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Replace the new HP bios version with the old one. Flashing BIOS: step-by-step instructions

This article is suitable for those who understand at least a little how a computer and its components work, why we need a BIOS at all and how it is related to motherboard, types of BIOS, types of motherboards, etc.

Otherwise, it is better to entrust the matter to a professional, so as not to make it even worse; you probably have a friend who is better versed in this, or a master who you can turn to.

Introduction

Problems with BIOS occur due to various reasons, this could be a failure during the firmware, a bad user, an error in the compatibility of the firmware file, the position of the stars in the sky, etc.

So, in this article we will analyze in detail how to reset the BIOS to factory settings, both hardware and software, as well as the causes of the problem. Let's look at the features of various BIOSes, special software from motherboard manufacturers, etc.

A bit of computer anatomy

A computer consists of many components:

  • motherboard(this is important to us);
  • cooling systems (active and passive);
  • sound card;
  • power supply;
  • housings;
  • and periphery.

We are interested in the motherboard. There is a small chip on it. Depending on the manufacturer, it can be removable or built-in. We find a battery that resembles a coin or tablet, and a jumper next to it. But next to it there is a microcircuit, it looks like a 1x1 plate, perhaps with a hologram - this is a BIOS. It may be completely inaccessible, even for viewing.

In short, BIOS is what connects the device's hardware with other devices connected to it. It is system software.

Problems

When there are problems with the BIOS, the most common malfunction that occurs is the inability to start the computer. Following it, judging by the statistics, is a cyclic reboot.

Reasons

Many of them are standard:

  • an error occurs during the update;
  • flasher error;
  • BIOS version conflicting with the motherboard;
  • when updating from under the system - a system failure or the influence of the antivirus;
  • user's crooked hands;
  • flash memory error;
  • voltage fluctuations.

How to roll back the BIOS using the hardware method

This is the most extreme case, and it is better to trust a professional. But if you decide on your own, follow the following algorithm.

You need to remove the chip very carefully, otherwise you can damage the panel or the chip itself. It is better to use a chip remover, but you can also carefully remove it with an awl.

A hot swap looks like this.

  1. Replace the damaged microcircuit with another similar one. Take a similar motherboard, remove the BIOS chip from it and try to boot the computer. If it works, then the problem is in the firmware, and you can try to restore it.
  2. Take another motherboard with a BIOS of the same size and type. It is better if it is a motherboard on the same chipset and from the same manufacturer.

We proceed like this:

  • prepare the stitcher;
  • provide free access to the panel for installing BIOS;
  • remove the BIOS from the panel and prepare it for installation of a working microcircuit, having previously tied it with threads;
  • install the problematic microcircuit, bring it in and carefully align it with the panel contacts, then press with your fingers;
  • turn on the computer and load MS-DOS;
  • After loading, quickly and carefully remove the BIOS and check if the computer has frozen;
  • Carefully install the problematic BIOS into the panel and check the functionality of the computer;
  • V command line start rewriting the BIOS (if errors occur, try other command line switches: AWDFLASH firmware file /py /wb /qi /f).

How to roll back the BIOS using the software method

The algorithm is as follows.

  1. Alternatively, you can change the date, which may help with virus infections.
  2. There are many key combinations to enter the BIOS: F1-F11, (Del) and others - depending on your device. The above are the main ones.
  3. You may have to enter a password, then you need to go to the date change menu and change it in any direction. Exit and save.
  4. Then, through the system, use the utility to restore it to its original state: “Start” -> “standard utilities” -> system recovery utility.
  5. Select a suitable date.

If you need to restore the original BIOS settings, then you need to go into it and set the factory settings. The F9 key will set the default settings. If the Hotkey doesn't work, then look for something similar to Load defaults. If there is no information about the password, open the system unit and find a small battery; you need to remove it for 10-15 seconds - this will reset all settings.

  • create bootable media, place the flasher for the BIOS and the BIOS itself;
  • reboot from the media (F9 - select this media);
  • then flash the motherboard via DOS.

How to roll back the BIOS to the previous version on devices where access to the BIOS is disabled?

  1. Through the start menu or through “Run” (Win + R) enter the command: debug.
  2. Then write the following:
  • for AMI BIOS: O 70 FF, then “Enter” and write: O 71 FF, press Enter again and end everything with the Q symbol. There is another option: rename the file downloaded from the site to amiboot.rom, move it to the root of the floppy disk. Insert the floppy disk into the drive of the computer that is turned off. Press left Ctrl+Home and turn it on.
  • WITH AWARD BIOS: O 70 17, O 73 17 and again Q. Additional option: place the firmware and BIOS files on a floppy disk (usually in one archive). Create a text document where the BIOS file name is specified with permission.bin. Rename the document to autoexec.bat. And we continue as indicated above.

However, many manufacturers have other methods that make it easier to operate the BIOS.

How to rollback BIOS on ASUS

ASUS motherboards support USB Flashback technology. Therefore the algorithm is like this.

  1. Download the BIOS file for your model and place it on a USB flash drive.

2. After downloading, you need to rename it to the model name, for example Sabertooth X79 to SABERX79.ROM. There should be more detailed instructions on the manufacturer's website.

3. Format the flash drive FAT32, place the renamed BIOS on the flash drive, then connect to USB port with the inscription or design Flashback or ROG Connect. It is advisable to turn off the computer.

4. Turn on the computer using the BIOS button - hold for 3 seconds. When the indicator goes out, the firmware process is complete.

Alternatively, you can try it through a special program from the official website in the BIOS utilities tab.

How to rollback BIOS on an HP laptop

Everything is simpler here.

  1. With the laptop turned off, press Windows+B.
  2. While holding Windows + B, press the power button for 2-3 seconds, release the power button, but hold Windows + B or V until the BIOS update screen appears, or until a beep is heard.

How to rollback BIOS on Gigabyte

Failures occur very rarely on these boards. But still they happen.

  • problem with the main chip;
  • the microcode is completely erased;
  • damage to the contents of both microcircuits.

Some motherboards may use spare flash memory as primary memory. Another group of boards can use the allocated area on the HDD (hard drive). Recovery is automatic.

How to rollback BIOS on MSI

The recovery process is similar in steps to recovery on ASUS.

  1. Place the BIOS on a USB flash drive and connect it to the computer.
  2. Connect to the computer, hold down the power button for 4 seconds, press the left Ctrl+Home (or Alt+Ctrl+Home) combination, turn on the computer. The indicator should light up.

Restoring BIOS on laptops

It is done in the same way as on desktops. Transfer the downloaded file to a flash drive (Fat32/16) or disk. Then we place the device in the drive or connector of a disconnected laptop (it is advisable to disconnect it from the network and remove the battery), then connect it to the network again and hold down the key combination.

Conclusion and afterword

So we figured out how the computer works, how to reset the BIOS to factory settings, the properties of the BIOS, the features of the device from different manufacturers and recovery methods. We also made sure that there are no differences in the BIOS firmware on laptops and desktops. After some of the proposed manipulations, your computer will be required to work. If not, you will have to buy a new motherboard that will be compatible with your device.

Any mistake, even the smallest one, during a BIOS update can damage the motherboard. For example, if during the update process there is a sudden loss of power or the wrong version is loaded, the motherboard will completely stop functioning. Moreover, even if everything went well and the BIOS was successfully updated, there are cases when the new firmware version contains errors that lead to unstable operation of the system. Therefore, it may often be necessary to restore the old BIOS to return the system to a working state.

How BIOS works

BIOS or "basic input/output system" works as a simple universal driver. It allows you to tie together the capabilities of hardware and software, providing the operating system with normal communication with all components of the computer. The BIOS is also used to check, initialize, and configure hardware when the computer boots, including the PCI device. On motherboards software The BIOS is flashed into a special chip with flash memory. The most famous developers of program code for BIOS firmware are Phoenix-Award and AMI. ASUS and other companies constantly release new BIOS firmware for motherboards, which eliminate various errors, as well as improve their functionality and compatibility when working with new equipment. But you should not abuse installing new BIOS versions if you have no comments about the operation of the motherboard. You should resort to this operation only when you need to fix a problem in the system or install a new processor.

Recovering an old BIOS using ASUS CrashFree BIOS

ASUS offers customers of its products a built-in utility called ASUS CrashFree BIOS, which allows you to roll back the BIOS version to the previous one if you have problems with the new firmware. This utility can read a firmware file recorded on a DVD, floppy disk or flash drive, and then automatically uploads it to the chip instead of the “buggy” version. In order to use the recovery mode, you need to save the old firmware version file and the utility itself on one of the removable media in advance. If you did not have time to prepare such a disk, then you will have to burn the old version of the firmware and CrashFree BIOS on another, working computer. If the disk is ready, you can install it into the drive of a non-working computer and turn it on. Simultaneously with the system boot, the BIOS recovery utility will be launched.

Clearing CMOS

On most BIOS chips there is a separate module called, which is a memory component that is dependent on a battery backup. CMOS records the hardware settings that the BIOS accesses every time the computer is turned on. If after the update BIOS computer starts to work unstable, it makes sense to clear the CMOS to return the settings to factory settings.

When after BIOS updates If you cannot boot your computer normally, you should enter the BIOS settings (BIOS Setup). To do this, in the first seconds of loading, you need to press the “Del”, “Delete” or others button. Then in the main BIOS menu, find the “Load Setup Defaults” or “Fail-Safe Defaults” option, select it and press “Enter”. This operation will reset the settings to factory defaults. If the computer does not boot at all and you cannot enter BIOS Setup, you can perform a hard reset of CMOS, for which you need to find the corresponding switch (jumper) on the motherboard. Switch it to the “Clear CMOS” position for 10 seconds and return it back. The placement and appearance of this switch depends on the type of motherboard and manufacturer. After this, you can try to boot your computer.

ASUS BIOS Updater utility

In order to protect yourself from problems that may arise in the future, you can use another utility - ASUS BIOS Updater, which will help you create a backup copy of the current BIOS version before the update operation. Format the USB flash drive to FAT 32 or FAT 16 file system, then download and save the latest BIOS firmware and ASUS BIOS Updater utility on it. Connect the USB flash drive to a free port on the computer and turn on the computer. While the computer is booting, press the “F8” button to call up the boot menu, in which select the “CDROM” item. Before doing this, you need to install a boot disk with the FreeDOS operating system into the drive. After loading the OS, select the drive letter that is assigned to the flash drive, for example “d:” and press “Enter”. After which you can run the command to create a file in which the old BIOS will be saved - type and run “bupdater /o filename.rom”, where the correct name of the firmware file should be indicated.

BIOS update

From time to time, motherboard manufacturers release new BIOS versions. BIOS updates usually contain various optimizations as well as new features. Let's say the same overclocking functions. We recommend updating the BIOS only when a new final version is available (it is better to skip beta and alpha versions).

The BIOS is written to a special flash memory chip. When flashing a new version of firmware, it is written in place of the old one. To update the BIOS, special utilities are required, which motherboard manufacturers include in the package. In addition, some BIOS versions support firmware flashing independently using a key combination.

When it comes to updating the BIOS, there are usually two alternatives. You can use a utility for Windows, which can usually be found on the CD from the motherboard or downloaded from the manufacturer's website. You can also install a utility that will periodically check for a new BIOS version and, if necessary, download it. This method is simple, but the verification utility takes up memory space and consumes some resources.

Updating the BIOS for Windows is an easy and simple method, as long as your system is stable. For greater reliability, we can recommend updating via DOS.

To do this, you need to download the firmware utility from the manufacturer’s website. Then create a DOS boot floppy disk and write the utility along with the new BIOS version onto it. Then you should boot from the floppy disk and run the utility through the command line (if you downloaded the utility and BIOS in a ZIP archive, then they should be copied unpacked to the floppy disk). This approach is considered by many to be more reliable, since DOS does not have any third-party drivers.

Warning: If you update your laptop's BIOS, you should not do this while running on battery power. The laptop should be flashed while running on mains power.

38. Loading a new BIOS

Choose your motherboard: Only use BIOS versions that are designed specifically for your model.

Visit the website of the motherboard (or computer) manufacturer, and then find the model you need. Most often, motherboard models are named like "GA-686BX", "A7N8X-E" or "K8T Neo2". Sometimes motherboards have two names: retail (say, "K8T-Neo") and technical (for example, "MS-6702 Version 1.0"). The latter is usually indicated on the PCB of the board. When you find the page with your model, follow the "Downloads" or "Support" link.

39. Keep the old BIOS version

We recommend keeping the old BIOS version in case the new one is unstable or causes any problems. You can always flash the old BIOS instead of the new version. In addition, we recommend that you carefully read the Readme file that is included in the BIOS archive. It indicates the changes and additions made to new version.

40. Think twice before updating your BIOS

The notes provided in each BIOS version help you decide whether you need to update your BIOS or not.

If updating the BIOS solves a specific problem (see illustration above), then you must decide how relevant it is for your system. If the problem does not concern you, then you can skip the BIOS update. Of course, if it does not provide any other improvements. Note that a new BIOS version often allows you to install more modern processors.

If you did not buy the motherboard separately, or bought a branded PC outright, then in such cases it is better to contact the PC manufacturer’s website. Of course, it is quite possible that you will find the same BIOS update there as on the motherboard manufacturer's website. However, some PC manufacturers release their own versions of the BIOS. If you don't know where to download the BIOS update from (from the motherboard or PC manufacturer's website), find out the answer to this question from the manufacturer. If you don't get a clear answer, then it may not be worth updating the BIOS.

41. How to prepare a boot disk with BIOS

When you download a BIOS from the manufacturer's website, you will usually receive a ZIP archive containing several files. One of the files contains the new BIOS version itself, and this file is often called very mysteriously: “W7176IMS.110” or “AN8D1007.BIN”. In addition, in the archive you can find a text document with installation instructions.

As a rule, the archive also contains an executable file.EXE - a utility for flashing the BIOS. For BIOS Award it is called "awdflash.exe". In addition, the archive usually contains a batch file that simplifies the firmware process. Most often it is called "start.cmd", "flash.bat" or "autoexec.bat". Unzip these files to any folder. For example, in "C:\BIOS\". If the BIOS archive is self-extracting, then copy it to this folder and run it.

Important: Before you begin the firmware procedure, print the Readme file as it may contain important information. Keep the printout with other documentation. By the way, if you don’t have the documentation saved, you can almost always download it from the manufacturer’s website in the form of PDF files.

42. How to write the BIOS to a bootable floppy disk

To flash the BIOS, you will need a DOS boot diskette. To create it, click on the “My Computer” icon. Right-click on the drive icon and select "Format...". In the window that appears, check the box “Create an MS-DOS startup disk.” Then click "Start" to start formatting. Copy the BIOS file and the firmware utility to the floppy disk (for example, the files “awdflash.exe” and “w6330vms.360” for the latest version of Award BIOS).

Then you need to restart the computer and boot from the floppy disk. To do this, make sure that the drive in the BIOS is set to the first boot device. After rebooting, enter the BIOS setup menu by pressing the appropriate key. Select "Advanced BIOS Features, Boot Sequence", which may also be called "Advanced, Advanced BIOS Features" on some PCs. Make sure the "1st Boot Device" option is set to "Floppy". Exit to the main BIOS setup menu using the key, and then use the key to exit the BIOS setup menu. If you want to save the changes you have made, press the [Y] ("Yes") key.

43. How to flash BIOS under DOS

Make sure there is stable power supply to the computer. As we mentioned earlier, do not flash the BIOS on a laptop if it is running on battery power. Connect your laptop to a power outlet.

Boot the PC from the floppy disk on which you recorded the firmware utility and BIOS file. On the command line, enter the name of the firmware utility, followed by a space - the name of the BIOS file. In our example for Award BIOS this will be a line like:

A:\>awdflash.exe w6330vms.360

The firmware utility will launch and guide you through all the other processes.

Although the name of the firmware utility and the BIOS file in your case may differ (for example, "awdfl789.exe" and "w6330vms.250"), the approach does not change. Follow the utility's instructions and answer correctly. Whenever you update your BIOS, keep the old version just in case. It will allow you to go back if any problems appear in the new BIOS version.

Finally, the firmware utility will overwrite the BIOS image in the flash memory with the new version. After successful completion, you should restart your PC. During the firmware installation, you need to ensure that the computer does not lose power. Otherwise, you will have to contact a service center (or craftsmen) and flash the BIOS using a programmer.

44. Setting up a new BIOS

When the BIOS update is completed, reboot the computer, preferably in a cold way (by turning off and on the power). In some cases, a CMOS reset may be necessary (see below). After switching on, the BIOS loading lines will be displayed on the screen, where the new version should appear. Enter the BIOS setup using the required keys. Select the "Load Optimized Defaults" option (this may be called "Exit, Load Setup Defaults" on some PCs), which will load the default settings. Make any required changes to the BIOS settings. Exit the setting with key, then press [Y] to save the setting. Then enjoy the products of your labor!

Golden rules of BIOS firmware

In principle, by changing BIOS settings, you are unlikely to cause irreparable harm to the computer, unless you increase the supply voltage too much. In any case, it is better to remember a few golden rules.

  1. Create a backup copy of your current BIOS version. Before you flash a new BIOS version, save the old one. Each BIOS firmware utility has the ability to save the old version, for example, "Save current BIOS as". If the new version turns out to be problematic, you can always go back to the old one.
  2. Change only one setting at a time. If you go into BIOS setup, make changes carefully, one at a time and in small steps if possible. After each process, reboot your computer and test under Windows to identify any instabilities. This is the only way to determine how a particular setting will affect the performance and stability of your PC.
  3. Use stress tests. To check the stability of your PC, it is best to load your computer to the maximum. You can run games, a video editing application, 3D tests like 3DMark 2005, etc.
  4. If all else fails, try a cold boot. If the computer refuses to boot after pressing the Reset key, then turn off the computer from the network and wait a couple of minutes. Use the power cable disconnect switch or the toggle switch on the power supply rather than the power key on the front of the PC.
  5. Reset CMOS. If the PC refuses to boot after changes made to the BIOS, then you will not be able to return the settings back. In such cases, resetting CMOS settings helps. Follow the instructions to reset the CMOS for your motherboard. In some cases, you must close (or open) the jumper, giving the "Clear CMOS" signal. Or you need to use a DIP switch. Don't forget that after resetting CMOS you need to return the jumper to its original position. Alternatively, you can remove the motherboard battery and disconnect the computer from the network. But sometimes you need to wait several hours.


CONTENT

The PC must be constantly updated. And this applies not only to hardware, operating systems and applications. But it is advisable to do this only when a serious need arises.

If the machine operates normally without glitches and errors, then there is simply no need to update to the latest Bios version. Since this procedure is extremely unsafe.

Why update?

The device in question requires new firmware:

  1. Newly installed device is not supported;
  2. when a conflict arises with any application that needs to be installed on a personal computer;
  3. when you need to increase PC performance;
  4. if the outdated firmware is damaged.

Most often, an update is required due to the installation of new equipment - processor, hard drive. Much less often - video cards, RAM. This need arises as a result of a conflict between hardware and firmware. Very often, old Bios simply do not see large-capacity hard drives. In most cases, this situation is corrected by updating.

Some applications do not support working with certain BIOS and their programs. In most cases, this situation can be resolved by updating the version. Sometimes this is required to run some professional applications.

Often, old firmware simply does not allow you to overclock the processor in various ways. If you need to change the CPU frequency upward or apply a higher voltage to it, you need to update the Bios. This usually provides ample opportunities for performing various manipulations with the parameters of the central processor and other devices.

Sometimes the PC starts producing errors just like that, for no apparent reason. Often the culprit is Bios. In many cases, installing a new program in the BIOS allows you to resolve problems of this kind.

Video: reflash BIOS

Current version

There are several ways to determine the BIOS version:

  1. before the OS starts loading;
  2. operating system means;
  3. using third party software.

In order not to waste time on performing any unnecessary actions, the PC owner can simply look at the software labeling of the device in question before starting Windows.

To do this, you need to follow these steps in strict order:

  1. turn on PC;
  2. wait for the corresponding icon to appear (“American Megatrends”, “Energy” and others);
  3. Click on the button called “Pause Break”.

This key allows you to stop loading your personal computer at any stage. You should wait until a table or list of characteristics appears on the monitor. The user needs to detect the inscription “Bios Revision” or “Bios Version”. Next to one of these phrases there must be a combination of numbers. These numbers indicate the version of Bios used.

You can also find out the software markings of the PC component in question simply by going into its settings.

To do this you need to do the following:

  • turn on the computer;
  • until the image appears, press the “Delete” key several times;
  • in the section called "Main" find item “Information” -> “Version”.


The easiest and safest way to find out the version is to use the item in the Start button called “Run”.

The following actions must be taken:

  1. open “Run”;
  2. in the field that appears, enter “msinfo32”;
  3. Click on “Enter” or just click on “OK”.

As a result, a standard component of the Windows operating system will open. It contains all the information about the system, including information about the Bios firmware.


How to update Bios on a computer

There are three ways to update the software for the device in question:

  • in MS-DOS mode;
  • in Microsoft Windows directly;
  • without logging into Windows and MS-DOS.

Each method has both its advantages and disadvantages. What sets this application apart from its analogues is that it offers the user links to the official websites of the manufacturer, where you can find everything you need.


Another source of new firmware versions can be various unofficial sites on the Internet. But the likelihood of downloading counterfeit software with a virus or simply not working, which can damage your PC, is very high. Therefore, using applications from is not highly recommended.

Making a backup copy

Before you carry out any actions that make changes to the firmware, you must make a backup copy of it. This will allow you to avoid various kinds of problems if any error occurs that makes the hardware inoperable. The backup copy must be saved to external media (USB disk, flash drive, floppy disk) to avoid the need to extract it from hard drive.

The easiest way to make a copy of the software to be updated is to use an application called EZ Flash (used on ASUS).

The copying process consists of the following main steps:

  1. production of a bootable flash drive with the MS-DOS operating system;
  2. After inserting the USB flash drive into the port, you need to restart the PC;
  3. after pressing the “Delete” key during boot, you should find the “Tool” tab;
  4. select Asus EZ 2 Utility;
  5. press the “F2” key and enter the name of the backup.

After completing all of the above operations, all data necessary for recovery will be saved on the selected media. If necessary, they can be easily used.


Installation

The easiest way is to install new software on the personal computer component in question directly in the Windows operating system.

To do this you need to do the following:

  • download a special update program for a specific motherboard model;
  • run the executable file.

Most manufacturers have their own update application. That is why it is necessary to use only files downloaded from official resources. For example, ASUS has an application for performing the action in question called ASUSUpdate. It is installed like a regular application, the menu is intuitive, even if it is in English.


Some manufacturers provide updates to their products without logging into the OS. Special tools for performing update are already built into the equipment ROM. For example, ASRock Instant Flash utility can independently carry out all the necessary actions in a matter of minutes. Simply press “F6” - it will scan all available sources of information.

Reset your system settings

There are two ways to reset your system:

  • software;
  • hardware.

To use the first method you must:

To perform a hardware reset, you must use a special jumper or remove the battery from the special connector for at least 30 minutes. After completing the necessary actions, a reboot is performed.

Possible problems

When installing new firmware versions, various types of errors may occur:

  • version mismatch;
  • data recording error.

The most common problem is the use of inappropriate files to perform update. If this type of problem occurs, you must use a backup to return the system to its original state. If a data recording error occurs, you should proceed in the same way - reset the settings to standard.

Video: update the BIOS

When carrying out an operation of this type, it is necessary to ensure that the supplied voltage is stable. If the electrical current is turned off suddenly, there is a high probability of severe damage to the component being updated. Which is unacceptable.

It is important to use firmware only from reliable sources. Since there is always a possibility of foreign data containing bookmarks or viruses. All of this can damage your computer. It is also worth checking the serviceability of the coin-cell battery inside the system unit.

Many users do not understand why update Bios. It is necessary to perform this operation only in extreme cases when it is simply impossible to resolve a conflict in an alternative way. The procedure should be carried out as carefully as possible to avoid damage.

Oh, guess the riddle: standing there, the hive is buzzing. But there is no smoke coming out of the chimney, because this is not a native factory, but a computer on which the BIOS is damaged. And he hums because that’s all he can do now. Without the BIOS, it's just a bunch of lifeless hardware. Is this worth worrying about? Of course not. After all, now you have a great bedside table!

System unit as a bedside table? Well, no! We know how to make it work. Today we’ll talk about how to restore the BIOS if it crashes.

What causes the BIOS firmware to crash?

B IOS and its “descendant” UEFI, with which modern motherboards are flashed, are special computer programs necessary for initial setup and control PC devices until the operating system starts. They are stored in special flash memory chips on the motherboard, one of which is shown in the picture above. It seems like a good storage place, reliable, but sometimes the BIOS gets uncomfortable there and runs away. More precisely, it becomes damaged and ceases to perform its tasks.


There are not too many reasons for BIOS damage; in some cases they are obvious, in others they are not. Here is a list of the most common:

  • During this time, the computer's power supply was cut off.
  • The flasher program does not interact correctly with the firmware or flash memory chip.
  • A BIOS version has been flashed that is not suitable for this motherboard. Yes, .
  • If the update is carried out from a running operating system, there is a system failure or software interference, for example, blocking by an antivirus.
  • Incorrect user actions, for example, restarting the computer before the update installation is complete.
  • Failure of the flash memory chip.
  • Hidden BIOS firmware errors. Sometimes this explains spontaneous “rallies” that occur for no apparent reason.
  • Electrical problems with the motherboard.

How BIOS damage manifests itself

In most cases, the BIOS firmware is partially damaged, so the symptoms of the failure may vary:
  • When you press the PC power button, only the cooler is turned on, which immediately begins to rotate at maximum speed. Sometimes the LED indicators on the case and keyboard light up.
  • One or several seconds after switching on, a cyclic reboot begins. Outwardly, this is manifested by a cycle of spinning up and stopping the cooler, which is repeated as long as power is supplied.
  • When turned on, the power indicator lights up, the cooler does not spin.
  • The computer shows no signs of life. This happens when the boot block, the BIOS bootloader, is damaged. This is the most difficult case.

There is no image on the screen. Even the manufacturer's screensaver does not appear.


There are also other forms of damage to the BIOS, more precisely, to its area that stores the configuration of the ME controller (an integral part of the chipset) on boards working with Intel processors– the so-called ME region. If there is a problem in this area, the computer or laptop may:

  • It won't load correctly or won't turn on at all.
  • Shut down or restart at regular intervals.
  • It is incorrect to regulate the rotation speed of the cooler, for example, turning it at high speeds regardless of the load.

Eliminating such failures involves reading a BIOS dump, replacing the ME region with a clean one, and re-flashing it using a programmer. Since this is usually done by repairmen, and not by computer owners, we will not dwell on this. It’s better to do what can be done at home without special equipment and the risk of finally sending your “iron pet” to the kingdom of eternity.

Restoring the BIOS without a programmer is only possible if you save the boot loader. It is sometimes possible to determine whether it has been preserved or not by indirect signs: the flickering of the screen backlight, sound signals from the system speaker, the motherboard's reaction to turning on without RAM(by sound or blinking indicators), etc. If the BIOS bootloader is intact, the first moments of the computer’s operation are normal, but the failure appears a little later.

How to restore functionality to a motherboard with a crashed BIOS

Asus

Many Asus desktop motherboards support the technology USB Flashback, which is designed to quickly update and restore the BIOS in the event of a failure. This does not require anything other than a USB flash drive with a capacity of up to 4-16 GB and the BIOS file itself, which must be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website from the section about your mother model.

After downloading the firmware you need to rename it. For example, the file “Sabertooth X79” (model name) is renamed to “SABERX79.ROM”, the file “Sabertooth Z77” is renamed to “Z77ST.CAP”. Information on what the firmware file for your model should be named is most likely on the Asus website, but if you don’t find it, check on the forums or in support.

Next, save the renamed BIOS on a flash drive formatted in FAT32 and connect it to the USB port marked “ Flashback" or " ROG Connect" It is advisable to turn off the computer before this, this will increase the chance of successful recovery.


After connecting the flash drive, turn on the PC and press the “ BIOS" Hold it down for about 3 seconds until the indicator light on the board starts flashing. Blinking indicates that the file has been successfully read and is being flashed into memory. When the firmware process is completed, the indicator will turn off.

If your board is from the budget segment or is not very new, that is, it does not support USB Flashback, most likely you can restore it in another way. If your computer has a floppy drive or optical drive, write the renamed BIOS file to the root directory of a blank floppy disk or CD, place it in the drive, turn off and then turn on the PC. The firmware will be completed when the drive indicator goes off. If there is no drive, use a flash drive.

Gigabyte

On Gigabyte boards with Dual (double) BIOS, failures rarely occur, since in case of damage to the firmware in the main chip ( M ain_ BIOS) the dump is copied into it from the backup one ( B ackup_ BIOS). As long as the main flash memory is healthy and contains the firmware, even if damaged, the board remains operational.


Problems with starting a board with Dual_BIOS are possible in the following cases:

  • The main chip is missing or faulty.
  • The microcode in the main chip is completely erased.
  • The contents of both microcircuits are damaged.

Some Gigabyte motherboards can boot from backup flash memory and use it as the main one. Another group of boards from this manufacturer uses a dedicated area on the hard drive as BIOS backup media. This is a less reliable option, but still better than nothing.

Restoring the Gigabyte BIOS from a backup is usually performed automatically, but if this does not happen, try turning off the computer from the outlet, wait a little and turn it on again.

MSI and others

Most motherboards manufactured by Micro-Star use a firmware recovery technology very similar to ASUS’s - using a flash drive, floppy disk or CD. Copy the BIOS onto a blank medium, connect it to the PC, press the power button for 4 seconds, and hold down the combination on the keyboard leftCtrl +Home(or Alt+Ctrl +Home) and, without releasing the keys, turn on the computer. The start of the firmware process can be judged by the flashing of the flash drive or drive indicator.
BIOS on MSI board. On the right is the JSPI1 port for flashing firmware on the programmer

On motherboards from MSI and some other brands that are more than 8-10 years old, flashing the BIOS is done from a floppy disk. The instructions for AWARD and AMI BIOS are slightly different.

To restore the AMI BIOS, do the following:

  • Rename the BIOS file downloaded from the motherboard manufacturer's website to AMIBOOT.ROM.
  • Transfer it to the root of a blank floppy disk. Insert the floppy disk into the drive of the switched off PC.
  • Press left Ctrl + Home on your keyboard and turn on your computer.

To restore AWARD BIOS:

  • Place the firmware and BIOS files on a floppy disk (usually downloaded in one archive).
  • Create a text document on a floppy disk that specifies the name of the BIOS file with the bin extension. Rename the document to autoexec.bat.
  • Further actions are similar to those above.

By the way, some motherboard manufacturers post BIOSes on their websites only in exe format - in “one bottle” with a firmware program for updating from Windows. Sometimes such a file can be unpacked as an archive, but users often do not understand which of its contents is firmware. For such tasks universal solution No. In order not to aggravate the problem, it is better to consult specialized forums or the manufacturer’s technical support.


On some boards, before restoring the BIOS, you also need to remove the real-time clock (RTC) battery from the socket or reset (remove) the CMOS clear jumper. It is important to clarify these points before starting the procedure.

Features of BIOS recovery on laptops

On laptops, as well as on Gigabyte boards, the BIOS is also often stored in two flash memory chips. But this is not Dual and it does not have backups. Both chips contain different parts of the firmware, or one contains the main BIOS, and the other contains the multicontroller program. To prevent the device from turning on, it is enough to damage the microcode in at least one of them.


The method for restoring a crashed BIOS on laptops is approximately the same as on desktops. The firmware file and flashing program downloaded from the manufacturer’s website (the latter is not always needed) are placed on a clean flash drive formatted in FAT32/16, connected to a de-energized device (simply turning off the laptop is sometimes not enough, you need to disconnect the power supply and remove the battery), insert a charged place the battery in place, turn on the device and press the key combination. Different laptops use different keyboard shortcuts for this, for example:

  • Ctrl (left only or both) + Home
  • Windows + B (this and other letters are given in the Latin layout)
  • Windows + F
  • Windows+M
  • Windows + Esc
  • Fn+B
  • Fn+F
  • Fn+M
  • Fn+Esc.

The main job is to unpack and rename the BIOS files. Again, there is no single rule here. In most cases, you have to get the firmware from exe files, but! Many manufacturers include BIOSes for different revisions of one platform or a whole series of platforms, and choosing the only necessary file from them can be very difficult. To avoid mistakes, read the instructions for flashing the firmware of your particular model and platform revision on specialized forums. And don't be shy to ask questions.

In this article, I deliberately do not provide instructions for restoring BIOSes by flashing firmware on a programmer with or without soldering, closing various contacts, hot-swapping removable flash memory, etc., since all these methods are unsafe and require certain knowledge. However, among the readers, there are likely to be those who did something similar on their PC and received good results. It would be great if you describe your actions in detail in the comments to the article. Stories about negative experiences are also welcome so that other readers, thanks to you, can avoid mistakes. In the comments, be sure to include the model name and revision of your motherboard, as well as the BIOS version you worked with.

As is known, any computer equipment and software becomes outdated over time and ceases to meet current requirements. This equally applies to primary BIOS/UEFI systems, the software of which is integrated into a special chip on the motherboard. When installing new equipment (“hardware”), it may sometimes be necessary to flash the BIOS. This procedure will be performed on a laptop or a stationary computer terminal, it doesn’t matter. The technology is almost always the same. Some users, unfamiliar with the basics of such techniques, believe (and not without reason) that this process is unsafe and difficult. If you can agree with the first statement, then you can argue about the second. In fact, flashing the motherboard BIOS is not such a troublesome task. But to carry out this procedure correctly, you should pay attention special attention some important details and nuances, which depend on the motherboard manufacturer and the programs and techniques used for flashing.

Why do you need to flash the BIOS?

In general, if it is not planned, and the entire system is working stably, there is fundamentally no point in updating the BIOS version.

But when new equipment is installed on a computer, which the primary system may not support only because it is outdated (the device’s BIOS simply does not recognize it), flashing the BIOS becomes a pressing problem. Although many users find this process difficult, anyone who works with a computer can perform these steps on their own. It will take no more than 10 minutes.

Flashing the motherboard BIOS: prerequisites

First, pay attention to several mandatory conditions, failure to comply with which can lead to catastrophic consequences.

Download files and programs to update primary systems only from official resources of motherboard manufacturers. If you install unofficial firmware, no one can guarantee that the process will be successful and the system will work as expected.

The second thing to pay attention to is during the update. You need to take care in advance to ensure that there are no power surges or spontaneous disconnection of your computer or laptop from the power supply.

General rules for updating all firmware

Flashing the BIOS for almost all motherboard models involves using the same scheme:

  • creating a bootable drive (USB devices only);
  • firmware installation;

    • For standard BIOS systems, DOS mode is used in most cases. However, for some BIOS versions, as well as for more modern UEFI systems, it may apply special program for flashing the BIOS, created by the motherboard manufacturer, which is capable of running even in the environment operating systems Windows without necessarily creating bootable media.

    How to find out the modification of the motherboard and the current BIOS version?

    The very first thing you need to do is determine which model of motherboard is installed in computer system, and also find out the version of the primary BIOS system (it may be on at the moment is current and does not need updating).

    You can view information about the board and BIOS version in the section that is called from the Run console using the msinfo32 command.

    For the motherboard, you can also use specialized utilities like CPU-Z (formerly Everest). For a device identified in this way, you need to find the latest firmware on the manufacturer’s website and save the files on your hard drive.

    Preparing bootable media (general procedure)

    If you use bootable media, when an update from Windows is not provided, the first step is to create one. Regular recording of downloaded files will not work.

    To simplify the work, you can use the Rufus utility, which is very easy to learn and creates a bootable USB flash drive within a couple of minutes. There is practically no need to change anything in the parameters. Only in the file system should you specify FAT32, and in the recording method use MS-DOS mode, making sure to check the box next to the line for creating bootable media. If this is not done, then when you reboot the device will not be recognized as bootable. Then, to install the update, in some cases you will need to additionally copy the control program and the firmware file to the media.

    Next, the process of updating the BIOS will be discussed with examples for motherboards from several well-known manufacturers. Although in general they are very similar to each other, nevertheless, each of them has its own nuances. We assume that the priority is already set in the BIOS settings.

    ASUS

    Flashing the Asus BIOS can be done in several ways. Among the preferred utilities, two programs worth highlighting are AFUDOS and ASUSTeK EZ Flash 2.

    When using the first utility, you should create bootable media and make sure that it contains the afudos.exe program file and the firmware itself (for example, p4c800b.rom).

    Flashing the ASUS BIOS looks like this. Booting from a flash drive. Since the media was recorded for DOS mode, the initial line C:\> will appear on a black screen, in which you need to enter the command /i p4c800b.rom and press the enter key. Once the update is complete, a reboot will occur, during which you just need to remove the media from the USB port so that the system starts from the hard drive.

    Flashing the BIOS of an ASUS motherboard when using the second utility is somewhat different from the previous option.

    Despite the fact that most firmware on the official ASUS website have the .rom extension, CAB files can sometimes be found. There is nothing wrong with this, since they are used for UEFI systems.

    To flash the firmware, you should enter the UEFI settings when rebooting, go to the Advanced Mode (additional settings) and in the service (tools) section of the Tool, select the line ASUSTeK EZ Flash 2. Next, from the list again select the media with the program (line of the same name), after whereupon the required firmware file will be shown on the right. We select it and agree to the warning twice (first to check the file, then to start the firmware process).

    At the end of the process, a reboot notification will appear, and at the beginning of the restart you will be prompted to carry out the initial setup. Press F1 and set the required parameters. Otherwise, we simply exit the settings without saving the changes.

    Gigabyte

    Flashing the BIOS of Gigabyte systems is quite different from other processes. First of all, this is due to the fact that you can use online update to install the firmware. But first, let's look at using the Q-Flash utility, which is believed to be best suited for updating firmware.

    First, you should enter the BIOS settings and use the option to reset all Load Optimized default settings. After this, you need to save the changes, restart the computer and enter the BIOS settings again. Next, to launch the Q-Flash utility, press the F8 key, and the start is confirmed by pressing the Y and Enter keys. To begin with, it is recommended to save the current version using the Save Bios option, after which you need to use Update Bios. Next, you will be asked to indicate the source from which you want to update. You should select HDD 2.0 as the media (this is how the flash drive is displayed in the settings). Then everything is as usual: select the firmware file present on the media and agree with all the warnings.

    For an Internet update, you can use the @BIOS utility specially developed by Gigabyte specialists, which runs in the Windows environment. In this case, it is strongly recommended to disable Hyper-Threading mode in the settings of the primary system, as well as deactivate anti-virus and other resident applications to avoid errors or failures during the update process.

    After starting the program, you can immediately save the current BIOS version by clicking on the Save Current BIOS button, and then select the Internet Update online update mode, click Update New BIOS and specify one of the servers present in the list. After this, you will be asked to indicate the model of the installed motherboard, and the program will automatically download all necessary components and activates the update process.

    MSI

    Flashing the MSI BIOS, as in the case of ASUS, can be done either from Windows or from DOS. For DOS mode, a tool built into the BIOS called BIOS-MFLASH is used. But the MSI Live Update 5 or 6 application can also be used as an initial management utility. It is notable for the fact that it can also be used to update all installed MSI drivers, as well as reflash the BIOS of the corresponding graphics accelerators. Let's start with it.

    In the main window, you just need to check the required elements. Select the MB BIOS component and click the scan button at the bottom (Scan). If a new firmware version is detected, use the Download and Install button, after which the update process will start.

    First you will need to select an update environment. To simplify matters, check the In Windows mode item, in the next window click the button to close all programs that appear in the list (Close all listed programs), click the Continue button (Next) and in the next window click the start process button.

    For DOS mode, select it from the window of the running update process, then specify the media and agree to the destruction of all data present on it (the process will take no more than a minute, after which a message will be displayed indicating the successful creation of the boot drive). When rebooting, all you have to do is follow the instructions of a kind of “Master”.

    In case of updating using the built-in MFLASH mechanism, you will have to download the firmware manually, create bootable media and perform the same actions in the BIOS as described above (select the media and firmware file in the tools menu).

    Acer

    Flashing the BIOS of Acer systems is surprisingly much easier. You don't even need to create bootable media, although you will still have to format it in FAT32.

    To install the update, a special utility called Insyde Flash is used, which is copied to removable media. At the same time, you need to copy the firmware file downloaded from the official website, which has the extension .fd and corresponds not only to the motherboard, but also to the laptop model, to the main directory of the program on the flash drive. Please note that the device must contain only one firmware file, otherwise the application will prompt you to flash only one of several. After running the utility while the power is on, you will be prompted to install the update immediately.

    The second method is just as simple. First you need to completely turn off the laptop, unplug the cord from the outlet and wait until the power indicator stops blinking. Next, plug the cord into the outlet, insert the flash drive into the appropriate port, hold down the Fn and Esc keys and press the power button. As soon as the indicator starts flashing, release the pressed keys. After this, reading information from the drive will begin (this can be seen by the blinking LED on the device itself). Once the update process is complete, the laptop will reboot on its own.

    Video cards

    Since GeForce and Radeon are dominant in the video card market, flashing the BIOS will be considered using their example.

    At the initial stage, you need to download new firmware and control programs for your card on the manufacturer’s website. If the system has several video cards, you need to leave only one during the update, inserting it into the PCI-Express slot.

    For GeForce cards, the NVFlash program (from two files) is used, for Radeon - the ATIFlash utility (one file). Next, you need to create a bootable USB drive for DOS mode, and then copy program and firmware files to it.

    When starting from a flash drive, you should make sure that the card is single-processor, otherwise the proposed method will not work. For NVIDIA use the command nvflash --list, for ATI - atiflash -i. If information is displayed for two cards, then the adapter has two processors, and the proposed firmware method cannot be used (it is better to go to the manufacturer’s website and find instructions there).

    The next step is flashing the BIOS GeForce video cards involves disabling protection. This is done with the line nvflash -protectoff.

    Next, to start the BIOS update process for GeForce cards, use the command nvflash -4 -5 -6 newbios.rom (the name of the ROM file must match the name of the downloaded firmware), for Radeon cards - atiflash -p -f 0 newbios.rom. After this, we wait for the process to complete and reboot the system in normal mode.

    Brief summary

    That's all for flashing the primary I/O systems. Based on the foregoing, we can conclude that the best option is to install the update exclusively in DOS mode, although special utilities can be used to simplify the work. But they only work if there are UEFI systems, and are not suitable for standard BIOS versions. You need to be extremely careful with video cards, because incorrect installation update or the slightest violations during the flashing process can lead to the graphics adapter failing.

    Updating the BIOS often brings both new features and new problems - for example, after installing the latest firmware revision on some boards, it is no longer possible to install certain operating systems. Many users would like to return to the previous version of the motherboard software, and today we will talk about ways to accomplish this action.

    Before starting our review of rollback methods, we consider it necessary to mention that not all motherboards support this feature, especially from the budget segment. Therefore, we recommend that users carefully study the documentation and features of their boards before starting any manipulations with it.

    Roughly speaking, there are only two methods for rolling back BIOS firmware: software and hardware. The latter is universal, as it is suitable for almost all existing motherboards. Software methods sometimes differ for boards from different vendors (sometimes even within the same model range), so it makes sense to consider them separately for each manufacturer.

    Pay attention! You perform all the actions described below at your own peril and risk; we are not responsible for violations of the warranty or any problems that arise during or after performing the described procedures!

    Option 1: ASUS

    Motherboards manufactured by ASUS have a built-in USB Flashback function, which allows you to roll back to the previous BIOS version. We will take advantage of this opportunity.


    Remove the flash drive with the firmware image from the port and turn on the computer. If you did everything correctly, there should be no problems.

    Option 2: Gigabyte

    Modern boards from this manufacturer have two BIOS schemes, main and backup. This greatly simplifies the rollback process, since the new BIOS is only flashed into the main chip. The procedure looks like this:

    1. Turn off your computer completely. With the power connected, press the machine's start button and hold it, without releasing it, until the PC completely turns off - this can be determined by the noise of the coolers stopping.
    2. Press the power button once and wait until the BIOS recovery procedure begins on the computer.

    If the BIOS rollback does not appear, you will have to use the hardware recovery option described below.

    Option 3: MSI

    The procedure is generally similar to ASUS, and in some ways even simpler. Proceed as follows:

    1. Prepare the firmware files and flash drive according to steps 1-2 of the first version of the instructions.
    2. The MSI does not have a dedicated connector for BIOS firmware, so use any suitable one. After installing the flash drive, hold down the power key for 4 seconds, then use the combination Ctrl+Home, after which the indicator should light up. If this does not happen, try the combination Alt+Ctrl+Home.
    3. After turning on the computer, the installation process of the firmware version recorded on the flash drive should begin.

    Option 4: HP Notebooks

    Hewlett-Packard uses a dedicated partition for BIOS rollback on its laptops, thanks to which you can easily return to the factory firmware of the motherboard.


    Option 5: Hardware rollback

    For motherboards whose firmware cannot be rolled back using software, you can use hardware. To do this, you will need to unsolder the flash memory chip with the BIOS written on it and flash it with a special programmer. The instructions further assume that you have already purchased the programmer and installed the software necessary for its operation, and also removed the flash drive.

    1. Insert the BIOS chip into the programmer according to the instructions.

      Be careful, otherwise you risk damaging it!

    2. First of all, try reading the existing firmware - this should be done in case something goes wrong. Wait until a backup copy of the existing firmware is made and save it to your computer.

    3. Next, load the BIOS image you want to install into the programmer management utility.


      Some utilities have the ability to check the checksum of the image - we recommend using it..

    4. After downloading the ROM file, click the burn button to start the procedure.

    5. Wait until the operation is completed.

      Do not under any circumstances disconnect the programmer from the computer or remove the microcircuit from the device until you receive a message that the firmware has been successfully written!

    Conclusion

    Rolling back to a previous BIOS version may be necessary for various reasons, and in most cases it can be done at home. In the worst case scenario, you can contact a computer service, where the BIOS can be flashed using the hardware method.

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