What is "flashing" the BIOS?

The software for the specific piece of hardware that you are trying to update is stored on a chip on your motherboard. Since it is not stored on your hard drive, you have to erase the old information and "flash" it with a new one.
 
That's a quick answer of "updating" the bios version running on the system there. This is programmed onto the bios eprom chip which is a read only type IC chip. When you clear the cmos on a board the default bios settings are loaded according to the version flashed or programmed onto the eprom. The term "flash" or "flashing" refers to reprogramming.
 
When you see the option to backup the current bios version you may want to do just that in case of a bad flash. But the newer updates generally go right on over having the problems seen with the older boards and floppy method. Meanwhile how's that Corsair HX520 holding up there?
 
PC eye said:
When you see the option to backup the current bios version you may want to do just that in case of a bad flash. But the newer updates generally go right on over having the problems seen with the older boards and floppy method. Meanwhile how's that Corsair HX520 holding up there?
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Yes, if you mess up on flashing the bios and there is no way to undo it, you need to buy a new chip!
 
flashing the BIOS really isnt necessary most of the time. all it does is give you several micellaneous options that usually dont do anything but make themselves look important. if you dont feel up to the task, it isnt necessary at all. everyone says "you MUST flash to OC" but i have OCed twice without flashing and my results have surpassed those that have OCed with a flashed BIOS
 
Updating the bios generally has nothing to do with OCing anyways. The updates will often have fixes in them like when initially going from single core to dual core cpus. Keeping a newer version on also sees more support at times for the newer hardwares that come out. To restore a bios you simply reflash with the one you backed up or with a fresh download if the first was bad. Or if in the case of a bad floppy or bad download of a dos tool you would replace one of those and try again.

In many cases now the updates can be done by downloading the Windows program for it directly from the support site where the other updates and utilities if any are found. What those do is simply install the update by a winflash proceedure where you can watch the process as blocks in grids change color to show the progress.
 
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