Ask Leo! by Leo A. Notenboom

How do I update the system bios from Windows?

Search First! Then browse: Categories | Full Archive | By Date | Newsletter

Home » Hardware

I have heard that an update will correct the problem I'm having during shutdown or restart.

Well, unfortunately, the question itself shows a slight misunderstanding.

Believe it or not, the BIOS is unrelated to Windows.

The BIOS, or Basic Input Output System, is a part of your computer, not a part of Windows. It's software that's stored within flash memory chip on your computer's motherboard. (Flash memory is normally read-only, but can be reprogrammed with appropriate tools.) Windows, Linux ... or no operating system at all, your BIOS is there as soon as you turn on the machine.

Unfortunately exactly how you update the BIOS varies from one type of motherboard to another, so I can't give you specific instructions. Typically it involves downloading the new BIOS image and an installation program, often in the same file, copying them to a bootable floppy disk, booting from that floppy, and running the installation program.

But it might be different for your computer.

So the best advice is simply to check with the manufacturer of your computer or motherboard. Most likely their support web site will include both the updated BIOS and the instructions you need on how to install it.

Related:

Article C2308 - March 18, 2005

Helpful? Get new articles weekly by email in my FREE newsletter!

Your Name:
Your Email:


Why Subscribe?

Recent Comments
5 Comments

Hello. I have a notebook AST Ascentia P Series. I have new bios data, but i cant burn them, because i dont have a diskette drive for the notebook. How can i burn the bios from the Win98?

Posted by: Karol Venczel at May 8, 2007 5:53 AM

That DOESNT answer the question. I have a SOLTEK 85DRV and when i boot into dos all the letters are gibberishand nothing can be read. The drive letter for example is @\ and when i push the I button i get an H but if i push it again i get an I. If i hold H for example i get a sequence, that the system repeats . like this: HIHHIIHIIIHIHI.
Its saying the words itst supposed to, but in all different letters.

Posted by: Nathan Broczek at January 12, 2008 3:16 PM

Hello. I have a notebook Compaq prisario 2517AT Series. I have new bios data, but i cant burn them, because i dont have a diskette drive for the notebook. How can i burn the bios from the WinXP?

Posted by: Rohit at September 12, 2008 4:07 AM

i want to clear my bios password for acer travelmate 2300 lapttop

Posted by: Mcpathsan at January 18, 2009 7:29 PM

I'm sorry but... this has got to be the most useless piece of information i have ever stumbled across.

You have the exact question I would like answering but you simply expand on the question without providing an answer!!

Posted by: Fi at November 2, 2009 5:10 PM

Post a comment on "How do I update the system bios from Windows?":






(Email Address will not be published.)

Remember Me?

By popular demand...
my tip jar
Cuppa Joe
Buy Leo a Latte!

(you may use HTML tags for style)

RSS feed Subscribe to the RSS Feed specifically for comments on this article.

Before commenting, please...

  • Read the article at the top of this page. If your comment shows you didn't, it'll be deleted and ignored.

  • Comment only on this article. Use the Google search box at the top of the page if you have a question about something else.

  • Don't include personal information in the comment. No email addresses. No phone numbers. No physical addresses.

  • Don't spam. Excessive links to unrelated sites within a comment or across multiple comments will cause all such comments to be removed.

  • Don't ask me to recover lost passwords or hacked accounts. I can't, and those comments will be deleted.

  • I can't respond to every comment. And I can't vouch for the accuracy of others who do.

Please wait. Your comment is being processed ...


Question? Ask Leo!