The PC must be constantly updated. And this applies not only to hardware, operating system and applications. But it is advisable to do this only if a serious need arises.

If the machine is working in normal mode without glitches and errors, then updating to the latest BIOS version is simply not required. Since this procedure is extremely unsafe.

Why update

The device in question requires a new firmware:

1. new installed device is not supported;
2. when there is a conflict with any application that needs to be installed on a personal computer;
3. when you need to increase PC performance;
4. if the outdated firmware is corrupted.

Most often, an update is required due to the installation of new equipment - a processor, a hard drive. Much less often - video cards, RAM. This need arises as a result of a conflict between hardware and firmware. Very often, old BIOSes simply do not see large hard drives. This situation is corrected in most cases with an update.

Some applications do not support certain BIOSes and their programs. In most cases, this situation can be resolved with a version upgrade. Sometimes this is required to run some professional applications.

Often, old firmware simply does not allow you to overclock the processor in various ways. If you need to change the CPU frequency up or apply more voltage to it, you need to update the BIOS. This usually provides ample opportunities for various kinds of manipulations with the parameters of the central processor and other devices.

Sometimes the PC starts to give errors just like that, for no apparent reason. Often the BIOS is the culprit. In many cases, it is the installation of a new program in BIOS that allows you to solve problems of this kind.

Video: reflash BIOS

Current version

There are several ways to determine the BIOS version:

1. before the OS starts loading;
2. means of the operating system;
3. using third party software.

In order not to waste time performing any unnecessary actions, the PC owner can simply look at the software marking of the device in question even before starting Windows.

To do this, follow the steps in strict order:

1. turn on the PC;
2. wait for the corresponding icon to appear (“American Megatrends”, “Energy” and more);
3. click on the button called "Pause Break".

This key allows you to stop the loading of a personal computer at any stage. You should wait until the table or list of characteristics appears on the monitor. The user needs to find the inscription "Bios Revision" or "Bios Version". Next to one of these phrases must be a combination of numbers. It is these numbers that indicate the version of the Bios used.

You can also find out the software marking of the PC component in question simply by going to its settings.

To do this, do the following:

• turn on the computer;
• until the image appears, press the "Delete" key several times;
• in the section called "Main" find item "Information"-> "Version".

The easiest and safest way to find out the version is to use the item in the Start button called "Run".

It is necessary to carry out the following actions:

1. open "Run";
2. in the field that appears, enter "msinfo32";
3. press "Enter" or just click on "OK".

As a result, a standard component of the Windows operating system will open. It contains all information about the system, including information about the BIOS firmware.

How to update Bios on a computer

There are three ways to update the software for the device in question:

• in MS-DOS mode;
• in Microsoft Windows directly;
• without logging into Windows and MS-DOS.

Each method has both its advantages and disadvantages.

Where to get the update

To update Bios, you must first find the right application for this PC component. It is best to download it from the official website of the motherboard manufacturer or Bios. The surest way to find out the model and name of the manufacturer of computer components is to visually inspect the motherboard itself, the chip of the device being updated located on it.

You can also use any specialized program in order to find out the marking of the firmware and the name of the manufacturer. Everest is the best for this. The most important advantage of this application over analogues is that it offers the user links to the official websites of the manufacturer, where you can find everything you need.

Another source of new firmware versions can be various unofficial sites on the Internet. But the probability of downloading counterfeit software with a virus or simply not working, capable of damaging the PC, is very high. Therefore, using applications from unreliable sources is highly discouraged.

Making a backup

Before carrying out any actions that make changes to the firmware, you must make a backup copy of it. This will avoid various kinds of problems when an error occurs that makes the hardware inoperable. The backup copy must be saved to external media (USB drive, flash drive, floppy disk) in order to avoid the need to extract it from the hard drive.

The easiest way to make a copy of the software to be updated is with an application called EZ Flash (used by ASUS).

The copying process consists of the following main steps:

1. production of a bootable flash drive with the MS-DOS operating system;
2. after inserting the USB flash drive into the port, you need to restart the PC;
3. after pressing the "Delete" key during boot, you should find the "Tool" tab;
4. select Asus EZ 2 Utility;
5. press the F2 key and enter the name of the backup.

After performing all the above operations, all the data necessary for recovery will be saved on the selected media. If necessary, they can be easily used.

Installation

The easiest way is to install new software on the PC component in question directly in the Windows operating system.

To do this, you must perform the following steps:

• download a special update program for a specific motherboard model;
• run the executable.

Most manufacturers have their own update application. That is why it is necessary to use only files downloaded from official resources. For example, ASUS has an application for performing the action in question called ASUSUpdate. It is installed as the most common application, the menu is intuitive, even if it is in English.

Some manufacturers provide for updating their products without logging into the OS. In the ROM of the equipment, special tools are already sewn in to perform the update. For example, the ASRock Instant Flash utility can independently perform all the necessary actions in a matter of minutes. Just press "F6" - it will scan all available sources of information.

Reset system settings

There are two ways to reset the system settings:

• software;
• hardware.

To use the first method, you must:

To perform a hardware reset, you must use a special jumper or remove the battery from a special connector for at least 30 minutes. After performing the necessary actions, a reboot is performed.

Possible problems

When installing new firmware versions, various kinds of errors may occur:

• version mismatch;
• data write error.

The most common problem is the use of inappropriate files for the update. If this type of problem occurs, you must use a backup to restore the system to its original state. If a data recording error occurs, then you should do the same - reset the settings to standard.

Video: update the BIOS

When carrying out an operation of the type in question, it is necessary to make sure that the voltage supplied is stable. If the electric current is suddenly cut off, then the possibility of severe damage to the updated component is high. Which is unacceptable.

It is important to use firmware only from reliable sources. Since there is always the possibility of bookmarks or viruses in extraneous data. All of these can damage your computer. It is also worth checking the health of the tablet battery inside the system unit.

Many users do not understand why update Bios. It is necessary to perform this operation only in extreme cases, when it is simply impossible to resolve any conflict in an alternative way. The procedure should be carried out as carefully as possible to avoid damage.

Personal computers must be compatible with new hardware even years after they were purchased. This is necessary so that you can later upgrade.

Often, PC component manufacturers offer users to update the BIOS themselves so that the computer meets modern requirements and is compatible with new hardware. By doing this, you can easily install a processor that was not yet released when you bought the motherboard. In this case, your system will immediately recognize it and will function correctly. Due to what is this possible?

Offline system: BIOS with battery

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System - basic input-output system) is the heart of the software and an important element of any PC. It acts as an intermediary between computer components and the operating system: without the BIOS, the latter would not be able to communicate with and control the hardware. When you turn on the computer, long before the OS logo appears on the screen, the BIOS always starts first. It determines which components are installed in the PC, initializes them and provides all the information to boot the system. The BIOS itself is located on a special flash memory chip on the computer's motherboard, and the contents of the memory are preserved even in the absence of power. This is possible due to the presence of a separate battery, which is responsible for the BIOS.

We will answer the most important questions about the BIOS and possible updates. Who needs to carry out its flashing? How can I find out what motherboard is installed in the computer and what BIOS version it uses? If there is a need to update the latter, then how to carry out this procedure? And what if there are problems? It’s worth noting right away that not every PC needs an update: if the system is stable, this makes no sense. But for those who are planning a computer upgrade and a thorough replacement of equipment or want to improve system performance, flashing the BIOS is indispensable.

BIOS Setup: Additional features after the update

BIOS setup. The main BIOS menu consists of many sections. Any motherboard supports only a limited number of processor models, but by updating the BIOS, this list can be significantly expanded to include more modern chips. A prerequisite for this is the compatibility of the central processor with the motherboard connector. Problems can only occur with very old motherboards: the older they are, the less likely it is that a BIOS update makes sense.

It is also worth noting that when flashing it is far from always possible to achieve an increase in system performance. However, BIOS special features and functions, such as CPU overclocking, are often only available after an update. In the same way, only after flashing the BIOS, new processors are correctly recognized and operate at the desired clock frequency. In addition, recent BIOS versions provide useful features that enhance your system's customization options. A typical example is support for Turbo Boost technology for Intel processors. But before updating, you need to make some preparations: in addition to the motherboard ID, you need to find out the number of the installed BIOS version. The free utility CPU-Z will help you with this.

CPU-Z: getting useful information

CPU-Z will provide the most detailed information about components This application provides information about the installed processor: name, manufacturer, core voltage, cache memory information, supported instruction sets and other data. CPU-Z can also determine if the processor has been overclocked or is running at factory speed. After launching the utility, on the "Motherboard" tab, you can find out all the information about the manufacturer, the name of the model and chipset, as well as the current BIOS version. Compare these data with the parameters of your motherboard, indicated on the official website of the manufacturer. If the number listed in CPU-Z is the same as the most recent BIOS version, no flashing is required. If there is a more recent version on the site, download the necessary archive. It usually contains an .exe executable file that is used to update the BIOS (for example, amiflash.exe, awdflash.exe, etc.) and a BIOS code file in BIN or ROM format. Flashing methods may vary depending on the manufacturer of the motherboard. Most developers offer their own utilities that allow you to update the BIOS directly from the Windows environment. However, for security reasons, we recommend using a more secure method.

DOS: the best BIOS update environment

DOS - the safest environment for flashing BIOS With the least risk, flashing is done using a boot floppy disk, disk, or "flash drive" in DOS mode. The first of these media can be created, for example, in Windows Explorer: just right-click on the drive shortcut and select the "Format" item, activating the "Create MS-DOS boot floppy disk" option in the context menu and specifying the path to the downloaded BIOS files.

CDBurnerXP is a freeware burning program that emulates a bootable floppy disk for flashing the BIOS.

You will need a boot image called boot.ima which can be found on the CDBurnerXP website or our DVD. It should be opened using the Ultra ISO program, drag files with your BIOS code into the list that opens and save. After that, launch the CDBurnerXP program, select the data disc burning mode, and click OK. The main program window will open. Make the disk bootable: select Disk | Boot options", in the window that opens, check the box "Make disk bootable" and set the path to the saved boot image, specifying the emulation type "1.44 MB floppy". Burn the CD by pressing the burn button, then restart your computer and point to your drive in the startup menu. The computer will boot into DOS with a command prompt that opens the A:> directory. If you type "dir /w" you can view the contents of the floppy or disk. Flashing the BIOS can be done from the command line. Sometimes the BIOS update does not start automatically - in this case, run the dir command and run the BAT file (for example, update.bat). After a successful flashing, remove the disk and restart your computer.

BIOS variants: AMI, Phoenix and Award

As a rule, each motherboard model requires its own BIOS, since it must take into account the features of the chipset and peripheral equipment used. However, it is unprofitable for board creators to spend time and money on the full development cycle of their own BIOS, so obtaining them usually consists of two stages. The BIOS manufacturer (the most famous companies are AMI, Award and Phoenix) is developing a basic version that implements all the functions that do not depend on the features of a particular chipset. The creator of the motherboard, independently or jointly with him, improves the basic version, taking into account the features of a particular product. At the same time, for the same model, the BIOS code can change several times after the release of the board - for example, to fix bugs found or add support for new devices.

Thus, the term "BIOS version" can be used to refer to a variant of the BIOS base code released by a specialized company. For example, AwardBIOS 6.0 is the sixth version of the BIOS from Award, whose modifications are used in many motherboards. For each board model, the source code is finalized taking into account the features of the chipset and peripheral devices. Sometimes you can find BIOS versions completely created by manufacturers of motherboards or laptops - Intel, IBM, Compaq, Toshiba, Dell and some other well-known companies. By the principle of operation and interface, they do not differ much from the BIOS produced by Award, AMI or Phoenix, so it is not very difficult to deal with them.

If an AMI BIOS is installed on the motherboard, then the “amiflash.exe BIOS.bin” command is used to update it, and the word BIOS must be replaced with the name of the file with the code. After executing the command, a window will open showing the progress of the BIOS update. During flashing, in no case should you turn off the computer or turn off the power supply, as this can lead to irreparable damage to the system. As soon as the process is completed, the program will automatically restart the PC. Remove the boot floppy or disk from the drive and boot Windows. Using the CPU-Z utility, you can check if a new BIOS version has been installed. However, flashing does not always go smoothly. But even if there are some problems and after updating the BIOS your computer no longer boots, this does not mean that it cannot be saved.

If the warranty period for your PC has not expired and you have dealt with programs and firmware from official developers, you can file a claim with the manufacturer.

However, the use of modified BIOS files from third party vendors that promise higher performance or greater system overclocking potential is not covered by the warranty. Alternatively, you can resort to paid services of firms that specialize in restoring motherboards with BIOS errors. In some situations, it helps to create a floppy disk with a firmware program and a BIOS code file on another, working computer. For BIOSes from Phoenix or Award, you need to create a file on the floppy disk called autoexec.bat. Use the standard Windows program for this - Notepad. The file must contain the following line: awdflash.exe BIOS_DATA /py /sn Replace the word BIOS_DATA with the name of the file containing the BIOS code (including the extension - usually bin or rom).

The /py and /sn keys are needed to perform a flashing without further user intervention.

Advice.

If an AMI BIOS is installed on the motherboard, it is enough to save the file with the BIOS code on a floppy disk and rename it to amiboot.rom.

Insert the floppy disk and during boot press the key combination "Ctrl + Home".

However, this solution helps only in 10-20% of all cases, since if the BIOS is damaged, it is often impossible to access the drive.

The Last Rescue: When Nothing Helps

A damaged BIOS chip can be restored using another, working computer If someone you know has the same motherboard model, you can restore your BIOS using another computer. Boot a working PC in DOS mode and prepare a floppy disk with all the data necessary for flashing. While the computer is running, use tweezers to carefully remove the BIOS chip from the motherboard and insert your damaged one. This requires extreme caution, as the PC is turned on.

Now start the firmware process from the floppy disk. In this way, you will update your failed BIOS chip on a working motherboard using software tools. After that, turn off the computer and swap the components again. If everything was done correctly, a PC with a working BIOS will boot up again.

However, it should be noted that updating the BIOS and fixing errors by all the methods described are performed solely at your own peril and risk.

If the computer does not start

After updating the BIOS, did your PC stop turning on and you can't even enter the BIOS settings? Disconnect the computer from the network by unplugging the power plug from the outlet.

Open the case of the system unit and touch a flat metal surface on the inside with your hand to remove static electricity.

Find the battery on the motherboard. Remember how it is set (usually, "+" is on top). Remove it by pressing the metal contact to the side. Wait a minute and put the battery back in its original place. After turning on the computer, the BIOS settings will be returned to the factory settings.

If you are not sure about the newly set parameters, activate the "Load Setup Defaults" function and exit the BIOS with saving.

At the end of 2016, Intel announced the release of the processor Kaby Lake. New chip, like its predecessor skylake, uses the same 14-nanometer process technology, but it has not been without optimization. The innovations have added performance to the chip, which surpasses the power of the 6th generation processor in the Intel "family". This naturally explains the consumer hype around the 7th generation Intel processors. But what about bios? who wants to upgrade? We'll talk about this.

And the difference is what: a comparison of Skylake and Kaby Lake

If you work a lot with 4K content, then buying a Kaby Lake processor is a smart investment. New generation chips support HEVC. They entrust UHD video encoding/decoding to the video card, and do not use their own cores. Result - noticeable improvement in video quality and reduced battery consumption. Moreover, among the capabilities of processors is to direct their power to solve tasks that await, while the trend continues less energy consumption. 3D is getting better too. The picture quality surpasses the image that was previously given by the 6th generation processors. The gameplay promises to be bright and detailed.

In addition, it is worth noting the pleasant updates - increase clock frequency, improvements turbo mode, support new formats (2nd generation USB 3.1, HDCP 2.2).

BIOS firmware update to support Kaby Lake

Are you planning or have you already bought a Kaby Lake processor, but it does not work on your machine? The BIOS firmware will save the situation, of course, provided that latest bios version designed to solve this problem. Intel insists that updating the BIOS for PCs that do not need it is not desirable.

To ensure the operation of the Intel 7th generation processor, owners of motherboards with Z170, H170, B150, H110 chipsets can update BIOS. Firmware update in progress extremely simple, but more reliable contact the service. The point is that in the process difficulties often arise with which it is unrealistic for an amateur to cope.

The transition from the 6th generation is carried out in several ways, and it all depends on will the board work without an update. If not, then for firmware need skylake. If the motherboard supports the technology Q-Flash Plus, then Can you update from a flash drive? and no processor. In other cases - you need a programmer, and in addition soldering the BIOS memory chip. Agree complicated and resource-intensive.

Bios updates - required condition even for those motherboards that have received support for 7th generation chips (for example, Intel H110 / B150). And although there have been platforms on the market for some time that allow you to use updated CPUs, nobody guarantees that when you buy it, you will not get a device whose BIOS version does not support Kaby Lake. In such a situation, you will also apply for help to Skylake or go to the service center.

What does the KomPom service center offer?

The Compom service updates the BIOS firmware to support the 7th generation of Intel processors without loss of warranty. At our disposal modern equipment, which allows fast and qualitatively make the transition from the 6th generation to Kaby Lake.

Motherboard models we work with:

• Afox H110
• ASRock H110
• Asus H110
• Biostar H110
• Elite Group (ECS) H110
• Gigabyte GA-H110
• MSI H110
• ASRock H170
• Asus H170
• Gigabyte GA-H170
• MSI H170
• ASRock B150
• Gigabyte GA-B150
• MSI B150
• Asus B150
• ASRock Z170
• Asus Z170
• EVGA Z170
• Gigabyte GA-Z170
• MSI Z170
• Asus Q170 etc.

The most common reason customers request an upgrade is the use of the Intel Pentium G4560 processor in 100th motherboards. And we are happy to solve the problem of compatibility of 100-series chipsets with 7th generation processors.

The master produces the firmware not through the operating system, where there is a risk of failure of the BIOS chip. Our way - updating the BIOS firmware of the motherboard using the programmer. The firmware process takes on average 60 minutes!

We do not solder the BIOS chip!

Nice bonus for our clients - providing a guarantee for all types of services.

Any computer hardware and software is known to become obsolete over time and no longer meet current requirements. This applies equally to the primary BIOS / UEFI systems, the software of which is integrated into a special chip on the motherboard. When installing new hardware ("hardware"), it may sometimes be necessary to flash the BIOS. On a laptop, on a stationary computer terminal, such a procedure will be performed, it doesn’t matter. The technology is almost always the same. Some users who are unfamiliar with the basics of such techniques believe (and not without reason) that this process is unsafe and difficult. If you can agree with the first statement, then you can argue about the second. In fact, flashing the BIOS of the motherboard is not such a troublesome business. But for the correct implementation of such a procedure, special attention should be paid to some important details and nuances, which depend on the motherboard manufacturer and the programs and methods used for flashing.

Why do I need a BIOS flashing?

In general, if it is not planned, and the whole system is working stably, there is no point in updating the BIOS version.

But when new equipment is installed on the computer, which may not be supported by the primary system only because of its obsolescence (the BIOS simply does not recognize the device), flashing the BIOS becomes an urgent problem. Although many users find this process complicated, nonetheless, anyone who works with a computer will be able to perform such steps on their own. It will take no more than 10 minutes.

Flashing the BIOS of the motherboard: prerequisites

To begin with, pay attention to a few mandatory conditions, failure to comply with which can lead to disastrous consequences.

You should download files and programs for updating primary systems only from the official resources of motherboard manufacturers. In the case of installing an unofficial firmware, no one can guarantee that the process will be successful and the system will work as expected after that.

The second thing to pay attention to is during the update. You need to make sure that there are no power surges or spontaneous disconnection of a computer or laptop from the mains, in advance.

General rules for updating all firmware

Flashing BIOS for almost all models of motherboards involves the use of the same scheme:

create a bootable drive (USB devices only);

firmware installation;

For standard BIOS systems, DOS mode is used in most cases. However, for some BIOS versions, as well as for more modern UEFI systems, a special BIOS flashing program created by the motherboard manufacturer can be used, which can run even in the Windows operating system environment without the need to create bootable media.

How can I find out the motherboard modification and the current BIOS version?

The very first thing to do is to determine which model of the motherboard is installed in the computer system, as well as to find out the version of the primary BIOS system (perhaps it is currently relevant and does not need to be updated).

You can view information about the board and BIOS version in the section that is called from the Run console with the msinfo32 command.

For the motherboard, you can also use specialized utilities like CPU-Z (formerly Everest). For a device determined in this way, on the manufacturer's website, you need to find the latest firmware and save the files on your hard drive.

Preparing Bootable Media (General Method)

In the case of using bootable media, when an update from under Windows is not provided, at the first stage it must be created. The usual recording of downloaded files will not work.

To simplify the work, you can use the Rufus utility, which is very easy to learn and creates a bootable USB flash drive in a couple of minutes. You don't need to change anything in the settings. Only in the file system, you should specify FAT32, and use MS-DOS mode in the recording method, be sure to check the box next to the line for creating bootable media. If this is not done, then the device will not be recognized as a bootable device when booting again. Then, in some cases, to install the update, you will need to additionally copy the control program and the firmware file to the media.

Next, the BIOS update process will be considered with examples for motherboards from several well-known manufacturers. Although in general they are very similar to each other, nevertheless, each of them has its own nuances. We assume that the priority in the BIOS settings is already set.

ASUS

Flashing the Asus BIOS can be done in several ways. Among the preferred utilities, it is worth highlighting two programs - AFUDOS and ASUSTeK EZ Flash 2.

When using the first utility, you should create bootable media and make sure that it contains the afudos.exe program file and the firmware itself (for example, p4c800b.rom).

ASUS BIOS flashing is as follows. Boot from flash drive. Since the media was written for DOS mode, the initial line C:\> will appear on a black screen, in which you need to write the command /i p4c800b.rom and press the enter key. Upon completion of the update, a reboot will occur, during which you just need to remove the media from the USB port so that the system starts from the hard drive.

Flashing the BIOS of an ASUS motherboard when using the second utility is somewhat different from the previous version.

Despite the fact that most firmware on the official ASUS website have the .rom extension, sometimes CAB files can also be found. There is nothing wrong with this, since they are used for UEFI systems.

For firmware, you should enter the UEFI settings on reboot, go to Advanced Mode (advanced settings) and select the ASUSTeK EZ Flash 2 line in the service (tools) section. Next, select the media with the program again from the list (line of the same name), after which the desired firmware file will be shown on the right. We select it and agree with the warning twice (first to check the file, then to start the firmware process).

At the end of the process, a notification about the reboot will appear, and at the beginning of the restart, a proposal will be issued to carry out the initial setup. Press F1 and set the desired parameters. Otherwise, just exit the settings without saving the changes.

gigabyte

Flashing the BIOS of Gigabyte systems is quite different from other processes. First of all, this is due to the fact that you can use the online update to install the firmware. But first, consider using the Q-Flash utility, which is considered to be the best for updating firmware.

First you need to enter the BIOS settings and use the option to reset all settings Load Optimized default. After that, you need to save the changes, restart the computer and enter the BIOS settings again. Further, to launch the Q-Flash utility, the F8 key is pressed, and the start is confirmed by pressing the Y and Enter keys. To begin with, it is recommended to save the current version using the Save Bios option, after which you need to use Update Bios. Next, you will be asked to specify the source from which you want to update. HDD 2.0 should be selected as the carrier (this is how the flash drive is displayed in the settings). Then everything is as usual: select the firmware file present on the media and agree with all the warnings.

For an Internet update, you can use the @BIOS utility specially developed by Gigabyte specialists, which runs in a Windows environment. In this case, it is highly recommended to disable Hyper-Threading mode in the primary system settings, as well as deactivate anti-virus and other resident applications, to avoid errors or failures during the upgrade process.

After starting the program, you can immediately save the current BIOS version by clicking the Save Current BIOS button, and then select the Internet Update online update mode, click Update New BIOS and select one of the servers in the list. After that, you will be prompted to specify the model of the installed motherboard, and the program will automatically download all the necessary components and activate the update process.

MSI

Flashing the MSI BIOS, as in the case of ASUS, can be done either from under Windows or from under DOS. For DOS mode, a BIOS-embedded tool called BIOS-MFLASH is used. But the MSI Live Update 5 or 6 application can also be used as an initial management utility. It is notable for the fact that it can also be used to update all installed MSI drivers, as well as flash the BIOS of the corresponding graphics accelerators. Let's start with him.

In the main window, you just need to check the boxes on the necessary elements. Select the MB BIOS component and press the Scan button from the bottom (Scan). If a new firmware version is found, use the Download and Install button, after which the update process will start.

First you will need to select the update environment. To simplify matters, check the In Windows mode item, in the next window click the close button for all programs that appear in the list (Close all listed programs), click the continue button (Next) and in the next window click the process start button.

For DOS mode, select it from the window of the launched update process, after which we indicate the media and agree to the destruction of all data present on it (the process will take no more than a minute, after which a message will be displayed about the successful creation of the boot drive). When you reboot, you will only have to follow the instructions of a kind of "Master".

In the case of updating using the built-in MFLASH mechanism, you will have to download the firmware manually, create bootable media and perform the same actions in the BIOS as described above (select the media and firmware file in the tools menu).

Acer

Flashing the BIOS of Acer systems is surprisingly much easier. You don’t even need to create bootable media, although you still have to format it in FAT32.

To install the update, a special utility called Insyde Flash is used, which is copied to removable media. At the same time, you need to copy the firmware file downloaded from the official website, which has the .fd extension and corresponds not only to the motherboard, but also to the laptop model, to the main directory of the program on the USB flash drive. Please note that the device must contain only one firmware file, otherwise the application will issue an offer to flash only one of several. After running the utility with the power on, you will be prompted to install the update immediately.

The second way is just as simple. First you need to completely turn off the laptop, unplug the cord from the outlet and wait until the power indicator stops blinking. Next, plug the cord into an outlet, insert the USB flash drive into the appropriate port, hold down the Fn and Esc keys and press the power button. As soon as the indicator starts flashing, release the keys. After that, reading information from the drive will begin (this can be seen by the blinking of the LED on the device itself). At the end of the update process, the laptop will reboot on its own.

Video cards

Since GeForce and Radeon are dominant in the video card market, BIOS flashing will be considered using their example.

At the initial stage, you need to download new firmware and control programs for your card on the manufacturer's website. If the system has several video cards, only one should be left for the duration of the update by inserting it into the PCI-Express slot.

For GeForce cards, the NVFlash program is used (two files), for Radeon, the ATIFlash utility (one file). Next, you need to create a bootable USB drive for DOS mode, and then copy the program and firmware files to it.

When starting from a flash drive, you should make sure that the card is single-processor, otherwise the proposed method will not work. For NVIDIA, use the nvflash --list command, for ATI - atiflash -i. If information is displayed on two cards, then the adapter has two processors, and the proposed firmware method cannot be used (it is better to refer to the manufacturer's website and find instructions there).

At the next stage, flashing the BIOS of the GeForce video card involves disabling protection. This is done with the nvflash -protectoff line.

Further, to start the BIOS update process for GeForce cards, use the nvflash -4 -5 -6 newbios.rom command (the name of the ROM file must match the name of the downloaded firmware), for Radeon cards - atiflash -p -f 0 newbios.rom. After that, we wait for the process to complete and reboot the system in normal mode.

Brief summary

That's all for flashing primary I/O systems. Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that the best option is to install the update exclusively in DOS mode, although special utilities can be used to simplify the work. But they only work if there are UEFI systems, and they are not suitable for standard BIOS versions. You need to be extremely careful with video cards, since incorrect installation of the update or the slightest violation during the flashing process can cause the graphics adapter to fail.

In this manual, I will proceed from the fact that you know why you need an update, and I will describe how to update the BIOS in steps that should be followed, regardless of which motherboard is installed on the computer.

In the event that you do not pursue any specific goal by updating the BIOS, and the system does not show any problems that could be related to its operation, I would recommend leaving everything as it is. When upgrading, there is always a risk that a failure will occur, the consequences of which are much more difficult to fix than reinstalling Windows.

Depending on who the manufacturer is and what model of the motherboard is on your computer, the BIOS update methods may differ. Here are the most common options:

For many motherboards you can use either of these methods, for example, for mine.

How exactly to update BIOS

Depending on which motherboard you have, updating the BIOS can be done in different ways. In all cases, I highly recommend reading the manufacturer's instructions, although they are often presented only in English: if you are too lazy and miss any nuances, there is a chance that failures will occur during the update that will not be easy to fix. For example, the manufacturer Gigabyte recommends disabling Hyper Threading during the procedure for some of their boards - without reading the instructions, you will not know about it.

Instructions and programs for updating BIOS manufacturers:

One item that is present in almost any manufacturer's instructions: after updating, it is recommended to reset the BIOS to the default settings (Load BIOS Defaults), then reconfigure everything as needed (if required).

The most important thing I want to draw your attention to is: be sure to look at the official instructions, I specifically do not describe the whole process for different boards, because if I miss even one moment, or you will end up with a special motherboard and everything will go wrong.