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Update BIOS with BGT (BIOS Guard Firmware Update Tool)

This guide explains how to update a SECO x86 BIOS using BGT (AMI BIOS Guard Firmware Update Tool).

Which products should use this guide?​

Use BGT only for the following x86 products:

  • Coffee Lake board SOM-COMe-BT6-CFL-H (C08)
  • Whisky Lake board SOM-COMe-CT6-WHL-U (C55)

All other x86 products should use the AFU guide instead.

Before you start​

warning

Updating BIOS is a critical operation.

  • DO NOT power off, reset the system, or remove AC power while the update is running.
  • The first reboot after flashing may take longer than usual due to internal re-initialization steps.
  • Use only BIOS images provided by SECO for your specific product. Flashing a BIOS image that is not provided by SECO or meant to be used on another product may result in a non-functioning board.
Important notes
  • BIOS downgrade is not supported and is strongly discouraged.
  • Custom “dumped” BIOS images are not supported.

What you need as requirements​

  • The BIOS binary file to flash (example name: BIOSbinary.XXX).
  • The BGT package for your platform/OS (see below).
  • If using UEFI Shell: a FAT32 USB drive and an UEFI-bootable USB setup. Check the How to create a UEFI-bootable USB Drive guide.
  • Administrator/root privileges for Windows/Linux flashing.

BGT tools included in the package​

Depending on your target environment, BGT is distributed as:

  • BgtEfi.efi, BgtEfix64.efi (UEFI Shell, 32/64-bit)
  • BgtWin.exe, BgtWinx64.exe (Windows 32/64-bit)

Method 1 — UEFI Shell (also called EFI Shell)​

  1. Copy the BGT EFI tool and the BIOS binary file into the USB drive.
  2. Boot the system and enter BIOS setup by pressing ESC.
  3. Enable ME firmware re-flash:
Required setting

In BIOS setup, enable Me FW Image Re-Flash:

  • Advanced → PCH FW Configuration → Firmware Update Configuration
  • Enable Me FW Image Re-Flash
  • Save (e.g., F4) and exit

  1. Set the system to boot from the USB key:

    • Under the Boot menu set Boot Option #1 to the USB key containing BGT
    • This is typically a one-shot setting; afterwards you can restore your usual boot order

  2. In UEFI Shell:

    • Identify the USB filesystem (fs0:, fs1:, …) from the device mapping table (removable disk).
    • Enter it (example: fs1:).
    • Navigate to the folder containing the BGT utility and BIOS binary.

  3. Run:

update.nsh BIOSbinary.XXX

Method 2 — Windows​

  1. Copy the updater tool and the BIOS binary into a folder on the Windows disk.
  2. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  3. cd into the folder where the tools and BIOS file are stored.
  4. Run:
update.bat BIOSbinary.XXX
note

Ensure all required files provided by SECO are present in the folder together with the script.

Troubleshooting​

General​

  • The system does not boot after the update

    • Wait a few minutes: the first boot can be slower than usual.
    • Perform a full power cycle (power off, remove power for ~10 seconds, power on).
    • If the system still does not boot, contact SECO support with board PN/SN and the BIOS package used.

  • Wrong BIOS image

    • If the BIOS binary does not match your exact board/SKU, stop and contact SECO support.

  • BIOS file name contains spaces

    • Rename it to a simple name (e.g. BIOS.ROM) and rerun the script.

UEFI Shell​

  • USB not visible / no fs0: listed

    • Ensure the USB drive is FAT32.
    • Try a different USB port and reboot.
    • In UEFI Shell, use the mapping table to locate the removable disk.

  • BGT tool does not run

    • Make sure you are using the right EFI binary:
      • 64-bit UEFI Shell → BgtEfix64.efi
      • 32-bit UEFI Shell → BgtEfi.efi
    • Confirm the script (update.nsh) and the BGT binary are in the same directory.

  • Update stops or fails immediately

    • Re-check that Me FW Image Re-Flash is enabled in BIOS:
      • Advanced → PCH FW Configuration → Firmware Update Configuration → Me FW Image Re-Flash

Windows​

  • Script works only with admin privileges

    • Open Command Prompt as Administrator before running update.bat.

  • Security software blocks the tool

    • Temporarily whitelist the folder containing BGT and the BIOS package (company policy permitting).

  • Wrong BGT executable

    • Use BgtWinx64.exe on 64-bit Windows and BgtWin.exe on 32-bit Windows.