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Chapter4 The BIOS
The BIOS is a piece of software (Basic Input Output System) that performs most low level
tasks. When you start up your system, the BIOS is the first code that gets to run. The BIOS
resides in a FLASH ROM, and the code in the FLASH ROM can be updated through a
special utility called AWDFLASH. (Award Flash). This is generally not necessary, but in
some cases updating the BIOS is necessary to support new devices that were not on the
market at the time the motherboard was released. For the physical location of the BIOS
FLASH ROM IC on your motherboard, refer to the picture below:
BIOS
The BIOS IC is inserted in an IC socket, which means that it can be removed and
exchanged for another IC if necessary.
Is updating my BIOS necessary?
As a general rule if your system is functioning properly and you are not an experienced
user, do not try to update the BIOS. Only if you have specific problems that a BIOS update
may solve may it be advisable to update the BIOS.
The update process is pretty complex, and you should bear in mind that if updating the
BIOS goes wrong you may render your system unbootable. Therefore, do not update unless
you know what you are doing.
Finding the latest official BIOS revision
All manuals and user guides at all-guides.com
