In addition to keeping your operating system up-to-date, it’s smart to do the same for your equipment, such as your NAS, router and the BIOS of your computer. This ensures that everything works without problems and often you have new features, faster performance or better security afterwards.
Tip 01: Backup BIOS
The system BIOS, also known as UEFI in more modern systems, contains the basic settings of your PC, such as memory and disk settings. Make a copy of your current BIOS first. To do this, you must first enter the BIOS setup window. The system manual tells you how to do that, but usually it comes down to pressing a special key a few times when your PC starts up, such as F1, F2, F12, delete or esc. Or you try it from Windows 10. Press Windows key+I and choose Update & Security / System Restore / Restart Now. After the restart, choose successively Troubleshooting / Advanced Options / UEFI Firmware Settings. Some BIOSes have a backup option; however, that depends on the manufacturer. Tip: Take a picture of all BIOS settings you see on the screen with your smartphone, so that you have them on hand in case of emergency.
Tip 02: Check version
Before you download a BIOS update, you have to make sure that it is the correct BIOS. You can find this information in the system manual, but you can also find out the BIOS version when you Windows key+R press and msinfo32 performs. Then look at the item BIOS Version/Date. Then you look for a possible BIOS update on the website of the PC or motherboard manufacturer, in a section like Support or Downloads. Once you’ve found the right one, check the information about any new features. If you like it, download the update file. Keep in mind that you may need to install an intermediate BIOS update before you can update to the latest version.
Tip 03: Control settings
Before starting the update, it’s a good idea to go to your BIOS setup window again. Set the settings to the default values, via an option like Load BIOS default values. An option if BIOS write protection you can temporarily disable it. If it is a laptop, make sure it is connected to the power. The exact update process depends on the BIOS model. You may be able to run the update directly from the BIOS with an option like Update BIOS, after which point you to the update file. Some BIOS updates come in the form of an exe file that you can run from within Windows. Even better, you run such an exe file from a minimalist operating system like good old DOS. With the free tool Rufus you can quickly and easily create such a bootable USB stick with DOS. Bee Boot Selection choose you FreeDOS, and File system tune in FAT32. You can also place the update file on this USB stick afterwards. In any case, it is important that you never interrupt the BIOS update process!
Tip 04: Router IP address
Firmware updates are also often released for routers that offer more functions or improve security. You can find the router IP address as follows. Press Windows key+X and choose Network connections / Change connection properties. Write the address in the section Properties, Bee IPv4 DNS servers. Preferably make sure that your router is connected to your PC via an Ethernet cable and enter the IP address you found in the step above into your browser. Then log in with the administrator account. Before updating the firmware, make a configuration backup first. You can usually find it in a section like Management. The result is a configuration file that you save on your PC and can also be restored via the same route. If necessary, you can also take photos or screenshots of all the configuration screens of your router (just like with your BIOS).
Tip 05: Search for update function
Bee Management you will probably also find a (sub) section with an option like Firmware update. Note the current firmware version and check the router manufacturer’s site to see if an update is available for your router model. Also take a good look at what that update entails. Convinced? Then download the update file and, if necessary, extract it to your PC. Many routers can also download directly from the web interface. In the web interface you will also find a button that allows you to navigate to the update file on your PC. Incidentally, the entire process of downloading and installing is even completely automated with some routers, at the touch of a button. Again, you should never interrupt the update process!
Tip 06: IP address NAS
Most NAS devices are regularly updated, such as the Linux-based operating system of QNAP (QTS) and Synology (DSM). You can usually set such a NAS in such a way that it automatically informs you of new updates via e-mail. Log in to the web interface of your NAS via a wired connection. You may find this address via your router, in a section such as List of devices, or download a specific search tool from the NAS manufacturer, such as Synology Assistant. You can also use a tool like Angry IP Scanner use: fill in the IP range of your network segment at the top IP Range (for example 192.168.0.1 – 192.168.0.254) and press Start.
Tip 07: Update the NAS
Here we take a Synology model as an example. Open Control Panel and choose Update and Restore in the section System. Here too, for safety’s sake, it is best to back up the NAS configuration first. To do this, open the tab Configuration backup–up and click Back up configuration. Save the file in a safe location. Via the button Restore configuration you can always restore the configuration in the event of unexpected problem situations. It also never hurts to make a backup of your data at this point in the process. About to the tab DSM to update. Although you can indicate here that the update process should be fully automated, we prefer to keep things in our own hands. So click on Manually Update DSM and point to the update file. You can do that your NAS model to download. Let the update process run undisturbed and wait for the NAS to reboot. For QNAP you will find step-by-step instructions and other NAS manufacturers undoubtedly have the necessary guidelines online.
Other devices
There are of course other devices for which you can install an update, such as a TV or an IP camera. In a (wireless) home network you will also find more and more ‘smart devices’, such as a refrigerator, thermostat, doorbell and all kinds of measuring devices. With a view to functionality and safety, it is best to provide these devices with the necessary updates. Some keep themselves up-to-date and may also notify you via the accompanying app. Others you have to update yourself via a program on your PC or via a USB stick. Consult the manufacturer’s website for possible updates and the correct approach. Good to know: at the end of 2019, the Dutch cabinet submitted a bill that will impose an update obligation on manufacturers from 2021 for all devices sold in Europe.
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