F7 BIOS Flash Update Instructions for Intel® Desktop Boards

Documentation

Install & Setup

000005724

12/04/2019

Note

All BIOS updates for Intel® Desktop Boards were removed from Download Center on November 22, 2019.  The following BIOS update instructions will remain available for historical purposes.

 

Note
  • Update the BIOS on your computer only if the newer BIOS version specifically solves a problem you have. Intel does not recommend BIOS updates for computers that do not need it. You can view all BIOS changes in the Release Notes included on the BIOS download page in Download Center.
  • Downgrading the BIOS to an earlier version is not recommended and might not be supported. An earlier BIOS version might not be supported for the latest processors, bug fixes, critical security updates, or support the latest board revisions currently being manufactured.
  • Before initiating a BIOS update, be sure to read and precisely follow the update instructions, and manually record all BIOS settings that changed (from default) so they can be restored after completing the BIOS update. You can open and print each set of instructions from the Online Instructions table below for easy reference.
  • All images in this example are for illustration purposes only. You need to select the correct BIOS files for your board.
  • If a BIOS update process is interrupted, your computer might not function properly. Intel suggests the process be done in an environment with a steady power supply (preferably with UPS). If you have system issues after updating your BIOS version, see Troubleshooting BIOS Issues.

 

The F7 BIOS Flash Update is available on Intel® Desktop Boards. To see if your board supports this feature, in BIOS Setup, check the Advanced > Boot Configuration menu for the setting Display F7 to Update BIOS.

Caution
 This process is intended to be performed by a trained technician.

  1. Download and save the Recovery BIOS (.BIO) file to a temporary directory.

    Recovery BIOS file

  2. Copy the .BIO to a USB thumb drive.

  3. Plug the thumb drive into a USB port of the target computer.

  4. Shut down the target computer.

  5. Enable the F7 prompt display:
    • Power the computer on.
    • Enter the BIOS Setup by pressing F2 during boot.
    • Go to the Boot > Boot Display Options menu.
    • Enable Display F7 to Update BIOS.

    • Press F10 to save and exit.

  6. During boot, when the F7 prompt is displayed, press F7 to enter the BIOS Flash Update tool.

  7. Select the USB thumb drive and press Enter.

    select USB thumb drive

  8. Select the .BIO file and press Enter.

    select .BIO file

  9. Confirm you want to update the BIOS by pressing Enter.

  10. Wait 2–5 minutes for the update to complete.

    update completing

  11. Remove the thumb drive.

  12. Restart the computer.