In-Depth Guide: How to Update BIOS Without a CPU?

You've probably heard a lot about updating your BIOS and even know how to update BIOS from USB. But have you ever wondered how to **update BIOS without CPU or flashback**? It's commonly believed that flashing the motherboard's BIOS is a tricky process. This article from UPTODATE software will show users how to upgrade the firmware on their motherboard without a CPU. So, let's get started and see how to update BIOS without a CPU installed on the motherboard.

Preparing to update the Motherboard BIOS

It's not advisable to start updating the motherboard BIOS without preparation. It's important to download the correct BIOS for your motherboard, back up your data, and so on. As such, users need to perform the following:

Backup computer data for security

Installing a new BIOS can brick your motherboard, so updating it is safer. To ensure that you can return your computer to a working state in case something goes wrong, it's best to create a system image first.

This is because, in the case of a corrupted BIOS, prevention is better than cure. As such, you should back up your computer before proceeding. To do this, you will need backup software like Todo Backup.

is an impressive backup and recovery tool that aids users in backing up all crucial data. It allows you to back up your computer's system, applications, files, and even lets you back up multiple drives simultaneously. It enables you to create various backup modes, including full backup, incremental and differential backups, and store the backups in different storage locations.

There are many other backup tools, but here are some of the features that make them stand out:

There are many other reasons to use this excellent backup software. But here's how to back up your computer without CPU usage before updating the BIOS.

Step 1: Launch the Todo Backup tool on your computer, then click “Create Backup” on the homepage, and hit the big question-mark button to “Select backup content”.

Step 2. To back up the Windows operating system, click "OS" to start the backup task.

Step 3. Your Windows operating system, along with all system-related files and partitions, should be selected automatically, so you shouldn't need to select anything at this stage. Next, you'll need to click on the area highlighted below to choose where you want to save your system image backup.

System Backup

Step 4: The backup location can be another local drive on your computer, an external hard drive, a network, the cloud, or a NAS. It is generally recommended that you save system backup files to an external physical drive or the cloud.

Step 5: If you want, click on Options to customize your settings, such as scheduling daily, weekly, or monthly backups, triggering backups on events, and creating differential and incremental backups. Click on Backup Now to begin the backup. When it's finished, the backup task will appear as a card on the left side.

When updating the BIOS, there are several precautions to take: 1. **Backup Important Data**: Before starting the process, ensure that you have backed up all important data on your computer. A BIOS update can potentially lead to data loss if not done correctly. 2. **Correct Firmware Version**: Research and confirm that you're downloading the correct BIOS version for your specific motherboard model. Installing the wrong version can cause serious issues. 3. **Power Supply**: Make sure your computer is plugged into a stable power source to avoid any unexpected shutdowns during the update process. 4. **Do Not Interrupt**: Do not turn off your computer or interrupt the update in any way. This can render your system unbootable. 5. **Update Method**: Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Some BIOS updates require a bootable USB or CD/DVD, while others can be done through Windows. 6. **Disable Security Software**: It's advisable to temporarily disable antivirus software and firewalls as they may interfere with the update process. 7. **Boot Settings**: If needed, make note of your current BIOS settings, especially boot order, in case you need to restore them after the update. 8. **Emergency Recovery**: Be aware of the manufacturer's method for recovering from a failed BIOS update, such as a BIOS recovery partition or a flash utility. 9. **Post-Update Reboots**: After the update, the computer may automatically restart several times. Allow this process to complete without intervention. 10. **Verify Update**: Once the update is finished, verify the BIOS version in the system settings to confirm the successful installation. Remember, updating the BIOS should only be done if it's necessary, such as to resolve hardware compatibility issues or to improve system stability. Always consult the manufacturer's website for the latest information and instructions.

There are a few things to keep in mind when updating the BIOS. That's why it's crucial to list down what you should and shouldn't do before proceeding with the update. We've prepared a checklist to ensure a smooth process, so here's what you should and shouldn't do:

It is a fairly straightforward list of things you should do to avoid trouble.

How to update BIOS without a CPU

Main takeaways:

A CPU-less BIOS update is a relatively straightforward process. Before you start the actual update, there are a few preparatory steps to take. You'll need a USB drive and a stable internet connection, then follow these steps:

1. Visit the website of your motherboard manufacturer; 2. Search for your motherboard's BIOS model and download the latest BIOS version available; 3. Copy the BIOS file to a USB flash drive formatted as FAT32; 4. Rename the BIOS file if instructed by the motherboard manufacturer's guidelines; 5. Disconnect the USB device containing the BIOS update file and plug it into your motherboard.

Now, you need to upgrade the BIOS without a CPU by following these steps:

Step one: Remove everything except the 24-pin ATX power connector and the 8-pin CPU power connector from the motherboard.

Step 2: Connect the USB flash drive containing the BIOS update file to the dedicated BIOS rollback port.

Step Three: Now press the BIOS flash button and wait for the BIOS LED to light up.

This process may take a few seconds or several minutes. Do not turn off your power supply until the light stops flashing. If the light has stopped flashing after 2-3 minutes, then the BIOS update is complete. Make sure to follow each step properly to update your BIOS without a CPU.

More BIOS-related articles:

Why You Should Update Your Motherboard BIOS

A CPU-less BIOS update might sound implausible, but only the latest generation of motherboards supports this feature. This means users can update the BIOS even without a CPU installed.

But it's important to understand why you might need to update your motherboard's BIOS, especially before we get into how to update your motherboard's BIOS without a CPU installed. You might not need to update the BIOS at all, in fact.

This is because motherboard manufacturers frequently issue BIOS updates to fix various problems, including:

This information is usually located beneath the BIOS update on the manufacturer's website, so you should only update if the new BIOS will fix an issue or improve your computer's performance.

In short

That's all there is to it for how to update BIOS without CPU. Many users find updating the BIOS to be a very stressful task. The fact that the motherboard can update the BIOS without a CPU makes the process a lot easier. Hence, it's good to know how to flash BIOS correctly using the BIOS Flashback button.

This method only works if your motherboard has a BIOS flashback button on the back I/O panel. Make sure to back up all of your data before downloading the BIOS from the official website. Follow the steps and precautions in this article, including using the Todo Backup Home tool to back up your computer.

FAQ: How to Update BIOS Without a CPU

Users looking to update their motherboard BIOS without a CPU might find the following common issues helpful, along with further solutions to any problems that arise.

1: Can I update the BIOS without a USB?

Yes, you can update the BIOS without a USB. You can download a BIOS update utility or use a UEFI firmware setting to help you refresh the BIOS without using a USB.

Question 2: Can the BIOS be updated without an operating system?

Yes, you can update the BIOS without an operating system. However, you would need another PC or laptop to format the USB drive to the FAT32 file system. In other words, the user would need to use another PC to download and prepare the USB for upgrading the BIOS on the PC without an operating system.

What happens if the BIOS doesn't support the CPU?

This means that users will need to update their BIOS to a firmware version that supports the specific CPU. For an Intel 12th-gen motherboard, for example, this will support all 12th- and 13th-gen CPUs. But if you want to use a 13th-gen CPU on a 12th-gen board, you'll need that BIOS update.

4. How can I update the BIOS if the computer does not start?

You can either go for the UEFI BIOS update method or just try flashing the BIOS via USB without the CPU. This means you'll still need another PC or laptop to download the BIOS onto a USB drive formatted as FAT32. After that, use the UEFI or BIOS flashback button/USB port at the back of the computer.