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Updating the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is often a necessary process that helps to maintain the proper functioning of our computers. For example, updating BIOS often fixes problems, offers new features, or resolves compatibility issues. However, updating the BIOS is fairly risky and shouldn’t be entered into lightly. Unless you are experiencing major problems, you should not update the BIOS. When you update your BIOS, the old one is replaced with the new one, leaving your system inoperable if something goes wrong. You should also be aware that flashing or updating your BIOS can fry the motherboard if it is done incorrectly.

Fortunately, there is indeed a program that can scan your system and update your BIOS. In fact, using such a program is one of the safest options. Before pointing you to this tool, let’s first look at the general difficulties in updating the BIOS the manual way.

First, you must identify the BIOS your computer has onboard.

• In Windows Vista, you can find this information by going to the Control Panel, choosing Performance Information and Tools, clicking Advanced Tools, and then clicking View Advanced System Details in System Information. Finally, you’re in a System Information summary screen where you’ll see a list of details including your BIOS version and date.
• For earlier versions of Windows, go to Start>Programs>Accessories>System>System Information and find the Windows Report Tool under the Tools menu. Now, find Options>Collected Information and scroll to BIOS. Depending on your operating system, you may see a System Summary section instead of Windows Report Tool.
• BIOS details also usually appear on the screen during boot up. Press your systems BIOS “hot key” such as “F1,” “F2,” or “F8.” This key varies depending on your computer model; your computer screen usually displays the key you should press during boot up. You should be able to see the manufacturer, version, and date of your BIOS.

Once you have located your system’s current BIOS information, your search begins. Start by checking your computer manufacturer’s Web site for updates for your specific model or go directly to the BIOS manufacturer. For example, if you have a Toshiba computer with Toshiba BIOS, head over to the Toshiba Web site’s Download center and search for your exact model. Likewise, if you have a motherboard with AMD BIOS, go to AMD’s Web site.

The instructions for updating your BIOS properly should be included on the manufacturer’s Web site as the process varies by model. Download the update to floppy disk or CD. You’ll boot from this disc when the time comes. But first, before updating the BIOS, back it up! Almost all BIOS update programs have a backup function built into them. If not, BIOS backup utilities (such as Uniflash) are available, though typically for advanced users.

Once you’ve found and downloaded the correct BIOS update for your exact BIOS chip, insert the disc with the update and reboot your computer. Follow all of the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Remember, this is risky. Any interruptions or mistakes could lead to a complete failure!

Fortunately, third-party software utilities exist for checking and updating BIOS. One reputable scanner for updating BIOS is http://biosagentplus.com/ which is a product from Phoenix Technologies (which is licensed by over 80% of computer manufacturers). Use this tool instead; it’s much safer.

BIOS stands for Basic Input Output System. Put simply, BIOS refers to the software that is built in to a computer and the capabilities that a computer has without accessing any additional programs or applications. On an average personal computer, the BIOS includes the data and code that is programmed in to control the keyboard, screen, disk drives and other pre-set and inclusive functions. BIOS refers to the basic list of instructions that a computer uses to begin its operations.

The BIOS can scan the computer for missing components or programs and determine operating condition. In order to protect the BIOS from system failure or disk corruption, it is stored on a chip rather than built into the hard disk. In this way, regardless of disk or operating system error, the computer should always be able to boot itself up. In addition to running its own initialization process, a computer’s central BIOS chip can also communicate with and initialize other BIOS chips, such as those built in to graphics cards or other devices. BIOS also maintains operations of a variety of settings such as clock, time zone and so on.

When you boot up your computer, BIOS follows an operational script that checks the system, starts up its numerous processes and begins communication between different components. As the BIOS issues and intercepts operational signals to and between components and programs, it is copied to RAM to speed up the process in a transfer known as shadowing.

BIOS is also a communication facilitator between the hard drive and other computer components. The BIOS makes sure that CPU, ports, and external devices like printers and fax machines are all online an operating together. In another sense, BIOS is a type of software, in addition to your operating system and other applications, that assists with communication between the hardware component on your system and the operating system.

From time to time you might want to update your BIOS, on older systems, or if several major changes have occurred in operating system or hard drive development so that your computer’s communication system remains up to date with the current discourse. You can check your BIOS specifications with a software program available from your computer manufacturer. Information about your current BIOS is displayed when you start up your system, or is available from the manufacturer.

Once you know what you have, you can check the manufacturer’s website for updates. Upgrades and their installation programs are usually available for download. You should then copy the file, or files, on to a removable disk, then reboot the computer with the floppy disk in the disk drive. The update will delete the previous BIOS and replace it with the more recent version.

The computer code to start hardware is called the Basic Input Output System (BIOS). It also pulls double duty: the BIOS acts as the core set of rules to execute software. The rules apply to user installed software, like games, and even the entire operating system, like Windows. The BIOS is located on a piece of memory hardware inside the computer, but not on the hard drive. In the past, this piece of memory was a ROM (Read Only Memory) chip attached to the processor. Today, computer systems hold the BIOS on readable and writable flash memory chips.

Press the power button on– the processor starts working, the hard disk begins spinning, and the fan makes a familiar whirring sound. But how does the processor know to start the operating system on the hard disk? The code in the BIOS is the first set of commands a processor follows, and eventually it gets to executing other software on the hard drive.

We all see the BIOS sequence in action - it’s the black screen with quickly scrolling white typeface. Catching bits and pieces, you will notice the computer runs manual checks for the basic hardware components of the computer. BIOS helps the computer recognize the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and all other peripherals. Think of this like roll call before a class starts, and BIOS is the teacher.

Once hardware is physically confirmed and responding to the computer’s commands, the processor will boot the operating system. Operating systems are software solutions expanding a computer’s program management beyond the BIOS commands. Bottom line: if the BIOS is broken, corrupted, or modified incorrectly the computer will not boot. Problems with the BIOS are characterized by “The computer won’t turn on” phrase.

Since BIOS code is now contained on flash memory, the write-to ability of the BIOS is a double-edged sword. On one side, users effortlessly update their BIOS to satisfy new operating system requirements, through manufacturer approved methods. On the other side, the BIOS is vulnerable to BIOS-based viral and spyware attacks. Malware can modify boot settings and cause system, hardware, and software failures.

To solve BIOS problems, users can access the BIOS settings by watching for the line “Press (key combination for your system) to Enter Setup.” This will open a DOS styled screen utilizing function and arrow keys for navigation. Here users can potentially repair any errors in the boot sequence, or turn on and off detection of hardware based on the systems physical configuration. Exercise great caution as any saved changes will reboot the system. Mistakes can make it near impossible to correct these accidental modifications, since the reboot will follow the new incorrect boot sequence.

The BIOS is an integral component of the computer system. Do not attempt to physically repair the BIOS. The micro-sized electronics inside the computer are fragile, temperamental, and can surprisingly cause injury or fire when improperly connected. Look at it this way, if a lamp cord showed a problem, would you cut the plastic and try to repair the wire yourself? Even though the microprocessor and BIOS are some of the smallest components to the computer, replacement is expensive. Protect your BIOS from viruses with professional software solutions, and do not access Setup except in dire circumstances.

One of the few sounds in life that I do not want to hear is the noise of beep codes coming from my computer during start up. Technically speaking, the beeps will occur during the power on self test or POST. During the POST, the BIOS tests and configures a variety of the computer’s components to make sure that they are operating properly. If any problems are detected with these components, the BIOS issues a single beep or combination of beeps.

Unfortunately, beep codes can be indicative of major problems with the computer, and so they bring fear to the hearts of those that are faced with hearing them. Seriously though, the beeps are annoying, but they are not scary enough to merit a panic attack. The beeps are simply warnings that something is afoot. Deciphering the beeps allows me to know what steps I must take in order to fix the problem.

In particular, beeps and combinations of beeps indicate specific problems related to the computer. These beeps are emitted from internal speakers that are located in the computer. Additionally, the BIOS can create a POST code output. This code can be read with a special tool.

How and why do the beeps happen? The BIOS (the Basic Input/ Output System) creates the beeps to alert me that the computer has encountered specific problems during start up. If the BIOS can access the display adaptor and display an error message, then the beeps are not issued. The BIOS might continue to start up the computer if the problem is not too serious. However, a serious problem will result in an incomplete start up. The language or specific combination of beeps depends on the particular BIOS the computer is using.

In order to translate these beeps, I need to know what manufacturer is responsible for the BIOS on my computer as well as what specific version the BIOS happens to be. Once I know this information, I can locate the information I need to determine what the beeps mean. Although many others exist, two of the more common manufacturers of BIOS are Phoenix Technologies and American Megatrends, Inc.

Since an industry standard does not exist, it is important to determine my manufacturer and version of BIOS to decipher the beep codes. One beep with one specific BIOS might not mean the same as one beep on another BIOS and so on.

If I don’t know what version number of BIOS I have or what manufacturer created it, I can get the information from the computer. Navigating from Start to Programs to Accessories to System Tools to System Information, I can look for this information. The manufacturer is usually listed first, then the version number.

Common problems indicated by BIOS beeps include problems with the BIOS, problems with the CMOS or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (the memory that is responsible for storing the BIOS), and problems with memory modules.

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.