BIOS Overview

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We discussed the BIOS setup program Chapter 2. Here we cover the physical BIOS chip and the updating of the BIOS.

Updating (Flashing) the BIOS

While the BIOS seems permanent, it can almost always be updated. That is why the BIOS is called firmware, rather than software or hardware. The process of replacing firmware is called flashing. It is often a simple, albeit delicate, matter to flash the BIOS.

Why Update the BIOS?

There are three main reasons to update a BIOS:

• The motherboard manufacturer might release an updated BIOS to correct bugs in the original. For example, a BIOS update might reduce the operating temperature of the computer.

• BIOS updates sometimes allow the computer to use hardware or software that wasn't available when the original BIOS was released. Examples are a new version of Windows, a hard drive with greater storage capacity than the previous BIOS allowed for, or a processor that didn't exist at the time the BIOS was written.

• BIOS updates can enable new features, such as Plug & Play technology or hibernation (storing the contents of the memory on the hard drive and shutting off the power so that when the user restarts the computer, the session is left as if the computer had not been shut down).

A Reason Not to Update the BIOS

If everything is working well, then in most cases you should leave the BIOS alone and not update it. Updating the BIOS for no reason other than the fact that there is a new version available could actually cause problems.

Determining Your Current BIOS

There are various ways to view your current BIOS version number. If you have access to your computer or motherboard manual in hard copy, disk, or on the Web, you might be able to find the recommended method. Otherwise, try these until you have found it:

• Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Information, and with System Summary highlighted, find BIOS Version/Date in the right-hand pane.

• Run an information-gathering utility (see Chapter 11 for more information) and look at the BIOS information under Main Circuit Board.

• Boot or reboot the computer. When you see the BIOS information on the screen, early in the boot process, press the Scroll Lock key as soon as you can to pause the boot process. Then, write down the number and date.

• While the computer is booting up, press the appropriate key for your system and enter the BIOS setup program (see Chapter 2). Usually, the current BIOS version number will appear on the very first screen you will see.

• Go to unicore.com and run the BIOS Agent. Unicore.com is covered next.

Obtaining an Updated BIOS

The first place to look for a BIOS update is on the computer or motherboard manufacturer's Web site. Check the update's date and the version number. If the date is later and the version number is higher than on the existing BIOS, you might want to update. If the manufacturer doesn't have an updated BIOS, and you have a compelling reason to update it, the next step is to go to the BIOS manufacturer's Web site. With most BIOSs, doing so will take you eventually to unicore.com. This site provides a free utility to find the existing BIOS version on your computer and direct you to the latest upgrade, which is not free. The upgrade might be downloadable, or might be available only by purchasing a new BIOS chip.

Wherever you obtain your update, follow the instructions on the Web page. If there is a downloadable update, it will probably be accompanied by a BIOS flash utility (program) such as awdflash.exe or the Intel Express BIOS update utility (which runs in Windows). Download the BIOS update and the flash utility and follow the instructions. The traditional flash utility runs only in DOS, so you'll need a DOS boot disk with the flash utility and the BIOS BIN file copied onto it. Interestingly, a Windows Me boot disk won't work. Use either a Windows 95 or 98 boot disk to start the computer, regardless of the OS. If you don't have access to a 95/98 boot disk, any DOS disk will work. Particularly useful is DrDflash, available free from bootdisk.com. The advantage to DrDflash is that there are no drivers on the disk to get in the way. Follow the directions, paying close attention to these warnings:

Use a UPS or else: UPS stands for Uninterruptible Power Supply; it is also known as a battery backup. If power is interrupted during the updating of the BIOS, your computer will likely be rendered unbootable, and the only solution will be to get a replacement BIOS chip, if replacement is even possible with your motherboard. Make sure that the UPS is working properly, and that the battery is fully charged.

Note 

If you are updating a laptop's BIOS, a UPS is unnecessary as long as the laptop's battery is working properly and the laptop is plugged in to AC power.

Back up the current BIOS first: Many BIOS update utilities allow for backing up the original BIOS. Do this if possible; you should be able to go back to the original BIOS if there is a problem with the new one.

Follow the directions exactly: Updating the BIOS is probably the most delicate operation you can perform on a computer. Make sure that you read all of the instructions before starting. If you are typing commands, make sure that the syntax of every command is exactly as written in the instructions.

What to Do about a Failed BIOS Update

Unfortunately, sometimes BIOS updates are not successful. If you saved the original BIOS, you can usually run the flash utility to restore it. If this doesn't work, you will probably have to replace the chip. Some Gigabyte™ brand motherboards have a backup BIOS that automatically takes over in the event of a primary BIOS failure, but this feature is not common. In other boards, if the chip is permanently attached to the motherboard, you'll either have to send the motherboard back to its manufacturer for chip replacement, or buy a new board.

If you have a replaceable BIOS chip, then you can hopefully find a replacement. First, try the motherboard or computer manufacturer for a replacement. If they cannot supply one, try unicore.com. You'll also need a chip puller to remove the chip, as shown in Figure 3.17.

Figure 3.17: Removing a BIOS chip.

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