"System Restore" is a function that is built into Windows and is called using the installer. With its help, you can bring the system to the state in which it was at the time of creation of this or that "restore points".
Do "System Restore" It is impossible to do this purely through the BIOS, so you will need installation media with the version of Windows that you want to “reanimate”. It will have to be launched through the BIOS. You also need to make sure there are special "restore points", which will allow you to roll back the settings to a working state. Usually they are made by the system by default, but if none are found, then "System Restore" will become impossible.
You also need to understand that during the recovery procedure there is a risk of losing some user files or disrupt the functionality of programs that were recently installed. In this case, everything will depend on the creation date "Restore Points" which you are using.
Method 1: Using installation media
There is nothing complicated in this method and it is universal for almost all cases. You only need the media with the Windows Installer correctly written on it.
The instructions for it look like this:
If you have Windows 7 installed, then skip step 5 from the instructions and click directly on "System Restore".
Method 2: "Safe Mode"
This method will be relevant if you do not have media with the installer of your Windows versions. The step-by-step instructions for it are as follows.
I happened to encounter the fact that I damaged the ami bios on one of the old computers. I had to flash the bios often, but this was the first time I broke it. There is a lot of information on the Internet about how to restore it, but it did not help me. As it turned out later, it doesn’t say everything that needs to be done for resuscitation to be successful or even to begin.
A little introduction. BOOTBLOCK
Almost all modern BIOSes have BOOTBLOCK - a special memory section for system recovery. This section contains instructions and information to initialize the minimum critical devices required.
Preparing for recovery
Very important information, which I did not find at all when looking for a solution to the problem. Necessary disconnect everything unnecessary for restoring BIOS devices from motherboard.
What no need: mouse, everything usb devices, hard drives, optical drives, PCI devices, video cards, and so on. I even needed to remove one bracket on one of the computers (and leave one) random access memory.
What need to: disk drive, keyboard, RAM and processor.
BIOS recovery
- Format floppy disk and write there a file with the required BIOS version
- Rename it to AMIBOOT.ROM
- Be sure to turn off your computer from the network, and not just turn it off via the POWER button
- Press the key combination CTRL+HOME
- Turn on the computer and do not release the key combination until the system begins to read information from the floppy disk
- Wait. When finished, the computer will either give 4 short beeps or “not say anything” at all and reboot itself
If everything went smoothly, then good. There may be problems, for example 5 short signals - the system cannot read the file.
Full list of signals when restoring AMI BIOS:
| Number of beeps | Index |
|---|---|
| 1 | Media not defined |
| 2 | ROM file not found in root directory |
| 3 | Paste next volume carrier |
| 4 | Flash programming completed successfully |
| 5 | Error reading file |
| 7 | Flash EPROM not defined |
| 10 | Error when erasing flash memory |
| 11 | Flash program error |
| 12 | ROM file size problem |
| 13 | ROM image does not meet BIOS requirements |
I hope the information will be useful to someone.
Working with the BIOS requires great care, since incorrect settings lead to the computer no longer turning on or correctly detecting connected equipment. You can reset BIOS settings using three proven reset methods on your PC and laptop.
Reset in BIOS settings
If you manage to get into the interface basic system I/O, then there is still a chance to reset BIOS settings through the corresponding item in the “Exit” section. This is one of the most simple options, which does not require opening the computer system unit. So, to restore the BIOS and return the default settings, follow these steps:
This method works on a laptop and is suitable for a computer. After rebooting, the BIOS settings will be set to default. All changes made by the user after purchasing the computer will be canceled.
Jumper reset
The first method works if you have access to the BIOS. To reset the BIOS settings to the factory state, if you have forgotten the password, you will have to disassemble system unit and use a mechanical jumper, changing the position of which interrupts the flow of current to the CMOS battery. The battery is responsible for storing BIOS settings, so if you temporarily turn off the power or remove it, the parameters will be reset to factory settings.
To completely discharge the remaining voltage, hold down the power button of the system unit for 10-15 seconds. The computer is de-energized, so nothing will happen. Then return the jumper to initial position and assemble the system unit. Factory settings have been installed, now all parameters in the BIOS are set to default.
Removing the CMOS Battery
Speaking of the jumper, we have already mentioned the CMOS battery, which is responsible for storing BIOS settings. Accordingly, if you remove it from the motherboard and then insert it back, you can restore the parameters that were set by default. The algorithm of actions is the same as when using a jumper.
After resetting the settings, you need to reinsert the battery and reassemble the system unit. After turning on the computer, there will no longer be any password on the BIOS, and all parameters will return to the factory state.
Reset on laptop
If the system unit is quite easy to disassemble, then when BIOS reset On a laptop you may encounter some difficulties. It's good if you can go into the BIOS and restore the default settings by selecting the appropriate mode in the “Exit” section. If a password is set on the BIOS, you will have to disassemble the laptop. Turn the laptop over so the back is facing you. Look to see if there is a small hole on the laptop labeled "CMOS". 
If found, insert something sharp into the hole - for example, a paperclip. Wait for 30 seconds to reset the BIOS settings on your laptop. If there is no hole, you will have to remove back cover and look for the CMOS battery or JCMOS pins on the motherboard.
- Disconnect the laptop from the network, disconnect the connected devices (mouse, speakers), remove the battery.
- Remove the back cover (on some models it is enough to remove the protection of the RAM and hard drive).
- Remove the RAM sticks and hard drive.
Under the RAM strips there should be two contacts that are labeled “JCMOS”. They need to be closed with a screwdriver. 
Oh, guess the riddle: standing there, the hive is buzzing. But there is no smoke coming out of the chimney, because this is not a native factory, but a computer on which the BIOS is damaged. And he hums because that’s all he can do now. Without the BIOS, it's just a bunch of lifeless hardware. Is this worth worrying about? Of course not. After all, now you have a great bedside table!
System unit as a bedside table? Well, I do not! We know how to make it work. Today we’ll talk about how to restore the BIOS if it crashes.
What causes the BIOS firmware to crash?
B IOS and its “descendant” UEFI, with which modern motherboards are flashed, are special computer programs, essential for initial setup and control PC devices until the operating system starts. They are stored in special flash memory chips on the motherboard, one of which is shown in the picture above. It seems like a good storage place, reliable, but sometimes the BIOS gets uncomfortable there and runs away. More precisely, it becomes damaged and ceases to perform its tasks.
There are not too many reasons for BIOS damage; in some cases they are obvious, in others they are not. Here is a list of the most common:
- During this time, the computer's power supply was cut off.
- The flasher program does not interact correctly with the firmware or flash memory chip.
- A BIOS version has been flashed that is not suitable for this motherboard. Yes, .
- If the update is carried out from under a working operating system– system failure or software interference, for example, blocking by an antivirus.
- Incorrect user actions, for example, restarting the computer before the update installation is complete.
- Failure of the flash memory chip.
- Hidden BIOS firmware errors. Sometimes this explains spontaneous “gatherings” that occur for no apparent reason.
- Electrical problems with the motherboard.
How BIOS damage manifests itself
In most cases, the BIOS firmware is partially damaged, so the symptoms of the failure may vary:- When you press the PC power button, only the cooler is turned on, which immediately begins to rotate at maximum speed. Sometimes the LED indicators on the case and keyboard light up.
- One or several seconds after switching on, a cyclic reboot begins. Outwardly, this is manifested by a cycle of spinning up and stopping the cooler, which is repeated as long as power is supplied.
- When turned on, the power indicator lights up, the cooler does not spin.
- The computer shows no signs of life. This happens when the boot block, the BIOS bootloader, is damaged. This is the most difficult case.
There is no image on the screen. Even the manufacturer's screensaver does not appear.
There are also other forms of damage to the BIOS, more precisely, to its area that stores the configuration of the ME controller (an integral part of the chipset) on boards working with Intel processors– the so-called ME region. If there is a problem in this area, the computer or laptop may:
- It won't load correctly or won't turn on at all.
- Shut down or restart at regular intervals.
- It is incorrect to regulate the rotation speed of the cooler, for example, turning it at high speeds regardless of the load.
Eliminating such failures involves reading a BIOS dump, replacing the ME region with a clean one, and re-flashing it using a programmer. Since this is usually done by repairmen, and not by computer owners, we will not dwell on this. It’s better to do what can be done at home without special equipment and the risk of finally sending your “iron pet” to the kingdom of eternity.
Restoring the BIOS without a programmer is only possible if you save the boot loader. It is sometimes possible to determine whether it has been preserved or not by indirect signs: the flickering of the screen backlight, sound signals from the system speaker, the reaction of the motherboard to being turned on without RAM (with sound or blinking indicators), etc. If the BIOS boot loader is intact, the first moments of the computer’s operation are normal, the failure appears a little later.
How to restore functionality to a motherboard with a crashed BIOS
Asus
Many Asus desktop motherboards support the technology USB Flashback, which is designed to quickly update and restore the BIOS in the event of a failure. This does not require anything other than a USB flash drive with a capacity of up to 4-16 GB and the BIOS file itself, which must be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website from the section about your motherboard model.After downloading the firmware you need to rename it. For example, the file “Sabertooth X79” (model name) is renamed to “SABERX79.ROM”, the file “Sabertooth Z77” is renamed to “Z77ST.CAP”. Information on what the firmware file for your model should be named is most likely on the Asus website, but if you don’t find it, check on the forums or in support.
Next, save the renamed BIOS on a flash drive formatted in FAT32 and connect it to USB port marked " Flashback" or " ROG Connect" It is advisable to turn off the computer before this, this will increase the chance of successful recovery.
After connecting the flash drive, turn on the PC and press the “ BIOS" Hold it down for about 3 seconds until the indicator light on the board starts flashing. Blinking indicates that the file has been successfully read and is being flashed into memory. When the firmware process is completed, the indicator will turn off.
If your board is from the budget segment or is not very new, that is, it does not support USB Flashback, most likely you can restore it in another way. If your computer has a floppy drive or optical drive, write the renamed BIOS file to the root directory of a blank floppy disk or CD, place it in the drive, turn off and then turn on the PC. The firmware will be completed when the drive indicator goes off. If there is no drive, use a flash drive.
Gigabyte
On Gigabyte boards with Dual (double) BIOS, failures rarely occur, since in the event of damage to the firmware in the main chip ( M ain_ BIOS) the dump is copied into it from the backup one ( B ackup_ BIOS). As long as the main flash memory is healthy and contains the firmware, even if damaged, the board remains operational.
Problems with starting a board with Dual_BIOS are possible in the following cases:
- The main chip is missing or faulty.
- The microcode in the main chip is completely erased.
- The contents of both microcircuits are damaged.
Some Gigabyte motherboards can boot from backup flash memory and use it as the main one. Another group of boards from this manufacturer uses a dedicated area on the hard drive as BIOS backup media. This is a less reliable option, but still better than nothing.
Restoring the Gigabyte BIOS from a backup is usually performed automatically, but if this does not happen, try turning off the computer from the outlet, wait a little and turn it on again.
MSI and others
Most motherboards manufactured by Micro-Star use a firmware recovery technology very similar to ASUS’s - using a flash drive, floppy disk or CD. Copy the BIOS onto a blank medium, connect it to the PC, press the power button for 4 seconds, and press the combination on the keyboard leftCtrl +Home(or Alt+Ctrl +Home) and, without releasing the keys, turn on the computer. The start of the firmware process can be judged by the flashing of the flash drive or drive indicator.
BIOS on MSI board. On the right is the JSPI1 port for flashing firmware on the programmer On maternal MSI boards and some other brands that are more than 8-10 years old, flashing the BIOS is done from a floppy disk. The instructions for AWARD and AMI BIOS are slightly different.
To restore the AMI BIOS, do the following:
- Rename the BIOS file downloaded from the motherboard manufacturer's website to AMIBOOT.ROM.
- Transfer it to the root of a blank floppy disk. Insert the floppy disk into the drive of the switched off PC.
- Press left Ctrl + Home on your keyboard and turn on your computer.
To restore AWARD BIOS:
- Place the firmware and BIOS files on a floppy disk (usually downloaded in one archive).
- Create on floppy disk Text Document, which specifies the name of the BIOS file with the extension bin. Rename the document to autoexec.bat.
- Further actions are similar to those above.
By the way, some motherboard manufacturers post BIOSes on their websites only in exe format - in “one bottle” with a firmware program for updating from Windows. Sometimes such a file can be unpacked as an archive, but users often do not understand which of its contents is firmware. For such tasks universal solution No. In order not to aggravate the problem, it is better to consult specialized forums or the manufacturer’s technical support.
On some boards, before restoring the BIOS, you also need to remove the real-time clock (RTC) battery from the socket or reset (remove) the CMOS clear jumper. It is important to clarify these points before starting the procedure.
Features of BIOS recovery on laptops
On laptops, as well as on Gigabyte boards, the BIOS is also often stored in two flash memory chips. But this is not Dual and backup copies he doesn't have. Both chips contain different parts of the firmware, or one contains the main BIOS, and the other contains the multicontroller program. To prevent the device from turning on, it is enough to damage the microcode in at least one of them.
The method for restoring a crashed BIOS on laptops is approximately the same as on desktops. The firmware file and flashing program downloaded from the manufacturer’s website (the latter is not always needed) are placed on a clean flash drive formatted in FAT32/16, connected to a de-energized device (simply turning off the laptop is sometimes not enough, you need to disconnect the power supply and remove the battery), insert a charged place the battery in place, turn on the device and press the key combination. Different laptops use different settings for this. keyboard shortcuts, For example:
- Ctrl (left only or both) + Home
- Windows + B (this and other letters are given in the Latin layout)
- Windows + F
- Windows+M
- Windows + Esc
- Fn+B
- Fn+F
- Fn+M
- Fn+Esc.
The main job is to unpack and rename the BIOS files. Again, there is no single rule here. In most cases, you have to get the firmware from exe files, but! Many manufacturers include BIOSes for different revisions of one platform or a whole series of platforms, and you can choose the only one from them required file it can be very difficult. To avoid mistakes, read the instructions for flashing the firmware of your particular model and platform revision on specialized forums. And don't be shy to ask questions.
In this article I deliberately do not provide instructions for restoring BIOSes by flashing firmware on a programmer with or without soldering, closing various contacts, hot swap removable flash memory, etc., since all these methods are unsafe and require certain knowledge. However, there are probably some readers who have done something similar on their PC and got good results. It would be great if you describe your actions in detail in the comments to the article. Stories about negative experiences are also welcome so that other readers, thanks to you, can avoid mistakes. In the comments, be sure to include the model name and revision of your motherboard, as well as the BIOS version you worked with.Guess the riddle: standing there, the hive is buzzing. But there is no smoke coming out of the chimney, because this is not a native factory, but a computer on which the BIOS is damaged. And he hums because that’s all he can do now. Without the BIOS, it's just a bunch of lifeless hardware. Is this worth worrying about? Of course not. After all, now you have a great bedside table!
System unit as a bedside table? Well, I do not! We know how to make it work. Today we’ll talk about how to restore the BIOS if it crashes.
What causes the BIOS firmware to crash?
BIOS and its “descendant” UEFI, which modern motherboards are flashed with, are special computer programs necessary for the initial setup and management of PC devices until the operating system starts. They are stored in special flash memory chips on the motherboard, one of which is shown in the picture above. It seems like a good storage place, reliable, but sometimes the BIOS gets uncomfortable there and runs away. More precisely, it becomes damaged and ceases to perform its tasks.
There are not too many reasons for BIOS damage; in some cases they are obvious, in others they are not. Here is a list of the most common:
- During BIOS updates There was a power outage to the computer.
- The flasher program does not interact correctly with the firmware or flash memory chip.
- A BIOS version has been flashed that is not suitable for this motherboard. Yes, for each model and revision of the “mother” it is different.
- If the update is carried out from a running operating system, there may be a system failure or software interference, for example, blocking by an antivirus.
- Incorrect user actions, for example, restarting the computer before the update installation is complete.
- Failure of the flash memory chip.
- Hidden BIOS firmware errors. Sometimes this explains spontaneous “gatherings” that occur for no apparent reason.
- Electrical problems with the motherboard.
How BIOS damage manifests itself
In most cases, the BIOS firmware is partially damaged, so the symptoms of the failure may vary:
- When you press the PC power button, only the cooler is turned on, which immediately begins to rotate at maximum speed. Sometimes the LED indicators on the case and keyboard light up.
- One or several seconds after switching on, a cyclic reboot begins. Outwardly, this is manifested by a cycle of spinning up and stopping the cooler, which is repeated as long as power is supplied.
- When turned on, the power indicator lights up, the cooler does not spin.
- The computer shows no signs of life. This happens when the boot block, the BIOS bootloader, is damaged. This is the most difficult case.
There is no image on the screen. Even the manufacturer's screensaver does not appear.
There are also other forms of damage to the BIOS, more precisely, to its area that stores the configuration of the ME controller (an integral part of the chipset) on boards that work with Intel processors - the so-called ME region. If there is a problem in this area, the computer or laptop may:
- It won't load correctly or won't turn on at all.
- Shut down or restart at regular intervals.
- It is incorrect to regulate the rotation speed of the cooler, for example, turning it at high speeds regardless of the load.
Eliminating such failures involves reading a BIOS dump, replacing the ME region with a clean one, and re-flashing it using a programmer. Since this is usually done by repairmen, and not by computer owners, we will not dwell on this. It’s better to do what can be done at home without special equipment and the risk of finally sending your “iron pet” to the kingdom of eternity.
Restoring the BIOS without a programmer is only possible if you save the boot loader. It is sometimes possible to determine whether it has been preserved or not by indirect signs: blinking of the screen backlight, sound signals from the system speaker, the reaction of the motherboard to turning on without RAM (with sound or blinking indicators), etc. If the BIOS bootloader is intact, the first moments of operation computers run fine, the failure appears a little later.
How to restore functionality to a motherboard with a crashed BIOS
Asus
Many Asus brand desktop motherboards support the technology USB Flashback, which is designed to quickly update and restore the BIOS in the event of a failure. This does not require anything other than a USB flash drive with a capacity of up to 4-16 GB and the BIOS file itself, which must be downloaded from the manufacturer’s website from the section about your motherboard model.
After downloading the firmware you need to rename it. For example, the file “Sabertooth X79” (model name) is renamed to “SABERX79.ROM”, the file “Sabertooth Z77” is renamed to “Z77ST.CAP”. Information on what the firmware file for your model should be named is most likely on the Asus website, but if you don’t find it, check on the forums or in support.
Next, save the renamed BIOS on a flash drive formatted in FAT32 and connect it to the USB port marked “ Flashback" or " ROG Connect" It is advisable to turn off the computer before this, this will increase the chance of successful recovery.
After connecting the flash drive, turn on the PC and press the “ BIOS" Hold it down for about 3 seconds until the indicator light on the board starts flashing. Blinking indicates that the file has been successfully read and is being flashed into memory. When the firmware process is completed, the indicator will turn off.
If your board is from the budget segment or is not very new, that is, it does not support USB Flashback, most likely you can restore it in another way. If your computer has a floppy drive or optical drive, write the renamed BIOS file to the root directory of a blank floppy disk or CD, place it in the drive, turn off and then turn on the PC. The firmware will be completed when the drive indicator goes off. If there is no drive, use a flash drive.
Gigabyte
On Gigabyte boards with Dual (double) BIOS, failures rarely occur, since in the event of damage to the firmware in the main chip ( M ain_ BIOS) the dump is copied into it from the backup one ( B ackup_ BIOS). As long as the main flash memory is healthy and contains the firmware, even if damaged, the board remains operational.
Problems with starting a board with Dual_BIOS are possible in the following cases:
- The main chip is missing or faulty.
- The microcode in the main chip is completely erased.
- The contents of both microcircuits are damaged.
Some Gigabyte motherboards can boot from backup flash memory and use it as the main one. Another group of boards from this manufacturer uses a dedicated area on the hard drive as BIOS backup media. This is a less reliable option, but still better than nothing.
Restoring the Gigabyte BIOS from a backup is usually performed automatically, but if this does not happen, try turning off the computer from the outlet, wait a little and turn it on again.
MSI and others
Most Micro-Star motherboards use a firmware recovery technology very similar to ASUS's - using a flash drive, floppy disk or CD. Copy the BIOS onto a blank medium, connect it to the PC, press the power button for 4 seconds, and press the combination on the keyboard leftCtrl +Home(or Alt+Ctrl +Home) and, without releasing the keys, turn on the computer. The start of the firmware process can be judged by the flashing of the flash drive or drive indicator.
BIOS on MSI board. On the right is the JSPI1 port for flashing firmware on the programmer
On motherboards from MSI and some other brands that are more than 8-10 years old, flashing the BIOS is done from a floppy disk. The instructions for AWARD and AMI BIOS are slightly different.
To restore the AMI BIOS, do the following:
- Rename the BIOS file downloaded from the motherboard manufacturer's website to AMIBOOT.ROM.
- Transfer it to the root of a blank floppy disk. Insert the floppy disk into the drive of the switched off PC.
- Press left Ctrl + Home on your keyboard and turn on your computer.
To restore AWARD BIOS:
- Place the firmware and BIOS files on a floppy disk (usually downloaded in one archive).
- Create a text document on a floppy disk that specifies the name of the BIOS file with the bin extension. Rename the document to autoexec.bat.
- Further actions are similar to those above.
By the way, some motherboard manufacturers post BIOSes on their websites only in exe format - in “one bottle” with a firmware program for updating from Windows. Sometimes such a file can be unpacked as an archive, but users often do not understand which of its contents is firmware. There is no universal solution for such problems. In order not to aggravate the problem, it is better to consult specialized forums or the manufacturer’s technical support.
On some boards, before restoring the BIOS, you also need to remove the real-time clock (RTC) battery from the socket or reset (remove) the CMOS clear jumper. It is important to clarify these points before starting the procedure.
Features of BIOS recovery on laptops
On laptops, as well as on Gigabyte boards, the BIOS is also often stored in two flash memory chips. But this is not Dual and it does not have backups. Both chips contain different parts of the firmware, or one contains the main BIOS, and the other contains the multicontroller program. To prevent the device from turning on, it is enough to damage the microcode in at least one of them.
The method for restoring a crashed BIOS on laptops is approximately the same as on desktops. The firmware file and flashing program downloaded from the manufacturer’s website (the latter is not always needed) are placed on a clean flash drive formatted in FAT32/16, connected to a de-energized device (simply turning off the laptop is sometimes not enough, you need to disconnect the power supply and remove the battery), insert a charged place the battery in place, turn on the device and press the key combination. Different laptops use different keyboard shortcuts for this, for example:
- Ctrl (left only or both) + Home
- Windows + B (this and other letters are given in the Latin layout)
- Windows + F
- Windows+M
- Windows + Esc
- Fn+B
- Fn+F
- Fn+M
- Fn+Esc.
The main job is to unpack and rename the BIOS files. Again, there is no single rule here. In most cases, you have to get the firmware from exe files, but! Many manufacturers include BIOSes for different revisions of one platform or a whole series of platforms, and choosing the only necessary file from them can be very difficult. To avoid mistakes, read the instructions for flashing the firmware of your particular model and platform revision on specialized forums. And don't be shy to ask questions.
In this article, I deliberately do not provide instructions for restoring BIOSes by flashing firmware on a programmer with or without soldering, closing various contacts, hot-swapping removable flash memory, etc., since all these methods are unsafe and require certain knowledge. However, there are probably some readers who have done something similar on their PC and got good results. It would be great if you describe your actions in detail in the comments to the article. Stories about negative experiences are also welcome so that other readers, thanks to you, can avoid mistakes. In the comments, be sure to include the model name and revision of your motherboard, as well as the BIOS version you worked with.
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