Installing BIOS Upgrades

Usually a firmware upgrade shouldn't be done unless there is a hardware compatibility issue, performance problem, or exploit. There is always a risk with firmware upgrades that should be taken into consideration. An upgrade gone wrong may cause your computer to not start properly. If there is a power loss or other interruption your computer may not be able to boot afterwards. If you determine that you need a firmware upgrade there are steps to go through to make sure the upgrade is successful.

1. Check the current version of the BIOS against the version you are upgrading to. Also it may be a good idea to obtain a copy of your current version should you need to roll it back for any reason.
2. Use a reliable power source. Don't trust your battery with a laptop. Plug it in. Use a UPS with a desktop if possible.
3. Ensure that you have the appropriate boot media for your system if needed. In most cases on modern systems the process can be completed with a utility that runs in Windows but this may not be the case with older systems. You may need a bootable floppy disk or CD-ROM for the process on older systems.
4. For modern systems that use an executable within Windows it is a good idea to ensure everything is patched and up to date before you attempt the firmware upgrade. Also close any unnecessary programs that may be running before you start the process.
5. The utility for upgrading your BIOS will vary by manufacturer, but is usually a straight forward process as long as you take some simple precautions and read the documentation before attempting the upgrade.

Firmware makes use of nonvolatile memory and is present on a variety of devices. It isn't just limited to your computer's BIOS/CMOS. When you power off your device the information stored in the firmware is still there. In the case of the BIOS it instructs the computer what to do with all the devices when the system receives power. Your computer can't start without it so only upgrade your BIOS when necessary and be cautious.