In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the step-by-step process of updating your MSI motherboard using the M Flash method. BIOS updates are crucial for maintaining system stability and performance, and the M Flash method is a reliable way to ensure your motherboard has the latest firmware. If you prefer using the BIOS flashback method. Before we begin, it’s important to note that if you encounter any issues during the BIOS update, it’s advisable to try a different USB drive.
USB Drive Preparation:
Before you can start the BIOS update, you’ll need a USB drive. It’s essential to select the right drive and format it correctly for this purpose:
- Choose the Right USB Drive: To perform the BIOS update, you’ll need a USB drive. While newer motherboards might work with USB drives larger than 32 gigabytes and the NTFS file system, we recommend using one that is 32 gigabytes or less and formatted to FAT32. This combination ensures the most reliable results.
- Limitations of Larger Drives: Drives larger than 32 gigabytes cannot be easily formatted to FAT32. It’s usually recommended to stick to 32 gigabytes or less for this process.
- Reasons for BIOS Updates: BIOS updates should be performed for specific reasons, such as addressing system issues or applying security updates. Keep in mind that updating the BIOS will reset most settings to their defaults.
Formatting the USB Drive:
Once you’ve selected the appropriate USB drive, you’ll need to format it correctly:
- Insert the USB Drive: Insert the USB drive into your computer. It’s essential to ensure that only the USB drive you intend to format is inserted to avoid any accidental data loss.
- Format the Drive: Right-click on the USB drive and select “Format” from the context menu. In the format dialog that appears, ensure that “FAT32” is selected as the file system.
- Default Settings: Leave the other options in the format dialog at their default settings.
- Initiate the Format: Click the “Start” button to begin the format process. A dialog prompt will appear; click “OK” to confirm.
- Completion: After a few seconds, the format will be completed, and you can click “OK” to close the dialog.
Downloading the BIOS Update:
Now that your USB drive is formatted correctly, you’ll need to download the BIOS update:
- Visit the Support Page: Navigate to the official support page for your MSI motherboard. You can usually find this page on the MSI website.
- Access the BIOS Section: Look for the “Drivers and Downloads” section on the support page and click on “BIOS.”
- Choose the Latest Update: Typically, the most recent BIOS update will be listed at the top of the page. In most cases, this is the update you’ll want to download.
- Download the Update: Click on the BIOS update that corresponds to your motherboard model and save it directly to the USB drive you prepared earlier.
Preparing the BIOS Update File:
Now that you’ve downloaded the BIOS update file, you’ll need to prepare it for installation:
- Extract the File: After downloading, right-click on the downloaded file located on the USB drive. Select “Extract All” and choose the default location for extraction.
- Locate the BIOS Update File: Navigate to the folder where the files were extracted. Look for the BIOS update file; it is typically the largest file in the folder.
- Move the File: Cut the BIOS update file and paste it into the root directory of the USB drive. This ensures there is no confusion about which file to select during the update process.
- Delete Unnecessary Files: You can now delete the other two files in the folder since they are no longer needed. Your USB drive should contain only the BIOS update file.
Performing the BIOS Update:
With the USB drive prepared, it’s time to perform the BIOS update:
- Safely Eject the USB Drive: Before proceeding, safely eject the USB drive from your computer.
- Insert the USB Drive: Insert the USB drive into the computer you plan to update.
- Access the BIOS: Start the computer and continuously press the “Delete” key during startup to enter the BIOS. Please note that the BIOS interface may look different from what is shown here, but the steps are generally applicable.
- Locate the M Flash Button: Within the BIOS interface, look for the “M Flash” button or a similar option related to updating the BIOS. The exact location and wording may vary depending on your motherboard model.
- Initiate the Flash Process: Click on the “M Flash” button. You will likely receive a prompt informing you that the system will reboot into flash mode. Confirm this action by selecting “Yes.”
- Entering the M Flash Utility: Your computer will now reboot into the M flash utility.
- Select the USB Drive: On the M flash utility screen, you will see a list of drives on the left. Identify your USB drive (in this example, it’s labeled “Patriot memory”) and select it.
- Choose the BIOS Update File: On the right side of the screen, you will find the BIOS update file. Below, you will see your current BIOS version and the version you are updating to.
- Select the File: With the BIOS update file selected, press “Enter.” You will be prompted to confirm your selection; choose “Yes.”
- BIOS Update Process: The BIOS update process may take some time, and your system will restart automatically during this process. It’s advisable to let the update run without interruption.
- Verification: After the update is complete, verify that your BIOS version has been successfully updated. You can typically find this information in the BIOS interface.
- Restore Settings: Remember that most BIOS settings will have been reset to their defaults during the update. Go through the BIOS settings and adjust them as needed. This may include restoring XMP profiles, fan configurations, and other custom settings.
Conclusion:
Congratulations! You have successfully updated your MSI motherboard using the M Flash method. To confirm the BIOS update, check the BIOS version, which should now reflect the new version. If you encountered any issues or found this guide helpful.