Bios Update

The BIOS is an integral part of the computer. BIOS is the acronym for Basic Input Output System, stored on the Read Only Memory of the motherboard. It instructs the processor on basic functions like accessing hard disks, writing text on screen etc. The BIOS update is for the programs that are stored on the ROM, but what happens is that all the three programs including the POST and setup are updated. Earlier, if the BIOS had to be updated, a new chip was sent by the manufacturer to replace the old chip. But this painful method was eliminated with the invention of the flash BIOS.

An update in the BIOS would patch the minute problems and at times also the updates would provide the BIOS with additional features like identifying larger capacity hard drives. A BIOS update is not compatible with new technology. For this, a new motherboard with a new BIOS would have to be purchased. The need for an update would not be required because if the update fails it would render the system useless. Two files are required to update BIOS, particularly the BIOS itself, and a flasher program sent by the manufacturer of the BIOS. The steps that need to be followed are more or less similar but vary depending on the BIOS manufacturer.

The steps to a BIOS update are as follows-

• The default settings should be written using a utility program.
• The manufacturer, date and version of the BIOS should be resolved and the string of the existing BIOS should be identified. Using an available third party diagnostic program can help in identifying it or just pressing pause on the BIOS screen can help too.
• The flash BIOS update that has to replace the BIOS version being used has to be accurate. To get the best BIOS updates always check the manufacturers’ website for details.
• The BIOS flasher utility should also be downloaded. This can be done from the motherboard or BIOS manufacturers’ site. Motherboard manufacturers provide the BIOS updates in the form of archive files. The executable files that run automatically create a bootable floppy diskette and the .bin BIOS update and flasher utility is copied to it.
• The flash BIOS updates should be then enabled on the motherboard and to avoid viruses from changing the BIOS settings, the jumper on the motherboard should be enabled.
• The system should be rebooted using the diskette created earlier and the command line that has been specified in the white papers of the flasher utility should be run as well.
• In this way the BIOS update is brought about and any changes to the setting can be done by entering the BIOS setup mode.

Now, Intel motherboards have their own BIOS update that works within Windows by using an .exe file. Along with this feature a diskette containing a BIOS update routine is provided that can be run on Linux or any other non-Microsoft OS.

The latest Intel motherboards support the Intel Express BIOS Update. Simply double-clicking on the executable file will allow the BIOS to be updated from within Windows. Intel also provides BIOS update routines on a floppy disk for users of Linux and other non-Windows operating systems.

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