After upgrading to Windows Vista or after upgrading your hardware on a Vista machine, a BIOS update may be needed. Your basic input/output system controls communications between your operating system and your input and output hardware. Updating the BIOS allows your existing internal hardware to work properly with Windows Vista. A BIOS update also optimizes your system for a Windows Vista environment. Free BIOS updates are available from most computer manufacturers and can be installed in less than 10 minutes.
Instructions
1. Visit your computer manufacturer's website. Locate the Support or Downloads section of the website.
2. Enter your computer model or tag number, which is found on the computer itself, onto the manufacturer's support site.
3. Download the latest BIOS update available for the Windows Vista operating system. Some sites use a link, while others have a button.
4. Read any instructions about the BIOS update. These instructions are available on your manufacturer's website along with the download, or they download with the BIOS update.
5. Double-click the "BIOS update file" to run the "BIOS flash utility."
6. Follow the guided wizard prompts to flash your BIOS.
7. Restart your computer after the BIOS update is complete if the utility does not restart the system for you.
Tags: BIOS update, Windows Vista, your computer, input output, manufacturer website