The BIOS ( B asic I nput / O utput S ystem) is a small memory on the motherboard, the data define the parameters of the system. They may nevertheless contain errors (bugs). In addition, with the advent of new hardware BIOS manufacturers may decide to update their BIOS.
However, this is not so simple as it seems, because as you may know the BIOS is a memory that persists when you turn off the PC (it would be very unpleasant effect need to configure the BIOS each time you start the computer ...). Thus, the BIOS has evolved in recent years to be updated. On the first PC were the BIOS ROMs soldered to the motherboard;, so you can not change them. However, some manufacturers offered software patches (called patches ) that were stored on the hard disk and loaded into memory (RAM) to correct any bugs. However, they could not act until after the boot the PC. builders BIOS then sold insertable BIOS supports, which can be changed materially, but the price was very high at the time. Then came the advent of Electronically programmable memories , that is to say, a memory that can be modified by a machine sending electrical pulses provided by connectors therefor. This type of controller chip was rare, however, so that the operation was still relatively expensive for the user. Most motherboards include flash memory , which can be modified by software. BIOS located on motherboards with this type of memory can be updated (the term "upgrade" is sometimes used, Frenchified word from the English verb " to upgrade ", which means update ) through a program called firmware provided by the manufacturer, to enable the replacement of the old BIOS with a newer BIOS. However, the problem is the updates to the BIOS (problem now solved thanks to the Internet) to obtain. These updates are available as a binary file containing a BIOS image, which will be transferred to the flash memory through firmware. Flashing the BIOS is a BIOS update by software , it is ie replacement of the old version of BIOS through a program.
Reasons to flash the BIOS?
Before flashing the BIOS, it is essential to consider the interest of the flash. Indeed, the flash can update the BIOS for various reasons (bug fixes, new features, support for new hardware), but the changes made are not necessarily directly affect all users. Moreover, it is not excluded that the new BIOS provides itself new bugs ... For example, improvements that can bring flash (usually described in a file accompanying the new BIOS) Worth the pain of the risks of flashing the BIOS (as small as they are)? If your system is working properly and you want to flash your BIOS "to see", that is to say, waiting for hypothetical improvements, better is to abstain. There is a simple rule:
Any system functioning should be updated
for reasons known.
Under what conditions should we flash the BIOS?
Flashing the BIOS determines that the material is flashed, that is to say, it changes the way to behave with such hardware BIOS (it can be either the motherboard as a video card, SCSI card, ...), so be very careful. Operations to follow:
- read the documentation supplied with the BIOS and firmware, as well as that of your equipment. Some materials require the establishment of a jumper (jumper) to allow flashing. Indeed, since the BIOS can be changed by software, it can also be done by viruses (Example: Chernobyl virus). The jumper allows you to enable or disable the protection against writing in hardware (not so for the virus to act ...)
- ensure that the BIOS you have recovered and you will transfer corresponds to the material you want to edit. Otherwise, it could be (although the firmware (software provided with the BIOS handles the transfer) usually achieves a verification test) you transfer data that does not match your hardware, which would have the same the effect of changing your microwave for it to read video tapes ...
- check the integrity of the BIOS and firmware (if there were errors while downloading the file may be corrupt, in which case it is advisable to start the download)
- perform the BIOS flash in a stable environment, that is to say, under MS-DOS (native and not a DOS or vulgar "restart in MS-DOS window.) It is therefore necessary to restart computer with a DOS system disk, this is the safest way a disk usually accompanies "flashable" materials;. allows it to boot in DOS stable, suitable flashing Furthermore it contains the most. time a program to back up the current BIOS to restore it if a problem
- take care that no program is resident in memory. And must pass a recent virus on his machine (system disk and hard disk) before the upgrade BIOS
- Finally, it should work in a stable power environment, that is to say, minimize the risk of blackouts during the transfer operation (storm, unsafe electrical outlet, frequent cuts EDF, ...)
Photo Credits: spaztacular
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