Update motherboard BIOS

The processor (processor) and graphics card appear at a "dizzying" speed, giving users a lot of options. However, there is a compatibility issue between the old motherboard (BMC) and the new hardware. This can be solved by updating the BIOS to identify BMC, better compatibility with new hardware, better performance of the computer. However, updating the BIOS is risky, the computer may not work after the update. The information in this article will guide you step by step in the update process, avoiding the unfortunate risks that may occur.

First of all, we need to learn some related concepts.

Firmware is software stored in read-only memory (ROM), containing boot procedures, executing some basic input / output commands.

ROM ( Read Only Memory ) stores programs and commands to check the device's hardware before booting. ROM is commonly used in electronic devices. Unlike RAM (random access memory) that is unable to store long-term information, the data in the ROM does not disappear after turning off the computer or device.

BIOS ( Basic Input / Output System - basic input / output system ) is a form of firmware, a collection of small programs stored in ROM (also called BIOS ROM) on BMC used to test and manage all parts Hard (including peripheral devices) of the system. After performing the initial self-test (Power On Self Test - POST), the BIOS will find the Master Boot Record (MBR) of the device that stores and boots the operating system; giving control of the system to the operating system, ending its mission. You can find out more information about BIOS in "Basic Input / Output System, ID: A0106_61".

CMOS chip ( Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor ) is a component of the BIOS, providing information about the system's hardware and user preferences (via CMOS Setup). The BIOS uses this information during the boot process. In order not to lose storage information, CMOS chips must be fed with batteries, also known as CMOS batteries.

In the first generation computers, the ROM contains the BIOS that is usually "soldered" to the BMC and cannot be recorded. If you want to upgrade, you must replace the new ROM - something that users normally cannot do. With improvements in memory technology, users can now easily erase with PROM (programmable read-only memory), EPROM (erasable read-only memory), EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) or also called FlashROM.

Why need to update BIOS?

Updating the BIOS makes the BMC better compatible with plug and play devices, new hardware (processors, graphics cards) or with new OS like Vista, adding or fixing some bugs Features of BMC . So your computer will operate more stably, minimize crashes or dead blue screen errors.

In this article we will proceed to update BIOS on BMC Asus P5L-VM 1394 (http://www.asus.com/search.aspx?searchitem=1&searchkey=P5L-VM+1394) in MS-DOS mode . Reason: get " Intel CPU uCode Loading Error " error message when using Core 2 Duo processor (except E6300, E6400 series) on this BMC. Refer to the new hardware support at http://support.asus.com/cpusupport/cpusupport.aspx (Figure 1).

Prepare

- First, you need to correctly identify the BMC name. You can view the information on the first screen when starting the computer or using the software to view the system information like CPU-Z (http://www.cpuid.com). If you like to "plug in", open the case, look for the "mode number" line printed on BMC to check.

- Check the BIOS version you are using on the first screen when booting or in the BIOS Setup.

- Visit the manufacturer website, select BIOS in the Download section to find new BIOS versions (Figure 2).

- Download the latest version (0903) based on the version or the update date. Note: avoid choosing beta versions (unofficial), you may have trouble after updating.

- Next, download the BIOS update tool (if the CD included with BMC does not have this tool). Select BIOS Utility and download the AFUDOS v2.21 tool for AMI BIOS.

- Record the settings in the BIOS you are using because updating the new version will erase all the old settings. You can skip this step if you understand the meaning of the settings.

Update

- Create boot floppy. In Windows Explorer, right-click on drive A, select Format. Check the Create an MS-DOS startup disk option before selecting Start (Figure 3). Only keep startup files, delete unnecessary files.

- Unzip and copy the AFUDOS tool, the new BIOS version to the floppy disk. It is possible to shorten the BIOS file name (such as 0903.rom) for easy operation in DOS.

- Start the machine with this floppy disk. If necessary, you need to reset the BIOS for the computer to boot from the floppy drive.

- In MS-DOS interface, type the command "afudos /i0903.rom" with 0903.rom as the new BIOS version.

- At the end of the update process, you will receive a message to complete the upgrade process and return to the MS-DOS screen (Figure 4).

- Remove the floppy disk from the drive and restart the computer. Enter the BIOS Setup check the new version and set the necessary parameters.

Note

- Updating BIOS is risky. If the computer is working properly, you should not update the BIOS because it may be a problem.

- During the update process, you will receive a message asking whether to save the current BIOS version. It is recommended to save the current version to prevent recovery.

- To restore the old BIOS version, follow the steps above and reselect the old version file. If you don't store the old version, try searching again at the manufacturer's website or from BMC of the same type.

- It is recommended to use the UPS (UPS) so that the update process is not interrupted. A power outage or a restart of the computer will suddenly damage the BIOS.

- Some BMCs support "bootblock" to restore BIOS when BIOS gets corrupted or errors due to interruption update. In addition, some newer BMCs use 2 BIOSs that allow you to restore BIOS (old version) when there is a problem. If BMC does not have the above features, you need to bring BMC to the vendor or product distributor to reload the BIOS.

- In the past 3 years, updating BIOS has become easier. Many manufacturers of BMC provide BIOS updates that run in Windows environments (such as Asus, Intel .). The update process checks whether the BIOS version is appropriate for your BMC.

Dong Quan