Gigabyte bios q flash update. Firmware BIOS GIGABYTE

Despite the fact that the interface and functionality of the BIOS have not undergone major changes since its first release (80s), in certain cases it is recommended to update it. Depending on the motherboard, the process may occur differently.

To update correctly, you will have to download the version that is relevant specifically for your computer. It is recommended to download the current BIOS version just in case. To update using the standard method, you do not need to download any programs or utilities, since everything you need is already built into the system.

You can also update the BIOS through the operating system, but this is not always safe and reliable, so do it at your own peril and risk.

Stage 1: Preparatory

Now you will need to find out basic information about the current BIOS version and mother card. The latter will be needed to download the latest build from the BIOS developer from their official website. All the data of interest can be seen using standard Windows tools or programs from third-party developers that are not integrated into the OS. The latter may benefit in terms of a more user-friendly interface.

To quickly find the necessary data, you can use a utility such as . Its functionality will be quite sufficient for this; the program also has a simple Russified interface. However, it is paid and after the demo period ends, you will not be able to use it without activation. Use these guidelines to view information:

If you decide to download the update files yourself, and not via a link from AID, then use this small guide to download a correctly working version:

If you decide to install using the standard method, then you will need external media, such as a flash drive or CD/DVD. It needs to be formatted to FAT32, after which you can transfer files from the BIOS archive there. When moving files, be sure to pay attention to the fact that among them there are elements with extensions such as ROM and BIO.

Stage 2: Flashing

After completing the preparatory work, you can proceed directly to updating the BIOS. To do this, it is not necessary to remove the flash drive, so proceed to the following step-by-step instructions immediately after the files are transferred to the media:

Sometimes the DOS command prompt opens. In this case, you will need to enter the following command there:

IFLASH/PF _____.BIO

Where the underscores are located, you need to indicate the name of the file with the new version, which has the BIO extension. Example:

Method 2: Update from Windows

Gigabyte motherboards have the ability to update using third-party software from the Windows interface. To do this, you need to download a special @BIOS utility and (preferably) an archive with the current version. Then you can proceed to the step-by-step instructions:

It is advisable to reinstall and update the BIOS exclusively through the DOS interface and built-in utilities in the BIOS itself. When you do this procedure through the operating system, you run the risk of disrupting the performance of your computer in the future if suddenly some bug occurs in the system during an update.

If you have reached this topic, there is most likely something wrong with your computer. Updating (also called "firmware") the BIOS can help solve some problems, such as incorrect operation of peripheral devices or lack of support for modern processors. But don’t rush to change things; let’s first study the theoretical part.

How to update BIOS Gigabyte

The first and most important thing you need to know is that the BIOS update operation must be treated with extreme caution. If you turn off the computer's power during the update process, there is a high chance that the motherboard will fail. If your PC is working properly, then you should not chase the latest updates so as not to sacrifice performance.

Have you decided? Then go ahead! If possible, connect your PC to an uninterruptible power supply, and fully charge the battery on your laptop.

There are two main ways to update Gigabyte BIOS:

Method 1: Q-Flash

Q-Flash is a utility from the manufacturer Gigabyte built into the BIOS. “Firmware” with its help is a simple and understandable process, and the update can be carried out by an ordinary user who does not have deep knowledge of computer technology. If you have an older BIOS version that does not have Q-Flash, proceed to method No. 2.

We will analyze the update using the example of the Gigabyte GA-H110M-S2H motherboard:

1. 1. Go to Gigabyte official website.
   2. Click on the magnifying glass (search button) in the upper right corner of the screen.

1. 1. Enter the equipment model (in our case GA-H110M-S2H) and select a model from the drop-down list.

1. 1. Click on the link "Advantages", then click on "Support".

1. 1. Click on the button "BIOS", select the latest version and click on the download icon.

1. 1. Unpack the downloaded archive, from it you only need one firmware file, in this case it is "H110MS2H.F21".

1. 1. Copy this file to a flash drive, first save it in FAT32.

It is advisable that the flash drive only contains the firmware file!

1. 1. Restart the computer, after starting press the key "END" until the Q-Flash utility loads.
   2. Select an item "Update BIOS from Drive" and press "ENTER".

1. From the drop-down list, select a flash drive, most likely its name will be “HDD 1-0” (depending on the number of media connected to your computer) and click "ENTER".
2. Select the file with the firmware (if you listened to our advice in step 7, then there is only one and you won’t have to look for it) and click twice "ENTER".
3. Wait until the update process completes and a completion message appears.
4. Press any key and you will be taken to the initial menu. Next click "ESC" And "ENTER", after which the computer will reboot.

Method 2: @BIOS Utility

@BIOS Utility is a utility for Windows OS that can update the BIOS directly from the system. In order to use the @BIOS utility, you must first download and install the .Net Framework version 4.5 or higher and APP Center (an application from Gigabyte for making the most of the motherboard's capabilities).

1. 1. Follow the first four steps from method No. 1.
   2. Click on the button "Utilities", and then to the loading icon in the line with the phrase "APP Center".

1. 1. Unpack and install APP Center.
   2. Find the phrase in the table "@BIOS" and click on the download icon.

1. 1. Unpack and install @BIOS Utility.
   2. Launch the utility.
   3. Click on the button with the text "Update BIOS from GIGABYTE Server". The firmware file will be automatically downloaded and the program will update the BIOS.

When downloading the firmware, stable power supply to the computer and Internet connection must be provided!

1. You can also use the firmware file downloaded manually in method No. 1, to do this, click "Update BIOS from File" and select the file.
2. Wait for the update to complete and restart your computer.

In this article, we looked at two ways to update the Gigabyte BIOS. It turns out that there is nothing complicated about “reflashing”. The main thing to remember is that you must not allow a power outage or internet connection (if the second method is used).

Peripherals, cases, graphics accelerators and other products)

TodayGigabyteis the largest manufacturer of motherboards. The corporation's market share is 38% (according to 2017 data). Mainly boards are produced for processors fromIntel(75%), the rest are used in computers with processors fromAMD (25%).

Contents:

Why update?BIOS?

BIOS is the main system menu of the computer. Translated, the abbreviation stands for “basic input-output system.”

Using BIOS, you can control your computer even if it does not have an operating system installed.

You can also view or change settings for hardware components.

BIOS is the built-in program of the motherboard, so this menu is available on all computers and laptops with processorsIntelAndAMD.

The system menu needs to be updated at least once every few months, as the developer regularly makes adjustments and new features.

This allows increase productivity computer without harming the board , eliminates possible bugs or errors.

Also, it is always easier to work with an updated BIOS version.

The old version's system menu is difficult to use for regular users.

New versions are much easier to interact with, and some firmware even support mouse control.

The following data is updated in the menu:

• Built-in drivers for interaction of connected components;
• Menu interface. The arrangement of tabs, design and appearance of the main menu may change from version to version;
• New features may be added;
• Improvement of the security system;
• Updating local networks;
• Other firmware.

New ones are usually indicated by the manufacturer next to each firmware version:

It is necessary to update the BIOS if you have recently noticed low problems that have begun to appear system errors or the PC turns off spontaneously.

Also, if you purchased a more powerful processor and the installed motherboard is compatible with it (the sockets are the same), for normal interaction of the components you will only need to update the BIOS.

Please note that most updates do not bring major changes. If you regularly install new system menu firmware, your computer will always work stably and you will not encounter problems with the board.

Preparing your computer

Installing a BIOS update is a fairly simple process that even a novice user can handle.

At the same time, it is necessary to be aware of all warnings and recommendations, since in any case there is a danger of disrupting the functioning of the system.

If you do everything according to the instructions, no problems will arise.

Remember:

• You can download BIOS updates only from the manufacturer’s official website gigabyte . com . Otherwise, you can damage the system with a virus or erroneous code, and only a specialist can do it. Also, the board often comes with a disk with a program that automatically searches for the latest updates;
• It is not recommended to install beta or trial versions of the firmware;
• The firmware version must match your motherboard version. Failure to match these parameters will result in a fatal installation error;

A difference in at least one character between the model and firmware is unacceptable. The only exception is in cases where developers fromGigabyteare releasing a general update for the boards. For example, your PC uses a motherboard modelGA- B73- D3 A, and the update is suitable for devices in the seriesGA- B73- XXX. In this case, the update can be installed.

• Never download assemblies modified by other users , even if these installers contain new features or a changed interface;
• During the installation of the update, make sure that the laptop is connected to the power supply. . Loss of power source and computer shutdown may result in installation failure;
• Before installing updates, you need to clean your PC hard drive from temporary files and other “garbage” . The drive must have sufficient free space (at least 1 GB). Also on disk. If they are, defragment them.

Working with disk

1. To clean your hard drive, go to the window "This computer" and right-click on the drive icon.

2. Select "Properties" from the drop-down list:

3. In the new window, click on “Disk Cleanup”:

4. Wait for the window with the list of parameters to be deleted to load.

Check the box for various temporary files, error data, reports, thumbnails, cache, trash contents. Click OK to complete the action. Removal may take a long time.

To carry out defragmentation (redistribution of sectors and the logical structure of the disk as a whole), go to the “Tools” tab of the “Disk Properties” window.

First, run a utility to check your disk for errors, and then run defragmentation.

All tasks will be completed automatically.

After working with the hard drive, restart your computer and proceed to update the BIOS.

View versionBIOS

Before downloading the firmware, you should find out what version of BIOS is installed on your computer.

You can do this as follows:

• Look in the instructions for the motherboard;
• If the documentation indicates only the general series of the board family, and not the exact model, or you do not have documentation, download and install the Everest utility;
• Launch the application and open the tab on the left side of the window "Motherboard" or "Motherboard";
• On the right side of the window, detailed information about the board will be indicated, in particular the version of the installed BIOS.

Step 3. The site menu is displayed at the top of the window. Go to the tab "Support". In the new window, click on the field "Select Product Category". Select from the list "Motherboard":

Step 4. In the new window, enter the socket number, chipset or board model. You can view this information in the Everest utility. Next, click on the search key and wait for a list of results with available updates to appear.

Step 5. A tab will open with detailed information about your motherboard. Open the “BIOS” item as shown in the figure below. A table with the latest updates will appear:

The table displays the update version, the size of the installation file and the date the file was added to the site. Make sure you are not installing older firmware. In the tab "Description" a description of the changes is provided. To download the update, click on the name of your region of residence in the window "Download".

BIOS is an abbreviation familiar to everyone, the meaning of which is not familiar even to many sophisticated and experienced users of personal computers. Most of them associate it with a gray-blue interface in the style of MS DOS or Windows 3.1, but many may not tell you about its functionality. Most of the average user's knowledge, at best, is limited to the fact that BIOS is the computer's system settings or something like that, because it is quite difficult to give an exact answer. This complexity is quite justified - a personal computer is not easy for the average person to understand when it comes to fast and productive work in any industry, and understanding the basic mechanisms of its functioning and, moreover, each of its components seems almost impossible - in practice, this knowledge borders on erudition and are not useful in most situations.

So, BIOS is an input/output system that stands between hardware and software (together with the user) and allows you to use computer resources for their intended purpose. It has a permanent memory module, which contains a number of data about the equipment configuration, including time - all owners of old computers have encountered replacing the battery and could hear that it powers this particular component. An important feature of the BIOS is that the capabilities of other equipment located on the motherboard directly depend on its capabilities.

But for most PC users, all these technical issues are unimportant, but there is a practical need for those actions that they may also encounter. These include, for example, replacing an outdated processor with a newer and more productive model: support by the motherboard at the software level directly depends on whether the BIOS is “friendly” with it. Compatibility may not be added immediately: if the processor slot (Socket) can no longer be changed, then it is possible to create the necessary conditions for the functioning of a suitable hardware model, and the majority of motherboard creators take care of ensuring compatibility.

Why flash the BIOS?

As it became clear from the above, the BIOS ensures the joint operation of all components located on the motherboard. We are particularly interested in the processor and RAM: their capabilities are developing at the fastest pace and require the release of motherboard models at the appropriate speed. But this practice is not very profitable and the creators decided to leave a reserve for the future, leaving the user the opportunity, within certain limits, to improve the compatibility of the motherboard with hardware independently. This was the reason for the emergence of the BIOS firmware procedure on personal computers, which allows you to get rid of many problems with it.

It is worth noting that the procedure is quite dangerous compared to other actions with a PC: if the light is turned off at the time of overwriting (rarely, but it happens), everything will not be restored in any way and the motherboard can be put somewhere far away or simply thrown away. But in frequent cases, such a procedure is still necessary, it brings support not only for new components, but also tools for working with new equipment - older models of motherboards that do not support flashing via USB devices received this opportunity thanks to the compatibility package included in the firmware for such equipment. The computer's flexibility in capabilities is invaluable, and in cases where firmware is still necessary, do not be intimidated by the high complexity of this process - if all procedures are performed correctly, the risk of harming the computer is minimal, and the process can often take only a few minutes, but this is worth talking about in more detail.

Often the manufacturer himself may recommend reflashing - this may be due to a number of shortcomings that were not noticed and/or eliminated during the production phase. For many PC owners who have one of the new series of motherboards, this practice is not something unfamiliar - for objective reasons this happens very often.

Which motherboards require flashing their BIOS?

An important feature of this whole story is the fact that there are still only three companies in the world that produce the software part of any I/O system. It will become intuitively clear to many that this increases the chances of each individual model for flashing, and in fact this is how it turns out: no matter what the manufacturer of your motherboard, with a high degree of probability (which tends to a hundred percent) this procedure is possible for you. But it is worth adding that the same company is engaged in supplying updates and it is not in its commercial interests to invest heavily in improving the performance and capabilities of old models - then there is simply no need to buy new ones.

The theoretical possibility of replacing the firmware is included in any BIOS - at the heart of the device there is a memory module designed for approximately 1000 rewrite cycles. But the release of firmware will now be entirely the responsibility of the motherboard manufacturer.

Checking this possibility is quite simple: you just need to know the manufacturer and model of your device and its model (if not, then welcome to the next section of the article). We go to its official website (both ASUS, MSI, ASRock and others have their Russian-language versions) and follow the page dedicated to your version of the device. There, in one of the tabs, a category with all released firmware for this component will be available, as shown in the example of the official ASUS website below.

On the websites of other companies, the procedure is approximately the same - in the corresponding section all possible options for updating the BIOS will be offered, since in models from different manufacturers they differ in process almost completely and the skill of flashing one component cannot guarantee knowledge of the intricacies of another - here it is worth carefully studying the proposed online step-by-step guides or, ideally, documentation from the manufacturer itself. There are also many videos of flashings on the network: there are relatively few motherboard models, but out of those hundreds or thousands of users who encountered the problem, at least one decided to record a video - just search on video hosting sites. Viewing the process from the outside will remove the subconscious fear of “breaking something” and will help you understand the essence of a particular stage.

Determining the motherboard model

Many find it difficult to determine the model of their motherboard - as with other knowledge of a similar nature, there is the same problem: there is no urgent need to memorize or remember an intricate set of letters and numbers and this does not help in everyday tasks. Turning to documentation or looking for a box is also not an option - many people tend to lose such things when moving, take them somewhere for storage, or simply forget about them. This problem may also arise for those who bought a PC secondhand, although in stores when selling an assembled system unit, boxes from some devices also have a habit of not being given, and buyers are reluctant to take them with them.

There are four ways to figure out what model of motherboard you have. Of these, three involve the use of utilities, and one requires direct access to the board. The latter will not work if you have a laptop: it is not recommended for a non-professional to disassemble them, and even pros can’t always cope – the maintainability of modern solutions is mediocre. The same applies to All-in-One PC and any other solutions that are not mounted in a standard system unit. You should also not do this if your PC is under warranty: all screws will be covered with seals, which will easily show whether the device has been opened. There is no need to perform any manipulations - the very presence of damage is already a sufficient reason for refusal of warranty service, which is clearly stated in the terms and conditions of any such company.

If nothing prevents you from opening the system unit, unscrew two/three/four, or, more simply, all the existing bolts and remove the cover from the side. We will see a motherboard, on the surface of which a sticker will be waiting for you.

That's all: remember or rewrite the model, perform all the completed manipulations with the lid in reverse order.

In the case of checking programmatically, the command line, which is available in any version of the operating system of the company from Redmond, can also help. After opening it, you will need to type two commands, activating each by pressing Enter.

The first will provide information on the component manufacturer, and the second - by model. If you don’t want to deal with the command line and disassembling the system unit, then the AIDA64 (formerly Eevrest) and msinfo32 utilities can be a quick alternative. It’s worth downloading their free versions from official websites - you most likely won’t need the full functionality, but there’s always a chance of catching a virus. In AIDA64 you just need to go to the “Motherboard” section from the start window, and in msinfo32 – to the System Information tab and read the data opposite the Motherboard item.

For Linux-based systems (including Ubuntu, Linux Mint and the like), you need to activate the command dmidecode.

There, among all the data, you need to select the Manufacturer and Product Name items.

Is it necessary to perform a BIOS backup?

You need to understand that BIOS firmware is created by people, and the array of information for coordinated interaction must be clearly calculated, and all aspects must be clearly planned. And if in theory this is possible, in practice this does not always happen: there is a high probability that flashing this system along with a number of improvements can introduce a number of problems with your PC into your life, so it’s still worth protecting yourself in case of such a possibility.

Manufacturers themselves do not provide such an opportunity, only allowing more than one firmware version to be recorded onto a medium and their subsequent use. But this does not always happen, since no one expects an unfavorable outcome when undertaking such an operation.

Similar capabilities are provided by a third-party program called Universal BIOS Backup ToolKit. This product was made by an enthusiastic programmer from China back in 2008 and works excellently on operating systems of the Windows family with versions from XP to 8.1 inclusive. An important feature of this program is its well-coordinated operation: backup copies are correct, the likelihood of damage to the final file is close to zero, and the software works surprisingly efficiently, as if it were made by an enthusiast. You should only launch it by right-clicking and calling up the “Run as Administrator” sub-item - otherwise errors in operation simply cannot be avoided.

The only pitfall that may occur to those unfamiliar with the issue: most antivirus programs recognize it as malware, which is not true. Of course, they can infect the source file, but even a utility downloaded from the official website will not pass the test of most programs of this class from the first echelon. The reason for this is a specific driver, thanks to which the software has such unique functionality. In fact, it does not cause any harm, it is only important to download it from a trusted source. The program interface is in English, but very simple. The small window contains only a few buttons, the meaning of which will be clear not only to an experienced user, but even to an inexperienced user in this matter. In addition to the exit button and the key that causes reading the documentation, the program window has buttons to start copying. After completing the process, which takes from one to two to three minutes, an archive in .rom format will be available in the program folder (or any other folder specified by the user), which is a complete copy of your firmware. The memory size, which is indicated on the left, is determined automatically, but it is better to double-check it for your motherboard model - if there is a failure, there will be problems and you will not be able to use an incorrectly made copy due to inevitable errors in the future. The likelihood of its success on BIOS UEFI is doubtful, but further updates to the program should correct all the shortcomings, and may have already been fixed by the time you read this article.

General information about firmware via DOS

Firmware via DOS is one of the safest options for reinstalling software for a given computer node, since all problems associated with the incorrect operation of your operating system are simply eliminated. There are slightly different variations of the process for different models of laptops and motherboards on computers, although most of them have many similar features and the guide to flashing this way can be boiled down to a universal series of steps that need to be taken.

Prepare media for flashing. This could be a floppy disk or flash drive.

In direct comparison, they are in no way inferior to each other when it comes to this process, but it is recommended to take out a floppy disk only if the motherboard (or BIOS) does not support booting from a flash drive. If you still decide to use a more outdated option, then you should check the integrity of the floppy disk by inserting it into the computer, going to “My Computer” and calling the disk check in the properties of the media that appears in the list (in our case, this is a floppy disk). If any errors occur, you should not expect a miracle from a faulty floppy disk - there is a high probability of malfunctions during the process of “uploading” files and incorrect operation of the PC, up to a breakdown and the need to take it for repairs.

Read the official recommendations given by the manufacturer on the official website. Also, similar manuals can be found in the instructions for the motherboard, but the data tends to become outdated and it is quite possible that the same happened in your case.

Also, during the flashing process, you will be asked to download the files necessary for this, which include, at a minimum, a utility for formatting the media and a firmware file from the list.

Make a backup copy of the data on the media.

Everything is simple here: if there is any important data left on a flash drive or floppy disk (which is unlikely), then you need to save it on the computer’s hard drive: during the process of changing the firmware, they will not be lost, but the removable disk will need to be formatted.

Formatting the disk.

A special utility that runs as Administrator will help here. Perhaps this is not in the recommendations, but launching any program of this kind must be done exactly this way, otherwise you can get a large number of “complex” problems and the firmware process will stop. You can also format it using built-in tools by clicking on the disk icon in “My Computer” and selecting the item of the same name. All values ​​should be left as default, nothing needs to be changed. Is it worth doing a full format? It will take a lot of time, so it’s better not to simply uncheck the “fast” box - the effect will be about the same.

Copying the firmware file.

This stage can be carried out either using a utility or done using a regular Explorer, with the help of which we usually perform all operations with files on our computer. An important feature is that there should be no extraneous files on the media - formatting (point 4) is mandatory; deleting files is not enough.

It is worth pressing the reboot button (no matter on the case or in the system menu) and when loading the initial screen, press the BIOS entry button - Delete. After this we see a menu where you need to select the boot partition: it will be called Boot. In this tab, you need to change the boot priority from media and put the one on which the firmware file is written first. After completing all the preparations, press the F10 key (save all changes and reboot) and follow the instructions given for your specific motherboard model - here the process may differ significantly.

Updating BIOS via Windows

Almost every motherboard manufacturer provides the option of updating the BIOS firmware through the operating system: each of them has its own utility that does everything almost automatically. However, you should carefully study all the instructions so as not to be confused at the most inopportune moment.

As described in the previous paragraphs of this article, you need to go to the manufacturer’s website and select your motherboard model. In the accompanying tabs, the corresponding utilities will be available for download along with the firmware files - in most cases, the process is identical even for products from different companies. Next, you need to run the utility (with Administrator rights, of course) and select the firmware method (the “From file” item or something similar). Next, look in the file manager for the place where you saved the archive and click the “Run” button - the program does the rest automatically. The advantage of this method is its simplicity - even a beginner in PC development can cope with it. Another thing is whether a beginner needs to flash the BIOS, because, as mentioned earlier, the procedure can damage components and negatively affect the operation of the computer. It is worth noting that the already small probability of a system failure or power outage is superimposed by a considerable chance of a failure in the operating system itself - despite all their stability, these software products are extremely complex: even on slightly different configurations they can lead to themselves in completely different ways, because the number of factors that can influence this is extremely large. It is also necessary to warn users who nevertheless decide to take such a step: running any programs or leaving a browser, torrent client or office document running is not recommended - any combination can affect the operation of the built-in utility and then a call to the service center cannot be avoided. The problem is in the OS itself, which has a lot of components and thousands of possible bugs, an array of which even companies like Microsoft take years to fix.

In truth, flashing firmware using utilities is far from the best idea, and if such an opportunity exists, it is better to use more reliable options: flashing via DOS or through the built-in BIOS tools. Such solutions may be less simple and time-saving, but they give a much more predictable effect, which cannot be said about the option described above. In cases of firmware using other methods, the number of factors that can negatively affect the process is minimal, and with the inclusion of the operating system with all its shortcomings in the equation, the likelihood of failures increases by an order of magnitude.

MSI

Unlike even larger market players, this company provides the ability to flash the BIOS using any available method described above. This is convenient, since many people cannot handle the BIOS system menu, and some are worried about safety and are ready to play it safe, not wanting to use a utility launched from under the operating system. There is also the option of flashing firmware via loading into DOS, which is also safe and relatively simple - here the choice must be made by the user based on an objective assessment of their capabilities and willingness to minimize or accept risks.

Whatever the process and whatever method is used, you need to start by determining the model of your motherboard, which can be done in several ways, described above in this article. On the manufacturer's official website, look for your model and download the necessary files, following the instructions. But since there are even three paths themselves, users will clearly not be satisfied with such a simple explanation and will ask to describe the process in detail.

Live Update

Live Update is a utility produced by the company for flashing the BIOS and some other similar manipulations. It is worth noting that MSI motherboards are also installed on laptops, tablets and other devices - it will not help here and you will have to use other methods. This is due to the fact that during the firmware process, unexpected errors may occur that will become critical to the performance and functioning of the device.

So, download the utility from the official website and install it (running the installer with Administrator rights). This will solve the problem of unexpected failures that so often occur in work after a conflict between programs and permissions. Next, launch the program and go to the corresponding item (tab). It is also necessary to simultaneously download the archive with the firmware, because the automated option, according to reviews, does not always work correctly and it is better to refrain from using it.

Then, following the menu, we will have to face a warning that calls for closing all open programs (which was already mentioned here earlier) and wait for the end of all actions that the program performs. Then, of course, the PC will reboot and using the same program you can find out about the overall success of the operation.

There is another option for the program, which offers automated installation of firmware updates via DOS, which was described in earlier sections of the article. It is worth noting that it retains all the advantages of this method and allows for easy and safe installation of a software upgrade. Technically, the program only downloads the archive with the firmware, so the further process is no different from the “manual” installation, but you no longer need to search for the required version of the motherboard and download the archive - the utility is responsible for all this. The downside is that you may not need the newest version, but the software will download it, and the highest numbers in the version column do not guarantee better performance, as we have seen in many cases.

MFLASH is a utility from MSI that is built into the BIOS and allows you to install updates directly using the system's tools. In order to operate it, no additional tricks are needed: just an empty (or better yet, formatted) USB flash drive and a file with BIOS software downloaded onto it. Here the sequence of actions is slightly different: the first of them should be downloading the file mentioned above for your model. Then you will need to clear the space - the presence of other files is undesirable, although some users speak positively about the success of such an installation.

After the reboot, you will need to enter the BIOS using the Delete button and find the tab with the same name as the utility. Next, you will need to specify the path to the file (disk) and click on the button to start the process. The length of the entire procedure after entering the BIOS is only a couple of minutes maximum, and after rebooting you will receive a system that is most likely to work correctly - there is no chance that it could be affected by any software failures.

From under DOS

It is also a reliable method that does not involve the system at all and works perfectly when updating software. In order to find it, you will need to look among the files on the official one for exactly the one that is needed for installation under this OS - there will be a corresponding note in the name at the end, as in the screenshot. Next, you need to get a floppy disk, check it for errors using the utility built into Windows and format it there. If there are no errors when checking the disk, then you can write a file to it - it will become the installation file.

Next, reboot and enter the BIOS using the Delete button. After this has happened, look for the Boot Device Priority item and put our media (Floppy Drive) in first place. Next, press F10, agree to save all changes and wait for the reboot.

After loading the operating system, we will see a black background with fonts of bright colors (or white) - that means we are logged in. We will be asked to press Y to continue and N to exit this mode. We press the first button, wait a minute and a half and see a message about the successful completion of the firmware upload. We remove the floppy disk and reboot the computer, simultaneously going into the BIOS and changing the boot priority back to the hard drive, although if the floppy disk is removed and there is no boot disk in the drive, it will do this anyway.

Gigabyte

Gigabyte is the world's third-largest motherboard manufacturer, with its main facilities and headquarters located in China. The company previously did not have such technologies and was just a contractor for large market “sharks” like Asus or Intel, but having “snooped” on some of their developments and opened research departments, it quickly turned from an apprentice into a full-fledged competitor.

Gigabyte specialists working on BIOS software did not reinvent the wheel: all methods of reinstalling software for this system are as similar as possible and are clearly borrowed from other market players. It is not known for certain whether patent wars are taking place between corporations, but one thing is certain: the user remains a winner from such solutions, because all the actions and methods of changing the firmware that Asus and MSI work on also work on the motherboards of the Chinese company - only the appearance differs (purely formally) and names of utilities. The company did not come up with anything fundamentally new, which had a positive effect on the convenience of carrying out such operations.

A positive point is that the company makes every effort to make its documentation easy to find, which is not hidden in the depths of the official website, but is easily accessible within the search results of any system on the first page in several copies.

The company, or rather its specialists, strongly do not recommend carrying out such a procedure if you have not identified any malfunctions or malfunctions in the operation of the equipment: processor, RAM and other components. In many cases, according to the company's own research, performance does not improve and worsens, so it is worth carefully considering the feasibility of flashing the BIOS.

Also in the manuals, much attention is paid to accurately determining the motherboard model, taking into account the revision. Since the Gigabyte lineup contains models that are designated the same, but one of them is a re-release of the second, the firmware (and all other manipulations) may differ, and the use of the wrong archive can have the most detrimental effect.

It is also worth noting that in the event of a breakdown or any other malfunction that may occur in the event of a flashing, the device is not subject to warranty, since this action is entirely qualified as a repair. This is also worth considering and it’s good that the manufacturer is not silent about it.

Q-Flash is the most reliable way to flash BIOS: this utility is built into the system itself and performs its functions perfectly, with minimal susceptibility to incorrect firmware. Its operation does not depend on the operation of the operating system, which is a definite plus. The only problem is that not all solutions support this technology - in other situations, a much simpler solution would be firmware via DOS.

Before using the Q-Flash utility, you must download the most current version of BIOS microcode that matches your motherboard model from the GIGABYTE official website. The file with the BIOS microcode must be written to a medium (floppy disk, flash drive or hard drive; FAT32/16/12 file system).

Since updating the BIOS microcode carries potential risks, it is not recommended to update the BIOS if the current BIOS version does not cause any problems. Updating the BIOS should be done extremely carefully. Incorrect BIOS update may result in system inoperability.

This solution allows you to update the firmware of the input/output system from under the good old operating system such as DOS. It is worth noting that the flashing operation must be performed on a system operating in normal mode. Overclocking, low memory timings, non-standard system bus frequency can lead to the fact that our event will end with a trip to the service center (or calling familiar gurus). The easiest way is to load the default settings into the BIOS SETUP (main menu item Load Fail-Safe Defaults or similar).

The flashing operation must be performed only from DOS. To boot from a floppy disk, it is enough to have only two system files on it: io.sys and command.com. In any case, neither autoexec.bat nor config.sys should be loaded. In addition, the floppy disk should contain files with the flash driver and the firmware itself.

Run the flashing program with the parameter “/?” and you will receive detailed instructions for working with it.

Please note that updated firmware does not always meet the user's expectations. Be sure to save the file with the old BIOS version on a floppy disk (!) so that you can reverse your actions in the future. For AWARD BIOS, the flasher call can be as follows: “awdflash.exe newflash.bin /py /sy”. Where “newflash.bin” is the real name of the file with the firmware, “py” and “sy” are the flags for reprogramming and saving the old BIOS version, respectively. And lastly: under no circumstances reboot or turn off the computer until the flasher has finished working. This will inevitably damage the BIOS.

Live Update

Live Update is perhaps the simplest solution to problems with the I/O system, because it searches for the necessary microcodes and does almost all the manipulations instead of the user - to use it you do not need to be any kind of specialist in this field. To get started, you need to go to the official website and download the Live Update 5 utility, which will scan your computer and provide a list of necessary updates, with the ability to download them. Click “Click here” and click “Open”.

The archive will open, run the installation file LiveUpdate.exe in it and install the Live Update 5 utility in several steps. After the installation is complete, launch it and click on the “Scan” button, wait a few seconds while the utility looks for updates. The program will display a list of results. We are interested in the update called “MB BIOS”. If such an update is in the list (usually it is at the very top), then there is a BIOS update for our motherboard. Download it to your computer by clicking on the “Download” button (arrow). It’s better to click “Browse” and choose a location to save the update file yourself. For example, I saved it to my desktop. That's it, we now have the BIOS update file, now we can move on to the next stage. Run the saved file with the BIOS update and follow the instructions.

There are two options here: the first is probably to write the firmware image to a USB flash drive, and update the BIOS from the flash drive (or for the firmware, if it is impossible to update from Windows). But since I didn’t have a free flash drive, I chose the second option, which, judging by the title, means flashing the BIOS from Windows. Here we need to close running programs and click “Next”.

The further process of updating the BIOS is that we simply press any key on the keyboard, and the computer should reboot. Then everything is over - the device has received new firmware.

ASUS BIOS firmware

ASUS is one of the titans of the computer components industry, which shows itself as a market leader in both quantitative and qualitative terms. An important feature of their products is ease of maintenance: for each class of product there is a utility that searches for drivers or any other useful work - in the case of this company, the implementation of these solutions is at its best. The same thing happened with updating the BIOS: both options are very convenient and easy to learn by unskilled and inexperienced users.

USB BIOS Flashback is the easiest way to update the BIOS on ASUS motherboards. To update, you now only need a USB drive with a BIOS file written to it and a power supply. Neither the processor, nor RAM and other components are now needed.

The list of system requirements for this utility is quite prosaic:

• power unit;
• USB drive FAT16, FAT32 or NTFS (for Intel X79 only FAT16 and FAT32);
• ASUS motherboard based on the Intel X79, Z77, H77, Q77, B75 chipset (the list of ASUS motherboards that support USB BIOS Flashback technology is presented in the table).

First, you need to download and extract the BIOS ROM file from the official ASUS website. It is important to understand that receiving files from somewhere else is fraught with irreversible consequences and unexpected operation of the equipment. Next, you should rename the BIOS file as written in the table, and then save it to the USB drive in the root directory:

Then you should connect the USB drive to the USB BIOS Flashback/ROG Connect connector (for boards based on Intel X79, this is a white USB 2.0 connector; for boards on other chipsets, this is a USB 2.0 connector, marked in color and with the words USB BIOS Flasback/ROG Connect on the panel Q-Shield) and hold for three to four seconds until the light indication starts. Next, we wait for the USB BIOS Flashback/ROG Connect button to light up, which means that the update has been completed successfully.

It is important not to remove the USB drive, turn off the power to the motherboard, or press the CLR_CMOS reset button while updating the BIOS. It is also worth remembering that if the USB BIOS Flashback/ROG Connect button blinks for five seconds, then the USB BIOS Flashback is not working correctly. This may be caused by incorrect installation of the device, an error in the file name, or an incompatible file format - you should check it yourself after rebooting. It is worth noting the company’s rather loyal policy regarding problems after a firmware update: if you encounter any problems with booting after updating the BIOS, you can contact your local ASUS service representative, who, according to the authors of the documentation, is committed to helping.

AFUDOS utility

This solution is a little outdated - on motherboards released in the 2000s and 2010s, the most popular utility is EZ Flash, although the old solution is also applicable to many devices. To start flashing the firmware using this method, open the bootable USB flash drive, write the afudos program (downloaded from the website afudos.exe file) and the firmware itself (a file named p5c800b.rom) onto it. Then we reboot and when the first picture appears on the monitor, press F2 for laptops or Del for desktop PCs, go to the Boot tab and put the flash drive in first place, usually for this in the 1st Boot Device item you need to set Removable Device, then press F10 and confirm that We want to save the changes in the settings. After this, the computer will boot from the flash drive and will display an invitation to work A:\> on a black screen. To start the firmware process, write afudos /ip4c800b.rom and press the Enter key. It is worth noting that you do not need to turn off the power or reboot the system while updating the BIOS. This can cause serious damage to your system. After the BIOS update is completed, the utility will return to DOS; you should remove the floppy disk and reboot the system to enter the BIOS menu.

Intel

This method is one of the simplest, as it uses a self-extracting archive and does not require special skills from the user. After selecting the section dedicated to the motherboard, you need to download the firmware, in our case it is Express BIOS Update and launch it by double-clicking the mouse. Next, click “Next” in the invitation window, and then click “Yes” to accept the license rules. Afterwards, click “Finish”. Windows will restart to begin the BIOS update. During the update process, do not turn off the computer's power for 3 minutes. During the reboot process, you will see the BIOS update process. When the BIOS is updated, the computer will boot into Windows. When Windows restarts, a window will appear indicating that the BIOS was updated successfully.

The essence of this method is to create bootable ones (disks, flash drives, floppy disks) containing a BIOS update. In our case, download this file LF94510J.86A.0278.BI.ZIP

To work, we will need firmware files (write its name on a piece of paper, it will come in handy later) with the XXX.BIO extension and the iFlash.EXE firmware utility. These files are located in the archive with the downloaded firmware. Use the iFlash utility that comes with the firmware in the archive. The HP USB Disk Storage FormatTool 2.2.3 utility is also useful (other versions are possible), but this one is one of the most stable at the time of writing. Of course, you can't do without MS-DOS files to create a DOS boot disk. After downloading, all files will be unzipped.

Run the utility as administrator HP USB Disk Storage FormatTool 2.2.3. Check the boxes as shown in the picture. The path to the MS-DOS boot device folder is set to the place where the MS-DOS files were downloaded. (For example, this is drive C, folder Downloads\win98boot. And the Start button. When asked about deleting files, click “Yes”.

Upon completion of the process, copy 2 files from the archive with the firmware to the flash drive (example of what they look like: IFLASH2.EXE and LF0278P.BIO). And without removing the flash drive from the USB port, we reboot the computer. We go into the BIOS (F2 button at boot) and set the boot priority from a USB drive (on the Boot tab, enable boot from USB (Enable USB Boot) and exit the BIOS saving the settings - F10.

DOS will boot. At the command prompt, enter IFLASH /PF XXX.BIO (or IFLASH2 /PF XXX.BIO) to start the BIOS update process. Next, follow all instructions. In our example it will look like this: IFLASH2 /PF LF0278P.BIO

Creating a boot floppy is a viable method if the utility and firmware are small enough to fit on the floppy, as the floppy is 1.44Mb in size.

For our example, there is no way to clearly show the process of creating a boot disk. So, as an example, I’ll take another firmware file from another motherboard. Insert the floppy disk into the drive and double-click the downloaded firmware file XXX.EXE. Press "y" to extract the necessary files. The files will be extracted to a temporary directory (temp folder; Path C:\temp). You can also extract files using the usual WinRAR archiver. Double-click the RUN.BAT file and follow the instructions to create a boot diskette.

After creation, restart the computer, set the BIOS to boot from a Floppy disk and exit saving the settings - F10. After booting from the floppy disk, a welcome window will appear, press any key. You will see the BIOS update status. When the process is complete, remove the floppy disk from the drive and press Enter to restart the computer.

ASRock Firmware

For motherboards from a Chinese manufacturer, the sequence of actions will also not be much different when installing the firmware: here you also need to format the media and go to the official website for the files. The following list of actions is also standard and is no different from updating from DOS from other manufacturers...

You need to download the BIOS update file (WinZip file with .zip extension) from the ASRock website, unzip it and save the ASRFLASH.EXE utility and BIOS file to a floppy disk. Next, boot the system from the floppy disk. At the A:\ prompt, type ASRFLASH, press Spacebar once and type the BIOS file name, then press Enter. For example: A:\ASRFLASH K7S41GX2.00 "Enter". After this, you will see the message "Please wait for BIOS loading ROM".

After 30 seconds, you will see the message "Flash ROM Update Completed - Pass", which means that the BIOS update is complete. After updating the BIOS, remove the floppy disk. Reboot the system and during boot press F2 to enter the BIOS setup program.

From the Exit menu, select "Load Default Settings" and press "Enter" to continue. Select "Exit Saving Changes" and press "Enter" to exit the BIOS setup utility.

Actions after flashing

There is no need to undertake any special “rituals” after flashing, unless the instructions provide for it: just remove the media that was used after flashing and test the operation of the PC with the new software. If any glitches are noticed, it makes sense to roll back to the previous version or find another one so that both support for new components and the stability of the machine are not affected.

When producing a computer motherboard, developers implement a special BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) program into the built-in memory, which is valid during the manufacturing period. In the future, the manufacturer will improve the program, adding the latest features and correcting various code errors. In most cases, additional features include optimization of operation with more advanced processors and support for third-party devices. When considering updating the BIOS of a GIGABYTE motherboard, you must first decide what it is for.

First of all, GIGABYTE BIOS needs to be kept up to date, as the developer is always trying to improve the motherboard's performance with certain hardware and expand the capabilities of certain functions. Of course, it is necessary to approach it with all responsibility, since there is a possibility of disrupting the system and breaking something that previously worked perfectly. If your computer has a warranty period, flashing the BIOS leaves you without this right. You deliberately change the standard equipment, which is a direct violation of the warranty rules.

The update process is not as scary as it might seem. All you have to do is follow the instructions and not make any mistakes. Below is how to update the BIOS of GIGABYTE family boards.

Preparing your computer for a BIOS update

Updating the motherboard BIOS is a simple process that is described on any official website of the manufacturer. But this procedure has small nuances that need to be taken into account. First of all, you need to remember that an unsuccessful BIOS update will disrupt the proper functioning of the computer, and it can only be “recovered” by specialized technical support services. This will entail unnecessary waste of money and loss of time. Therefore, you need to take note of all the small snags and not lose sight of anything:

1. Use only the official version of the BIOS, which is downloaded from the manufacturer’s website or is included with the motherboard in the form of a CD.
2. Try to avoid using unfinished (beta) firmware versions, as well as software that is designed for a different version of the GIGABYTE motherboard (even one digit difference in the model number is unacceptable). An exception can only be made if the manufacturer has released a single BIOS version that supports several different boards. Let's say your motherboard model is GIGABYTE GA-B75-D3H, and the firmware is presented for models of the GA-B75-xxx series.
3. Do not trust unofficial manufacturers and third-party assemblies, even if you are tempted by additional features that were hidden from ordinary users to cut down on the motherboard, that is, create a budget option. No one will give you any guarantees that this particular version is suitable for your equipment. And even if it does, you still won’t be immune from various glitches and malfunctions in the system.
4. Make sure you have an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) for your desktop computer or fully charge the battery if it is a laptop. Updating the BIOS does not tolerate power failure at the most inopportune moment. If this happens, then a trip to technical support cannot be avoided.
5. Before changing the BIOS firmware, you need to clean the hard drive to free up space. Make sure it is working and there are no bad sectors.

It is worth paying attention: if you are updating the BIOS from a Windows operating system, you must disconnect from the Internet and exit all unused programs, including antivirus programs. Also, uninstall unnecessary processes in the task manager. Updating the BIOS should be the only and priority task performed at the time of changing the firmware in the motherboard.

Determining the BIOS version and downloading the necessary firmware

Before updating your motherboard's BIOS, you first need to find out its exact model and BIOS version. Don't trust the documentation provided to you with the board. Such manuals are most often generalized, and they may not contain the exact board model you are using.

The exact model of your board can be determined by launching the Everest program and going to the “Motherboard” tab

To determine the exact name of the model, you need to use the special Everest utility. After installing the utility, run it and open the motherboard subsection. Its properties will show the information you need (for example, GIGABYTE GA-B75-D3H). This model will be used to search for the required BIOS version on the manufacturer’s official website.

Before doing this, you still need to determine the current BIOS version. This is required in order to check the option on the official website and make sure whether the latest current version is already installed on the motherboard.

This is done by opening the motherboard subsection and selecting the BIOS item. The BIOS Version line contains the necessary information - F13.

Write down on paper the model number of the motherboard and, accordingly, the BIOS version. Do this slowly, as any mistake is fraught with serious consequences.

Proceed to download the required BIOS version. To do this, go to the official GIGABYTE website and open the motherboards section. Search for GA-B75-D3H and find your board model. By clicking on it, you can read the latest news and updates. Most often, several different BIOS versions appear with their release date and a brief description of the innovations.

Download the appropriate version and extract it from the archive. Now you need to download the extracted files to a flash drive or floppy disk. The second option is relevant for owners of outdated motherboards, since they do not support reading a flash drive outside the operating system environment. Before loading the BIOS onto a flash drive, format its file system to FAT32.

GIGABYTE Motherboard BIOS Update

You can update the GIGABYTE BIOS using 2 methods:

1. Directly in the Windows operating system using a program designed for this, which you will find on the official website of the developer. This is a good option that will suit most users, but we cannot exclude the situation when the computer freezes due to some processes in the task manager that cannot be removed manually in the Windows environment. It's hard to say what this will lead to, but you can be absolutely sure that the BIOS update will end unsuccessfully.
2. Directly from DOS, using the Q-Flash program, which is great for updating the BIOS of GIGABYTE family motherboards. This method is more trustworthy due to the fact that the update occurs seamlessly, that is, absolutely no processes or services interfere with it. In addition, this method is universal and safe.

Updating using the Q-Flash program is discussed below: