BIOS (UEFI?) upgrade on new ASUS laptop
 

How difficult is it to upgrade my BIOS or UEFI on a new ASUS laptop with Windows 8.1? I noticed that my BIOS verison is 401, copywrite 2012, made by American Megatrends. The reason I ask is that this specific BIOS version seems particularly locked down. I am unable to get it to boot from any external device, even after tweaking settings (disabling secure boot, etc).

My goal is to modify the laptop to dual boot with Windows 8.1 and Linux.

Asus has Ez-flash it is quite easy to update the bios. You didn't say what make & model.

Thank you for the response. The model of the ASUS laptop is X551MA-RCLN03. The processor is Intel Celeron CPU N2815 @ 1.86 GHz. Also, I just noticed that the OS is Windows 8, not Windows 8.1. The computer has 4GB of RAM. The BIOS is American Megatrends, Version 402.

Technically it is not BIOS , because.. it isn't bios but UEFI ..

Anyway, updating is trivial
First go to the asus support page for your Laptop.
Save the new firmware to a pen or external drive ( just easier that way )
Boot to firmware interface, tip : in win8(.1) locate the power icon, click it.. then hold shift and click restart. Later select boot to uefi firmware.
select Ez-flash and follow instructions.


your win8 might go all stupid and fail to boot until you do a 'startup repair'
Backup your data and be prepaired for a re-install

get 8.1 on asap, many security fixes!



But, before flashing firmware, have a look at the options again

You may have to change two things, not just the secure boot ( signature checks ), you may aslo need to switch to a legacy boot mode, that may break win8 boot

Fantastic, thank you EDDY1 and Firerat. EDDY1, that looks like an ultra-modern version of BIOS, it looks like a flight simulator. I am going to be very careful before I undertake this.

Boot to bios & scroll thru your list & look for ez-flash. Also if you have the Asus cd ez-flash is on it & I believe it can connect to a network.