1909 has a BIOS firmware update feature built into the Device Manager

So it seems that the device in Device Manager reports the BIOS version, but can the Bios version actually be updated (as the Thread Title suggests)?

Well my BIOS version (Acer desktop) is R01-C0 and Firmware version is 000C0000, so there is some correlation between the two reported versions, namely the C0 part. I think people are confusing BIOS and Firmware, I believe the two are separate entities, the Firmware I think is the chip responsible for PCH/ PCIe etc.
It is entirely possible the different versions we are seeing is simply down to individual companies naming conventions.
I have had BIOS updates from Acer that are described as BIOS improved performance, BIOS and ME compatibility with 19H, BIOS and FW added support for CFLR CPUs, BIOS + Microcode DTP 189.
The fact the updates include features other than just BIOS updates is what leads me to this conclusion.
So the Device Manager - Update Firmware would not be a BIOS update, unless the BIOS required updating to add/ improve Firmware features as well, it is just a feature of some motherboards, exposed to the OS.
I might be completely wrong though.

OMG - still on this topic, lol.

The reporting feature in Device Manager is just what it is - and a very plain one at that.

If you really want to see your BIOS information, download the following:

HWiNFO - Free System Information, Monitoring and Diagnostics

Look under the Motherboard tab and then see the BIOS subsection.
There you will find some good information, but don't use the BIOS Update feature.

See...



That's it!

First of all, thanks to all who posted their pieces of the puzzle. Was quite the puzzle.

It's a system level bit of code in the BIOS, which is custom for your motherboard that allows on some systems you to update the system BIOS (Firmware) and on some systems just gives you the update version

Which may be the OEM number (ie the Acer R01-D1 BIOS update or whatever applies) or the base BIOS number (American Megatrends xxxxxxx)

I'd recommend that you go to the OEM website to verify that the offered update is the same as the one the Device Manager offers. My experience was good but with all the varied OEMs out there I can't recommend updating unless there is something you absolutely need.

It was nice to see the Device Manager list all 12 of my i7's threads.

And I take back my praise for 1909 back. False alarm 😜

Compumind said:

If you really want to see your BIOS information ...

You can also check it with vbs

Show BIOS version.vbs
Show BIOS version.vbs

Code:

strComputer = "."
Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:" _
    & "{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & strComputer & "\root\cimv2")
Set colBIOS = objWMIService.ExecQuery _
    ("Select * from Win32_BIOS")
For each objBIOS in colBIOS
    Wscript.Echo "BIOS version: " & objBIOS.SMBIOSBIOSVersion  & Chr(13) & "BIOS maker: " & objBIOS.Manufacturer  & Chr(13) &  "BIOS release date: " & left(objBIOS.ReleaseDate,8)
Next

This is based on sample code either in the old vbs helpfile [WinXP] or in www.activexperts.com

The output is in the form of a standard msgbox

---

You can also check it with a batch file.
- You can remove the :: from the final line if you want to see the batch file's progress [useful during testing but an annoyance otherwise]
- I minimise the shortcut that calls this so only the intended final dialog appears on screen

Show BIOS version.bat
Show BIOS version.bat

Code:

prompt $g

Set /a Instance=0
Set StripTo=REG_SZ    

:NextBiosVar
Set /a Instance=%Instance%+1
If %Instance% EQU 1 Set FindString=BIOSVendor
If %Instance% EQU 2 Set FindString=BIOSVersion
If %Instance% EQU 3 Set FindString=BIOSReleaseDate
Set UseExpresssionCore=REG QUERY HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\BIOS /v 
Set UseExpresssion=%UseExpresssionCore% %FindString%
for /F "tokens=*" %%X IN ('%UseExpresssion%  ^|   find /i "%FindString%"') do Call :Processing "%%X"
If %Instance% LSS 3 GoTo NextBiosVar
GoTo PostProcessing

:Processing
Set ThisVar=%~1
:: The next line is a trick to allow variables within the manipulation
Call Set ThisVar=%%ThisVar:*%StripTo%=%%
Set %FindString%=%ThisVar%
GoTo :eof

:PostProcessing
:: Rearrange BIOSReleaseDate into yyyymmdd
:: Currently mm/dd/yyyy 05/10/2019
Set TheYear=%BIOSReleaseDate:~6,4%
Set TheMonth=%BIOSReleaseDate:~0,2%
Set TheDay=%BIOSReleaseDate:~3,2%
Set BIOSReleaseDate=%TheYear%%TheMonth%%TheDay%

:Reporting
set TheTitle="BIOS version"
set /a TheButtons=0
set ThisVBScript="%TEMP%\MsgBox-OnTheFly-%RANDOM%.vbs"
echo set WshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell") > %ThisVBScript%
set ThePrompt01="BIOSVendor            %BIOSVendor%" 
set ThePrompt02="BIOSVersion            %BIOSVersion%"
set ThePrompt03="BIOSReleaseDate    %BIOSReleaseDate%"
echo ReturnValue = MsgBox(%ThePrompt01% ^& Chr(13) ^& %ThePrompt02% ^& Chr(13) ^& %ThePrompt03%, %TheButtons%, %TheTitle%) >> %ThisVBScript%
call %ThisVBScript%
del %ThisVBScript%
::Pause at end during testing

This output is also in the form of a standard msgbox but this one has a proper title

Denis

Try3 said:

You can also check it with vbs

Show BIOS version.vbs

Code:

strComputer = "."
Set objWMIService = GetObject("winmgmts:" _
    & "{impersonationLevel=impersonate}!\\" & strComputer & "\root\cimv2")
Set colBIOS = objWMIService.ExecQuery _
    ("Select * from Win32_BIOS")
For each objBIOS in colBIOS
    Wscript.Echo "BIOS version: " & objBIOS.SMBIOSBIOSVersion  & Chr(13) & "BIOS maker: " & objBIOS.Manufacturer  & Chr(13) &  "BIOS release date: " & left(objBIOS.ReleaseDate,8)
Next

This is based on sample code either in the old vbs helpfile [WinXP] or in www.activexperts.com

The output is in the form of a standard msgbox

Denis

I would have to modify the date fields for the USA.

Useful, thanks.

Mystere said:

No, it's not. It is ONLY a reporting feature. Nowhere in this thread has anyone shown the ability to perform a bios update here, because you cannot.

At best, all you can do is update the driver.. the bit of code which actually extracts the information from the hardware and displays it. That does not update the firmware itself, just the code that populates the tree with information.

Firmware updates are typically performed at boot time, although on some motherboards that have dual bios's the vendor has a utility that can update the secondary bios, and then switch at the next boot giving the impression it's updating the bios with the OS running. This utility is not part of device manager.

Then explain this. In Device Manager I selected Update Driver on the Device Manager and it did everything expected, downloaded the driver, rebooted, and even in BIOS asked me to update settings Including the second pix which is a camera photo of the BIOS screen BEFORE WINDOWS LOADED


Now maybe I simplified it too much for such an exalted VIP as yourself, but in essence the Device Manager installed the updated BIOS without fault.... Why did I so foolishly try the Device Manager way?

You know how when you are poised on a mountain top on your mountain bike and the trail just calls you saying "Ride Me" ? Cause you just need to see if it flies

Now, If you need to "Correct" the mere Member while talking down at someone.....