Solved BIOS Update on Dual-Booted Windows PC (7pro+8.1) - Tips, Risks, etc.?

[MarkusGE]

Hi all,

I'm on a dual booted Toshiba laptop (Win7pro+8.1 - for reasons and basic setup, please see first post this thread: Multi Boot computer - how to keep data and programs in sync ), which has been running real fine so far for about one and a half years.

When setting up this System, I completely wiped the disk and installed the OSes according to some of the tutorials found around the seven- and eightforums. Of course, I had to manually download and install all drivers afterwards. Among the things installed, I must some "non-driver" programs hidden in Toshiba's "driver" download section, and that got me "Toshiba Service Station" installed.

Service Station turned out to be issuing maintenance-related messages from Toshiba (e.g. WRT battery pack problems they have been having - I was not affected), but also software updates (like for a Toshiba-supplied Blue-Ray player that I also installed accidentally).

About a year ago, though, Service Station started (and has since kept) bugging me about a BIOS / UEFI update. I refused it at first because I didn't (don't) know the risks of installing a BIOS update on a dual booted system. However, as time passed, two more BIOS updates have appeared, the latest one saying is fixes security vulnerabilities. Now that is one I'd like to have, of course. - BUT...

1. Can a BIOS update be performed without breaking my complete system?
2. Are there any other risks when installing BIOS updates on a dual boot (W7+8.1) system?
3. Is there anything special one has to keep in mind (other than having good backups)?
4. Will I have to keep record of my BIOS settings to be able to implements them again after the update? IOW, will the update reset the BIOS to standard settings?

Yours, Markus

 

[Megahertz07]

BIOS is the first software that is loaded on a computer, regardless of the operating system.
It's a very important part of the booting as it defines the hardware basic operation.

1- Can a BIOS update be performed without breaking my complete system?
As a BIOS operation erases the old BIOS on the EEPROM and then saves the new one, if for some reason it goes wrong (like a power failure), you wont be able to BOOT any more.
Precautions:
- Carefully read the update instructions. Make sure you understand if. Focus on what you're doing.
- On a laptop, be sure that you have battery charged.
- Preferentially, do it on a BIOS option, if it doesn't have, do it under DOS, and last option (worst), do it under windows.
- Once you begin the update, don't touch the computer. Wait for instructions.

2- Are there any other risks when installing BIOS updates on a dual boot (W7+8.1) system?
No. BIOS update has no interference with OS.

3- Is there anything special one has to keep in mind (other than having good backups)?
Read the BIOS update instructions. Avoid installing under windows (Antivirus etc can interfere on the process)

4- Will I have to keep record of my BIOS settings to be able to implements them again after the update? IOW, will the update reset the BIOS to standard settings?
Yes, the update normally reset to the defaults. On a laptop, there isn't many options. Take photos of each BIOS page so you can restore it as close as it was.

 

[AddRAM]

If you don`t need the Bios update, DON`T UPDATE IT, Yes it can screw up your dual boot.

Yes to #4, you would/should have to write down every setting you changed, in case a Bios update makes changes.

There`s been a new Bios update out for my board for over a month now, I`m not even considering updating it yet.

 

[MarkusGE]

Thank you for the quick reply!

> - Carefully read the update instructions. Make sure you understand if. Focus on what you're doing.
< I would, of course, but instructions is among the things service station does NOT provide (see pic)...

> - On a laptop, be sure that you have battery charged.
< Thx, will have to turn batery-firndly charging off and load it completely.

> - Preferentially, do it on a BIOS option, if it doesn't have, do it under DOS, and last option (worst), do it under windows.
< What do you mean with a BIOS option? How to do?


> Yes, the update normally reset to the defaults. On a laptop, there isn't many options. Take photos of each BIOS page so you can restore it as close as it was.
< All right, will do.


Please excuse the many questions, I´ve never touched BIOS updates before.

Yours, Markus

 

[Megahertz07]

Apparently there is only BIOS update under windows. Disable antivirus etc
Read How to update the BIOS on Toshiba notebooks

 

[MarkusGE]

If you don`t need the Bios update, DON`T UPDATE IT, Yes it can screw up your dual boot.

Yes to #4, you would/should have to write down every setting you changed, in case a Bios update makes changes.

There`s been a new Bios update out for my board for over a month now, I`m not even considering updating it yet.

Sorry to answer only now, you must have posted your reply while I was already editing mine.

It talks about security issues, but no more details, so it´s hard to tell if I need it or not. I mean, I haven't considered updating the BIOS for as long as it never mentioned security...

Apparently there is only BIOS update under windows. Disable antivirus etc
Read How to update the BIOS on Toshiba notebooks

Thanks a lot, that should do it



Yours, Markus

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Just know most antivirus programs do not turn off reliably
It is best to completely uninstall them.

 

[MarkusGE]

Decided

Hi all,

your answers have been really helpful WRT how BIOS updating could / should / would be done - but there have been many warnings as well.

After some Google searches in hope to find out exactly which security problems the proposed BIOS update(s) should fix, and that have yielded no results, I have no decided to leave it at that and continue ignoring those updates.

Thanks again for all your help!

And at least I now know where to look should I change my mind some time in the future

Cheers, Markus