BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a low-level system software that comes pre-installed on every computer motherboard. It is an essential component of your computer system that controls and manages your computer’s hardware. BIOS is responsible for starting your computer’s power-on self-test (POST), which checks if all hardware components such as memory, hard drive, keyboard, and mouse are functioning correctly. Once the hardware is verified, the BIOS then hands over the control to the boot loader, which loads the operating system into the memory and starts it up.
In recent years, UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) firmware has replaced the traditional BIOS. UEFI firmware is an upgraded version of BIOS and offers better performance, improved security, and a more user-friendly interface. UEFI firmware is stored in flash memory, which makes it possible to update or upgrade the firmware without replacing the chip on the motherboard.
The BIOS was first introduced in the 1980s, and it has evolved over time to become an integral part of modern computer systems. The BIOS software is stored on a non-volatile memory chip on your computer’s motherboard. The chip is usually referred to as the ROM (read-only memory), which means the software cannot be altered by the user.
One of the critical functions of the BIOS and UEFI is to initialize the computer’s hardware components during the startup process. This includes checking the memory, hard drive, graphics card, sound card, and other peripherals to ensure they are working correctly. The BIOS also sets the system clock, which is crucial for running time-sensitive applications.
Another crucial function of BIOS is to provide a set of system-level services, known as BIOS interrupts. These interrupts allow the operating system and applications to communicate with the hardware in a standardized way. This enables the operating system to work with different hardware configurations without requiring specialized drivers for each hardware component.
BIOS settings can be accessed by pressing a key during the boot-up process. The key varies depending on the manufacturer, but it is usually one of the F keys, such as F2, F8, or F10. Once in the BIOS setup, you can configure various settings, such as boot order, system clock, and hardware configurations.
Therefore, BIOS is an essential component of your computer system that controls and manages your computer’s hardware. It initializes the hardware components during the startup process and provides system-level services for the operating system and applications. With the introduction of UEFI firmware, BIOS has become more user-friendly, secure, and efficient.
What is Firmware?
Firmware is a type of software that is embedded in electronic devices to control their behavior. It is a specific type of software that is designed to run on hardware devices, such as computer motherboards, smartphones, routers, and other types of electronic devices. Firmware acts as an interface between the hardware and the software, allowing the hardware to communicate with the operating system and other software programs.
Firmware is different from traditional software in that it is closely tied to the specific hardware it runs on. It is designed to control the functionality of the hardware and can be thought of as a set of instructions that are permanently stored in the device’s memory. Unlike traditional software, firmware is not typically updated as frequently, and it often requires specialized tools or processes to update.
Some examples of firmware include the BIOS or UEFI firmware on a computer motherboard, the firmware on a router that controls its networking capabilities, or the firmware on a smart home device that controls its behavior and communication with other devices. The importance of firmware lies in its ability to control and optimize the behavior of the hardware it runs on, making it a critical component in many electronic devices.
Differences Between BIOS and UEFI
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) and UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) are two types of low-level system software that come pre-installed on your computer’s motherboard. They are responsible for initializing and testing hardware components and making sure everything is working properly before handing over control to the operating system.
BIOS has been around for many years and was the standard firmware for PCs until UEFI was introduced. BIOS is stored on a chip on your computer’s motherboard and is limited in terms of the amount of memory it can access, making it less flexible than UEFI.
UEFI, on the other hand, is a newer firmware that is designed to replace BIOS. It has many advantages over BIOS, including support for larger disks, faster boot times, and a more user-friendly interface. UEFI firmware is stored on a flash memory chip on your computer’s motherboard and can access much more memory than BIOS.
One of the main differences between BIOS and UEFI is the way they interact with the operating system. BIOS uses the Master Boot Record (MBR) partitioning scheme, which limits the size of the boot disk to 2 TB and can only support four primary partitions. UEFI, on the other hand, uses the GUID Partition Table (GPT) partitioning scheme, which supports boot disks larger than 2 TB and can have more than four primary partitions.
Both BIOS and UEFI serve the same purpose of initializing and testing hardware components, UEFI has many advantages over BIOS, including faster boot times, support for larger disks, and a more user-friendly interface. UEFI is becoming the standard firmware for modern computers, and many new motherboards no longer support BIOS.
Updating Your Motherboard BIOS or UEFI
Updating the BIOS or UEFI firmware is important to keep your computer’s system up to date and ensure proper functioning. The process can be done through Windows or a removable drive. To update through Windows, you need to download the firmware update from the manufacturer’s website and run the installation file. It is important to ensure that you have a reliable power source during the process and to not interrupt the update. Additionally, you should disable any antivirus software that may interfere with the update process.
Alternatively, you can update the BIOS or UEFI firmware through a removable drive. To do this, you will need to download the firmware update from the manufacturer’s website and transfer it to a USB drive. Then, restart your computer and enter the BIOS or UEFI setup.
From there, select the option to update the firmware and choose the file on the USB drive. It is important to make sure the USB drive is formatted properly and that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. Additionally, you should back up your original firmware before proceeding with the update.
Guide to Updating BIOS or UEFI through Windows
Updating your computer’s BIOS (or UEFI) can improve system stability, performance, and compatibility with newer hardware and software. While the process of updating your BIOS used to be somewhat complex, it is now relatively simple and can usually be done through your computer’s operating system.
1. Determine the current version of your BIOS or UEFI: Before updating your BIOS or UEFI, you should determine the current version installed on your computer. You can usually find this information in the BIOS/UEFI setup utility or by using system information tools like CPU-Z or Speccy.
2. Check for available updates: Once you know your current BIOS/UEFI version, check your computer manufacturer’s website to see if there is a newer version available for your computer. Make sure to download the correct BIOS/UEFI file for your specific computer model.
3. Prepare for the update: Before updating your BIOS/UEFI, make sure to close all running applications and disable any antivirus or firewall software. You should also make sure your computer is connected to a reliable power source and avoid interrupting the update process.
4. Run the update utility: The update utility for your BIOS/UEFI will vary depending on your computer manufacturer. However, many manufacturers provide a Windows-based utility that can be run directly from your operating system. Simply double-click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to begin the update process.
5. Restart your computer: Once the update process is complete, your computer will likely automatically restart. If it doesn’t, you should manually restart your computer to ensure that the new BIOS/UEFI version is properly installed.
6. Verify the update: After restarting your computer, enter the BIOS/UEFI setup utility and verify that the new version has been installed. Make sure that all of your settings are correct, and if necessary, make any changes to the settings that you need.
Guide on Updating Bios or UEFI through Removable Drive
Updating your computer’s BIOS or UEFI through a removable drive is an alternative method that can be used if you encounter any issues updating through Windows. Here’s a common guide to updating BIOS or UEFI through a removable drive:
1. Check the motherboard model and download the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware from the manufacturer’s website. Make sure to choose the correct firmware for your motherboard model.
2. Format a USB flash drive as FAT32 and create a bootable drive using a tool like Rufus or the manufacturer’s own utility.
3. Copy the downloaded firmware file to the root directory of the USB flash drive.
4. Safely eject the USB flash drive from your computer and insert it into the computer that needs the BIOS or UEFI update.
5. Restart the computer and press the key to enter the boot menu. This key may vary depending on the computer’s manufacturer, but common keys are F2, F10, or Delete.
6. Select the USB flash drive from the boot menu and press Enter.
Follow the on-screen instructions to update the BIOS or UEFI firmware. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully and do not turn off the computer during the update process. Once the update is complete, restart the computer and remove the USB flash drive.
It’s important to note that updating the BIOS or UEFI firmware can be risky, and if done improperly, it can cause irreversible damage to your computer. Therefore, it’s recommended to proceed with caution and only update the BIOS or UEFI if it’s necessary or if it’s recommended by the manufacturer.
Do Not Update! – Backup Your Motherboard BIOS or UEFI
Before updating your computer’s BIOS or UEFI firmware, it is highly recommended to backup the original firmware in case something goes wrong during the update process. A failed BIOS or UEFI update can potentially render your computer unusable, so having a backup of the original firmware is important to recover your system.
To backup your current BIOS or UEFI firmware, you will need to download and install a specialized software tool provided by the manufacturer of your computer or motherboard. This tool may vary depending on the manufacturer and model of your device, so be sure to check the documentation or support website for your specific product.
Once you have installed the firmware backup tool, follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to create a backup of your current BIOS or UEFI firmware. This process typically involves creating a bootable USB drive, restarting your computer, and running the backup tool from the USB drive.
It is important to note that some manufacturers may not provide a firmware backup tool or may only provide it for certain models or product lines. In this case, you may need to contact the manufacturer’s support team for assistance or consult with a professional technician.
Remember, backing up your current BIOS or UEFI firmware is crucial in case something goes wrong during the update process. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to updating system firmware.
