BIOS update

[fegsdc]

Hello group. I'd like to get some help regarding my BIOS. I'm taking a course and it says we should update the BIOS.

First of all i'd like to know what is the use of updating the BIOS.

I also learned that if the power goes off during a BIOS update that it will spoil the computer forever....

Secondly i would like to know which download is best for my pc taking in consideration my motherboard.

I went to msinfo32 and it says that my BIOS is ver. F32, date: 05-12-2012.

My laptop is an HP Elitebook 8470p.

 

[Alejandro85]

DON'T

Not unless you have a very strong reason to do so. Updating the BIOS is a risky activity, which could, as you say, brick the computer if something goes wrong. Power interruptions, wrong update file, any failure in the process and you're left with an unbootable computer.

As for the benefits, you should look at what has changed in the update file you're downloading, but in general very few times they have any tangible change.
Unless you're seeking a particular new feature (like support for some hardware) you know it's in a specific update, just leave it running and don't update needlessly.

 

[fegsdc]

Okay, thank you very much for the information.

 

[flavallee]

The HP EliteBook 8470p has 2 BIOS updates listed in its support site.

F.66 was released on November 08, 2016.
It provides improved security of UEFI code.

F.74 was released on May 14, 2019.
It provides security vulnerability enhancements.

Neither BIOS update addresses hardware issues or system stability or an issue that your laptop may be having.

Installing either BIOS update isn't justified and worth the risk if turning your laptop into a paperweight or doorstop.

I concur with the comments in post #2.

 

[samuria]

The risk of bricking it are now very small its been done for years and the key is to backup the current bios which is nrmally a option during update. Firms dont spend big money to create bios updates for fun there is good reson there is an update

 

[Alejandro85]

The risk of bricking it are now very small its been done for years and the key is to backup the current bios which is nrmally a option during update.

How do you restore such backup if your computer is unbootable and won't even reach the BIOS screen itself?

Firms dont spend big money to create bios updates for fun there is good reson there is an update

Can you name some concrete benefits of updating the BIOS?
Not just hypotetical, but a concrete example where the update produced a significant improvement in something that affected you specifically?

 

[samuria]

For concrete benefits you have to read what the update does often it lets you use more modern cpus or cut security risk its specific to the update but they dont do it for fun so it must be needed


If the bios is corrupted there are ways to recover depended on the pc corupted bios reinstall - Google Search

 

[file3456]

Invest in a good quality UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) like one from Cyberpower. Then if you are flashing the BIOS and the power goes out it won't be an issue. Unless of course you run out of power from the UPS before the BIOS update completes.

If you live in an area where your local power is wacky, I wouldn't flash the BIOS unless you have a UPS. Make the the UPS is for active power supplies if your PSU in the computer is an active version.

Edit- And never mind. You have a laptop. So it has its own battery. Just make sure you're plugged in when doing a BIOS update.

You'd only do a BIOS update if you really need it. I just do it because I can and am very familiar with doing it, the risks and my desktop has a UPS. The laptops of course have a battery.

IF! the BIOS goes to hell you might be able to find a replacement CMOS chip on eBay that has the BIOS flashed to it. This will require some soldering skills.