Updating the BIOS

Updating the BIOS

Upgrading the BIOS on most older PCs (those with the BIOS loaded on a ROM chip), required you to physically remove the BIOS ROM chip and replace it with the new ROM chip containing the new BIOS version--something that was not always easy or possible to do. This really cramped your style if you wanted to upgrade the processor or chipset, which usually requires a BIOS upgrade. This process could introduce a wide range of problems into the PC, including ESD, bent pins on the chips, damage to the motherboard from clumsy fingers, and more. For many people, it was easier to simply upgrade to a new PC and avoid the anxiety and potential problems.

Tip

 You should know when a system BIOS should be updated and how the update is done. You should also know what problems to expect if the BIOS upgrade process is interrupted and how the BIOS is recovered.

Remember

Fortunately, the EEPROM has replaced the PROM and is the BIOS ROM of choice. This is

fortunate because the EEPROM can be updated in place on the board through a process called flashing.

Flashing allows you to upgrade the contents of the EEPROM under the control of a software utility

program. Yes, there are still motherboards around that require the BIOS ROM to be physically replaced in order to upgrade it, but they are rare and virtually all new systems include flash BIOS. you should be aware of both approaches to upgrading the BIOS, but focus on flashing.

The BIOS manufacturers that produce flash BIOS provide software utilities to control the flashing

process. The flash utility is easily obtained from the manufacturer's Web site or by mail. Depending on the manufacturer, the flash utility contains routines to verify the BIOS version to the motherboard and chipset and to prevent the BIOS from receiving the wrong version. The flash software runs on a PC after it has booted. Be sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter.