BIOS updates

[rpg.314]

My laptop manufacturer just issued a new bios update. Normally, I wouldn't bother, but it seems installing that update will fix certain issues with ubuntu. Since I haven't done BIOS updates before, I would like to know any do's or dont's about these things.

This is my only machine at the moment, so keeping it in working condition is paramount for me. Besides, I don't want to brick my warranty either.

I went to to the exact page for my exact model and so far on paper things seem ok (ie, got the right version). Which version is preferable for flashing BIOS, dos or win? I have win7 x64.

 

[Bludd]

If the laptop manufacturer supports flashing in Windows, I would go for that, and most should support this now. It is not an experimental feature any more, it works. The only time I had a problem with flashing in Windows was because MSI had shitty flash software that didn't flash correctly unless you enabled some settings in the program. Flashing on ASUS boards is painless, both in Windows and using EZ-Flash which is built into the BIOS. I have updated Dell, ASUS, Acer and Toshiba laptops and the BIOS update packages flashed inside Windows.

General advise: get the exact version for your motherboard/laptop. Read the documentation if you aren't familiar with the procedure. Don't make it so that the machine loses power during a flash. Don't forget to note down the current BIOS settings before you update. Some updates don't delete user data, but some do; better be safe than sorry.

Usually updating BIOS for laptops is painless because the BIOSes for laptops aren't super-configurable.

 

[Blazkowicz]

I've the old habit of only trusting the DOS version, but it's simple actually, you now can make USB drive DOS bootables by using HP Storage Tool or another method, then once booted (only need IO.SYS, MSDOS.SYS and COMMAND.COM) it's usually a matter of typing a single line such as "awdflash biosfile.bin"

the flashing tool can also be used to do a BIOS dump, which you may want to do on a laptop (that should be useless)
DOS allows flashing of video BIOS, hard drive or dvd drive firmware, etc. as well as any mainboard
you don't need it indeed. I always use it as it's the method that is always available regardless of the hardware and age.

 

[Bludd]

I've the old habit of only trusting the DOS version, but it's simple actually, you now can make USB drive DOS bootables by using HP Storage Tool or another method, then once booted (only need IO.SYS, MSDOS.SYS and COMMAND.COM) it's usually a matter of typing a single line such as "awdflash biosfile.bin"

I would only do that if the manufacturer lists that as an option or if it's the only way. If it is an option, however, I would only use it as a last resort. In the last 5 years or so I have only flashed inside Windows, be it BIOS, ODD firmware etc. The only time in recent memory I HAD to use DOS was when I flashed the firmware of my SAS controller.

 

[Blazkowicz]

sometimes I don't have access to windows

 

[rpg.314]

If the laptop manufacturer supports flashing in Windows, I would go for that, and most should support this now. It is not an experimental feature any more, it works. The only time I had a problem with flashing in Windows was because MSI had shitty flash software that didn't flash correctly unless you enabled some settings in the program. Flashing on ASUS boards is painless, both in Windows and using EZ-Flash which is built into the BIOS. I have updated Dell, ASUS, Acer and Toshiba laptops and the BIOS update packages flashed inside Windows.

General advise: get the exact version for your motherboard/laptop. Read the documentation if you aren't familiar with the procedure. Don't make it so that the machine loses power during a flash. Don't forget to note down the current BIOS settings before you update. Some updates don't delete user data, but some do; better be safe than sorry.

Usually updating BIOS for laptops is painless because the BIOSes for laptops aren't super-configurable.

Mine is an acer laptop. The download had a dos and a win executable, and a readme. Does that mean flashing in win is supported? The readme just says click on the win exe file. Also, do these executables have a gui, or do they just start flashing?

Is there a way to verify if your bios update matches your motherboard? Apart from downloading the right one from the website?

 

[Bludd]

As far as I can remember when updating the BIOS on an Acer, I just downloaded the package from the appropriate page at Acer's support site and just ran the Windows version. I don't remember what it did while it updated.

For example ASUS' Liveupdate software lists information about the current BIOS and the loaded BIOS image file. If the Acer util does that, you should compare them and see if they match except for version and date and stuff like that.

I also don't remember if Acer state that updating BIOS voids warranty, but I would bet it doesn't.

 

[rpg.314]

Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[hoom]

Win flashers have been good for me even back in the late '90s/early 2000s.

Only time to avoid Win flasher would probably be if your PC is unstable in Windows.

 

[Davros]

back when i got my asus board there was a warning on the forum not to use the win flasher (good job i read the board before flashing - little tip)