Update BIOS or Install OS first?

[shawnhcorey]

I'm building myself a new PC and I was wondering if the first thing I should do once it's assembled is to update the BIOS or install Linux Mint? The motherboard has a USB port on it that can be used to update the BIOS without having to boot an OS. So which would be better?

[twerq]

I would suggest leaving the bios alone until there is a real need to update it

[deepakdeshp]

You can update the BIOS knowing that if something goes wrong ,your machine may be bricked.

[AndyMH]

I would suggest leaving the bios alone until there is a real need to update it

I'm also a firm believer in 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'.

[MiZoG]

I beg to differ. It is generally good idea to have the latest BIOS version.
Especially since you build a new pc.
And most manufacturers have made it easy to update.

[shawnhcorey]

I beg to differ. It is generally good idea to have the latest BIOS version.
Especially since you build a new pc.
And most manufacturers have made it easy to update.

I agree. Best practice is to get the latest bug fixes and security patches.

[Pjotr]

Update the BIOS first. Your motherboard is brand new, so if something would go wrong, you can get it replaced for free under the warranty....

[motoryzen]

Pjotr made a good middle man point here.

It's one thing if you're dealing with a stupid proprietary Dell laptop bios ( like my Dell Inspiron 15 3525 with a ryzen apu which requires I use Winturd to run the bios.exe updater files to update the bios = ueack ), then I'd say...just install the OS.

The chances that in order to get an OS installed and even sometimes working properly requiring a bios update are still not very often or high even these days. Usually that's just for a specific feature OR if the cpu and mobo gen are basically brand new

The problem is... shawnhcorey you've given no system details/hardware specs about the system you're making this fork-in the road -choice about. So it's alittle difficult to make the correct/safe recommendation involving a bios update.

That basically impossible- to -miss pink section. " how to get help link..step 5 talks about how to post system info..BUT if you haven't installed Linux Mint yet, then you can still provide some relevant details

Desktop ? Prebuilt or Custom built? Or is it a laptop?

If desktop....
motherboard brand, model with chipset you either have or are considering buying.

[pixel24]

I always do a BIOS update first. But check the Changlog of the update before what was "fixed".

We have exclusively HP workstations and I have never had problems with the BIOS update and the updates have always made sense.

[Pjotr]

I always do a BIOS update first. But check the Changlog of the update before what was "fixed".

We have exclusively HP workstations and I have never had problems with the BIOS update and the updates have always made sense.

Until recently my experience was identical. However, some time ago I bricked a Lenovo laptop with a BIOS update (done in Windows 11, with Lenovo's own tool for that kind of thing).

Thankfully the warranty was still valid, so Lenovo replaced the motherboard for free. But it was a bit of a shock, as you can imagine.

[deepakdeshp]

I always do a BIOS update first. But check the Changlog of the update before what was "fixed".

We have exclusively HP workstations and I have never had problems with the BIOS update and the updates have always made sense.

Until recently my experience was identical. However, some time ago I bricked a Lenovo laptop with a BIOS update (done in Windows 11, with Lenovo's own tool for that kind of thing).

Thankfully the warranty was still valid, so Lenovo replaced the motherboard for free. But it was a bit of a shock, as you can imagine.

I wonder what could have gone wrong. They may not have replaced it if Lenovo knew a BIOS upgrade was attempted.

[Pjotr]

I wonder what could have gone wrong. They may not have replaced it if Lenovo knew a BIOS upgrade was attempted.

Well, I told them what I did, and they were OK with it.... Because I did the BIOS update completely in accordance with the recommended procedure.

[deepakdeshp]

Very strange indeed that Lenovo has given instructions which bricked their MB. I suspect many thousands of motherboards must have been destroyed.