Ways to update BIOS on a laptop

The content of the article

• Why do I need a BIOS update
• How to enter BIOS on a laptop
• Ways to update the BIOS of the motherboard on a laptop
• In Windows operating system
• BIOS update directly
• In DOS mode using a USB flash drive
• Video instruction: how to reflash BIOS

Leisure and work of a modern person is absolutely impossible to imagine without using a laptop. The need for repairs, changes to familiar settings and updates arises from users often. Sometimes it is important to know how to update the BIOS on a laptop. BIOS (BIOS) – a key system for input-output information that provides loading of operating systems (Windows, Linux, IOS). Flashing BIOS on a laptop eliminates errors or includes additional support for memory and processors.

Why do I need a BIOS update

Before updating the BIOS on your laptop, you need to find out why updating the program is required. There are several factors:

1. No support for new collateral. The old settings are not suitable for new tools, so the laptop needs to replace the BIOS version.
2. When installing new programs, old software “conflicts” with them.
3. Installed settings are damaged by viruses.
4. Information on how to flash BIOS will be needed when the flash drive is not read as a boot device.
5. The laptop freezes when you turn on some programs or their options, it reboots itself.
6. The motherboard does not detect a high-capacity hard drive, a video adapter (video card) with a high number of gigabytes.
7. The stability of the laptop is unstable, the computer does not work well due to minor software errors.
8. The manufacturer installed only a basic set of functions, which is not enough for the computer’s power.

How to enter BIOS on a laptop

The BIOS starts immediately when you turn on the laptop. If the laptop model is older, then in the upper left corner of the display letters will be visible in the first seconds of loading. Next, the operating system starts, laptop control goes to it. To learn how to open the BIOS on a laptop, first of all, they will learn the manufacturer and model of the laptop. To enter the BIOS of the most popular laptop brands, you need to turn on or restart the laptop, then you should for:

1. HP (HP) – hold the F2 or Escape key while starting the laptop.
2. ASUS (Asus) – press the F2 key when turned on.
3. ACER (Acer) – press the combination F2-Del or Ctrl-Alt-Esc. Also, the inclusion is made using the F1 key.
4. DELL (Dell) – Del, F2, rarely Ctrl-Alt-Enter.
5. SAMSUNG (Samsung) – at the moment of inclusion press the Pause button. The text appears, in it you need to find “Press F2 to enter setup”. The F2 key is replaced by F1, F8, F10, F11, F12, Esc by the selection method. To exit, press Enter. The next step is to find the marking of the laptop motherboard. To find out, follow the “Start – Hardware – Device Manager – Configuration”. Copy the marking on your sheet, enter it in the browser. Add optional “to enter setup / BIOS”.
6. LENOVO (Lenovo) – classic Del or F2 keys.
7. TOSHIBA (Toshiba) – it is worth considering the model of the device. For older Toshiba models with the laptop turned off, hold down the F2 button, then hold down the key and turn on the laptop. New devices are turned on according to the instructions “Logging into Windows – Start – Preinstalled programs – Bios System” (sometimes the name is different, but the word BIOS is always present in it).

Ways to update the BIOS of the motherboard on a laptop

Installing a BIOS BIOS update differs in ways depending on the type of motherboard. Before flashing, you need to study the instructions for the board to take into account all the details that the manufacturer indicates. Update Options:

1. Proprietary Windows utility. An advantageous way by which it will be possible to avoid mistakes, if it is not clear how to reinstall the BIOS. Modern motherboards (Asus, MSI, Gygabyte) prefer this utility.
2. Built-in BIOS settings. The option is considered appropriate when the user is sure that the BIOS version installed is absolutely correct. The program for updating the BIOS (Q-Flash, EZ Flash, Utility) is written to the USB flash drive and starts.
3. DOS mode An option for such firmware for experienced users, it will be difficult for beginners to update the I / O program using this method. The mode requires the creation of a bootable flash drive with DOS and a new version of the BIOS program. Serious installation errors may appear..

In Windows operating system

How to update the BIOS on an Asus motherboard or any other? Using the proprietary utility MSI Live Update 5, the algorithm of actions is as follows:

1. Run the MSI Live Update 5 program, click on the Scan icon.
2. In the report list, look for the line MB BIOS. If there is one, then there is an update for your laptop. Click the arrow to download.
3. Run the file saved earlier and click Next.
4. Select In Windows Mode to start the installation..
5. Active programs close, click Next.
6. Waiting for program update to complete.
7. Press any key appears – press any button to restart the computer.
8. The process of reinstalling the update is complete.

BIOS update directly

The Windows update option is not too safe for the motherboard. The main danger is a computer freeze or unexpected shutdown. If the installation process is interrupted, the motherboard will be damaged. Updating directly in the BIOS will help you configure the necessary programs, avoid a problematic installation using the built-in tools. Step-by-step instruction:

1. Download the update file to your computer.
2. Write it to a clean, well-functioning flash drive – you need a pre-tested for viruses.
3. We do not remove the USB flash drive from the port and reboot the computer. The next step is to enter the BIOS.
4. In the Tools section, open the update utility (we will find out the name according to the instructions for the motherboard).
5. In the main menu, go to the left column (Tab key). All media found by the device are located here..
6. Select the flash drive, click update and press Enter.
7. Sometimes the motherboard knocks out an error check, the end of which needs to wait without canceling anything.

In DOS mode using a USB flash drive

This type of installation is recommended for experienced users. The update process will be assisted by Rufus. Your actions:

1. Download the program from the official website. Installation is not required, so immediately start.
2. In the Device section, select the flash drive to download the file to it. Important: save everything you need from the flash drive beforehand, otherwise when downloading all the files from the flash drive will be deleted and recovery will fail.
3. In the line File System, specify FAT32.
4. On the contrary, Create a bootable disk using install version of MS-DOS or FreeDOS. How to find out the BIOS version for your laptop? There is no fundamental difference between these options, choose any.
5. Click Start: the process will complete in a few seconds.

Video instruction: how to reflash BIOS

If you are interested in how to update BIOS correctly on a laptop, you should listen to the instructions of professional firmware specialists. Updating the program is required to speed up the laptop, eliminate some errors of installed programs in order to restore the utilities. It’s easy to flash the I / O program – you will need to follow a simple algorithm in accordance with the model and manufacturer of your laptop. Do not harm the motherboard, read the detailed installation information. Learn How To Increase Laptop Performance On Windows 7.