how to flash bios

[tls68]

Hello,

I need to flash the bios and need some help. I've never done this and am not sure where to begin. I know that I need a number off of the motherboard, but am not sure where would that be located.

Can someone help me with directions? I don't want to totally screw up my pc.

Thanks <IMG SRC="smilies/eek.gif" border="0">

[Polychronopolis]

Normally, I'd recommend that you have someone more experienced assist you with flashing your bios, but I'm in a chipper mood today and I'll give you a bit of advice.

The information you need from your board is the model number. If you have the manual it can help, but often the manuals are released for several different boards in one booklet. After you have the model of your motherboard, go to the manufacturer's website. Look for a bios update section in their support areas.

Lately, I've seen manufacturers making automated disks. I like these because you don't stand much of a chance of missing a command line option or mistyping anything. Read and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

If you want more exact information, post the motherboard model here and I'm sure someone will have some more specific information.

--So says Polychronopolis..

[Ruslan]

Originally posted by Polychronopolis:
<STRONG>If you want more exact information, post the motherboard model here and I'm sure someone will have some more specific information.

--So says Polychronopolis..</STRONG>

Information about Your motherboard You can get either by using hardware info utility from www.hwinfo.com , either using CTBIOS or Unicore's BIOS Wizard utility from www.wimsbios.com . Post all results here, and we will help You more. <IMG SRC="smilies/wink.gif" border="0">

[gutted]

Last (and incidentally the first) time I did this, I searched on the BIOS string using WebFerret. I found the mobo manufacturer and got the latest BIOS by following the link from the relevant section of WinDrivers. The Intel site (in this case) gave full info on how to make a boot disk, and what to do once you've booted from it.

1. Print out the instructions - always a good idea, since you won't be able to read it while halfway through a BIOS flash <IMG SRC="smilies/smile.gif" border="0">

2. Everything went according to plan for me, except that the machine didn't boot after the flash. I took out the CMOS battery for 10 mins, and also flicked the switch on the back of the PSU. When I put the battery back in the PC booted normally and the new BIOS held.

3. If you're a pessimist, you might want to check out the BIOS recovery procedure (as given on the mobo manufacturer website BEFORE you start. Then at least you'll know if there is a disater recovery procedure if all goes horribly wrong.