How to upgrade motherboard bios without processor and ram

Many of us have ever underestimated the importance of updating BIOS. It is an action that many users fear for the fact of always having to touch a critical element for startup such as the BIOS. But we will teach you how to do it without even needing CPU or RAM while the board is compatible with the method.

And if at startup the screen does not light, how can I update the BIOS?

We have already seen in other articles in Professional Review how to update the BIOS with the normal methods that are mainly two:

• Directly from the BIOS: being the most secure method, we can enter the BIOS and execute the integrated tool that almost all have to update the BIOS from the Internet or from the storage unit where we have downloaded it. From the operating system: all major manufacturers have software that is installed in the operating system to be able to do this update without having to enter the BIOS. The method to follow is practically the same.

But there is a third way to do it that will be directly with a button located on the motherboard. Not all offer this function called BIOS flashback, with which we can update BIOS without having absolutely no hardware connected to it. This is ideal when we have a priori incompatible hardware or that does not even boot the screen to interact with the BIOS.

BIOS Flashback: which manufacturers have it and which boards

Answering the first question is easy since Asus, MSI, Gigabyte - AORUS and ASRock have this technology available. Even other manufacturers like NZXT implement it, or some select and overclocking-oriented gaming laptops.

Normally the boards that have this option are those that have dual BIOS or Dual BIOS. These boards are mid-range and high-end, with chipsets that allow overclocking, and consequently, they need an effective method of resetting a BIOS in case the practice fails. So BIOS Flashback is designed to recover a BIOS from a serious error.

This function allows us to insert the BIOS file into a USB flash drive, and be able to directly update the BIOS from there. We only need to connect to the power supply of the board to have this function.

Regarding the compatible plates, this is quite relative, and each of us will have to go to the specifications or manual of the box to find out. The fastest way to do this will be by looking on the I / O panel of the board and looking for the button " BIOS Flashback " (Asus and MSI), " Q-Flash Plus " (AORUS / Gigabye) or " Flash BIOS " (ASRock) depending on the manufacturer. We should never confuse this button with the Clear CMOS button, it is a totally different function.

If we do not see this button on the outside, it is possible that it is inside the plate itself, although most likely they definitely do not have this function. Our best ally in a user manual will be Ctrl + F and look for the keyword "flash" or "BIOS" to see if talking about the matter.

Those that do not have this function cannot be updated using this method. We would have no choice but to do it from the BIOS or from the software installed in Windows.

Update BIOS without CPU or RAM with BIOS flashback

Without further ado, let's look at the procedure to follow in each of the four main manufacturers. These steps will also come in the instruction manual of each compatible model.

How to update Asus BIOS from USB

We will start with the method of updating Asus boards. We always recommend downloading the user manual to check the information we give with the board in question. The system for now is generic on all compatible Asus boards, so we should have no problems.

• First we download the compressed BIOS file from the support section of the board.

• We unzip the ZIP file, which will have two files, of which one must be renamed. We recommend activating the option Vista -> File name extension in the file browser to see which one we should rename. In any case, we will have a second executable file that will automatically do this for us. In this way we will be sure of what name to give the file, which will be "C8F.CAP".

• We must put this.CAP file in a flash drive with FAT32 file system. The file cannot be tucked inside any folder. Now we must have the motherboard turned off, but always with the ATX connector connected to it and with power. No need to connect CPU cables or install RAM, CPU or graphics card.Now we connect the flash drive to the specially designated USB port for this method. The good thing about Asus is that this port is always physically indicated on the plate. If we don't see it, well, we go to the manual and there it will come,

• Now we press the BIOS Flashback button for three seconds until the light starts flashing, the update process will start. When finished, the button light will turn off and the process is over.

We must bear in mind that if the light becomes constant after 5 seconds of the update, it will mean that the process has failed. Good because we have not inserted the drive in the correct USB, that it is not FAT32 or that the BIOS file is not well renamed.

How to update Asus BIOS step by step

How to update MSI BIOS from USB

We continue with the update process for the BIOS of the compatible MSI boards. The process will be similar to the previous one.

• Let's start by downloading the latest BIOS from the motherboard support section.

• Now we unzip the ZIP file to get what would be two files. The txt informs us of the fixed bugs, while the file with a numerical extension will be the one that interests us. We must rename it with the name " ROM ", whatever the BIOS and the motherboard, it will always be the same name. Now we put it as always in the flash drive, which must have the FAT32 file system. The file cannot be tucked inside any folder. Now we go to the board and connect the ATX power cable and the CPU. After this, we connect the flash drive to the USB port where "BIOS Fashback" is indicated.

• Now we press the button with the same name and the light will begin to flash. As before, until the light goes out, it will mean that the update process is not finished.

If the light goes from blinking to solid, it is because the process could not be carried out. Let's check the same factors that we have exposed in the Asus plate section.

How to update MSI motherboard BIOS step by step

How to update Gigabyte BIOS from USB

The Gigabyte / AORUS system is the same as in the previous cases, although the brand calls it Q-Flash Plus.

• We will go to the support section of the board to download the latest version of the BIOS available.

• We unzip the ZIP file. Three files come in the compressed file, one called autoexec.bat, another called Efiflash.exe and one with capital letters and unknown extension. We are interested in the latter, since the eyes can only be used in command mode and in a 16-bit terminal. We rename the file with an unknown extension as " bin ", respecting upper and lower case just in case. Again, we put This file in a flash drive with the FAT32 file system. We put the flash drive in the port with the indication "BIOS", which will also be white.

• We connect the ATX cable and CPU power cables on the board, although we don't need to have any hardware installed on it. In fact, the main BIOS will only update if there is no CPU connected. We must make sure that the SB Switch button located next to the DIMM RAM slots is set to "1".

• With the board turned off, we press the Q-Flash BIOS button so that the button light begins to flash, which will mean that the process has started. Another way is to press the Q-Flash button and then the boot button on the board. When the light stops flashing it will mean that the BIOS has been updated. Then the board will turn off, we will put the corresponding hardware, and when we start the process will be completed.

How to update ASRock BIOS from USB

We continue with ASRock boards that are compatible with this technology. We will go as always to the support section of the motherboard in question, and download the latest BIOS available. They are ordered by date, and we must always download the global version, which will be the one with the Latin characters.

• Again we need a flash drive with a FAT32 file system, so we will copy the extracted file from the ZIP archive to this drive. The file cannot be placed inside any folder. Next, we must rename it as " rom " regardless of the motherboard and the BIOS version. We always recommend having the Vista -> File name extension option activated. Now we go to the board that we want to update BIOS and connect the ATX power cable. We just need that one, so we make sure the PSU is turned on and power is coming to the board.Very important, put the USB drive into the port specially intended for this function. Normally it will be the first one starting at the top of the plate, but we will have it indicated in the manual by means of a graphic.

• Now we press the BIOS Flashback button for 3 seconds or until it starts to flash. This will start the update.When the button stops flashing, the update is complete. Time to plug it all in and turn on the board for the update to take effect.

Conclusion about updating BIOS

Well this is the way to update BIOS without CPU or RAM memory with the BIOS Flashback technology that manufacturers make available to us on their high-end and some mid-range motherboards.

A truly useful upgrade system, which should be implemented on every new generation motherboard that arises. Unfortunately, it's still limited to dual BIOS boards made for gaming and overclocking.

Sometimes even with such an update it is quite difficult to get the board to boot. Therefore, the problem may not be due to the BIOS itself, but to incompatible hardware, poorly installed or a malfunctioning hard drive.

Now we leave you with some hardware articles that may interest you:

If you have had any problems during the process or still have questions, let us know in the comment box. Or better, enter our hardware forum and ask the question so that other users or we can help you.