BIOS Flashback is a method of updating the motherboard UEFI BIOS versions. You can do it even if you haven’t installed CPU or DRAM. In this method, a USB drive and the flashback USB port are used which is available on the backside of the I/O panel.
BIOS Flashback can be used in some other ways too. There are BIOS Flashback buttons present in some of the motherboards. These buttons help you avoid entering the BIOS screen of your motherboard or using the Flash software while using the operating system.
Thus, without using your motherboard in the way we normally use in a PC, or the motherboard is not working through the power light is on, the BIOS Flashback function is the savior of the situation. You can upgrade the version by pushing the button on the motherboard or you can use a USB flash drive with plenty of capacity.
The process of BIOS Flashback is very simple however, basic computer skill is required to do so. Before starting the process, be sure that the required information of the motherboard is comprehensively read by you and is handy to you.
This guide is also for those techy people who are going to upgrade the BIOS software of their motherboard while they don’t have the update of GUI BIOS. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What is BIOS Flashback? – Complete Guide
‘BIOS Flashback’ is a self-explanatory term. BIOS stands for ‘basic input/output system’ while flashback is related to the point of time in the past. That means by using the BIOS Flashback method you can go back in time to the specific version of the software.
The reasons for Flashback are many. You may be suffering from non-stable software or a corrupted version of it.
Nowadays to reset or update the BIOS software by using this method of BIOS Flashback is kids play. In a few steps you can complete the task and that will be ok to go.
How to Use BIOS Flashback?
There are a number of different methods in which you may make advantage of the BIOS Flashback. Some motherboards and systems will have a BIOS Flashback button for restoring the BIOS settings. It is possible to utilize the USB BIOS Flashback feature if your motherboard is unable to switch on in the usual sense.
However, before starting, it is very much important to read the manual and also to locate the port of flashback.
Backup or GPT to MBR:
- First, make a backup or transfer all data from the GPT disk to the MBR disk.
- Run as Administrator and type disk part, if your disk is not partitioned already.
- Type ‘list disk’ when the disk part prompt appears and remember the disk number you are going to delete.
- Write select disk <disk number> at the DISKPART prompt.
- At the DISKPART prompt, type clean.
- At the DISKPART prompt, the write converts MBR.
Format USB as FAT32:
- For the USB flash drive, right-click and select Format
- File system format, select FAT32
- And then click start.
- The formatting is complete.
MSI Motherboards:
- Download BIOS from the support page
- Format USB drive (fat 32)
- Put new BIOS on drive
- Rename BIOS too ” MSI.ROM ”
- Emit drive and turn off the computer
- Connect the motherboard to the power supply
- Put the drive into the correct Flashback port
- And press the button give it 3 minutes to do its process
Also, find the CMOS Battery having the shape of a button cell. Here you can short the pins of the battery named BAT1 for 7 to 10 seconds or remove the battery and wait at least 15 minutes before exchanging it. If at this point the LED flashes for less than 5 seconds, then you have to repeat the steps because you might have thru a little wrong.
Does My Motherboard Support BIOS Flashback?
This is a very important question: how do you know if your motherboard has a BIOS flashback? To know that you have to attach the USB flash drive to the USB Flashback port on your motherboard. So, all motherboards that support BIOS Flashback should be having it. You can use the manual of your motherboard to find it.
What Happens If You Don’t Flash Your BIOS?
As we all know, a properly working PC does not need to update the BIOS. And in a properly working computer, you will feel no difference in the BIOS software version.
However, if you are facing a problem in your computer and still do not fix it by BIOS Flashback then the overall performance will be reduced and the computer may be “bricked” and unable to boot.
Can I BIOS Without RAM?
Some BIOS will face issues when the BIOS Flashback process is initiated and the CPU is not installed because the processing will not be done properly. This will result in incompatibility too. While the CPU needs RAM to process thus a RAM will also be needed by such BIOS in the motherboards.
On the other hand, Asus motherboards usually do not need anything like CPU and RAM to process the Flashback. They come with the BIOS Flashback button. You just need to connect to power and push the button given on the motherboard. The latest version will be installed accordingly.
Conclusion:
The BIOS Flashback is a normal process needed in the life cycle of a computer where updating of the BIOS software is required because of malfunctioning BIOS or incompatibility with the processor.
In this case, the BIOS Flashback is inevitable and hence you need to do it. Some motherboards come with the Flashback button while for others you have to create a Flashback USB to install the latest version of the BIOS.
After reading the above guide, you can easily handle the issue and resolve it, only reasonable technical knowledge is the primary requirement to get benefit from this guide.
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