How can I update my BIOS my motherboard ? This is a common question we receive from many Windows XP enthusiasts worldwide, there are a few points to consider but changing, updating or flashing BIOS is not too difficult if you do the right research beforehand. (The term flash or flashing is used to describe the act of updating the BIOS.)

Nearly every mother board and PC system on the market undergoes at least one significant revision of the BIOS after the product has been released for sale.

Go to your computer manufacturer website,( i.e. Compaq, HP, Toshiba, Dell, Time, Gateway, Tiny etc ) website and do searches for downloads and bios upgrades.Ensure you download the right one for your mother board.

Motherboard manufacturers supplying BIOS upgrades and information:-

* Albatron
* Shuttle
* Jetway
* Soyo
* Aopen
* Asus
* Abit
* Foxconn

Upgrading BIOS can be summarized in following steps

1. Determine which version of BIOS you are running.
2. Obtain the appropriate BIOS update from manufacturers site.
3. Prepare a BIOS flash disk.
4. Flash the motherboard BIOS (upgrade the BIOS).

Try resetting the bios to it’s original state by restoring the default bios settings.

Depending on the chipset, motherboard manufacturer, BIOS version, and CPU, installing Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 can result in an unbootable computer system. The problem revolves around the machine’s BIOS not installing a production level microcode update. The best solution to the problem is to update the system BIOS for your motherboard before you install SP2.

BIOS tweaks and configurations:-

Change memory Latency times
Set the correct AGP mode
Update your bios
Disable unneeded ports
Disable built-in features on your motherboard

To set up your system to boot from the CD, you’ll need to enter the BIOS software and change the boot order. Typically, you will want your system set up to boot from CD, then floppy, then the first hard drive. Check the manual that came with your PC or motherboard for information about entering the BIOS and making this change, if needed.

Consider upgrading your BIOS – it’s probably a good idea to ensure that you have the latest version before even installing XP, although with most newer systems this will not be neccessary.

Don’t bother visiting the BIOS manufacturers web sites looking for BIOS updates, its the motherboard manufacturers who develop the BIOS systems.