If your motherboard does not have an embedded programmer, you will need to use BIOS programming software. This program can be Windows-based or DOS-based. Of course, it is easier to use a Windows program than a DOS one.
The trick here is to take a look at the CD-ROM that comes with the motherboard. Sometimes the motherboard manufacturer provides a Windows-based BIOS upgrade utility on the CD-ROM but not on their website.
In our examples, we will be upgrading the BIOS of an ECS RS485M-M motherboard with a utility called Winflash, which was available on the motherboard manufacturer download page. Of course, if you use a different program, the exact option names and locations may be different, but the overall concept is the same.
In Figure 13, we see the Winflash’s main screen.
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Figure 13: Winflash utility
The first thing you need to do is to backup your current motherboard BIOS, going to File, Save Old BIOS, see Figure 14. Save it on a blank floppy disk as “old_bios.bin” or something similar.
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Figure 14: Saving the current BIOS to a file
Next, load the BIOS file you want to upgrade, going to File, Open.
After the BIOS file is loaded, select all areas of the BIOS chip to be updated (in this example, Boot block, DMI Area, Update All). See Figure 15, and compare it with Figure 13 to see the difference.
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Figure 15: Select all BIOS areas to be updated
Next update the BIOS by selecting File, Update BIOS. A confirmation screen will appear. Click on Update and your BIOS will be upgraded. This procedure can take some time. Wait until it finishes.
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Figure 16: Confirmation window.
When the upgrade is finished, a window asking you to reset your computer will be shown. Reset your computer and the process will be finished.
Figure 17: BIOS successfully upgraded.
