Most all BIOS updates require DOS or Windows to function. While some manufacturers have begun to release Linux binaries, this is the exception. To perform BIOS updates using Suse, you will most likely need to create a FreeDOS boot disk with your motherboard manufacturer's BIOS update, then perform the update in that environment. Suse's repositories have a number of tools that automate this process and make BIOS updates far easier than they were in the past.
Instructions
1. Launch an additional browser window and navigate to your motherboard manufacturer's website. Download the BIOS updates for your motherboard. If the company offers a Linux executable, download and run that -- otherwise, continue.
2. Extract the BIOS updates from their archive. Read the README file since every BIOS manufacturer has a different update process. You will need to follow the README file precisely for a successful update.
3. Launch a terminal window and execute the command "su -c 'yast2 --install unetbootin'" to install Unetbootin from the Suse repositories. Insert your blank USB pen drive. Launch Unetbootin once the installation is finished.
4. Click on "FreeDOS" in the "Distribution" list, "USB Drive" in the "Type" list, and your USB drive's location from the adjacent "Drive" listing. Make sure you select the right device since Unetbootin doesn't perform any checks before formatting. Click "Ok" to download the FreeDOS image and transfer it to the USB pen drive.
5. Copy the unarchived BIOS update files to the USB pen drive, then restart your machine. Boot from the USB pen drive using your system's boot selection menu. Once booted into FreeDOS, use the "cd" command to navigate to the directory containing your BIOS updates on the USB pen drive.
6. Follow the README instructions to complete your BIOS updates. Typically, you will need to run a BAT or EXE file that was in the archived updates.
Tags: BIOS updates, your motherboard, BIOS update, motherboard manufacturer, README file, Suse repositories