Use a standard USB flash drive to create a bootable Live system.
The Basic Input Output System (BIOS) is an integral part of your computer. Sometimes, BIOS manufacturers release updates that can improve the performance of or bring additional features to a motherboard. Most of the BIOS flashing utilities provided by manufacturers requires the Microsoft Windows operating system since they run as EXEs, or executable program files. Using a workaround method, with a boot disk, you can install your BIOS updates without having to install an operating system on the computer.
Instructions
1. Use another computer to navigate to your motherboard manufacturer's website. Check for any BIOS updates and read through the list of enhancements. You may wish to avoid an update if your BIOS is already functioning properly and there are no bug fixes or BIOS enhancements available. Download the BIOS updates and utilities if you wish to continue.
2. Launch a file manager and navigate to the directory where you saved the BIOS updates and utilities. Extract any archives so that you can view their contents. Open any README files and read them thoroughly before continuing. Every motherboard manufacturer has different instructions and tools for flashing their BIOS -- some even change their guides between versions.
3. Download and install Unetbootin. Connect your blank USB flash drive, then launch the Unetbootin application from your "Programs" menu. Select "FreeDOS" from the "Distribution" drop-down list, "USB Drive" from the "Type" drop-down list and your USB flash drive letter from the "Drive" drop-down list. Click "OK" to download and image the USB key with FreeDOS.
4. Launch your file manager and copy the unarchived BIOS updates and utilities to the USB flash drive or to another disk that you can access once you have booted onto the FreeDOS Live USB. Right-click the USB icon on your desktop and choose "Eject" or "Unmount," depending on your operating system, then insert the USB flash drive into the computer without an operating system requiring the BIOS update.
5. Power on the computer without an operating system and boot from the USB flash drive. Use the "cd" command to navigate to where your BIOS updates and utilities are located. Follow the instructions from your manufacturer's README file precisely. Most BIOS updates will involve you running a BAT or EXE file, then rebooting your system, but each manufacturer has a different process and it is crucial that you follow this process perfectly.
Tags: BIOS updates, flash drive, operating system, BIOS updates utilities, updates utilities, drop-down list