Introduction
The BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) is the first software code that is executed when the PC turns on. It contains all the necessary information on almost all hardware components of the PC to initialize. Normally, when you switch on the PC, the BIOS a power-on self test, POST, or as it is called. This is a series of diagnostic tests on the RAM and other hardware. It initializes all hardware devices such as hard disk, memory, video and other hardware,identifies and reserves memory addresses for all the IRQs and ports on the motherboard, and calls for a small operating system program known as the boot loader. The boot loader using the BIOS information, including calling the program starts, it loads the operating system. And finally, the operating system uses the BIOS information, control of the hard ware devices.
To define the motherboard manufacturer with the BIOS settings for the various hardware components such as hard disk,RAM, CD-RAMs, I / O ports, etc. These are listed in the rule in the works and what does factory settings or the BIOS setup default settings.
The BIOS software code and all the settings for the PC are on a memory chip that continuously supplied with power by a battery store. The battery powers a real-time clock that keeps accurate time. To preserve these settings, even when the power is turned off.
Motherboard manufactures and BIOS manufacturerfrequently release updates, which can be "flashed" to the BIOS. In some troubleshooting cases, your only option is to update the BIOS.
To enter the BIOS setup, you'll need to press [Delete], or something similar, when your computer is booting up. Depending on the PC, the key may be different - [Esc],[F1],[F10]. Etc.
Updating the BIOS and other firmware
Taking advantage of the capabilities offered by EEPROM, motherboard manufactures have begun releasing new versions of the BIOS with greater frequency these days. There are many reasons that an update to the BIOS may be required: the new version offers better stability, compatibility or performance; new technical break thoughts require new features in the BIOS; a device attached to the computer may not function without the newer version; and increasingly, flashes fix some problems in the earlier version of the BIOS.
Just as the PC motherboard has a BIOS chip, so do other hard ware components and peripherals. This includes things like the graphics card, the CD -ROM/RW, DVD-ROM/RW, etc. In general, the BIOS versions on these so-called firmware. And just as the PC BIOS can be updated, the BIOS can be upgraded on these devices, too. While we were only flashes on the PC's BIOS, the procedure is quite similar to other firmware. In all cases, make sure that all information and procedures prior to treatment.
Identify whether your BIOS flashable
The first step is to identifyif you have a Flash-enabled BIOS. Remove the sticker from the BIOS chip and record the model number. Go to the website of the motherboard manufacturer's website and locate the model and whether it is flashable. Once you've determined that you have a Flash-enabled BIOS, we are in business.
Note the current settings
The next step is to write down all the current BIOS settings. Turn off the PC and enter your BIOS setup. When you connect a printer and the Print Screen button to work, you go to anyand each menu page and print settings. Otherwise, you write it by hand. In the event that something goes wrong, you need these things again and share related to the BIOS.
Get the latest BIOS updates
Once you have copied all the settings, the next step is to identify the latest updates for your BIOS. To do this, go to the website of your motherboard manufacturer and look to make BIOS updates for your motherboard model and number. Download the appropriate update from the site. Downloadthe Flash program, the "flash" update to your BIOS chip. Normally, the update and the Flash program is zipped together.
Create two MS-DOS boot floppy
Make sure that you are on a reliable power supply and that your floppy drive is not defective. Copy the flash program, a new disk is formatted as MS-DOS startup disk .. Keep second formatted hard disk also ready.
Save the current BIOS
Make sure that the floppy device is the first boot device inYour BIOS settings. Insert the first disk and restart the system. They are made to a DOS prompt (A:), from where you should enter the name of the Flash program. Appear on the screen, select the option, your current BIOS on the first disk to save it, if you only have the Flash program. This will serve as a backup in case something goes wrong with the update, and you need to reset your old BIOS.
Flash BIOS
Copy the flash program and the BIOS update file tothe second disk. Verify that the update file has been copied correctly. Reboot the system with the floppy disk inserted in the floppy drive. At the A: prompt, type the name of the flash program by the BIOS update file name. A screen shows you the update file to be flashed the BIOS. Confirm it. WAIT is flashed the BIOS. You will be notified when it is over, and asked to exit. Once you are back in the DOS prompt, remove the floppy and reboot the system. Ifeverything went well, you should receive the normal POST screen.
Configure the new BIOS --
After flashing the BIOS with new version and rebooting, enter the BIOS setup. The first step is to load the factory settings. This will ensure that all the new options to the factory setting that should be safe under normal circumstances standard. After loading the default settings, the next step is to configure the BIOS on your system settings. Drag your screenshotsprinted earlier and enter all the settings there. You can of course change all these settings when you are about what you do, sure. In a first step, but it is better that the old settings and verify that your system boots to the operating system and everything works normally use.
Restoring a damaged flash
Some of the main reasons for the Flash BIOS corruption are incompatible add-on cards, flash update aborted due to power fluctuations or improper BIOSPicture.
If your flash attempt fails, do not panic! Such errors are often reliable, recoverable, as most newer BIOS codes are now a boot-block protection option. A BIOS of this type has two parts. The first boot block section includes information are required to only critical system devices such as floppy drive, processor, memory and ISA video initialize devices. This part is read-only and can not be overwritten by flashing. The second part is the flashable partly as a system knownBlock, and contains all the necessary information to other system devices such as video, memory initialization, COM ports, input devices, other peripherals, and the implementation of the POST.
To recover from a corrupted flash, you must be able to boot into the floppy drive, where the flash program and BIOS file that you flash. An ISA card is better, but if you do not, you can still do. If you use the ISA card, then you will not be able to see what you're doing. Rebootthe system at the DOS prompt, and then repeat the above steps for flashing or the steps that are specified by your motherboard manufacturer represented.
If you do not have an ISA card, create an autoexec.bat file that will run on startup in DOS system. In Notepad, create a single line item that will contain the Flash program names with the update file name along with all the options that are specified, followed.
This indicates aotuexec.bat DOS command prompt to run when the system bootsawd802.exe and run the flash program with the backup.bin BIOS update file. The switches are different ways of flashing specifically instructed to start the flash program, with the last switch the program again once completed.
Copy the autoexec.bat file on the floppy with the flash program and the BIOS update file that you want to use. The disk should be only the basic DOS system files, and should not be other files that are loaded automatically at startup and interface with thewill start flashing.
The above example is for an Award BIOS upgrade. While the parameters most likely for your BIOS version differ, the general approach remains the same:
o Create a DOS disk
o Copy the flash program and BIOS update file
o Create a batch file autoexec.bat with a single line item ordered DOS to flash the BIOS when the system starts
Make sure you read the manufacturer's instructions on each switch parameters and howthey should be used.