Abstract: Systems, methods, and software that update or recover system firmware (BIOS) of a computer system using a utility running from a protected area of a mass storage device. This avoids the standard operating system environment and removes the possibility of tampering or deletion of required files. Files containing a copy of system firmware (BIOS) and a firmware update utility for writing to the system EEPROM or flash ROM are transferred to the mass storage device. Once the files are transferred, the area on the mass storage device containing these files are protected in a Host Protected Area, for example. After protecting or locking this area of the mass storage device, the system firmware or boot utility either boots the standard operating system or runs the firmware update utility from the Host Protected Area in recovery mode if the firmware is corrupted. This allows the firmware update utility to run in an environment outside of and independent of the standard operating environment of the computer system.