Guide to Flashing an HP BIOS

Your HP BIOS is required for communications between your system's hardware, such as your hard drive, processor, video adapter and memory and your operating system. The BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System, meaning it controls input and output functions of your hardware. To update your HP BIOS, you must flash the BIOS with the latest version. Flashing is simply the term used for upgrading the BIOS.

Why Flash?

When you upgrade your operating system, some hardware may not function correctly. Your BIOS may not support the new operating system. An HP BIOS update will help solve many of the problems you may encounter. Another reason you may need to flash your HP BIOS is due to hardware upgrades such as hard drives, memory and video adapters. Though the original BIOS recognized and supported certain hardware, an update may be necessary for your system to successfully recognize and support the upgrade.

Supplies

Before you flash your HP BIOS, you'll need a few supplies. For HP computers manufactured before Windows XP, you'll need a blank, formatted floppy disk. For Windows XP and higher, desktop executable BIOS updates are available to prevent the need for external media.

Make a note of your HP model number which is located on a nameplate or sticker on the computer itself. You'll also need an active Internet connection to download the updated BIOS file.

Download

The first step is to download the latest HP BIOS file for your system. You must use the BIOS update for your system only. Use the exact model number found on your computer. Enter your model number, select "Software and Driver Downloads" and select your operating system. Choose "BIOS" as your download category. If you do not see "BIOS," then no updates are available.

Press the "Download" button to download the BIOS update file. Use the latest one possible for best results.

Flashing the BIOS

After downloading the file, read any and all instructions provided with the file. If no instructions are provided, double click the downloaded file to begin flashing the BIOS. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

If you have a pre-Windows XP HP computer, copy the BIOS update file onto the formatted floppy disk. Restart your computer with the floppy disk inserted. For most models, no user interaction is required.

Completion

Allow the BIOS update to complete without any interference unless prompted. Never disconnect your HP computer from its power source while flashing the BIOS. This can corrupt your BIOS and operating system. Once completed, your HP will restart.