Is it safe to update BIOS on GIGABYTE GA-H81M-DS2V

[klrman]

Just wondering if it is safe to update BIOS on this board? Have two MSI boards and never updated BIOS due to so many bricking theirs afterwards and want to know if Gigabyte is risky like MSI boards or not?

 

[GhislainG]

It depends on how you do it. Doing it from the BIOS is safe as long as there's no power outage.

 

[klrman]

Power outrage is extremely rare where I live, but is Gigabyte generally much safer for updates than say MSI is?

 

[GhislainG]

I never had issues updating a Gigabyte BIOS from a USB key.

 

[klrman]

That's good to hear.

 

[GhislainG]

Note that most people who bricked an MSI BIOS updated it using the Windows application instead of doing it from the BIOS.

 

[klrman]

I always thought that was the case until I joined the MSI forum months ago and realized they still get bricked using the correct procedure.

 

[GhislainG]

I always thought that was the case until I joined the MSI forum months ago and realized they still get bricked using the correct procedure.

That happened to me with an Intel motherboard, but it may be becasue MSI's procedures are not as obvious as they should be. I flashed an MSI motherboard and I didn't brick it, but I may be lucky

 

[klrman]

It seems to be hit and miss with MSI so glad you are one of the lucky ones. The general consensus is not to update BIOS on an MSI board unless there is really something wrong. On my MSI boards there is USB issues that an update should fix, but I'm still on the fence if it is worth the hassle if the board gets bricked.

 

[GhislainG]

It it was mine and still under warranty, then I'd flash it. Note that I always connect the system to a UPS just in case there's a power outage, but it's a rare occurrence where I live.

I found this in a review:

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Download version 1.8. (Or Newest Version)
2. Extract and move the "E7917IMS.180" file into an empty flash drive.
3. Power down your system. Power back on and spam the 'delete' button to get into the BIOS.
4. Click the "M-Flash" button in the bottom left (It's really big) then click "Select one file to update BIOS and ME"
5. Click on your flash drive then browse to the "E7917IMS.180" file. click the "E7917IMS.180" file.
6. A message will appear saying: "WARNING!! Don't Remove USB drive or shutdown system. System will be reset to update BIOS in 5 seconds."
7. After you system automatically reboots it will tell you it is "Updating BIOS ME" and "Updating BIOS" this will take about 2 minutes.
8. If all goes well, it should get to 100% and say "BIOS Updated successfully! System will auto reboot in 5 seconds."
NOTE: After the update. The screen may go blank for up to a minute! Don't worry! Wait!
9. The POST screen will then appear, spam the delete key to enter the BIOS!
10. Once inside the bios it should say whatever version you updated to at the top. Congrats! The settings MAY have changed back to default so change them back.

A pssibility is people are pressing the Reset button when the screen goes black and that's what causes the issue. Most reviewers who flashed their BIOS had no issues.