Using a 3rd party program to update your BIOS in my opinion would be risky because if it gives you the wrong one, it could brick your computer.
If this is an OEM (branded) machine then go to the computer support site and check for BIOS updates - if it is a home or purpose built machine, then go to the motherboard support site and do the same.
As for slow loading programs, see how they load in a clean boot.
To do this, go Start - type msconfig and press enter then under the Startup tab click on Disable all then under the Services tab, check the box to Hide all Microsoft services and then on Disable all - Apply - OK - Restart but it is a must that you first check the box to Hide all MS services before hitting Disable all.
If your antivirus program is listed in those services then recheck its box.
You could also see how the programs load in Safe Mode with Networking.
To check to see how the CPU is performing, right click on the taskbar and select Task Manager and under Performance see at what % it is running at.
Clicking on the Memory tab will sort to the highest user, as will clicking on the CPU tab to see which may be maxing out the CPU.
If there's one in particular, right click on it and then select Go to services which should land on and highlight the hog.
