This document includes the steps for finding, downloading, and installing updates to the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) for your HP or Compaq computer.

Updating the BIOS, also known as "flashing the BIOS," replaces the BIOS firmware. When completed successfully, a BIOS update can fix or enhance aspects of a computer's performance, or provide support for newly installed hardware. However, if an incorrect update is installed or if the update process is interrupted, the motherboard can be permanently damaged, leaving the computer unable to boot. It is recommended to update your BIOS only if one or more of the following conditions apply:

• The update fixes a problem with your computer.
• The update enhances your computer's performance in a desired way.
• You are planning to change the operating system, processor, or other feature(s), and the current BIOS version will not support the new configuration.
• An HP Support Agent, or an HP support document, recommends that you download and install a specific updated BIOS.

  caution:

Only install BIOS updates from HP. Do not install BIOS updates from the motherboard manufacturer's Web site. Doing so might prevent the computer from accepting an HP System Recovery.

For business computers, the BIOS settings may be managed at the IT level and may not be available to configure. To verify, please check with your company's IT department or yur local IT service.

Use the following steps to update the BIOS in your computer:

Click here to see this video in full screen on YouTube.

The following tools and information are needed to perform the steps in this document:

  note:

When updating the BIOS in your HP Desktop computer, it is very important to identify the correct ROM Family SSID for the motherboard in your PC.

• Model number (located on the nameplate and/or on a sticker attached to the computer).
• An Internet connection.
  If your computer does not have an Internet connection, use another computer with an Internet connection to download the update and save it to removable media (for example, a CD or thumb drive).
• A printout of this document.
• Pencil and paper.

To find the current BIOS version, follow these steps:

1. Use one of the following methods, depending on your Windows version:
   • Windows 10 and Windows 8: Search Windows for msinfo32. Click msinfo32 from the list of results.
   • Windows 7 and Vista: Click Start, type msinfo32 in the Search field. Then select msinfo32.exe from the list of results.
   • Windows XP: Click Start, select Run, type msinfo32.exe in the Open field, and then click OK.
2. In the System Information window under the System Summary category, look for the BIOS Version/Date entry. This is your current BIOS version.
   Figure : BIOS Version/Date

   
3. Write down the BIOS version and date.
4. There might be several BIOS versions on the HP website. To make sure that you download the correct version, you must identify the ROM Family SSID.
   Use one of the following methods to identify the ROM Family SSID for your computer:

To find and download the BIOS updates for your computer, find the specific product number of your computer. Then follow these steps.

1. Go to the HP Customer Support page.
2. Type the product number or complete product name of your computer in the Find my product field, and then click Go.
   Figure : Type a product name/number

   
3. If you are presented with a list of several links to product support sites, click the link that matches your computer's model number.
   Figure : Click model number

   
4. Click Go under Option 2: Go directly to the software and driver results.
   Figure : Click Go

   
5. On the Drivers page for your computer, use the drop-down menu to select the original operating system that came with your computer, and then click Next.
   Figure : Select your original operating system

   
6. If a BIOS category is listed, click the plus sign (+) to expand the category.

   Figure : Expand BIOS options

   
   • If a BIOS category is not listed on the web page, the original BIOS version already on the computer might be the latest available.
   • If there are several BIOS updates available for different ROM Family SSIDs, select the correct update using the SSID you noted in Step 1.
     Figure : Example of several available BIOS updates

     
   • If the version and date of the listed BIOS is the same or older than the current BIOS on the computer, you may exit this procedure. The computer does not require a BIOS update at this time.
7. Click the Download link for the BIOS update file for your computer to go to the HP software and driver downloads page.

     caution:

   Read the Details section to verify that the BIOS update is more recent then the one installed and that it applies to your computer. Installing a BIOS that is not designed for your computer could cause the computer to stop working.

   Continue to the next section to download and install the BIOS update.

To download and install the BIOS update for your computer, read and follow the instructions on the download page carefully. Then complete the following steps:

1. Before installing the BIOS update, close any open programs and temporarily disable your antivirus software. Remember to re-enable the antivirus software after the installation is complete.
2. Select the HP Download and Install Assistant, and then click Next.
3. When prompted, choose Run or Save depending on how you would like to install the update.
   • Run: Choose Run to download and install the BIOS update from this screen.
   • Save: Choose Save to install the BIOS update later, or if you are downloading the update to install on a different computer. This will download and save the file to your computer or a removable storage device.
4. If you chose to Save the BIOS update file, navigate to where the file is stored, and double-click the file to begin installation. If you chose to Run the update, continue to the next step.
5. Agree to the terms and then follow the on-screen instructions to install the BIOS update.
   Do not interrupt the update process.
6. Allow the installation to complete all of its actions. Then restart the computer when prompted.
   The latest version of the BIOS is now installed on the computer.

  note:

If a 251 or CMOS Checksum error occurs after installing the BIOS update, use the steps in the HP support document Error: CMOS Checksum Bad to resolve the error.