GA-H61M-S1 (rev. 4.0) BIOS: Support for 3rd Gen Intel CPUs and PCIe Gen.3

How to Download and Update BIOS for GA-H61M-S1 Rev 4.0 Motherboard

If you have a GA-H61M-S1 Rev 4.0 motherboard from GIGABYTE, you may want to update its BIOS to get the latest features, fixes, and security updates. But what is BIOS and how do you update it safely? In this article, we will explain what BIOS is, why you should update it, how to check your current BIOS version, how to download the latest BIOS update file, and how to update BIOS safely on your PC.

ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios download

Download Zip: https://tinurli.com/2vyssy

What is BIOS and Why Update It?

BIOS Definition and Function

BIOS stands for Basic Input/Output System, and it is a type of firmware stored on a chip on your motherboard. It is the low-level software that the motherboard uses to interact with your CPU, cooling systems, expansion cards, and ports. It also initializes your hardware before booting an operating system from your hard drive or another device.

Some newer computers use a different type of firmware called UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), which is the successor to the traditional BIOS. UEFI offers more features and capabilities than BIOS, such as support for larger boot volumes, more partitions, faster booting, and more security options. However, the update process for UEFI is similar to that of BIOS.

Benefits of Updating BIOS

A BIOS update is a new block of code that contains new instructions for your computer's hardware, written into the non-volatile memory chip on your motherboard. BIOS updates can fix problems, add features, provide security updates, and increase stability.

Some of the reasons for updating your BIOS include:

How to update ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios download windows 10

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios settings guide

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios reset problem

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios flash utility

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios update error

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios backup and restore

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios overclocking tutorial

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios compatibility list

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios modding tips

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios features and specifications

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios recovery mode

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios beep codes

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios password reset

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios driver download

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for intel processors

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios dual uefi protection

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios boot from usb

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios fan control

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios voltage adjustment

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios latest version download

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios review and rating

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios troubleshooting guide

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios enable on/off charge technology

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for pci express gen.3

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios enable intel rapid start technology

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios enable intel smart connect technology

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for hd graphics core 2000/3000

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios enable intel quick sync video

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios enable intel intru 3d

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios enable intel advanced vector extensions (avx)

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for linux operating system

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for windows xp/vista/7/8/8.1/10

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for gigabyte motherboard app center

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for gigabyte motherboard easytune utility

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for gigabyte motherboard smart fan utility

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for gigabyte motherboard cloud station utility

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for gigabyte motherboard @bios utility

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for gigabyte motherboard q-flash utility

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for gigabyte motherboard xpress install utility

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for gigabyte motherboard xpress recovery2 utility

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for gigabyte motherboard auto green utility

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for gigabyte motherboard on/off charge2 utility

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for gigabyte motherboard easy energy saver utility

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for gigabyte motherboard smart6 utility

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for gigabyte motherboard smart time lock utility

Ga h61m s1 rev 4.0 bios support for gigabyte motherboard smart recovery2 utility

• Hardware updates Newer BIOS updates will enable the motherboard to correctly identify new hardware such as processors, RAM, graphics cards, etc. For example, older Intel 600 series motherboards require BIOS updates before they can work with 13th Gen "Raptor Lake" CPUs.

• Bug fixes BIOS updates can fix known firmware bugs that cause system crashes, errors, or performance issues.

• Security updates BIOS updates can patch vulnerabilities that expose your system to malware or hackers. For example, the fixes for the infamous Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities require BIOS updates.

• Performance improvements BIOS updates can improve your system's speed, stability, or thermal management by optimizing the settings or algorithms for your hardware.

Risks of Updating BIOS

Updating your BIOS is not without risks. If you update your BIOS incorrectly or encounter a power failure during the process, you could brick your motherboard, rendering your computer completely inoperable. Therefore, you should only update your BIOS if you have a good reason and follow the instructions carefully.

Some of the risks of updating your BIOS include:

• Wrong or corrupted file If you download a wrong or corrupted BIOS file for your motherboard model or revision number, you could damage your BIOS chip or cause compatibility issues.

• Power outage If you lose power while updating your BIOS, you could interrupt the flashing process and corrupt your BIOS chip.

• Windows crash If you update your BIOS from within Windows using a software utility, you could encounter a Windows crash or freeze that could interfere with the flashing process.

• Custom settings loss If you update your BIOS, you may lose some of your custom settings or preferences that you have configured in your BIOS menu. You may need to re-enter them after the update.

Therefore, before updating your BIOS, you should backup your important data, connect your PC to a reliable power source, and close all other programs and applications.

How to Check Your Current BIOS Version

Before you download and update your BIOS, you need to check your current BIOS version to see if you already have the latest one or not. There are two easy ways to do this:

Using System Information Utility

You can use the built-in System Information utility in Windows to check your BIOS version. Here are the steps:

• Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.

• Type msinfo32 and press Enter to launch the System Information utility.

• On the left pane, click on System Summary.

• On the right pane, look for BIOS Version/Date. You will see the name of your BIOS manufacturer, the version number, and the date of release.

Using Command Prompt

You can also use the Command Prompt to check your BIOS version. Here are the steps:

• Press Windows + X keys and select Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu.

• Type wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion and press Enter. You will see the version number of your BIOS.

• Type wmic bios get biosversion and press Enter. You will see the name of your BIOS manufacturer and the date of release.

How to Download the Latest BIOS Update File

Once you have checked your current BIOS version, you can proceed to download the latest BIOS update file for your motherboard. Here are the steps:

Visiting the Official Website of GIGABYTE

The best and safest way to download the latest BIOS update file is to visit the official website of GIGABYTE, which is the manufacturer of your motherboard. Here is the link:

Selecting the Right Model and Revision Number

On the website, click on Support and then select Motherboard from the drop-down menu. You will see a list of motherboard models that GIGABYTE offers. You need to find your exact model and revision number, which is GA-H61M-S1 Rev 4.0 in this case.

You can find your model and revision number on a sticker on your motherboard or on the box that it came in. Alternatively, you can use a software utility such as CPU-Z or Speccy to identify your motherboard model and revision number.

Once you have found your model and revision number, click on it to go to its product page. On the product page, click on Support and then select BIOS from the menu. You will see a list of BIOS versions that are available for your motherboard.

Downloading the BIOS File to a USB Flash Drive

You need to download the latest BIOS version that matches your model and revision number. You can check the description, date, and size of each BIOS version to see what it offers and if it is newer than your current one.

To download the BIOS file, click on the download icon next to it. You will be prompted to save it to a location on your computer. Choose a location that is easy to access, such as your desktop or downloads folder.

The BIOS file will be in a compressed format such as ZIP or RAR. You need to extract it using a software utility such as WinRAR or 7-Zip. After extracting it, you will see a folder that contains one or more files with extensions such as .BIN, .ROM, .CAP, etc. These are the actual BIOS files that you need to flash onto your motherboard.

You need to copy these files to a USB flash drive that is formatted in FAT32 file system. Make sure that there are no other files on the USB flash drive besides these files. Also, make sure that the USB flash drive has enough space for these files.

How to Update BIOS Safely on Your PC

After downloading and copying the BIOS files to a USB flash drive, you are ready to update your BIOS on your PC. There are three main methods for updating your BIOS: via the BIOS / UEFI environment, via BIOS Flashback (optional), or via Windows software (not recommended). We will explain each method and its pros and cons.

Updating via the BIOS / UEFI Environment

This is the most common and reliable method for updating your BIOS. It involves entering the BIOS / UEFI environment on your PC and using the built-in flashing utility to update your BIOS from the USB flash drive. Here are the steps:

• Insert the USB flash drive that contains the BIOS files into a USB port on your PC.

• Restart your PC and press the appropriate key to enter the BIOS / UEFI environment. The key may vary depending on your motherboard manufacturer, but it is usually one of the following: Del, F2, F10, F12, Esc. You can also check your motherboard manual or the screen during bootup for the correct key.

• Once you are in the BIOS / UEFI environment, look for an option that says something like Update BIOS, Flash BIOS, Q-Flash, EZ Flash, etc. It may be under a menu such as Advanced, Tools, or Boot. Select this option and press Enter.

• You will be prompted to select the source of the BIOS update file. Choose the USB flash drive that you inserted earlier and press Enter.

• You will see a list of BIOS files that are available on the USB flash drive. Choose the latest one that matches your model and revision number and press Enter.

• You will be asked to confirm if you want to update your BIOS. Read the warning message carefully and press Enter or Y to proceed.

• The flashing process will begin and you will see a progress bar or percentage indicator on the screen. Do not turn off your PC, remove the USB flash drive, or interrupt the process in any way until it is finished.

• When the flashing process is complete, you will see a message that says something like Update Successful, Flash Complete, Restart Now, etc. Press Enter or any key to restart your PC.

• Your PC will reboot and you will see a message that says something like CMOS Checksum Error, CMOS Reset, Load Optimized Defaults, etc. This is normal and it means that your BIOS settings have been reset to their default values. Press Enter or any key to continue.

• You have successfully updated your BIOS via the BIOS / UEFI environment. You can now enter the BIOS / UEFI environment again and adjust your settings as you wish.

This method is safe and reliable because it does not depend on any operating system or software utility. It also has a backup feature that allows you to restore your previous BIOS version if something goes wrong.

Updating via BIOS Flashback (Optional)

This is an optional method that some motherboards support. It allows you to update your BIOS without entering the BIOS / UEFI environment or booting an operating system. It uses a special button on your motherboard or rear panel that triggers the flashing process from a USB flash drive. Here are the steps:

• Insert the USB flash drive that contains the BIOS files into a USB port on your PC. Make sure that this port is labeled as BIOS Flashback or Q-Flash Plus.

• Turn off your PC and disconnect it from any power source.

• Press and hold the BIOS Flashback button on your motherboard or rear panel for about 3 seconds until it starts blinking.

• The flashing process will begin and you will see the LED indicator on the button blinking rapidly. Do not turn on your PC, remove the USB flash drive, or interrupt the process in any way until it is finished.

• When the flashing process is complete, you will see the LED indicator on the button stop blinking and stay on. Press the button again to turn it off.

• You have successfully updated your BIOS via BIOS Flashback. You can now connect your PC to a power source and turn it on.

This method is convenient and fast because it does not require you to enter the BIOS / UEFI environment or boot an operating system. It also has a backup feature that allows you to restore your previous BIOS version if something goes wrong.

Updating via Windows Software (Not Recommended)

This is the least recommended method for updating your BIOS. It involves using a Windows software utility provided by your motherboard manufacturer to update your BIOS from within Windows. Here are the steps:

• Download the Windows software utility for your motherboard model and revision number from the official website of GIGABYTE. Here is the link:

• Run the software utility as an administrator and follow the instructions on the screen.

• Select the BIOS file that you downloaded earlier and click on Update or Flash.

• The flashing process will begin and you will see a progress bar or percentage indicator on the screen. Do not turn off your PC, remove the USB flash drive, or interrupt the process in any way until it is finished.

• When the flashing process is complete, you will see a message that says something like Update Successful, Flash Complete, Restart Now, etc. Click on Restart Now to reboot your PC.

• Your PC will reboot and you will see a message that says something like CMOS Checksum Error, CMOS Reset, Load Optimized Defaults, etc. This is normal and it means that your BIOS settings have been reset to their default values. Press Enter or any key to continue.

• You have successfully updated your BIOS via Windows software. You can now enter the BIOS / UEFI environment again and adjust your settings as you wish.

This method is risky and unreliable because it depends on Windows stability and compatibility. If you encounter a Windows crash, freeze, or error during the flashing process, you could corrupt your BIOS chip and brick your motherboard. Therefore, we do not recommend this method unless you have no other choice.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explained how to download and update BIOS for GA-H61M-S1 Rev 4.0 motherboard from GIGABYTE. We have covered what BIOS is, why you should update it, how to check your current BIOS version, how to download the latest BIOS update file, and how to update BIOS safely on your PC using three different methods: via the BIOS / UEFI environment, via BIOS Flashback (optional), or via Windows software (not recommended).

We hope that this article has helped you to update your BIOS successfully and enjoy the benefits of having the latest firmware for your motherboard. However, if you encounter any problems or have any questions, please refer to your motherboard manual or contact GIGABYTE support for assistance.

FAQs

Q: How do I know if my BIOS update was successful?

A: You can check your BIOS version after updating it using the same methods that we described earlier: using System Information utility or Command Prompt. If you see that your BIOS version matches the one that you downloaded and flashed, then your BIOS update was successful.

Q: How do I restore my previous BIOS version if something goes wrong?

A: If you used the method of updating via the BIOS / UEFI environment or via BIOS Flashback, you can restore your previous BIOS version using the backup feature that these methods offer. You can access this feature by pressing a certain key during bootup, such as F12 or End. You will see a menu that allows you to select a backup BIOS file from a USB flash drive or from an internal storage device. Choose the file that corresponds to your previous BIOS version and press Enter to flash it onto your motherboard.

Q: How do I reset my BIOS settings to their default values?

A: If you want to reset your BIOS settings to their default values, you can do so by entering the BIOS / UEFI environment and looking for an option that says something like Load Optimized Defaults, Load Default Settings, Reset Configuration Data, etc. Select this option and press Enter or Y to confirm. Your BIOS settings will be reset to their default values.

Q: How do I customize my BIOS settings according to my preferences?

A: If you want to customize your BIOS settings according to your preferences, you can do so by entering the BIOS / UEFI environment and exploring the various menus and options that are available. You can change settings such as boot order, fan speed, memory frequency, voltage, etc. However, you should be careful and only change settings that you are familiar with or that are recommended by your motherboard manufacturer. Changing settings that you do not understand or that are incompatible with your hardware could cause system instability or damage.

Q: How do I update my drivers and software after updating my BIOS?

A: Updating your BIOS may also require you to update your drivers and software to ensure compatibility and performance. You can update your drivers and software by visiting the official website of GIGABYTE or using a software utility such as Driver Booster or Driver Easy. You can also use Windows Update to check for any available updates for your system. 44f88ac181