| The BIOS chip can be regarded as the "glue" that binds the hardware to the operating system. If the BIOS doesn't recognize the operating system or the hardware it communicates with, you're sure to have problems. Because the BIOS chip bridges hardware to the operating system, you will need to upgrade the BIOS whenever your current BIOS version is unable to properly support -
New hardware, such as large ATA/IDE hard drives and different types of removable-storage drives -
Faster CPUs -
New operating systems and features -
New BIOS options Although software drivers can be used as workarounds for hard drive BIOS limitations, a true BIOS upgrade is the best solution for hard disk control, and the only solution if your BIOS can't handle new processors or operating systems. If you keep your computer for more than a year or so, or if you decide to install a new processor, you might need to upgrade the BIOS. Back in the 1980s into the early 1990s, a BIOS upgrade required a physical chip swap and, sometimes, reprogramming the chip with a device called an EEPROM burner . If the replacement or reprogrammed BIOS chip was installed incorrectly into the socket, it could be destroyed .  | Your car dealer uses a similar process to reprogram the onboard computer in most recent automobiles and trucks . |
Fortunately, since the mid-1990s, a BIOS upgrade can now be performed with software. The Flash BIOS chips in use on practically every recent system contain a special type of memory that can be changed through a software download from the system or motherboard maker. Although Flash BIOS updates are easier to perform than the older replace-the-chip style, you still need to be careful. An incomplete or incorrect BIOS upgrade will prevent your system from being accessed. No BIOS, no boot! Regardless of the method, for maximum safety, I recommend the following initial steps: caution | | BIOS configuration information might need to be re-entered after a BIOS upgrade, especially if you must install a different chip. |
Flash BIOS Upgrade So, you've decided you need a Flash BIOS upgrade. Where do you get it? Don't ask the BIOS manufacturers (Phoenix, AMI, and Award/Phoenix). They don't sell BIOS upgrades because their basic products are modified by motherboard and system vendors (see "Getting Support for Your BIOS" earlier in this chapter). Here are the general steps for performing a Flash BIOS upgrade: -
For major brands of computers, go to the vendor's Web site and look for "downloads" or "tech support" links. The BIOS upgrades are listed by system model and by version; avoid beta (pre-release) versions. -
Download the correct BIOS upgrade for your system or motherboard. For generic motherboards, Wim's BIOS page also has links to the motherboard vendors' Web sites. -
You might also need to download a separate loader program, or the download might contain both the loader and the BIOS image. If the Web site has instructions posted, print or save them to a floppy disk for reference. -
Next, install the BIOS upgrade loader and BIOS image to a floppy disk. Follow the vendor's instructions. -
After installation is complete, restart your system with the floppy disk containing the upgrade. Press a key if necessary to start the upgrade process. Some upgrades run automatically; others require that you choose the image from a menu, and prompt you to save your current BIOS image to a floppy disk. Choose this option if possible so you have a copy of your current BIOS in case there's a problem. -
After the update process starts, it takes about three minutes to rewrite the contents of the BIOS chip with the updated information. -
Remove the floppy disk and restart the system to use your new BIOS features. Reconfigure the BIOS settings if necessary. tip  | If your system is a generic system (that is, it came with a "mainboard" or "motherboard" manual and other component manuals rather than a full system manual), you need to contact the motherboard maker. Some systems indicate the maker during bootup . Others display only a mysterious series of numbers. You can decode these numbers to get the motherboard's maker. See the following Web sites for details: -
Wim's BIOS page (www.wimsbios.com) -
eSupport (www.esupport.com) -
American Megatrend's BIOS Support page (www.ami.com/support/bios.cfm) |
On motherboards whose BIOSs can't be upgraded with software, you might be able to purchase a replacement BIOS from vendors such as Micro Firmware (for Phoenix BIOS upgrades at www.firmware.com), eSupport (for Award, AMI, and Phoenix BIOS upgrades at www.esupport.com), or BIOSWorld (www.biosworld.com). tip | | Some motherboards have a jumper on the motherboard that can be set to write-protect the Flash BIOS. Take a quick look at your documentation before you start the process and disable this jumper first. Then, re-enable the write-protect jumper after you're done with the upgrade. |
Before you order a BIOS chip replacement, consider the following: -
BIOS chip upgrades cost about $40$60 each. -
Although the BIOS will be updated, the rest of the system might still be out of date. -
For not much more than the cost of the BIOS chip itself, you might be able to purchase a new motherboard (without RAM or CPU) that will give you similar BIOS features as well as advanced features that might be missing from your existing motherboard. caution  | While performing a Flash upgrade, make sure that you don't turn off the power to your PC and that you keep children or pets away from the computer to prevent an accidental shutdown (read: your 4-year-old decides to unplug the computer). 'Wait for a message indicating the BIOS upgrade has been completed before you even think about touching the computer. If the power goes out during the Flash update, the BIOS chip could be rendered useless. |
If you still need to update the BIOS chip itself, first verify that the vendor has the correct BIOS chip replacement. The replacement needs to -
Plug into your current motherboard; as you saw in Figure 6.1, some BIOS chips are square, while others are rectangular. -
Support your motherboard/chipset. -
Provide the features you need (such as support for larger hard disks, particular processor speeds, and so on). It might be a different brand of BIOS than your current BIOS. If so, make sure that you have recorded your hard drive information. You will need to re-enter this and other manually configured options into the new BIOS chip's setup program. How does the BIOS vendor know what your system uses? The vendor will identify the BIOS chip you need by the motherboard ID information displayed at bootup. eSupport offers a free download utility to display this information for you. To replace the chip, follow these steps: -
Locate the BIOS chip on your motherboard after you open the case to perform the upgrade. It sometimes has a sticker listing the BIOS maker and model number. If not, go to step 2. -
Socketed BIOS chips might be in a DIP-type package (rectangular with legs on two sides) or in a PLCC ( Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier ; square with connectors on four sides). The vendor typically supplies a chip extraction tool to perform the removal. To remove a DIP (the most common type of socketed chip), use the appropriately sized DIP puller tool if you have one. This tool resembles an inverted "U" with small flat hooks on each point. If a DIP puller is not available (ask the BIOS vendor to supply one), you can use a pair of flat-bladed screwdrivers. Follow these steps: -
Place one end of the tool between the end of the chip and the end of the socket; repeat for the other side. -
If you are using the DIP puller, gently tighten the tool around the ends of the chip and pull upward to loosen; if you are using the screwdrivers, gently lift upward on both handles to loosen. Pushing down on the screwdriver handles could damage the motherboard. -
Gently rock the ends of the chip to free it, and straighten any bent pins when you finish removing it. -
Remove the existing BIOS chip carefully and put it on antistatic material in case you need to reuse it in that system. -
Align the new BIOS chip's dimple with the matching cutout on one end of the socket. -
Adjust the legs on the new BIOS chip so it fits into the sockets, and press it down until the legs on both sides are inserted fully. -
Double-check the alignment and leg positions on the BIOS chip before you start the system; if the chip is aligned with the wrong end of the socket, you'll destroy it when the power comes on. -
Turn on the system, and use the new BIOS's keystroke(s) to start the setup program to re-enter any information. You might get a "CMOS" error at startup, which is normal with a new BIOS chip. After you re-enter the BIOS data from your printout and save the changes, the system will run without error messages. | | A "CMOS Checksum" error is normal after you replace the BIOS chip. However, after you run the BIOS setup program and save the settings, this error should go away. If you continue to see this error, test the motherboard battery. If the battery checks out okay, contact the vendor for help. |
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