Answer:
You should only upgrade a PC’s BIOS if there’s a good reason, such as the need to add support for a new processor you plan to install. Don’t bother upgrading the BIOS just because there’s a new version available. Yes, it’s good to know that you can upgrade your BIOS if you need to, but remember that most users never need to upgrade their BIOSes for the life of their PCs.
Today’s PCs store the BIOS on EEPROMs (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), which are programmable chips. But to upgrade your PC’s BIOS code, you’ll need to flash (write a new version of the firmware) the BIOS chip.
You can check the PC or motherboard manufacturer’s site to see if a newer version of a particular BIOS is available and what features it adds. Motherboard manufacturers usually modify BIOSes from the standards created by the BIOS manufacturers, and PC manufacturers sometimes modify them further. Because of this, it’s better to first check the PC manufacturer’s site for upgrades. If it doesn’t have any information, try the motherboard manufacturer’s site next.
Flashing is a simple process. Although the exact steps vary from system to system, in general, the process involves a couple of easy steps:
1. First, back up, print, or write down the current settings found on the BIOS setup screens. This information may be lost during the upgrade, so it’s best to prepare yourself for the worst-case scenario.
2. Download the software required to update the BIOS. For this, you’ll need two things: the flash utility (the software that reprograms the BIOS) and a copy of the new BIOS firmware. The two items may be separate downloads, or they may be part of the same file.
If the flashing program you found doesn’t explicitly support your motherboard and BIOS, don’t try to make it work because this could spell disaster. Triple-check that the flash utility and new BIOS firmware are designed specifically for your particular PC model or motherboard. Installing the wrong BIOS can be the PC equivalent of a lobotomy.
For additional information about upgrading your BIOS, please refer to the article in the "See Also:" section below. |