When should you update your BIOS?

Answer 1

Many times the bios shipped with the motherboard was shipped "before its time". The vendor provides updates from their website that fixes some of these problems. The supplier also updates the bios to support larger hard drives and newer processors and larger memory chips. You may need a bios update to support larger memories, new CPU's, or larger hard drives.

To take advantage of these improvements you need to download the proper bios file and bios flash utility.

If you have a Phoenix, IBM or non AWARD or AMI bios be sure to backup your bios using UNIFLASH (see our FAQs page). If the flash fails your board will be dead and makers such as HP, IBM, Dell and Gateway will not sell you a replacement chip. They will only sell you an entire motherboard for more than the cost of a new computer! With a backup file we can help you recover with just a chip. It is possible we may also be able to locate an AMI or AWARD bios that will work in your board, but in most cases they use boards that have parts missing and do not work with a standard bios from the motherboard maker.

Answer 2

1 Check your computer or motherboard manual for any information about upgrading the BIOS.

2 Reboot your computer and enter the Setup screen. Check your computer or motherboard manual for information on how to do this.

3 Press the Print Screen key to make a record of each page of your settings.

4 Find out the manufacturer and model of your current BIOS. Check for the information as your computer boots, or find it in the Setup screen information you printed. If neither method works, check the BIOS chip for identifying information.

5 Check the manufacturer's Web site to see if the BIOS can be "flash" upgraded. If so, download the utility program. If not, proceed to Step 8.

6 Copy the program to a floppy disk.

7 Follow the manufacturer's instructions for running the program. Skip to Step 10.

8 Contact the manufacturer of your BIOS chip to find out if an updated chip is available, and if that chip will fit into the same slot on your motherboard.

9 Get and install a new BIOS chip, if available. Search the internet for installation instructions.

10 Reboot your computer and enter the Setup screen. Change the Setup back to the previous settings if necessary or desired.

Answer 3

When you are having troubles with new equipment or old equipment does not work with new protocols.

PS: BIOS update might not fix problems.

Answer 4

Periodically your laptop manufacturer may release new BIOS firmware. You should try to upgrade every time a new version is released.

Answer 5

Whenever a BIOS update provides functionality not currently supported that is required by the operating system or hardware.