How to Update Computer BIOS
The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) is the most rudimentary program on your computer. If the BIOS is damaged or corrupted, your computer can't even start. Updating the BIOS is necessary when a newer revision adds additional features or performance upgrades to your system. Although updating the BIOS is often seen as a complex endeavor, it essentially amounts to no more than a few simple steps.
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Instructions
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Locate your motherboard's make and model. This information is available in your computer instruction manual (usually toward the back) or through your computer manufacturer. Write down the make and model carefully, as BIOS files are specific to individual motherboard models, and upgrading to an incorrect BIOS file can make your computer unbootable.
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2
Go to the website of your motherboard manufacturer to download both the latest BIOS revision and the BIOS Flash Utility. These files are available on the downloads page on the website. Search for the files associated with your motherboard's model. The BIOS revision is the updated BIOS file that will write to your computer, and the BIOS Flash Utility is the program that performs the overwriting operation. After downloading both files, save them to a 3.5-inch floppy disk.
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3
Create a boot disk out of a second 3.5-inch floppy disk. Insert the disk into the drive, go to the "Start" menu, and select "Run." Type in "format a:" in the text box, and select the option to create an MS-DOS boot disk. This is necessary because you can't update your BIOS from within Windows.
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Insert the boot disk, and restart your computer. Your computer boots up to a blank screen containing only an "A:\" prompt as opposed to booting into Windows.
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Remove the boot disk, and insert the disk containing the BIOS files. Type in the full name of the BIOS Flash Utility, followed by a single space, followed by the name of the updated BIOS (for example, "a:\biosflash.exe newbios.bin"), and then press on the "Enter" key on your keyboard to begin the updating process.
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