It is important that you keep Windows and applications such as web browsers up to date. This does not have to cost you much time, as it can be done fully automatically. But when updating, did you also consider the PC itself and other devices in your network, such as your router or NAS? They may well need a firmware update.
“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”… If something works well, you better stay away from it, is this oft-heard message. But to what extent is that true? As far as firmware – the software that is pre-programmed in all kinds of devices – we are not completely convinced. After all, it is not uncommon for a firmware update to eliminate all kinds of bugs or security problems or to add functions that you did not have access to before such an update.
Of course, it update firmware is never completely without risk. That’s why it’s best to stick to two rules of thumb. One: If possible, you should first back up your current firmware and configuration. Two: you check on the manufacturer’s website what exactly the update can do for you. If the improvements are not worth it, you can safely skip the update. In this article we look at firmware updates for PC, router and NAS.
BIOS
Backup
Let’s start with the PC, where the firmware is called the BIOS (Basic Input Output System), or in modern systems also called the UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface). This firmware contains the basic settings of your system, such as those for memory and disk. Before you consider an update, make a backup first for safety. You do this from the BIOS setup window. You will probably find how to open this window in the system manual. Usually you have to press a certain key a few times immediately after starting up your PC, such as F1, F2, F10, F12, delete or esc.
You can also try it from Windows 10. Open the Settings and select Update & Security / System Restore / Restart Now. After the restart, choose successively Troubleshooting / Advanced Options / UEFI Firmware Settings.
With luck, you’ll find a backup feature in the BIOS setup window, and often you only need to press a few buttons to back up firmware to a file (or sometimes even to a separate memory chip). If the manufacturer has not provided a backup option, you can still take pictures of all BIOS settings and tabs with your smartphone.
Check version
Was your backup successful? Then first carefully check the model and version of the BIOS, so that you do not install the wrong update. After all, they can saddle you with an unworkable system. If you can’t find this information in the system manual, try it from Windows. Press Windows key+R and feed you msinfo32 from. You will find the necessary information at BIOS Version / Date.
Then you visit the website of the manufacturer of your PC or motherboard. Here you will undoubtedly find a section like Downloads or Support, where you can also find BIOS updates. Check carefully that it is the correct BIOS and see if the updates of the update are worth it. You may need to install one or more intermediate BIOS updates before you can install the latest updates.
Check settings
Before you actually perform the update, it is best to check some settings in the setup window of the BIOS. Optionally, select an option if BIOS write protection off and set the settings to the default values via an option like Load BIOS default values. If it is a laptop, it is best to connect it to the mains.
Exactly how you update the BIOS depends on the BIOS model. This may be possible directly via an option such as Update BIOS, after which all you need to do is point to the downloaded update file. Some BIOSes can even fetch the update for you.
Older BIOS updates usually come in the form of an executable file that you can run from Windows, or better yet, from a minimalist environment like DOS. With the free and portable tool Rufus quickly create a bootable USB stick with DOS. Start the tool and choose FreeDOS Bee Boot Selection, after which you File system sets to FAT32. Of course you also place the update file on this stick. Boot your PC from the stick and start the update program file. It is important that you never interrupt an ongoing update process!
router
Backup
In your home network Do you also have a (wireless) router and it is best to keep it up-to-date. The vast majority of routers can be accessed via a web interface, but then you must of course know the IP address.
Make sure (preferably) that your router is connected to your PC via an Ethernet cable, go to the Command Prompt and enter the command ipconfig from. You read the address behind Default Gateway (for example 192.168.0.1). Enter this address in your browser and log in to your router with the administrator account.
Before updating the firmware, make a configuration backup. You can usually find them in a section like Management or Administration. Press on the backupbutton and save the file to your PC. If you ever need it, you can restorebutton to reset the configuration. If your router does not have a backup option, you can take photos or screenshots of all configuration screens.
To update
In the same section of your router setup you may also find a (sub) section with an option like Firmware update. Make a note of the current firmware version and then check the router manufacturer’s site to see if there is an update available for your router model and what that update entails. If everything looks good, download the update file and extract it to your PC if necessary. You will also find a button here that allows you to navigate to the update file on your PC, after which you can start the update.
Many routers allow you to download such an update file directly from the web interface and sometimes the update process is even almost completely automated. Again, you should never interrupt the update process.
Alternative Firmware
Unfortunately, most router manufacturers only release firmware updates for their routers for a limited time, so you miss out on interesting new features. If you don’t shy away from experimenting, you can consider alternative firmware, such as the one from OpenWrt or from DD-WRT. For the latter you can click https://forum.dd-wrt.com/wiki go for manuals.
Alternative firmware brings features such as wireless bridging, QoS bandwidth allocation, or radius authentication within reach. It is important that you first check whether your own router model is compatible with that alternative firmware; that appears to be especially the case for Linksys models. As for DD-WRT, you can find a list of supported models via www.tiny.cc/routerdatabase, as well as links to installation instructions. Of course, you perform such an alternative firmware upgrade at your own risk.
NAS
Find IP address
If you have a NAS, you would do well to regularly check for updates on this device. Most NAS manufacturers, including Synology and QNAP, regularly release (security) updates. You can usually set up a NAS to automatically notify you of new updates via email.
Just like with the router, you are supposed to call up the web interface of your NAS in your browser via a wired connection. There are several ways to find out this address. Normally you will find it in your router in a section like List of devices or at Status / LAN. Or you use a specific search tool from your NAS manufacturer, such as Synology Web Assistant or Qfinder Pro. Or you can get a fast network scanner like Angry IP Scanner. Here you enter the IP range of your network segment (for example 192.168.1.1-192.168.1.254) and press Start.
To update
You can update the device via the web interface of your NAS. Let’s take a Synology model as an example (DS220+ with DSM 7). open it Control Panel and choose in the section System the option Update and Restore. Now first open the tab Configuration backup and choose Export for a backup of the NAS configuration. Via the button To recover allow this configuration to be reset if necessary.
Then open the tab Update DSM. Through Update Settings Although you can indicate that updates should be installed automatically, we prefer to do this manually. So click on Manually Update DSM and point to the update file. You can do this for your own NAS model to download. Please check if it is the correct update for your model and DSM version. Do not interrupt the update process and wait for your NAS to reboot completely.
For QNAP you will find instructions here. You can also find the necessary instructions for other NAS manufacturers on their websites.
Other devices
In addition to your PC, router and NAS, you will undoubtedly have other devices connected to your network, such as a TV or IP camera, or ‘smart’ devices such as a doorbell or thermostat. It is also best to provide these devices with the necessary updates, with a view to better security and functionality. Some devices keep themselves up-to-date and report the status via the accompanying app. You have to update other devices yourself with a program or via a USB stick. Consult the manufacturer’s website for this.
