If you need to flash your BIOS and your computer does not have a floppy drive, there are several options you could try to accomplish this task.

BIOS flash utility that runs in Windows

Check the motherboard manufacturer website to see if they have a Windows-based BIOS flash utility available for download and use. If this is available for your motherboard, this utility may be the best option to use. Usually, the utility runs part of the BIOS flash process in Windows and then it restarts your computer and finishes the remainder in DOS mode.

Create a bootable CD, with the BIOS flash utility

If no Windows BIOS utility is available, create a bootable CD and copy the BIOS flash utility files to the CD. Then restart your computer and boot to the CD to run the BIOS flash utility.

This option does require your computer has a CD writer, blank disc, and that the CD writer has the capability of creating bootable CDs. Many CD writers have this capability, as do the CD creation software programs. The best way to find out is to either check documentation for your CD writer or try creating a bootable CD.

You need to make sure you force a boot to the CD when your computer starts up. In most cases, there is a function key that displays a list of bootable devices your computer can use to boot. F10 and F12 are common hotkeys for displaying this bootable device list. Select the CD drive and see if the computer boots to the CD and loads the BIOS flash utility.

  • How to make a bootable CD.

Install a floppy diskette drive on the computer

Finally, if none of the above options work, try installing a floppy drive in the computer.

  • How to install a floppy disk drive.
  • Help with computer BIOS updates.
  • Computer BIOS help and support.