BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System and is used to check system devices from your RAM to the hard drive and even the keyboard.
Accessing the BIOS in Windows 10 can be done through the Settings Menu and Recovery tab. On the Recovery screen, click on Advanced Startup and Restart Now. If your BIOS is corrupted a reset will often fix the problems. This can be done on one of three ways:
1. Boot into the BIOS and reset it to factory settings by locating the option to Load Setup Defaults.
2. Unplug the computer and open the side panel to access the motherboard. Locate the CMOS battery and remove it from the motherboard. It is a CR2032 battery and is the size of a small coin. Replace the battery with a new one.
3. On older motherboards try resetting the jumper. Locate the jumper cable labelled CMOS and remove it replacing it with one set of pins over. Press and hold the power button, before replace the jumper back to it’s original position.
Updating the BIOS will often fix problems. Firstly identify the version by interrogating System Information from the Start menu. Download the updated BIOS from the computer manufacturers website and create a bootable flash drive. There will be clear instructions to update your BIOS and each manufacturer is slightly different.
If the BIOS chip is slotted rather than soldered, replacing this is also an option. Ensure the replacement is identical. If it’s soldered, replacing the motherboard is the only option.
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Author:
Michael Jones, Technical Director
Further reading
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