How to restore the BIOS on a computer or laptop if it has crashed. How to restore the BIOS of a computer and laptop if it has crashed How to restore the BIOS after unsuccessful firmware


How to restore BIOS? This question is increasingly being asked by users who have tried it on their own.
reflash the system utility or were among those who became victims of a malfunction, breakdown or power outage. It is known that BIOS is an important basis that ensures the performance of the entire computer. BIOS failure is a very serious problem for the user, which must be solved.

A BIOS failure is not a reason to change your computer; the most pessimistic outcome involves replacing the motherboard and nothing more, but in most cases this can be avoided. There are many ways to restore BIOS, and we will look at the most useful and used of them. True, first you should understand that to solve this problem you must be confident in your actions. If in doubt, it is better to entrust this matter to a professional so that he can restore the BIOS for you.

But if you know your stuff, you can restore the BIOS yourself, and we recommend using our useful guide, which will definitely come in handy.

Recovery methods:

  • using external media;
  • flashing in the service;
  • using Boot Block;
  • by replacing the microcircuit;
  • standard recovery.

Using external media

Before considering this method, we remind you that the problem can overtake you both on a personal computer and on a laptop. You should not try to use all of the methods listed in order to restore the BIOS on a laptop. The method that we will consider now is the only correct way to restore BIOS on a laptop. In the future, we will definitely highlight for you other methods that can be used for this situation.

First of all, you need to find a USB Flash with a capacity of at least 2 GB and format it under the FAT system. Next, you should go to the official website of the manufacturer to which your motherboard belongs. Find your model and download the file for BIOS firmware. After the file is downloaded, it must be renamed by adding the value “.bin” after the original name. Then you should disassemble the laptop and remove the BIOS “battery” element. After that, insert the flash drive into the slot and start the laptop.

The firmware process is indicated by flickering identification lights. As soon as the lights go out, it means the firmware is complete. After this, you should insert the “battery” element back and start the laptop. If the lights do not light up during the firmware process, you should try this procedure again. If after several attempts there is no result, then you should contact the service.

Reflashing in the service

Any service in your locality can restore your BIOS. But to do this, you don’t need to take your entire computer to the service, just pull out a special chip called AMIBIOS (the name may be different, for this you need to know what BIOS you have). And you should not confuse it with the “battery” element of the BIOS, since these are completely different elements of the motherboard. The battery is a segment supporting the system utility, and the chip is the BIOS itself with the program codes embedded in it.

To remove the chip, you must carefully pry it with a pin so that it tilts slightly, and then use a small tie knot (made of thread) to pull it out of the slot. It may not work out at first, but don’t stop and try again. The main thing is not to pull too hard or poke the motherboard and slot itself with a pin, as this can damage them.

Then, together with the microcircuit, you need to go to the service center and explain your situation, be sure to explain in detail the problem that caused the failure in the BIOS. You should not expect that the service employees will tell you in detail how to restore the BIOS, since they themselves do not take part in this. They are helped by a special device called a “programmer”; it automatically reconfigures the BIOS chip, returning the settings to the factory settings.

You should not try to find and buy this device: it has a specific purpose, and its cost is very high. After the procedure, the chip will be returned to you, which you will need to put in place. This procedure is paid. However, restoring the BIOS will cost less than buying a new motherboard.

Using Boot Block

In most cases, the BIOS can be restored using a hidden feature called Boot Block. This function allows you to return the BIOS to its last working state so that you can reconfigure it again. This function can only be used using a floppy disk. The method is the very first in history and specific, since the floppy disk is now very difficult to find, but if you have it, it will allow you to carry out this procedure.

The first step is to write the emergency recovery files onto a floppy disk. You will need two files in total: the firmware file and the “awdflash” utility. After you download the firmware file, you need to rename it. The new file name should look like "amiboot.rom". After the operations have been completed, all that remains is to insert the floppy disk into the computer and start it.

The BIOS will be reset and you can return it to working condition. Please note that in this method there is no need to remove the battery element. This method is also suitable for an older model laptop with a floppy connector.

By changing the chip

Restoring the BIOS using software methods is a rather complex procedure that requires special
attention and does not always give the expected result. But there is a method that can be guaranteed to help restore the system utility. It consists of simply changing the chip from the motherboard, which is called AMIBIOS. You can replace it strictly with a microcircuit taken from the motherboard of the same manufacturer, this will solve the problem.

But there is also a controversial situation that can mislead users. The situation is that some motherboards have a built-in (non-removable) chip. If you encounter this, then you should not pull it out, as this will completely break the motherboard; it is better to contact a professional for service.

Standard recovery

There is another widely known, but little used method, which is to lock the motherboard. If you remove the “battery” element from the slot and keep the slot open for a day, the motherboard will be locked (this works only on old model motherboards; new models do not have this property). Next, you need to keep the slot open for a day and then insert the “battery” element into place. If your motherboard tends to lock itself, then you can reset all existing settings to factory settings and get started. Note: this method can also be used for a laptop.

Now you know the recovery procedure in detail and will know exactly what to do if this unpleasant but easily solvable situation arises.

Hello dear readers.

Any computer is a complex system. Sometimes during operation of the device, some problems may appear related to the correct performance of its functions in an area such as the BIOS. There are several ways to solve this problem – it all depends on the type of error. Later in the article I will tell you how to restore the BIOS on a laptop, depending on the type of problem.

Restore to factory settings

If suddenly the device stops functioning normally, and you suspect that the reason for this is incorrect settings in the area mentioned above, you can try to return them to factory settings:

In most cases, this procedure helps. True, sometimes you can encounter a simple error that does not allow the OS to start normally. The fix is ​​simple:


If you have a password

Sometimes users may encounter a situation where someone or they themselves previously set a password for the area we need, and conveniently forgot it. As a result of several incorrect attempts, the device will simply stop functioning.

Then you need to open the mobile computer itself. By the way, this method will help if it does not turn on:


Important! Before we go any further, there are a few basic points to clarify. So, some laptops, for example, Acer Aspire, have not two, but three contacts. In this case, you need to set the jumper to a different position and wait a few minutes.

In addition, sometimes you can find a special small button that performs the same functions. You just need to press it with a pencil for a few seconds.

Another solution is to remove the battery that maintains all important data in memory. If you remove it, everything will be reset.

Recovery after flashing

If problems arise as a result of unsuccessful installation of a new software version for the corresponding component, you need to perform a series of steps.

Oh, guess the riddle: standing there, the hive is buzzing. But there is no smoke coming out of the chimney, because this is not a native factory, but a computer on which the BIOS is damaged. And he hums because that’s all he can do now. Without the BIOS, it's just a bunch of lifeless hardware. Is this worth worrying about? Of course not. After all, now you have a great bedside table!

System unit as a bedside table? Well, I do not! We know how to make it work. Today we’ll talk about how to restore the BIOS if it crashes.

What causes the BIOS firmware to crash?

B IOS and its “descendant” UEFI, with which modern motherboards are flashed, are special computer programs necessary for the initial setup and management of PC devices until the operating system starts. They are stored in special flash memory chips on the motherboard, one of which is shown in the picture above. It seems like a good storage place, reliable, but sometimes the BIOS gets uncomfortable there and runs away. More precisely, it becomes damaged and ceases to perform its tasks.


There are not too many reasons for BIOS damage; in some cases they are obvious, in others they are not. Here is a list of the most common:

  • During this time, the computer's power supply was cut off.
  • The flasher program does not interact correctly with the firmware or flash memory chip.
  • A BIOS version has been flashed that is not suitable for this motherboard. Yes, .
  • If the update is carried out from a running operating system, there is a system failure or software interference, for example, blocking by an antivirus.
  • Incorrect user actions, for example, restarting the computer before the update installation is complete.
  • Failure of the flash memory chip.
  • Hidden BIOS firmware errors. Sometimes this explains spontaneous “gatherings” that occur for no apparent reason.
  • Electrical problems with the motherboard.

How BIOS damage manifests itself

In most cases, the BIOS firmware is partially damaged, so the symptoms of the failure may vary:
  • When you press the PC power button, only the cooler is turned on, which immediately begins to rotate at maximum speed. Sometimes the LED indicators on the case and keyboard light up.
  • One or several seconds after switching on, a cyclic reboot begins. Outwardly, this is manifested by a cycle of spinning up and stopping the cooler, which is repeated as long as power is supplied.
  • When turned on, the power indicator lights up, the cooler does not spin.
  • The computer shows no signs of life. This happens when the boot block, the BIOS bootloader, is damaged. This is the most difficult case.

There is no image on the screen. Even the manufacturer's screensaver does not appear.


There are also other forms of damage to the BIOS, more precisely, to its area that stores the configuration of the ME controller (an integral part of the chipset) on boards that work with Intel processors - the so-called ME region. If there is a problem in this area, the computer or laptop may:

  • It won't load correctly or won't turn on at all.
  • Shut down or restart at regular intervals.
  • It is incorrect to regulate the rotation speed of the cooler, for example, turning it at high speeds regardless of the load.

Eliminating such failures involves reading a BIOS dump, replacing the ME region with a clean one, and re-flashing it using a programmer. Since this is usually done by repairmen, and not by computer owners, we will not dwell on this. It’s better to do what can be done at home without special equipment and the risk of finally sending your “iron pet” to the kingdom of eternity.

Restoring the BIOS without a programmer is only possible if you save the boot loader. It is sometimes possible to determine whether it has been preserved or not by indirect signs: blinking of the screen backlight, sound signals from the system speaker, the reaction of the motherboard to turning on without RAM (with sound or blinking indicators), etc. If the BIOS bootloader is intact, the first moments of operation computers run fine, the failure appears a little later.

How to restore functionality to a motherboard with a crashed BIOS

Asus

Many Asus desktop motherboards support the technology USB Flashback, which is designed to quickly update and restore the BIOS in the event of a failure. This does not require anything other than a USB flash drive with a capacity of up to 4-16 GB and the BIOS file itself, which must be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website from the section about your motherboard model.

After downloading the firmware you need to rename it. For example, the file “Sabertooth X79” (model name) is renamed to “SABERX79.ROM”, the file “Sabertooth Z77” is renamed to “Z77ST.CAP”. Information on what the firmware file for your model should be named is most likely on the Asus website, but if you don’t find it, check on the forums or in support.

Next, save the renamed BIOS on a flash drive formatted in FAT32 and connect it to the USB port marked “ Flashback" or " ROG Connect" It is advisable to turn off the computer before this, this will increase the chance of successful recovery.


After connecting the flash drive, turn on the PC and press the “ BIOS" Hold it down for about 3 seconds until the indicator light on the board starts flashing. Blinking indicates that the file has been successfully read and is being flashed into memory. When the firmware process is completed, the indicator will turn off.

If your board is from the budget segment or is not very new, that is, it does not support USB Flashback, most likely you can restore it in another way. If your computer has a floppy drive or optical drive, write the renamed BIOS file to the root directory of a blank floppy disk or CD, place it in the drive, turn off and then turn on the PC. The firmware will be completed when the drive indicator goes off. If there is no drive, use a flash drive.

Gigabyte

On Gigabyte boards with Dual (double) BIOS, failures rarely occur, since in the event of damage to the firmware in the main chip ( M ain_ BIOS) the dump is copied into it from the backup one ( B ackup_ BIOS). As long as the main flash memory is healthy and contains the firmware, even if damaged, the board remains operational.


Problems with starting a board with Dual_BIOS are possible in the following cases:

  • The main chip is missing or faulty.
  • The microcode in the main chip is completely erased.
  • The contents of both microcircuits are damaged.

Some Gigabyte motherboards can boot from backup flash memory and use it as the main one. Another group of boards from this manufacturer uses a dedicated area on the hard drive as BIOS backup media. This is a less reliable option, but still better than nothing.

Restoring the Gigabyte BIOS from a backup is usually performed automatically, but if this does not happen, try turning off the computer from the outlet, wait a little and turn it on again.

MSI and others

Most motherboards manufactured by Micro-Star use a firmware recovery technology very similar to ASUS’s - using a flash drive, floppy disk or CD. Copy the BIOS onto a blank medium, connect it to the PC, press the power button for 4 seconds, and press the combination on the keyboard leftCtrl +Home(or Alt+Ctrl +Home) and, without releasing the keys, turn on the computer. The start of the firmware process can be judged by the flashing of the flash drive or drive indicator.
BIOS on MSI board. On the right is the JSPI1 port for flashing firmware on the programmer

On motherboards from MSI and some other brands that are more than 8-10 years old, flashing the BIOS is done from a floppy disk. The instructions for AWARD and AMI BIOS are slightly different.

To restore the AMI BIOS, do the following:

  • Rename the BIOS file downloaded from the motherboard manufacturer's website to AMIBOOT.ROM.
  • Transfer it to the root of a blank floppy disk. Insert the floppy disk into the drive of the switched off PC.
  • Press left Ctrl + Home on your keyboard and turn on your computer.

To restore AWARD BIOS:

  • Place the firmware and BIOS files on a floppy disk (usually downloaded in one archive).
  • Create a text document on a floppy disk that specifies the name of the BIOS file with the bin extension. Rename the document to autoexec.bat.
  • Further actions are similar to those above.

By the way, some motherboard manufacturers post BIOSes on their websites only in exe format - in “one bottle” with a firmware program for updating from Windows. Sometimes such a file can be unpacked as an archive, but users often do not understand which of its contents is firmware. There is no universal solution for such problems. In order not to aggravate the problem, it is better to consult specialized forums or the manufacturer’s technical support.


On some boards, before restoring the BIOS, you also need to remove the real-time clock (RTC) battery from the socket or reset (remove) the CMOS clear jumper. It is important to clarify these points before starting the procedure.

Features of BIOS recovery on laptops

On laptops, as well as on Gigabyte boards, the BIOS is also often stored in two flash memory chips. But this is not Dual and it does not have backups. Both chips contain different parts of the firmware, or one contains the main BIOS, and the other contains the multicontroller program. To prevent the device from turning on, it is enough to damage the microcode in at least one of them.


The method for restoring a crashed BIOS on laptops is approximately the same as on desktops. The firmware file and flashing program downloaded from the manufacturer’s website (the latter is not always needed) are placed on a clean flash drive formatted in FAT32/16, connected to a de-energized device (simply turning off the laptop is sometimes not enough, you need to disconnect the power supply and remove the battery), insert a charged place the battery in place, turn on the device and press the key combination. Different laptops use different keyboard shortcuts for this, for example:

  • Ctrl (left only or both) + Home
  • Windows + B (this and other letters are given in the Latin layout)
  • Windows + F
  • Windows+M
  • Windows + Esc
  • Fn+B
  • Fn+F
  • Fn+M
  • Fn+Esc.

The main job is to unpack and rename the BIOS files. Again, there is no single rule here. In most cases, you have to get the firmware from exe files, but! Many manufacturers include BIOSes for different revisions of one platform or a whole series of platforms, and choosing the only necessary file from them can be very difficult. To avoid mistakes, read the instructions for flashing the firmware of your particular model and platform revision on specialized forums. And don't be shy to ask questions.

In this article, I deliberately do not provide instructions for restoring BIOSes by flashing firmware on a programmer with or without soldering, closing various contacts, hot-swapping removable flash memory, etc., since all these methods are unsafe and require certain knowledge. However, there are probably some readers who have done something similar on their PC and got good results. It would be great if you describe your actions in detail in the comments to the article. Stories about negative experiences are also welcome so that other readers, thanks to you, can avoid mistakes. In the comments, be sure to include the model name and revision of your motherboard, as well as the BIOS version you worked with.

Greetings! I will say right away that the procedure for restoring the firmware on the motherboard is not a particularly difficult undertaking. Let's figure out how to restore the BIOS on a computer or laptop if it suddenly crashes.

What causes BIOS corruption

UEFI is a modern and improved analogue of BIOS; most motherboards are now based on it. BIOS or UEFI is a set of system commands that are necessary to configure and manage computer devices necessary to successfully start the PC and load the operating system. System logic or commands are stored in microcircuits soldered on the motherboard.

BIOS crashes - why does this happen?

There are not too many reasons why the BIOS crashes and often they are obvious, but it happens that you have to do a lot of digging before you find the cause of the BIOS malfunction.

The most common reasons:

  • During the motherboard BIOS update procedure, the lights were turned off;
  • Incorrect interaction with the firmware program or flash memory chip;
  • A BIOS version has been “hardwired” that is not compatible with your motherboard;
  • When updating from Windows, failures can sometimes occur, for example, due to interference in the power supply or blocking by an antivirus;
  • Due to user action - rebooting or shutting down the computer before the BIOS firmware is completed;
  • Failure of the BIOS chip due to a short circuit (short circuit) or frequent rewriting of the BIOS;
  • Firmware errors due to incorrect firmware or CMOS reset. Sometimes this explains unexpected BIOS crashes;
  • Serious problems in the system logic of the motherboard.

How damage appears

Often the BIOS microcode is damaged partially, not completely, so the symptoms of a failure vary:

  • When you turn on the power, only the cooler works, it starts rotating at maximum speed, but there is no image or it freezes. At the same time, the LEDs on the keyboard and system unit may light up;
  • A cyclic reboot occurs, usually starting a couple of seconds after turning on the PC;
  • The computer does not respond to the power button. This happens when the boot block, the BIOS loader, is partially damaged. This option is the most difficult (the image and other signs of PC life are completely absent).

ME region malfunction on INTEL CPU boards

Sometimes there are other types of BIOS malfunctions, for example, the area where the ME controller configuration is stored is part of the motherboard chipset for processors from INTEL - ME region. When eliminating such a failure, you will need to read a BIOS memory dump, then you will need to replace the ME region. Then the BIOS is flashed using a programmer, but this is an activity for repairmen from a service center, and not for home computer owners.

In this case, restoring the crashed firmware without using a programmer is only possible if the boot loader is intact. Its safety is determined by indirect signs, for example: the blinking of the monitor screen when turned on, the squeaking of the system speaker, the reaction of the motherboard when it is turned on without RAM (the squeaking of the speaker, the blinking of LEDs on the system unit or keyboard).

How to recover a crashed BIOS

Before you decide to restore the BIOS of a motherboard from ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte or other manufacturers, I recommend trying it, this procedure very often helps.

From Asus

Asus motherboards often have support for USB Flashback technology, designed for emergency BIOS recovery in the event of a failure. To use the built-in tools, for example, FLASHBACK and restore the BIOS on your computer, you only need a USB flash drive with a capacity of up to 16 GB, as well as a BIOS file, which you will need to download from the manufacturer’s official website.

Once the BIOS is downloaded, it will need to be renamed to the exact name of your motherboard, for example, to SABERX79.ROM. It is recommended to look for information on updating and renaming the BIOS file on the ASUS website. If anything is unclear, you can clarify the information on thematic forums or in support on the manufacturer’s website.

Now you need to “format” the USB flash drive in FAT 32 and rename it to Flashback or ROG Connect and turn off the computer. Then insert the flash drive into the rear USB port and turn on the computer, hold down the BIOS recovery button for at least 3 seconds, when the light indicator on the board starts blinking, wait until the BIOS recovery procedure is completed until the indicator goes off.

If an ASUS-based computer turns on and then turns off

If the board in the computer is from a budget segment or is already quite old and does not support USB Flashback technology, then it is possible to restore the BIOS in another way. Before we begin, we will need an old floppy drive or optical drive, or better yet, use the drive that came with your motherboard. Download the BIOS file from the manufacturer's website and rename it to the exact name of the motherboard and burn it to a DVD or magnetic floppy disk. Turn off the computer and insert the disk or floppy disk and turn on the PC, the firmware should be completed when the drive indicator light goes out. You can also use a flash drive, the principle of flashing is similar, but you may need to create a flash drive with the FreeDOS system on it.

From Gigabyte

On a motherboard from Gigabyte with Dual BIOS technology, failures occur much less frequently, since if the BIOS on the main chip (Main_BIOS) is damaged, a backup dump is copied to it. As long as the main chip is in working order and contains a working BIOS, or even a damaged one, the board remains fully operational.

How to restore BIOS on a computer with DualBIOS

Motherboards from Gigabyte easily boot from backup flash memory and can use it instead of the main one, but sometimes it crashes.

Possible malfunctions:

  • The main chip is missing or has failed;
  • The BIOS in the main chip has been erased;
  • Both microcircuits were damaged.

There is a group of motherboards from this manufacturer that use a dedicated area on the HDD or SDD as a backup BIOS. This is a less reliable option for recovery, but better than nothing at all. And although restoring Gigabyte chips from a backup is often performed automatically, this may not happen. Then you will need to unplug the computer's power cord from the outlet, wait a little, and then turn on the PC again, it should work.

MSI

On most motherboards from MSI, you can restore the BIOS in the same way as, for example, on a computer from ASUS. We will need a flash drive, magnetic floppy disk or DVD disk. You need to copy the BIOS file to a blank medium and connect it to the computer, and press the power button for 4 seconds. Then press the left Ctrl+Home or Alt+Ctrl+Home combination on the keyboard and, without releasing the keys, turn on the PC. As the BIOS recovery begins on your computer, you will notice the drive LEDs blinking.

Motherboards based on AMI and AWARD BIOS

On motherboards from MSI and some other companies that are more than 10 years old, the BIOS is restored from a floppy disk; the instructions for motherboards based on AWARD and AMI BIOS are slightly different and should be checked on the manufacturer’s website.

Restoring AMI BIOS


To restore the firmware from the AMI BIOS, you need to rename the file downloaded from the website of the official motherboard manufacturer to AMIBOOT.ROM. Move to the root of a blank floppy disk and you need to install the floppy disk into the drive of the computer that is turned off, press left Ctrl+Home on the keyboard and turn on the PC.

To restore AWARD BIOS


Write the flasher and BIOS files to a floppy disk. Then create a text document on a floppy disk with the BAT extension, for example, autoexec.bat and write the exact name of the BIOS file with the BIN extension and proceed as described above.

On some boards, it may be necessary to reset the jumper or close the contacts to clear the CMOS before the recovery procedure.

How to restore BIOS on a laptop

On laptops from GIGABYTE, as well as on motherboards, the BIOS is often stored on two chips, but this does not mean that it is Dual, so there will be no copy for recovery. Both chips contain two parts of the firmware and they are different, or the BIOS is written in one chip, and the program for operating the multicontroller is written in the other. For the laptop to stop turning on, it is enough to damage the microcode in one of them.

When restoring a crashed BIOS on a laptop, you will need to do the same as described above, depending on the manufacturer. First, we download the BIOS file and the firmware program from the manufacturer’s website, but the firmware program is only needed on old laptops.

The BIOS file must be written to a clean, FAT 32 or FAT 16 formatted USB flash drive and connected to a completely disconnected laptop. This means that simply turning it off will not be enough, you will need to completely disconnect the power, and you will also need to fully charge the battery, remove it, and then put it back in. Next, turn on the device and hold down the desired key combination. Different laptops have different keyboard shortcuts, so you'll need to try them out until you find yours.

Many of the well-known laptop manufacturers build in different BIOS revisions into the BIOS for one platform or a whole series of platforms, and it will be difficult to choose the only correct one. In order not to make a mistake, you need to read the firmware instructions specifically for your laptop series. Regarding its revision, I recommend asking around on thematic forums.

Before you restore the BIOS on your computer motherboard or laptop, do not hesitate to ask questions on the forums and ask for advice on your specific model from the support service on the official website.

Guess the riddle: standing there, the hive is buzzing. But there is no smoke coming out of the chimney, because this is not a native factory, but a computer on which the BIOS is damaged. And he hums because that’s all he can do now. Without the BIOS, it's just a bunch of lifeless hardware. Is this worth worrying about? Of course not. After all, now you have a great bedside table!

System unit as a bedside table? Well, I do not! We know how to make it work. Today we’ll talk about how to restore the BIOS if it crashes.

What causes the BIOS firmware to crash?

BIOS and its “descendant” UEFI, which modern motherboards are flashed with, are special computer programs necessary for the initial setup and management of PC devices until the operating system starts. They are stored in special flash memory chips on the motherboard, one of which is shown in the picture above. It seems like a good storage place, reliable, but sometimes the BIOS gets uncomfortable there and runs away. More precisely, it becomes damaged and ceases to perform its tasks.

There are not too many reasons for BIOS damage; in some cases they are obvious, in others they are not. Here is a list of the most common:

  • The computer lost power while updating the BIOS.
  • The flasher program does not interact correctly with the firmware or flash memory chip.
  • A BIOS version has been flashed that is not suitable for this motherboard. Yes, for each model and revision of the “mother” it is different.
  • If the update is carried out from a running operating system, there is a system failure or software interference, for example, blocking by an antivirus.
  • Incorrect user actions, for example, restarting the computer before the update installation is complete.
  • Failure of the flash memory chip.
  • Hidden BIOS firmware errors. Sometimes this explains spontaneous “gatherings” that occur for no apparent reason.
  • Electrical problems with the motherboard.

How BIOS damage manifests itself

In most cases, the BIOS firmware is partially damaged, so the symptoms of the failure may vary:

  • When you press the PC power button, only the cooler is turned on, which immediately begins to rotate at maximum speed. Sometimes the LED indicators on the case and keyboard light up.
  • One or several seconds after switching on, a cyclic reboot begins. Outwardly, this is manifested by a cycle of spinning up and stopping the cooler, which is repeated as long as power is supplied.
  • When turned on, the power indicator lights up, the cooler does not spin.
  • The computer shows no signs of life. This happens when the boot block, the BIOS bootloader, is damaged. This is the most difficult case.

There is no image on the screen. Even the manufacturer's screensaver does not appear.

There are also other forms of damage to the BIOS, more precisely, to its area that stores the configuration of the ME controller (an integral part of the chipset) on boards that work with Intel processors - the so-called ME region. If there is a problem in this area, the computer or laptop may:

  • It won't load correctly or won't turn on at all.
  • Shut down or restart at regular intervals.
  • It is incorrect to regulate the rotation speed of the cooler, for example, turning it at high speeds regardless of the load.

Eliminating such failures involves reading a BIOS dump, replacing the ME region with a clean one, and re-flashing it using a programmer. Since this is usually done by repairmen, and not by computer owners, we will not dwell on this. It’s better to do what can be done at home without special equipment and the risk of finally sending your “iron pet” to the kingdom of eternity.

Restoring the BIOS without a programmer is only possible if you save the boot loader. It is sometimes possible to determine whether it has been preserved or not by indirect signs: blinking of the screen backlight, sound signals from the system speaker, the reaction of the motherboard to turning on without RAM (with sound or blinking indicators), etc. If the BIOS bootloader is intact, the first moments of operation computers run fine, the failure appears a little later.

How to restore functionality to a motherboard with a crashed BIOS

Asus
Many Asus brand desktop motherboards support the technology USB Flashback, which is designed to quickly update and restore the BIOS in the event of a failure. This does not require anything other than a USB flash drive with a capacity of up to 4-16 GB and the BIOS file itself, which must be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website from the section about your motherboard model.

After downloading the firmware you need to rename it. For example, the file “Sabertooth X79” (model name) is renamed to “SABERX79.ROM”, the file “Sabertooth Z77” is renamed to “Z77ST.CAP”. Information on what the firmware file for your model should be named is most likely on the Asus website, but if you don’t find it, check on the forums or in support.

Next, save the renamed BIOS on a flash drive formatted in FAT32 and connect it to the USB port marked “ Flashback" or " ROG Connect" It is advisable to turn off the computer before this, this will increase the chance of successful recovery.

After connecting the flash drive, turn on the PC and press the “ BIOS" Hold it down for about 3 seconds until the indicator light on the board starts flashing. Blinking indicates that the file has been successfully read and is being flashed into memory. When the firmware process is completed, the indicator will turn off.

If your board is from the budget segment or is not very new, that is, it does not support USB Flashback, most likely you can restore it in another way. If your computer has a floppy drive or optical drive, write the renamed BIOS file to the root directory of a blank floppy disk or CD, place it in the drive, turn off and then turn on the PC. The firmware will be completed when the drive indicator goes off. If there is no drive, use a flash drive.

Gigabyte
On Gigabyte boards with Dual (double) BIOS, failures rarely occur, since in the event of damage to the firmware in the main chip ( M ain_ BIOS) the dump is copied into it from the backup one ( B ackup_ BIOS). As long as the main flash memory is healthy and contains the firmware, even if damaged, the board remains operational.

Problems with starting a board with Dual_BIOS are possible in the following cases:

  • The main chip is missing or faulty.
  • The microcode in the main chip is completely erased.
  • The contents of both microcircuits are damaged.

Some Gigabyte motherboards can boot from backup flash memory and use it as the main one. Another group of boards from this manufacturer uses a dedicated area on the hard drive as BIOS backup media. This is a less reliable option, but still better than nothing.

Restoring the Gigabyte BIOS from a backup is usually performed automatically, but if this does not happen, try turning off the computer from the outlet, wait a little and turn it on again.

MSI and others
Most Micro-Star motherboards use a firmware recovery technology very similar to ASUS's - using a flash drive, floppy disk or CD. Copy the BIOS onto a blank medium, connect it to the PC, press the power button for 4 seconds, and press the combination on the keyboard leftCtrl +Home(or Alt+Ctrl +Home) and, without releasing the keys, turn on the computer. The start of the firmware process can be judged by the flashing of the flash drive or drive indicator.

BIOS on MSI board. On the right is the JSPI1 port for flashing firmware on the programmer

On motherboards from MSI and some other brands that are more than 8-10 years old, flashing the BIOS is done from a floppy disk. The instructions for AWARD and AMI BIOS are slightly different.

To restore the AMI BIOS, do the following:

  • Rename the BIOS file downloaded from the motherboard manufacturer's website to AMIBOOT.ROM.
  • Transfer it to the root of a blank floppy disk. Insert the floppy disk into the drive of the switched off PC.
  • Press left Ctrl + Home on your keyboard and turn on your computer.

To restore AWARD BIOS:

  • Place the firmware and BIOS files on a floppy disk (usually downloaded in one archive).
  • Create a text document on a floppy disk that specifies the name of the BIOS file with the bin extension. Rename the document to autoexec.bat.
  • Further actions are similar to those above.

By the way, some motherboard manufacturers post BIOSes on their websites only in exe format - in “one bottle” with a firmware program for updating from Windows. Sometimes such a file can be unpacked as an archive, but users often do not understand which of its contents is firmware. There is no universal solution for such problems. In order not to aggravate the problem, it is better to consult specialized forums or the manufacturer’s technical support.

On some boards, before restoring the BIOS, you also need to remove the real-time clock (RTC) battery from the socket or reset (remove) the CMOS clear jumper. It is important to clarify these points before starting the procedure.

Features of BIOS recovery on laptops

On laptops, as well as on Gigabyte boards, the BIOS is also often stored in two flash memory chips. But this is not Dual and it does not have backups. Both chips contain different parts of the firmware, or one contains the main BIOS, and the other contains the multicontroller program. To prevent the device from turning on, it is enough to damage the microcode in at least one of them.

The method for restoring a crashed BIOS on laptops is approximately the same as on desktops. The firmware file and flashing program downloaded from the manufacturer’s website (the latter is not always needed) are placed on a clean flash drive formatted in FAT32/16, connected to a de-energized device (simply turning off the laptop is sometimes not enough, you need to disconnect the power supply and remove the battery), insert a charged place the battery in place, turn on the device and press the key combination. Different laptops use different keyboard shortcuts for this, for example:

  • Ctrl (left only or both) + Home
  • Windows + B (this and other letters are given in the Latin layout)
  • Windows + F
  • Windows+M
  • Windows + Esc
  • Fn+B
  • Fn+F
  • Fn+M
  • Fn+Esc.

The main job is to unpack and rename the BIOS files. Again, there is no single rule here. In most cases, you have to get the firmware from exe files, but! Many manufacturers include BIOSes for different revisions of one platform or a whole series of platforms, and choosing the only necessary file from them can be very difficult. To avoid mistakes, read the instructions for flashing the firmware of your particular model and platform revision on specialized forums. And don't be shy to ask questions.

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    • In this article, I deliberately do not provide instructions for restoring BIOSes by flashing firmware on a programmer with or without soldering, closing various contacts, hot-swapping removable flash memory, etc., since all these methods are unsafe and require certain knowledge. However, there are probably some readers who have done something similar on their PC and got good results. It would be great if you describe your actions in detail in the comments to the article. Stories about negative experiences are also welcome so that other readers, thanks to you, can avoid mistakes. In the comments, be sure to include the model name and revision of your motherboard, as well as the BIOS version you worked with.
    

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