Upgrading your Gigabyte motherboard's BIOS (basic input/output system) is practically mandatory, as newer versions improve the functionality of your hardware while fixing known problems. Upgrading can enable your motherboard to use newer hardware that came out after it, as well. Manufacturers don't recommend upgrading if you aren't experiencing any problems, however, so if your system is running smoothly, it may not be worth your time. Always check the issues addressed in each version to determine whether it's worth updating.
Instructions
@BIOS
1. Disable your antivirus software to avoid any potential complications.
2. Disable "Hyper Threading" in your system's BIOS, if applicable. To open it, restart your computer, and press the "Delete" key or whichever key the system indicates will open the BIOS when it boots.
3. Navigate the BIOS using the arrow keys, looking for "Hyper Threading" or a term similarly named. Use the arrow keys to highlight the term, then press "Enter." This will often open a menu allowing you to disable the feature. If "Enter" doesn't work, reference the legend located on the screen to see what key alters a setting.
4. Look for a menu labeled "Exit" and a "Save Changes and Exit" option. Highlight it and press "Enter." You can also reference the legend for the "Save Changes and Exit" keyboard key. Your computer will now reboot.
5. Download the @BIOS BIOS update utility from Gigabyte's website (see Resources).
6. Install the @BIOS utility by double-clicking the file. When the install finishes, start the utility.
7. Click "About this Program" to check if your motherboard can be updated using the @BIOS tool.
8. Click the "Internet Update" check box.
9. Click the "Update New BIOS" button.
10. Select a server from the list (try to pick one geographically close), and then click "OK."
11. Select a BIOS version, then check to see if the motherboard model listed is in fact yours. Flashing the wrong BIOS will render your motherboard inoperative. Flashing is a process by which the firmware (instructions physically stored on the hardware) is erased and replaced with a newer version. When you're certain it's correct, click "OK."
12. Click "OK" when you're ready to update. When the process is finished, click "OK."
13. Restart your computer.
Q-Flash
14. Navigate to Gigabyte's support site (see Resources).
15. Type in your model number, and press "Enter."
16. Click the "BIOS" link under your motherboard's model number.
17.Download one of the BIOS versions listed on the page; going with the latest version is often best. They're typically sorted by release date.
18. Insert a blank floppy disk, and open the downloaded file; it's a self-extracting archive. When the system asks where to extract the files, select the floppy disk drive. Its drive letter is "A."
19. Restart the computer.
20. Open the BIOS by pressing the "Delete" key when you first see text appear on the screen.
21. Press "F8" on your keyboard, and then "Y" to confirm.
22. Highlight "Load Main BIOS from Floppy" or "Update BIOS from Floppy" using the arrow keys, and press "Enter."
23. Highlight the BIOS file, and press "Enter." Press "Enter" again to confirm.
24. Press any key once the system informs you the update is complete. Press "Escape" and then "Y"; your system will reboot.
Tags: your motherboard, arrow keys, press Enter, your system, BIOS from, BIOS from Floppy