Understanding Your Computer's BIOS: What It Is and When to Update It

The BIOS is the most fundamental software on your computer — and most people never think about it. Here is what it does, when you might need to update it, and the risks involved.

Category: Hardware & Peripherals | Read time: 3 min | By Midland Computers

What Is the BIOS?

BIOS stands for **Basic Input/Output System** (or UEFI — Unified Extensible Firmware Interface — on modern computers). It is the lowest-level software on your machine, stored on a small chip on the motherboard.

The BIOS runs before Windows even starts. It initialises your hardware (CPU, RAM, storage, keyboard), checks that everything is functioning, and then hands control over to your operating system. Without a working BIOS, your computer cannot start at all.

What Can You Do in the BIOS?

You access the BIOS by pressing a key during startup — typically **Delete**, **F2**, or **F10** depending on the manufacturer. Inside the BIOS you can:

  • Change the boot order (for example, to boot from a USB drive for Windows reinstallation)
  • Enable or disable hardware components
  • Set the system date and time at the hardware level
  • Configure performance settings like CPU speed (on some systems)
  • Check hardware temperatures and fan speeds
  • Enable or disable Secure Boot and TPM (relevant for Windows 11)

    • When Should You Update the BIOS?

    BIOS updates are released by motherboard and laptop manufacturers to:

  • **Fix stability bugs** — if your computer has unexplained crashes or compatibility issues
  • **Add support for new CPUs** — important if you are upgrading your processor
  • **Patch security vulnerabilities** — some serious exploits target the BIOS/firmware level
  • **Enable new features** — such as Windows 11 TPM support on older systems
  • **Fix compatibility issues** — with specific hardware combinations

    • **Important:** Only update your BIOS if there is a specific reason to do so. Unlike regular software updates, a failed or interrupted BIOS update can render your computer unbootable — a so-called "bricked" motherboard.

    The Risks of BIOS Updates

  • **Interruption is catastrophic** — if the power goes out or the computer restarts unexpectedly during a BIOS update, the motherboard may be permanently damaged
  • **Wrong BIOS file** — applying the wrong update (for the wrong model or revision) can also brick the board
  • **Some older boards cannot recover** from a failed update

    • For these reasons, we strongly recommend having BIOS updates performed by a professional technician if you are not experienced with the process.

    Professional BIOS and Hardware Support in Midland

    Midland Computers offers expert [hardware and firmware support in Midland](/services/computer-repairs-midland) for both desktop and laptop systems. Whether you need a BIOS update for a Windows 11 upgrade, are experiencing hardware compatibility issues, or just want to know if your system needs one, our technicians handle it safely and correctly.

    If you have searched for *BIOS update near me* and are not sure where to start, [contact our team](/contact) or [book an appointment](/book-repair) — we will assess your system and handle it professionally.