Updating your BIOS firmware can bring improvements to your system’s performance, stability, and security. This article will guide you through the process of updating BIOS firmware on Ubuntu.
Updating BIOS firmware on Ubuntu can be done using the Linux Vendor Firmware Service (LVFS) or by using Flash Boot or FreeDOS. LVFS allows you to easily fetch and install firmware updates, while Flash Boot or FreeDOS can be used for older hardware or if your computer model is not supported by LVFS.
What is BIOS?
BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System. It’s a type of firmware used during the boot process of any computer. BIOS firmware is the first software to run when powered on. It initializes and tests the system hardware components, and loads a boot loader or an operating system from a mass memory device.
Checking BIOS Firmware Version
Before updating your BIOS firmware, you should first check the installed BIOS firmware version and release date.
Open a terminal and run the following command to check the installed BIOS firmware version:
sudo dmidecode -s bios-versionTo check the installed BIOS firmware release date, run:
sudo dmidecode -s bios-release-dateThese commands use dmidecode, a tool for dumping a computer’s DMI (some say SMBIOS) table contents in a human-readable format. The -s option is used to only display the specified DMI string.
Updating BIOS Firmware
There are several methods to update BIOS firmware on Ubuntu. We’ll cover two of them: using Linux Vendor Firmware Service (LVFS) and using a Flash Boot or FreeDOS for older hardware.
Updating BIOS Firmware Using LVFS
LVFS is a secure portal that allows hardware vendors to upload firmware updates. Ubuntu uses a service called fwupd to fetch and install updates from LVFS.
First, check if your computer model is supported by LVFS by visiting the LVFS Devices Website.
If your computer model is supported, install the fwupd package by running:
sudo apt install fwupdStart the fwupd daemon service:
sudo service fwupd startRefresh the list of available firmware updates:
sudo fwupdmgr refreshList the connected and supported devices:
fwupdmgr get-devicesCheck for available updates:
fwupdmgr get-updatesIf there are available updates, install them:
sudo fwupdmgr updateUpdating BIOS Firmware Using Flash Boot or FreeDOS
If your computer model is not supported by LVFS or you prefer not to use it, you can update your BIOS firmware using Flash Boot or FreeDOS.
First, visit the Dell Support Website and search for your computer model. Download the latest BIOS version, which is a Windows executable file.
If your system is using UEFI mode, copy the BIOS executable file to the /boot/efi/ directory. If your system is using Legacy mode, format a bootable USB drive and copy the BIOS executable file to it.
Restart the computer and press F12 when the Dell logo appears to enter the Boot Menu. Choose “BIOS Flash Update” and select the BIOS executable file to execute the update.
For older hardware without Flash Boot feature, you can use FreeDOS. Download the Lite USB version of FreeDOS from the FreeDOS Operating System Website. Use a tool like Startup Disk Creator to write the FreeDOS image file to a USB drive. Copy the BIOS executable file to the USB drive. Restart the computer and press F12 to enter the Boot Menu. Choose to boot from the USB drive and select “No – Return to DOS” when prompted. In the DOS terminal, navigate to the USB drive and execute the BIOS executable file to install the update.
After the update, restart the computer and check the new BIOS version and release date.
Conclusion
Updating BIOS firmware on Ubuntu is a straightforward process, but it requires caution. Any power outage during the update can cause irreversible damage to your system. Always ensure your system is connected to a reliable power source before starting the update.
Updating your BIOS firmware can bring improvements to your system’s performance, stability, and security. It can fix bugs, add new features, and enhance compatibility with hardware and software updates.
Open a terminal and run the following command: sudo dmidecode -s bios-version. This will display the installed BIOS firmware version.
Open a terminal and run the following command: sudo dmidecode -s bios-release-date. This will display the release date of the installed BIOS firmware.
First, check if your computer model is supported by LVFS by visiting the LVFS Devices Website. If it is supported, install the fwupd package by running sudo apt install fwupd. Then, start the fwupd daemon service with sudo service fwupd start. Refresh the list of available firmware updates with sudo fwupdmgr refresh. Finally, check for available updates with fwupdmgr get-updates and install them with sudo fwupdmgr update.
If your computer model is not supported by LVFS or you prefer not to use it, you can update your BIOS firmware using Flash Boot or FreeDOS. Visit the manufacturer’s support website, download the latest BIOS version, and follow the provided instructions to update the BIOS firmware.
It is important to ensure that your system is connected to a reliable power source before starting the update. Any power outage during the update can cause irreversible damage to your system. Additionally, carefully follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer to avoid any potential issues during the update process.
