They are operating system independent.
reset your rig normally, assuming it’s working well enough to do that.
If not, kill the power manually and then start the computer back up.
If your rig is off right now, powering it on normally will work just fine.
Carefully watch as your gear first startsand note the BIOS version that’s shown on screen.
PressingEscorTabusually removes the logo screen and shows the POST information behind it.
If the POST results screen disappears too quickly, try pressing thePausekey on your keyboard.
Most motherboards will pause the boot process, allowing ample time to read the BIOS version number.
Most cameras record 60 fps or higher, plenty of frames to step through to catch that BIOS version.
Write down the BIOS version number as shown on screen.
This will give you something concrete to reference later on.
You should now have your BIOS version number.
However, it can getreallyfrustrating restarting your box over and over if you keep missing the BIOS version notation.
The POST results screen is usually really fast, especially as computers get faster and decrease boot time.
No need to actually update anything, so skip those later steps in whatever instructions are provided.
This method works when your box isn’t starting properlyonlyif the BIOS update tool for your motherboard is bootable.
In Windows 8, access Run from the Apps screen.
In Windows 7 and earlier versions of Windows, selectRunfrom the Start menu.
SelectSystem Summaryif it’s not already highlighted.
On the right, under theItemcolumn, locate the entry titledBIOS Version/Date.
Jot down the BIOS version as reported here.
Microsoft System Information is a great tool but it doesn’t always report a BIOS version number.
Here’s how to do it:
Download Speccy, a completely free system information tool for Windows.
There areseveral really good system info tools to choose frombut Speccy is our favorite.
Install and run Speccy if you chose theinstallableversion, or extract and then runSpeccy.exeorSpeccy64.exeif you chose theportableversion.
See64-bit vs 32-bitif you’re not sure which file to run.
Wait while Speccy scans your setup.
This usually takes several seconds to a few minutes, depending on how fast your setup is.
ChooseMotherboardfrom the menu on the left.
Note theVersionlisted under theBIOSsubcategory on the right.
This is the BIOS version you’re after.
TheBrandlisted here isn’t usually something that’s worthwhile to know.
From theregistry hivelist on the left, expandHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
Continue to drill deeper inside ofHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, first withHARDWARE, thenDESCRIPTION, thenSystem.
On the right, in the list of registry values, locate the one namedBIOSVersion.
Surprise…the value on the right is the BIOS version that’s installed right now.
Write down the BIOS version somewhere, as well as theBaseBoardManufacturerandBaseBoardProductvalues, if you need them.
Did you accidentally make changes in Windows Registry?
It’s easy to reverse them if you backed up the registry to a REG file.
seeHow to Restore the Windows Registryif you need help.
Which F-key works will differ depending on the make and model of your hardware.
That, or use Windows’Advanced Startup options.
