How To Identify BIOS Chip On Motherboard

How to Identify BIOS Chip on Motherboard?

The BIOS chip on your motherboard is where the BIOS, also known as the Basic Input and Output System, is stored. Since BIOS is a type of firmware, it is permanently stored on that tiny chip and cannot be removed without having to desolder it. So, how to identify BIOS chip on motherboard?

The easiest way to find it is to simply look at the labels on the motherboard until you find one that says M_BIOS, UEFI BIOS, or something similar. Pretty much all newer motherboards have that, but you will hardly find it on older ones. Many BIOS chips also have a shiny sticker or a colored blob on them to help you identify the chip.

But how to identify BIOS chip on motherboard on your specific model? What can you do with it once you find it? Where is it usually located? You can learn all that by reading the rest of the article.

How to Identify BIOS Chip on Motherboard?

Your motherboard BIOS is an essential part of the booting process, so if something goes wrong with it, your computer will not be able to boot. It will either refuse to turn on outright or you will be stuck on the screen with the motherboard manufacturer’s logo. You can try fixing your BIOS by simply resetting the CMOS battery. Take it out and put it back in after 30 seconds.

But what can you do if the CMOS battery reset did not help? In that case, you can try to install a new BIOS or switch to the backup one if you have a dual BIOS motherboard. But if you have no other option left, then replacing the BIOS chip is the only solution left.

But keep in mind that you should never try to replace your motherboard BIOS chip unless you have the technical know-how. Electronic components are sensitive and difficult to work with. You can always ask a professional to replace the BIOS chip for you in a computer store. Or even better, RMA the motherboard if you can and have the manufacturer replace it.

Now with that out of the way, how to identify BIOS chip on motherboard? The BIOS chip is usually located below the CPU socket or on the bottom-right edge of the motherboard. But this is not a rule by any means and it could be located somewhere entirely else. Thankfully, it is often labeled on the motherboard PCB and often has a small colored blob on it.

But it would be easier for you to find out where the BIOS chip is by referring to the manual or by looking up your specific motherboard model and manufacturer and checking where the BIOS chip is located. The motherboard manual will have the layout of the motherboard printed and labeled, so finding the BIOS chip will be easy.

Now that you know where the BIOS chip is located, you will have to find a replacement BIOS chip if you want to replace it yourself. First, check the specific BIOS used on your motherboard. It is usually written on the chip itself or you might find that piece of information in the motherboard manual as well.

There are many different BIOS chips, so make sure that you get the one that is suitable for your motherboard. Again, you should only replace the BIOS chip yourself if you know what you are doing. If you damage the BIOS chip or the PCB around it in any way, the motherboard could be permanently and irreversibly damaged.

Conclusion

The BIOS chip has only one function and that is to store your BIOS on it. Since it is a type of firmware, the BIOS is permanently stored there and is accessible by the motherboard. Identifying the BIOS chip is not that difficult. It is often located below the CPU socket or near the CMOS battery on the bottom-right side of the board.

The chip is almost always labeled using a sticker or dot by the manufacturer to make identifying it a bit easier. Once you know where the BIOS chip is, you can replace it if you are a professional. If not, have it replaced by a computer store.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *