How to Identify a BIOS Chip
In the event of your BIOS (Basic Input and Output System) failing, you need to either reprogram it or obtain a new chip from the motherboard manufacturer. You need to know your BIOS specifications before you can order or reprogram it. There are currently two types of BIOS distributions including AWARD or AMI.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Open your computer case and locate the BIOS chip on your motherboard. It is a black chip with 32-pin DIP (Dual In-line Package) or 28-pin PLCC (Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier). The commonly used chip is the 32-pin DIP type, so first search for this type. The black rectangular silicon chip has a row of 16 pins along each of the longer sides of the chip. The PLCC chips are a smaller square chip that resides in a plastic socket on the motherboard.
-
2
Find the sticker on top of the BIOS chip that has been put on by the manufacturer, specifying the BIOS distribution. The sticker should either show AWARD or AMI. You can easily differentiate the BIOS chip from the other components due to its silver sticker.
-
-
3
Peel back and remove the sticker from the chip. View the numbers on the chip. The "CORE" part number is the main number utilized to differentiate the chip. The number may have prefixes and suffixes which represent chip information, but the core number is what you need to recognize the chip. For instance, in MACRONIX28F1000PC, the core part number is 28F1000, which is 28F SERIES. The core part number identifies a device and works as the industry standard description.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit bios chip image by Nikolay Okhitin from Fotolia.com
