I updated the BIOS and the computer does not turn on. How to restore the BIOS of a computer and laptop if it has crashed. Why do you need a BIOS?

BIOS is the Basic Input/Output System, the heart of the computer, without which the normal operation of other components and software is impossible. When you turn on your computer, the BIOS starts first and only after you turn it on, the operating system starts loading.

Theoretically, since Windows boots after the BIOS, reinstalling the operating system or adding another OS should not affect the normal operation of the BIOS. However, there are often cases when an attempt to install a second operating system results in the BIOS not loading.

In this case, we can assume that the BIOS settings have gone wrong and restoring the default settings may solve the problem. To reset the settings, you need to perform the following operations.

  1. Disconnect the PC and monitor from the electrical network.
  2. Open the system unit and remove the battery from the motherboard.
  3. Wait a few minutes.
  4. Return the system battery to its place.
  5. Connect power to the computer and monitor.

After restarting, the BIOS will start loading “like the first time”. If the problem goes away after this, it is recommended to format the boot hard drive and reinstall the operating system. Preferably one that has previously worked without problems. It is quite possible that the added operating system was damaged in the distribution.

Connection problems

There is a high probability that the BIOS does not load due to breaks in the power supply networks or data loops. To check this option, you first need to listen to see if the cooler on the motherboard is spinning. The BIOS is part of the processor and therefore poor cooling of the motherboard leads to malfunctions.

Perhaps the contact groups of the fan have come loose, which is why it does not work. After this, carefully inspect all cable and cable connections. Check to see if dust has accumulated on the motherboard or contacts. Dust is an excellent conductor of electric current, and it also creates electrostatic fields, to which electronics are very sensitive.

  • Clean the device from dust using a vacuum cleaner and a brush.
  • Sequentially disconnect the contactors and clean the terminals from dirt and oxidation. You can use a school eraser to clean the contacts.
  • Check that all connectors are securely attached. It is likely that vibration caused the contacts to separate, and therefore the equipment stopped working correctly.

After the maintenance, you can try to start the computer again. The screen is black again and the BIOS won't load? Then we can assume that one of the internal modules is faulty. Including the motherboard itself could fail or need to be reflashed.

You can download the new firmware for the motherboard on the manufacturer’s official website. Updating the firmware is a difficult and quite risky task. Therefore, if you don’t know exactly what and how to do, it’s better not to take risks, otherwise you could ruin your entire computer, including the hard drives. It is better to contact the service center.

Faulty blocks in the computer

None of the above helped? Then the likelihood of hardware failure increases and you can start checking the blocks.
Disconnect and remove anything from the device that is not necessary for the computer to start. Leave only the motherboard, power supply and one of the RAM sticks. The computer will not work in this state, but it is possible to check the serviceability of the motherboard itself.
A common reason for the inability to start a computer is insufficient power from the power supply. For example, you replaced the motherboard with a more advanced one, which requires more electricity. However, the power supply remains old. Or so - additional hard drives or some other functional components were installed in the system unit. Energy consumption can increase quite significantly. Installing a more powerful power supply will solve the problem. If the issue, of course, is a lack of energy.

Often, loading the BIOS is prevented by a malfunction in the video card. If possible, you need to check the video card by replacing it with another similar one. Or install the video card in another computer. Here you need to look at the compatibility of the equipment. Otherwise, you won’t find the problem, but you may create new problems.

If the minimum configuration - motherboard, power supply, RAM socket - the system unit is working and the BIOS is loading, then the problem is in one of the removed modules. After installing and connecting the next unit, try turning on the computer again and see what happens. As soon as the BIOS stops starting again, we can assume that you have discovered a faulty unit. Now all that remains is to find a similar one and replace it.

In reality, everything often turns out to be much more complicated. For example, the computer sometimes boots and works quite normally, and then, for no apparent reason, it starts to fail. The problem can be either software or component failures.

Such periods of normal operation, alternating with the inability to load the BIOS, are typical for three types of problems.

  1. Presence of microcracks on the motherboard. Because of this, contact periodically disappears.
  2. The electrolytic capacitors on the motherboard or power supply have dried out. This malfunction mainly applies to old system units that have been in use for a long time. Sometimes faulty capacitors can be identified by characteristic swelling of the housing.

Poor contact in the connected wires. As already mentioned - the presence of dust, oxidation of contacts, insufficient pressure. If the contactors have fixing screws, they must be tightened completely. The opposite situation also happens - clamping screws that are tightened too tightly lead to deformation of the connectors and poor contact in the connection.

The basic input/output system is the beginning of a computer's electronic life. In the event of a hardware or software malfunction of the BIOS microchip, successful startup of the computing device simply becomes impossible. Despite the extreme degree of reliability of the specified element of the computer system, software failures in the basic microsystem (due to many factors!) still occur. In most cases, the problem “BIOS does not start: what to do?” is resolved by simply replacing the CMOS battery, otherwise it is necessary to apply a comprehensive diagnostic plan, and only after identifying the cause of the problem, carry out a repair (correct!) algorithm of actions, -. details in the article!

Not a short introduction: small BIOS and big consequences...

Indeed, everything depends on a small microcircuit, which contains a set of microprograms in its memory, and in totality is the basic microsystem of a computer! A very rare electronic ailment that occurs in our time is damage to the main BIOS record of the system (not to be confused with temporary data stored in CMOS memory!) - this is a “dead” motherboard. That is, the motherboard becomes completely useless, since it is deprived of a startup control element.

A partial malfunction of the microchip BIOS can be accompanied by an incredible variety of surprises, both hardware and software. In general, the beginning of all computing principles is a small microcircuit with a certain set of programs. The degree of efficiency of the computer you are using directly influences the overall service life of the computing device as a whole depends on how correctly you configure the BIOS. If for you, dear reader, everything written above has become news, then it makes sense to think: “Do I comply with the manufacturer’s critical instructions regarding operating rules?”

Why the BIOS suddenly stopped starting: a little about all the reasons

Let's move on to specifics, because the situation “does not start” can look different:

  1. When you press the “on” button, nothing happens - a black screen and silence.
  2. The computer turns on, the screen flickers with a black void (not active) - the noise of the fans is heard and the system speaker (BIOS speaker) beeps.
  3. The computing device starts, some message is displayed on the screen - the buttons do not respond, except that... the restart works.
  4. The system boots too quickly (and safely!), but you can’t get into the BIOS.

There is another interpretation of the problem voiced, when a novice user does not correctly understand what exactly is happening and at the same time wonders how to enter the BIOS in general? Let's start with the last one...

How to enter basic computer settings

Depending on the BIOS version(s), as well as the design features of the computer, access to basic settings may differ radically from the methods that are considered standard.

For example, in most PC modifications, entering the BIOS is done by pressing the “F2” or “Delete” function button. Moreover, the activation of one of these buttons is carried out immediately at the moment of starting the computer system at its initial stage. By the way, there is a special technique for calling the BIOS main menu - repeatedly pressing the corresponding button with an interval of two clicks per second.

There are other “tactile schemes” for entering the BIOS - some manufacturers equip the devices they produce with special mechanisms, push-button or lever type, when activated, the user enters the service menu of the base microsystem. However, there are also more exotic buttons - touch ones. However, the essence of the listed keys and service gadgets is the same - calling the BIOS Setup menu.

As for the “speed resistance” to entering the basic computer settings menu, there are several possible solutions:

  • Enter the BIOS menu through Windows OS - use this link to read about how this is done.
  • Try calling the BIOS using other service keys, for example, “F8”.
  • Finally, you can get to the basic settings using the System Restore rescue disk or Windows distribution.

Black screen and silence: causes and solutions


This “electronic incident” has a rather long list of “causes and consequences”, however, it is possible to identify the main symptoms of the malfunction, namely, to quickly identify the real culprit of the “silent triumph”.

  • There is a 99.9% chance that the power supply has failed. Naturally, replacing the component with a known-good power supply unit will correct the situation in the direction of “Problem resolved!”
  • The power button has failed - replace the switching element or check the wire for mechanical damage (obvious breakage, deformation of the wire, oxidation of contacts, etc.), of course, with its subsequent restoration (soldering, cleaning).
  • Dust contamination of the inside of the computer case (especially important for portable computer equipment - a laptop) - it is necessary to clean all components of the system board, as well as the attached modules and wiring equipment, from dust. Do not forget to clean the protective mesh of the air intakes and other structural elements of the body.

The computer turns on, but the monitor screen is “full of dark secrets”

As a rule, problems with starting a computer system are always accompanied by a specific sound signal, the tone and sequence of which has its own decoding code.

To solve the problem described, you can also try changing the computer’s power supply, but more likely this “PC behavior” indicates that the BIOS has detected a faulty component in the system: one of the memory sticks (RAM) has failed, the hard drive has broken, or The processor temperature has reached a critical value. In the latter case, it is necessary to replace the thermal paste and check the cooling system cooler for serviceability.

Otherwise, user actions should be as follows:

  • Disconnect all peripheral devices (printer, fax, web camera, external storage devices, etc.).
  • Remove all RAM modules.
  • Disconnect hard drives.
  • Switch to a different graphics mode - change the video circuit from integrated to discrete, or switch to the built-in video chip if you used an external video card.

If an empty continent starts up, add one component at a time from the previously disabled components and carefully monitor the reaction of the microsystem as a whole. In any case, if the BIOS starts, it means you have already achieved a positive result!

By the way, do not forget that a black screen may be the result of a failed monitor. In laptops, the integrity of the connecting cable is often compromised, which is constantly subjected to dynamic load when opening/closing the display cover. In the latter case, it is better to contact a laptop repair service center. In both the first and second cases, to check the truth of the assumption, you can always try connecting an external monitor to the VGA connector.

In conclusion

Here, in brief, is the entire list of instructions for the problem “BIOS does not start: what to do.” We hope everything worked out for you and access to basic settings is restored. Of course, you should not lose sight of another not described way to resolve the problem - switch the CMOS jumper to the RESET position (then return the contact element to its original position).

And you know, this article has a big continuation, because the BIOS may not start due to swollen capacitors, as well as “dead” transistors... Don’t miss it!

BIOS is the firmware responsible for booting Windows. It checks the functionality of components and add-ons. The correct loading of the computer and its normal operation (hardware components) depend on it.

It is written on the motherboard, not on the hard drive like the OS. In new devices, the BIOS has been replaced by UEFI, which performs the same functions, but has been improved. Both programs sometimes need to be updated.


BIOS can be updated in several ways

DO I NEED TO UPDATE THE BIOS?

Manufacturers regularly release updates for laptops. It is downloaded from the official website of the company that produced the laptop. It’s more difficult for owners of PCs with their own build. To find files to update, they will have to rely on the motherboard chip data. Any update is also written to the chip, replacing the old version.

It is not difficult to update the bios correctly, but only materials designed for a specific PC model or board should be used. Each motherboard has a strictly defined type of firmware, and installing the wrong version can lead to malfunctions of the computer or its complete inoperability.

BIOS is a delicate program, and therefore it is better to update it only in extreme cases. On a normally functioning PC there is no need to update it. This is due to several factors:

  • Flashing bios on an asus or any other motherboard is difficult, the process requires some skills, the process is done through DOS;
  • The improvements will not be noticeable, since the differences between the versions are minimal and highly specialized;
  • Malfunctions and malfunctions may occur because... the old version was tested more thoroughly than the new one;
  • When carrying out work, the power must not be turned off, otherwise the device will stop loading.

But sometimes the BIOS needs to be updated. If you regularly encounter one or another error in operation, go to the device manufacturer’s website and check whether such an error has been resolved in the new firmware version. More often, such a list is available on manufacturers’ websites. If such a problem is really solved in the new version, it makes sense to update the bios on the laptop.

Another good reason to flash the BIOS is the installation of new equipment. If you purchased a new processor that appeared after the release of your motherboard, then it will not be supported by your BIOS. In new firmware versions, manufacturers add support for new types of processors, and therefore you will have to download such a file and flash the firmware.

You should update the BIOS as a last resort. But even then, before upgrading, study the characteristics of the new version and find out whether the problems are solved. Based on this, decide whether you need to update the bios.

Find out the current version by pressing Win+R on your keyboard. In the window that opens you see msinfo32 for 32-bit OS. Click Run. A window will open listing the hardware and OS characteristics of the device. Find the one you need among them.

Sometimes a notification appears that the bios mode is outdated. This means that the BIOS operating mode is outdated; it still works in real mode, not protected mode. Firmware may not help solve the problem, but it is not serious and does not need to be fixed.

UPDATE METHODS

The update method depends on the computer manufacturer, motherboard model, etc. Most often, each manufacturer has its own instructions for flashing. You can get acquainted with it on the official website of the company.

On all modern motherboards, you can update the bios on your computer using any of the above methods. But it is better to choose the latter, as it guarantees a minimum number of errors.

UPDATE ALGORITHM

You can update the bios of an asus or any other modern laptop using any of the three methods described. They have their own nuances, but when carrying out the process using utilities, they are still not complicated.

FROM DOS

A difficult option with high risks. To update the bios on a Windows 7 computer, do the following:

  1. Find out the model of your motherboard;
  2. Download the required firmware version from the manufacturer’s official website;
  3. Sometimes there are several of them. In this case, choose the one that is designed for installation in DOS mode;
  4. Create a bootable USB flash drive with BIOS, DOS and an additional utility (it can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website or included in the archive along with the firmware);
  5. Install the USB flash drive and restart the computer;
  6. Specify the media containing the motherboard bios firmware;
  7. After the flashing is completed, reboot your PC.

There are no more precise instructions, since they vary for different PCs and boards. Find detailed instructions on the manufacturer's website. But using this method is not recommended.

FROM WINDOWS

It's easy to flash the bios on a laptop this way. Errors rarely occur. Popular method.

  1. Download the firmware utility. It is different for each manufacturer. Program for updating bios asus – Asus Update, MSI – Live Update, etc.;
  2. Install the program;
  3. Run;
  4. Find the online function to search for new firmware. In different programs it is in different groups of commands;
  5. From the list of firmwares, select the required one;
  6. Activate download;
  7. After downloading, run the flashing and follow the instructions of the program.

Firmware for bios asus, MSI and others in this way is also safe because the program itself selects the appropriate firmware version. In addition, the intuitive interface will help even a non-advanced user to install the firmware.

FROM BIOS

It is possible to reflash the bios on a laptop from the firmware using pre-installed utilities. This is a complex method, as it differs depending on the motherboard chip model, manufacturer, etc. To update the bios on a gigabyte motherboard, run the pre-installed @BIOS utility; other manufacturers have other programs. Such programs are similar to the utilities used in the previous method, but are not as convenient. They work with them the same way - find the required file on the network and launch it.

More often, this method is used when the computer breaks down, when it is impossible to log into the OS, because... PC won't boot.

Many users do not know the answers to the question. They don't know how to update the BIOS. Don't think that updating this program is super difficult. Believe me, everyone can figure it out.

The abbreviation of this system when translated into Russian sounds like a basic input-output system.

Why do you need a BIOS?

  1. When the computer starts, the BIOS checks the standard hardware and its viability. If any of this equipment burns out, a special sound signal will sound.
  2. The program runs a boot program that directly loads the Operating System.
  3. Provides interaction between the OS and various peripheral equipment.
  4. Gives the user the ability to configure PC hardware components.

Do I need to update the BIOS and why?

Updating this program is a deeper process than conventional computer programs. This implies a short algorithm of changes. Basically, this is correcting the malfunction of some rare components of the system or adding support for the latest processor models.

If the computer works without problems, it is better not to deal with this program. And it's not worth updating. You will not see any differences between the previous and new versions, and on the contrary, the update can generate unexpected problems for your PC. Most often they occur when the previous version was tested more thoughtfully than the new one.

The update should only be launched for your motherboard model. If you try to update the BIOS designed for a different model, it may bring you a number of unpleasant difficulties and problems.

But there are times when updates are necessary, and sometimes urgently:

  1. The motherboard requires the installation of a new processor, which the updated version can provide. In this case, it is necessary to update the program.
  2. You need to connect a hard drive of a size that is not supported by the old version of the program.
  3. It is necessary to activate additional functions of the chipset (a set of chips that are designed to work together to provide a set of various functions) that are not included in the original version.
  4. It is necessary to replace the outdated OS on the computer.
  5. In case you plan to overclock your computer.
  6. The system functions slowly or incorrectly due to errors in the BIOS code.
  7. The version you have installed is broken, which is why the system does not function partially or completely.

What does a BIOS update do?

Updating the motherboard BIOS, as you already understood, is done mainly to ensure that new processors and new memory, which are released very often, are supported by the motherboard installed on your computer. Because of this, updating the program is sometimes simply necessary.

Is it worth updating the program unnecessarily? Is it possible to update it constantly without thinking about the consequences? Programming professionals advise against doing this.

How to view the current current version of your system program?

  • The fastest way to find out the current version is to use command line on your computer.

  • Enter: Wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion. A window will open in which you will see the current version.

After you have found out the information you need, you should go to the website of the manufacturer of the motherboard that is on your computer.
There are five most popular manufacturers:

How to update BIOS on a laptop?

Special programs for updating BIOS

Top 3 programs:

  • Asus – Asus Update,
  • MSI - Live Update,
  • @BIOS.

General instructions for the programs:


Let's look at the option of how to update the BIOS from a flash drive:


How to make a bootable floppy disk for updating the BIOS?

The update method from a floppy disk is considered one of the most reliable in terms of security.

After all these manipulations, you need to restart the computer and boot from the floppy disk. Make sure that the disk drive is set as the first boot device in the BIOS. During the reboot, open the BIOS setup menu by pressing the special open keys. We select - Advanced BIOS Features, Boot Sequence, which are sometimes called Advanced, Advanced BIOS Features.

How to update BIOS without battery?

For update purposes, you often need to charge your computer to at least 10%. If this condition is not met, then the message “Power Check Error” will pop up in front of you, preventing you from updating the program.
In order to update it, you need to find out one key. What do you need to do for this?


Windows won't boot after BIOS update

It happens that after an update, Windows stops loading. In this case, you need to start the computer's BIOS. Find the parameters of SATA devices and try to change the operating mode. If the settings are set to IDE, you need to activate AHCI (or vice versa). After this, save the new settings and restart the computer.


And remember that you don’t need to log into this system unnecessarily, as this can harm your computer! If you still don’t understand or can’t figure out some subtleties, contact a specialist!

Have a great day!

Oh, guess the riddle: standing there, the hive is buzzing. But there is no smoke coming out of the chimney, because this is not a native factory, but a computer on which the BIOS is damaged. And he hums because that’s all he can do now. Without the BIOS, it's just a bunch of lifeless hardware. Is this worth worrying about? Of course not. After all, now you have a great bedside table!

System unit as a bedside table? Well, I do not! We know how to make it work. Today we’ll talk about how to restore the BIOS if it crashes.

What causes the BIOS firmware to crash?

B IOS and its “descendant” UEFI, with which modern motherboards are flashed, are special computer programs necessary for the initial setup and management of PC devices until the operating system starts. They are stored in special flash memory chips on the motherboard, one of which is shown in the picture above. It seems like a good storage place, reliable, but sometimes the BIOS gets uncomfortable there and runs away. More precisely, it becomes damaged and ceases to perform its tasks.


There are not too many reasons for BIOS damage; in some cases they are obvious, in others they are not. Here is a list of the most common:

  • During this time, the computer's power supply was cut off.
  • The flasher program does not interact correctly with the firmware or flash memory chip.
  • A BIOS version has been flashed that is not suitable for this motherboard. Yes, .
  • If the update is carried out from a running operating system, there is a system failure or software interference, for example, blocking by an antivirus.
  • Incorrect user actions, for example, restarting the computer before the update installation is complete.
  • Failure of the flash memory chip.
  • Hidden BIOS firmware errors. Sometimes this explains spontaneous “gatherings” that occur for no apparent reason.
  • Electrical problems with the motherboard.

How BIOS damage manifests itself

In most cases, the BIOS firmware is partially damaged, so the symptoms of the failure may vary:
  • When you press the PC power button, only the cooler is turned on, which immediately begins to rotate at maximum speed. Sometimes the LED indicators on the case and keyboard light up.
  • One or several seconds after switching on, a cyclic reboot begins. Outwardly, this is manifested by a cycle of spinning up and stopping the cooler, which is repeated as long as power is supplied.
  • When turned on, the power indicator lights up, the cooler does not spin.
  • The computer shows no signs of life. This happens when the boot block, the BIOS bootloader, is damaged. This is the most difficult case.

There is no image on the screen. Even the manufacturer's screensaver does not appear.


There are also other forms of damage to the BIOS, more precisely, to its area that stores the configuration of the ME controller (an integral part of the chipset) on boards that work with Intel processors - the so-called ME region. If there is a problem in this area, the computer or laptop may:

  • It won't load correctly or won't turn on at all.
  • Shut down or restart at regular intervals.
  • It is incorrect to regulate the rotation speed of the cooler, for example, turning it at high speeds regardless of the load.

Eliminating such failures involves reading a BIOS dump, replacing the ME region with a clean one, and re-flashing it using a programmer. Since this is usually done by repairmen, and not by computer owners, we will not dwell on this. It’s better to do what can be done at home without special equipment and the risk of finally sending your “iron pet” to the kingdom of eternity.

Restoring the BIOS without a programmer is only possible if you save the bootloader. It is sometimes possible to determine whether it has been preserved or not by indirect signs: blinking of the screen backlight, sound signals from the system speaker, the reaction of the motherboard to turning on without RAM (with sound or blinking indicators), etc. If the BIOS bootloader is intact, the first moments of operation computers run fine, the failure appears a little later.

How to restore functionality to a motherboard with a crashed BIOS

Asus

Many Asus desktop motherboards support the technology USB Flashback, which is designed to quickly update and restore the BIOS in the event of a failure. This does not require anything other than a USB flash drive with a capacity of up to 4-16 GB and the BIOS file itself, which must be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website from the section about your motherboard model.

After downloading the firmware you need to rename it. For example, the file “Sabertooth X79” (model name) is renamed to “SABERX79.ROM”, the file “Sabertooth Z77” is renamed to “Z77ST.CAP”. Information on what the firmware file for your model should be named is most likely on the Asus website, but if you don’t find it, check on the forums or in support.

Next, save the renamed BIOS on a flash drive formatted in FAT32 and connect it to the USB port marked “ Flashback" or " ROG Connect" It is advisable to turn off the computer before this, this will increase the chance of successful recovery.


After connecting the flash drive, turn on the PC and press the “ BIOS" Hold it down for about 3 seconds until the indicator light on the board starts flashing. Blinking indicates that the file has been successfully read and is being flashed into memory. When the firmware process is completed, the indicator will turn off.

If your board is from the budget segment or is not very new, that is, it does not support USB Flashback, most likely you can restore it in another way. If your computer has a floppy drive or optical drive, write the renamed BIOS file to the root directory of a blank floppy disk or CD, place it in the drive, turn off and then turn on the PC. The firmware will be completed when the drive indicator goes off. If there is no drive, use a flash drive.

Gigabyte

On Gigabyte boards with Dual (double) BIOS, failures rarely occur, since in the event of damage to the firmware in the main chip ( M ain_ BIOS) the dump is copied into it from the backup one ( B ackup_ BIOS). As long as the main flash memory is healthy and contains the firmware, even if damaged, the board remains operational.


Problems with starting a board with Dual_BIOS are possible in the following cases:

  • The main chip is missing or faulty.
  • The microcode in the main chip is completely erased.
  • The contents of both microcircuits are damaged.

Some Gigabyte motherboards can boot from backup flash memory and use it as the main one. Another group of boards from this manufacturer uses a dedicated area on the hard drive as BIOS backup media. This is a less reliable option, but still better than nothing.

Restoring the Gigabyte BIOS from a backup is usually performed automatically, but if this does not happen, try turning off the computer from the outlet, wait a little and turn it on again.

MSI and others

Most motherboards manufactured by Micro-Star use a firmware recovery technology very similar to ASUS’s - using a flash drive, floppy disk or CD. Copy the BIOS onto a blank medium, connect it to the PC, press the power button for 4 seconds, and press the combination on the keyboard leftCtrl +Home(or Alt+Ctrl +Home) and, without releasing the keys, turn on the computer. The start of the firmware process can be judged by the flashing of the flash drive or drive indicator.
BIOS on MSI board. On the right is the JSPI1 port for flashing firmware on the programmer

On motherboards from MSI and some other brands that are more than 8-10 years old, flashing the BIOS is done from a floppy disk. The instructions for AWARD and AMI BIOS are slightly different.

To restore the AMI BIOS, do the following:

  • Rename the BIOS file downloaded from the motherboard manufacturer's website to AMIBOOT.ROM.
  • Transfer it to the root of a blank floppy disk. Insert the floppy disk into the drive of the switched off PC.
  • Press left Ctrl + Home on your keyboard and turn on your computer.

To restore AWARD BIOS:

  • Place the firmware and BIOS files on a floppy disk (usually downloaded in one archive).
  • Create a text document on a floppy disk that specifies the name of the BIOS file with the bin extension. Rename the document to autoexec.bat.
  • Further actions are similar to those above.

By the way, some motherboard manufacturers post BIOSes on their websites only in exe format - in “one bottle” with a firmware program for updating from Windows. Sometimes such a file can be unpacked as an archive, but users often do not understand which of its contents is firmware. There is no universal solution for such problems. In order not to aggravate the problem, it is better to consult specialized forums or the manufacturer’s technical support.


On some boards, before restoring the BIOS, you also need to remove the real-time clock (RTC) battery from the socket or reset (remove) the CMOS clear jumper. It is important to clarify these points before starting the procedure.

Features of BIOS recovery on laptops

On laptops, as well as on Gigabyte boards, the BIOS is also often stored in two flash memory chips. But this is not Dual and it does not have backups. Both chips contain different parts of the firmware, or one contains the main BIOS, and the other contains the multicontroller program. To prevent the device from turning on, it is enough to damage the microcode in at least one of them.


The method for restoring a crashed BIOS on laptops is approximately the same as on desktops. The firmware file and flashing program downloaded from the manufacturer’s website (the latter is not always needed) are placed on a clean flash drive formatted in FAT32/16, connected to a de-energized device (simply turning off the laptop is sometimes not enough, you need to disconnect the power supply and remove the battery), insert a charged place the battery in place, turn on the device and press the key combination. Different laptops use different keyboard shortcuts for this, for example:

  • Ctrl (left only or both) + Home
  • Windows + B (this and other letters are given in the Latin layout)
  • Windows + F
  • Windows+M
  • Windows + Esc
  • Fn+B
  • Fn+F
  • Fn+M
  • Fn+Esc.

The main job is to unpack and rename the BIOS files. Again, there is no single rule here. In most cases, you have to get the firmware from exe files, but! Many manufacturers include BIOSes for different revisions of one platform or a whole series of platforms, and choosing the only necessary file from them can be very difficult. To avoid mistakes, read the instructions for flashing the firmware of your particular model and platform revision on specialized forums. And don't be shy to ask questions.

In this article, I deliberately do not provide instructions for restoring BIOSes by flashing firmware on a programmer with or without soldering, closing various contacts, hot-swapping removable flash memory, etc., since all these methods are unsafe and require certain knowledge. However, there are probably some readers who have done something similar on their PC and got good results. It would be great if you describe your actions in detail in the comments to the article. Stories about negative experiences are also welcome so that other readers, thanks to you, can avoid mistakes. In the comments, be sure to include the model name and revision of your motherboard, as well as the BIOS version you worked with.