correct updating software for the BIOS is found, it can be downloaded for use from the manufacturer’s website.
The following methods are all used to update various versions of BIOS:
- Booting the system from a CD, USB thumb drive, or floppy disk- the manufacturer of the system or motherboard usually provides the software.
- Execution of a program from the operating system after booting from hard disk.
- Execution of a custom application provided by the manufacturer of the system or motherboard.
- Utilization of a third party utility designed to update the BIOS while booting from the DOS operating system.
It is possible to encounter updating problems and resultant crashes, especially when attempting a BIOS update from Windows or any other OS. Therefore, it is important to backup my existing BIOS before I attempt the update. Many of the BIOS update versions include instructions on how this should be done. I simply need to follow the guidelines for backing up the BIOS image- it’s definitely worth the small input of time to do so, just in case.
Following the directions for updating is simple as long as I read and follow one step at a time. Plus, the different methods used to update the various versions of BIOS typically allow users to compare their existing version with the downloaded version. If the existing version is older, then the update could prove to be beneficial.
After the manufacturer’s BIOS update has been completed, the software will usually power cycle the computer, alert the user that the power cycle will occur and request permission, or prompt the user to complete the power cycle. This is normal and necessary.
Since more than one method exists for updating the BIOS due to the large number of manufacturers, the instructions will vary. The different versions for updating BIOS will have tabs or selections to write, confirm, or update the BIOS.
Susan Keenan | June 2nd, 2008
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my acer labtop is not working correctly and i cant get into the BIOS on my labtop. When i try to hit f 10 my labtop just beeps and BIOS doesnt start, instead windows boots and i cant access BIOS. I would like to restore my hard drive to it’s original settings so i may sell it. Please help!
Different BIOS chips have different keys to press, if F10 doesn’t do it, try: F1, F2, DEL, or ESC
Usually, you’ll see a line of text during bootup telling you which key to press such as:
Press to enter BIOS setup
Another thing to try is pressing and holding a random key which should result in a “stuck key error.” Sometimes this little trick is enough to bring up the BIOS setup screen.
Also, if you have the recovery CD, you should be able to use the disc without going through the BIOS. Use Windows Explorer to explore the CD for a “setup.exe” or “install.exe” option.