If your PC is refusing to work with another piece of hardware, or running into problems when booting up, you may need to update or change your BIOS to correct the issue. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make changes to get your computer working.
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What is the BIOS?
The BIOS (or Basic Input Output System) is the very first thing your computer reads when you switch it on. It’s located on your PC’s motherboard, away from the rest of the system disks, so it won’t be corrupted if your hard drive fails.
The primary function of this firmware is to top-down your computer by initializing the hardware and then loading the operating system (OS). The BIOS checks your processor and the memory is present and correct, as well as detects which peripherals (keyboard, mouse, etc.) are attached to your PC. Next, it checks to see if you have inserted the boot disk. If none is found, it loads the OS into memory and starts things.
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Should I make changes to the BIOS?
Tinkering with your BIOS can help fix any serious problems your PC may have, if you can’t actually boot into Windows so that changes can be made there. As long as you know what you are doing, of course.
Likewise, updating the BIOS with the latest version allows your computer to play well with new peripherals and hardware that were not previously supported.
However, and we cannot stress strongly enough, playing inside BIOS settings without proper knowledge can cause severe pain. For example, your computer may become completely bored if you change any settings improperly. So if you are having problems with your PC or are unable to recognize new peripherals and you are not experienced in this area, you should consult a technician instead of throwing yourself into the blind abyss.
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What should I do before making changes to the BIOS?
If you are working with a laptop, make sure it is plugged in and the battery is at least half charged. If the power suddenly cuts through the update process, things can get very ugly indeed.
Before you begin you should also check which BIOS version you are using, so you can find out if the new version is available from the manufacturer of your motherboard.
How do I check which BIOS version I’m using?
The easiest way to do this is to use the Windows command prompt. In the search box in the lower left corner of your Windows desktop (next to the Windows Start button), type d cmd ‘and press Enter. A command window will come into existence.
In here, type the following: Wmic bios get biosversion
Some text will pop up, revealing the current version number.
Alternatively, you can open a command window in the same way and type in: DXDiag
A DirectX Diagnostic window will appear on-screen. Beside the ‘BIOS’ entry in system information, your current version will be listed.
Once you know your BIOS version, you can then check on your manufacturer’s website to see if a newer version can be downloaded.
How do I update my computer’s BIOS?
As the computing landscape changes, new devices etc. are introduced. For computers to work with these devices, the BIOS must be upgraded. If your operating system fails to detect a new peripheral, it is possible because the BIOS does not know how to handle it. If you encounter any such issues, it may be a good idea to check if a BIOS update is available.
You must first check the BIOS version. This can be done by entering the BIOS at the time of booting, pressing DEL. Once you have a version of your computer BIOS, to update the BIOS, you go to your computer manufacturer’s website to see if an updated version of the BIOS is available. If it is there, download it and play it. The process is typically erasing all previous information on the BIOS chip and rewriting it with new information.
Make sure you have a power backup when upgrading the BIOS. Because if the computer shuts down during the process, the BIOS may be corrupted and you will need a technician to fix it. Your boot CD / DVD may or may not help, depending on how the BIOS stands after a powercut or a sudden system shutdown when rewriting the BIOS.
Important: If your computer is working properly, you do not need to update or flash your BIOS. In any case, should you wish, we recommend that you do not attempt to update your BIOS yourself, but instead take it to a computer technician who may be better equipped to do it .
In case you need:
· Forgot your BIOS password? Use PC CMOS Cleaner
· Recover or set a BIOS or UEFI Password for Windows computers
· You receive CMOS Checksum Error
· Reset the BIOS password with CmosPwd.