In: Categories » Computers and technology » Windows XP » Updating the BIOS under Windows XP
As you know (or if you don’t, go back and read article 8), your computer’s BIOS contains instructions that the computer uses to interact with devices such as video cards, as well as the commands necessary to start Windows. When a new version of Windows appears, or when new devices or new pro- cessors become available, the BIOS manufacturer may update the BIOS in order to allow it to recognize and support the newer hardware or software. For example, if Intel or AMD adds features to new CPU chips, or if a new and better standard for video controllers or network interfaces appears, the computer won’t know how to handle those new features unless you update the BIOS software. The “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” rule applies here. Don’t update your BIOS just because you discover that there’s a new release out there on a website. If your com- puter is working well, you will add absolutely nothing to its performance by changing the BIOS. But if the computer fails to start after you install a new version of Windows, or if it won’t recognize a new piece of hardware, updating the BIOS can often solve the problem.
Use the Right BIOS Every motherboard uses a specific BIOS, so you must find exactly the right update for the motherboard inside your computer. To identify your mother- board, look in the manual supplied with the computer, call or e-mail the computer manufacturer and ask, or open the case and look for a make and model on the surface of the board. Information about the make and model of many motherboards is also embedded in the BIOS firmware. Several diagnostic programs can read and display that information, along with many other details about the computer’s hardware, memory, and performance. For example, Dr. Hardware (available from www.dr-hardware.com) produces a display. Once you know which motherboard you’re using, go to either the com- puter or motherboard manufacturer’s website and look in the Support section for the latest BIOS updates. If it offers a separate BIOS installer, download it along with the BIOS itself. The more enlightened motherboard makers tell you what improvements they have added in each BIOS update. For example, the BIOS update section of the website for an Abit motherboard that lists the changes in each release. If you can find the specific problem you want to solve in the list of changes, you can be reasonably certain that updating the BIOS will solve your problem.
Follow the Instructions Follow the installation instructions supplied with the BIOS update exactly as written. If you don’t load the new BIOS correctly, you could disable the original BIOS and your computer. Without a BIOS, your computer won’t run which will make it most useful as a doorstop or a boat anchor, but not at all useful as a working computer. If you have trouble during a BIOS installation, contact your computer or motherboard manufacturer’s support center for help. They should be able to either talk you through the repair procedure or send you a new BIOS chip to physically replace the one in your computer.
NOTE: Remember that replacing the BIOS is a form of major surgery; don’t tr y it unless there’s no other way to solve a problem. But if you do it correctly, an update can solve a lot of problems.
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