How do I synchronise the Main BIOS and Backup BIOS on my motherboard?
This question is often asked and is also recommended on the forum when there are issues with reboot loops and/or other issues with BIOS or if you are upgrading to a new CPU and earlier BIOS versions do not support it.
So how do you do it?
Having gone through the process on both AMD and Intel systems the easiest way that I have found is to do the following:
Power down the PC and remove the Mains power supply.
Wait at least 30 seconds and press the power switch on the PC case to help clear any residue in the capacitors.
Reconnect the Mains power supply and start the PC and then press the:
"Alt" & "F12" keys if your PC is using the Award BIOS
or the:
"Alt" & "F10" keys if your system is running the AMI UEFI BIOS.
It is important that you use the correct keys for your particular brand of BIOS or it won't work!
If the keystrokes have been recognised you will be presented with a screen that asks if you want to copy the Main BIOS to the Backup BIOS. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Once the copying process has been completed shutdown the PC or Reboot.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT POWER DOWN THE PC WHILE THE BIOS COPYING PROCESS IS IN PROGRESS
That's it your two BIOS chips will now have the same BIOS version and are synchronised.
If you cannot get the copy screen to appear and your system just continues to load the OS or goes into BIOS then you need to:
Go back to the first step.
If you have a P/S2 keyboard (especially on some of the older motherboards) then try this instead of a USB keyboard as it can help.
Make sure you are pressing the keys at the same time. Do this in the same manner that you would press the "Del" key to get into BIOS
If you are using a wireless keyboard try using a wired one for this process.
If you are using a USB keyboard make sure it is plugged into a USB2.0 port on the back panel and not running through a hub or connected using a USB3.0 port
Synchronising the two BIOS chips will not affect the settings in the Main BIOS chip and after synchronising you do not need to go into BIOS to make any changes, unless of course, you want to.
Remember keystrokes for the different BIOS versions are:
AWARD BIOS use: "Alt" & "F12"
AMI UEFI BIOS use: "Alt" & "F10"
