We had a previous post on how to find the BIOS version of a computer using several methods. In this article we will go a little deeper on this topic. The software that I found very handy for this task is BIOS Agent which is a small 328KB executable. Just click the Get BIOS Info on the lower part of the window to start the detection of BIOS info.
On my Dell Precision M20, the output of this software is below:
From here we can see the BIOS type and date which says Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1 and with a date of 10/02/05. From here we can see that the BIOS version is already 3 years old. Do we need to upgrade? We can see if we need to by looking at the Dell website for this model: http://support.us.dell.com
I see that the available version on Dell’s support website is A06 which is the same as the one on my laptop, so I it looks like I don’t need to update it:
The process is identical for the other PC vendors. All you need to do is identify the current version on your computer and then going to the vendor’s website to see if they have a newer version.
You will only need to update your BIOS software if the version from the manufacturer is newer than the one installed in yours. In most cases you don’t need a BIOS upgrade. Also, according to, BIOS manufacturer,Phoenix Technologies:
“The only reason to get a BIOS upgrade is to add support for a new form of hardware you are adding to your system (such as a new CPU, or larger hard disk) that is not supported by your current BIOS. Most operating systems do not use the BIOS once the operating system is up and running, so you should not upgrade the BIOS in an attempt to fix a software bug unless the system/motherboard manufacturer has identified the BIOS as the cause of the problem.”
If in case you need to upgrade your BIOS, the installation is straightforward like an ordinary software. The important thing is to make sure that the power to your computer will not die during the upgrade process because a power failure could cause data corruption to your BIOS. It is advisable to have an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) to your computer during this process. You will not be able to turn on your motherboard if this BIOS corruption happens. In some older (i.e. a decade year old computer) systems, upgrading a BIOS means physically replacing a BIOS chip on the motherboard while newer systems just require an installer.
Note: For really old systems wherein you will need to upgrade a physical BIOS, this article fromwww.hardwaresecrets.com is an excellent resource:Make sure that you have grounded your hands when handling a new BIOS chip or any electronic parts. Electro-static discharge (ESD) could easily fry them. If you are new to ESD, please read this article fromwww.esda.org:
Make sure to read the details of the BIOS upgrade. In some cases you will need to install an OS service pack to make it compatible with your computer. This might trigger a chain reaction in your installed programs or drivers so make sure to assess the requirements of the BIOS upgrade before you install.
In my next article I will talk about tips on how to replace and bypass BIOS passwords.
Ben Carigtan writes about computers, websites, technology and how to get the best out of them.
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