How to Flash the BIOS in DOS
Flashing a computer motherboard's BIOS, Basic Input/Output System, is a common computing task. Upgrading the BIOS allows for newer hardware support and corrects many types of hardware failures previously present. While most motherboard manufacturers use Windows executable files, there are many users who prefer to install these updates in a DOS, Disk Operating System, environment to avoid potential upgrade failures.
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Things You'll Need
- 1.44 MB floppy disc
- 1.44 MB floppy drive
- Manufacturer's Updated BIOS image
Instructions
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1
Insert the floppy disc into the floppy drive.
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2
Double left click the BIOS image file. This launches an image creation program that installs an ISO disc image onto your floppy disc.
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3
Copy any additional files from the manufacturer onto the disc. Some upgrades require that the image be created empty and the BIOS update copied manually to the floppy disc.
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4
Restart the computer with the floppy disc inserted in the floppy drive. Upon restarting, the boot disc will automatically run and launch the BIOS update procedure. You may be required to accept an end user license agreement and confirm you wish to update the BIOS.
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Tips & Warnings
Check the current version of the BIOS by typing msinfo32 into the "Search" or "Run" box at the bottom of the "Start" menu. The BIOS information appears in the list on the right when "System Summary" is selected on the left.
The floppy drive must be set first in the computer BIOS boot order to prevent the computer from simply booting into the operating system.
Create a backup of all important files and the current BIOS before running the BIOS update.
Review the Readme file for the BIOS update to make sure the computer has all the relevant updates and patches required by the BIOS update to run correctly.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit floppy discs image by Richard Seeney from Fotolia.com
