Updating your BIOS might be necessary to support the latest processors, while it can also help boost performance and troubleshoot problems.
The Basic Input/Output System on your computer – better known as BIOS – is a chip that enables your PC to perform the basic start-up operations prior to the operating system kicking in. It ensures the operating system is correctly loaded onto the memory, making it crucial to the effective running of your device.
There are two standards of BIOS you need to be aware of. The traditional type is being phased out and replaced with newer UEFI chips, although PCs manufactured before 2007 may still have the older version. UEFI created a universal standard for all the major processor manufacturers, as well.
Should you update the BIOS?
Regardless of which standard your device is running, it’s worth considering whether you really need to update the BIOS.
If something goes wrong during the BIOS update, your computer could be rendered useless. If there’s a power cut, or the computer gets turned off while updating, it could mean that it’s unable to boot at all. It’s unlikely, but not out of the question.
With that in mind, we’d recommend reading the release notes of the latest version (and each version back to the one currently installed) on the manufacturer’s website to see whether it will add the features you need or fix a problem or vulnerability. If not, there may be little point in taking the risk by updating.
Sometimes you will need to update the BIOS in order for the motherboard to properly support a new processor or other hardware, or to fix bugs and improve stability or performance.
How to update the BIOS
Here’s the usual process, which remains the same whether your motherboard is in UEFI or legacy BIOS mode:
- Download the latest BIOS (or UEFI) from the manufacturer’s website
- Unzip it and copy it to a spare USB flash drive
- Restart your computer and enter the BIOS / UEFI
- Use the menus to update the BIOS / UEFI
It’s good to have a spare copy of all important files from your PC before you start. Though a failed BIOS update doesn’t endanger the data on your hard drive directly, you will be able to access your files and continue working with them on another computer if you have a backup on a removable drive.
Similarly, creating a backup of your BIOS is also a good idea. Sometimes this will be done automatically as part of the updating process, but if it requires you to do it manually, be sure not to skip this step.
Identify the make and model
It’s crucial to know the precise make and model of your board. The full model name – such as Z170A Gaming Pro – is usually found somewhere on the board itself. It’s important as there are usually subtly different versions, and each might have its own individual BIOS. Plus, you should note down the revision number – for example, REV 1.03G as it may require a different BIOS file to previous revisions.
If you’re updating a laptop, you need only to find the make and exact model of the machine itself.
Check the current BIOS version
Identifying your BIOS version is easy: hold down the Windows key+ R to bring up the Run command prompt and type in msinfo32. In the System Information window which appears, select System Summary on the left and look for the entry BIOS Version/Date on the right.
You can also see under BIOS Mode if your motherboard is set to Legacy or UEFI. Ideally, for modern machines, it should be UEFI.
To Complicated for you?
If you are scared to do it yourself, please bring us your device and one of our Engineers will update your BIOS at a small fee.