install new bios

emerald08 · 12 Dec 2013

Hi Britton30. My understanding of the procedure is that I will flash 3X in total correct? A09 first followed by A11 and finally A15. Does that seem correct?

Britton30 · 13 Dec 2013

emerald08 said:

Hi Britton30. My understanding of the procedure is that I will flash 3X in total correct? A09 first followed by A11 and finally A15. Does that seem correct?

Yeah, unfortunately that's how it looks to me.

Let's see if we can get Sandeepp's input.

SandeepP · 13 Dec 2013

emerald08 said:

Hi richnrockville! That is good news to hear. The reason I would like to update is that from Bios Revision A05 to A15 there have been fixes and enhancements:

Code:

A15
1. Updated the manageability engine firmware to version 6.2.50.1062.

A14
1. Updated the manageability engine firmware to version 6.2.40.1045.
2. Addressed UEFI OS fail boot with HDD password present issue.
3. Fixed issue where OMCI gets incorrect numbers of PCI slots.
4. Addressed IDE-R issue in ATA and AHCI mode.

A13
Fixes - Fixed issues of Intel AMT serial over Lan
Enhancements - Enhanced engine firmware manageability

A12
Fixes/Enhancements ------------------
1. Updated the PXE option ROM to version 1.3.81.
2. Updated the manageability engine firmware to version 6.2.20.1035.
3. Improve the PXE boot support.

A11
Fixes/Enhancements ------------------
1. Updated and improved Flash Update Utility
2. Added support for Signed Firmware Updates.
3. Addressed some PCMCIA cards issues.
4. Updated to the X28 (2120v28) version of Intel UMA VBIOS.
5. Updated Intel Arrandale and Clarksfield Microcode patch.
6. Updated to the 3.2 version of TXT BIOS ACM for Clarkdale and Arrandale Processors.
7. Updated to the 3.3 version of TXT BIOS ACM for Clarksfield Processors.

Notes: --------
1. Please note that if the A08 or before A08 BIOS is currently installed on your system you must first update to A09 BIOS and then flash to the latest A-rev BIOS.
2. Please note that if the A01 BIOS is currently installed on your system you must first apply the P02 patch (E6510P02.EXE) before upgrading to this BIOS.

A10: no revision BIOS

A09
Fixes/Enhancements ------------------
1. Fix the failure of the operation system installation with 4GB or above system memory in UEFI mode.
2. Fix the system failed to restore operation system from hibernation state in UEFI mode.
3. Improve the FDE hard drive support.
4. BIOS flash update enhancement.
5. Updated the PXE option ROM to version 1.3.72.
6. Updated the manageability engine firmware to version 6.2.0.1022.
7. Updated Nvidia video BIOS.

As you can see A05 BIOS revision I have installed on my E6510 is quite old. It is so old it is not even listed on the 'Previous Versions' tab of the E6510 driver webpage (from Dell Support). I may also install W8 on the E6510 at some point in the future also. Not too sure but just entertaining the idea. Thanks for answering!

Hi emerald08,

You can easily update the BIOS from command prompt as well. Just download the BIOS file on to a USB drive.

Then using a disc boot to command prompt:

Command Prompt at Startup

Then go to USB drive. Like if it is E drive then type E: and hit enter. Type the name of the file and hit enter.

It should start updating the BIOS of the system. Make sure AC adapter is plugged into the system while updating the BIOS.

Hope it helps. If you have any further queries, please feel free to contact us.

Britton30 · 13 Dec 2013

I think the OP wanted to know if he had to do the prerequisite updates first. install new bios

SandeepP · 13 Dec 2013

Britton30 said:

I think the OP wanted to know if he had to do the prerequisite updates first. install new bios

Hi,

I guess i missed the second page of the post. It is not needed to flash all the BIOS one by one. You can directly flash the latest A15 Bios and it should install fine on the system.

It is not needed to flash the earlier version of BIOS before flashing the latest one. Hope it helps.

emerald08 · 13 Dec 2013

Hi guys.

@SandeepP. Thanks for the USB BIOS update information. Some background information on my E6510. I had just ordered one a couple of days ago and it is due to arrive today. I will not get around to updating it until perhaps this late this evening or tomorrow as I will be studying most of my day for a scheduled evening final exam

. The E6510 should be arriving with everything included except for a hard drive (or OS for that matter). This is the reason I was pushing for a bootable BIOS update method. I do have two W7 disc handy from which I can boot to command prompt and I have also already placed the BIOS update executable files on a USB drive. The explanation for the USB method seems fairly straightforward and simple. I will be installing W8 once I receive my hard drive next week. Thanks :)

Britton30 · 13 Dec 2013

Let us know if any problems and how it goes for you.

emerald08 · 14 Dec 2013

Disclaimer: if you do not have any issues with your current BIOS you should not update. Also if you do not feel comfortable doing the update you should not proceed as well. A bricked laptop does not equal a happy laptop...or owner!

Now for my run-through with my BIOS update without a windows installation.

1. Downloaded and ran Unetbootin
2. From the 'Distribution' box I chose the distro Freedos 1.0 and installed it to my USB flashdrive
3. Unetbootin asked if I wished to reboot afterwards but I chose 'No'
4. Put the boot exe E6510A09 and E6510A15 on the same USB drive that Freedos was installed to
5. Made sure my battery was charged on the Dell E6510 (power interruptions=BAD BAD BAD)
6. Connected the USB that I had installed Free Dos 1.0 (that also contained the BIOS exe)
7. Pushed F12 when the Dell splash screen appeared to boot into 'Boot Select' mode
8. Chose USB Storage
9. The Freedos menu showed up and I selected 'FREE-DOS Live CD only'
10. command line appeared
11. typed in c:
12. followed by typing in E6510A09
13. Dell BIOS update menu showed up
14. It will ask if you want to proceed with BIOS update
15. and BIOS update will run the flash
16. On the next reboot the BIOS version that was flashed will be reflected on the Dell splash screen

In my case I followed the directions to flash A09 first then A15 (the latest BIOS for the E6510) afterwards. The process was quite easy although made me a little nervous! Installing W8 now :)

Thanks for the help SandeepP, Briton30, and richnrockville. Reps for each of you +

Britton30 · 14 Dec 2013

Well done and it's good to know all went well. :)

kevineaton77 · 17 Jun 2015

**ive edited this as i hadnt really explained properly...**

just incase this helps anyone - the upgrade from a05 to a16 (via ao9 and a11) seems to have solved a very odd problem where it would look like the boot sector would get corrupted. even from recovery console the list of operating systems showed zero (bootrec /scanos). and the machine would not boot no matter what i did. tried all sorts of things but no joy. when the disk was put into my recovery box, all the partitions were there, the correct one was active, it was fine.

i built the machine twice, it would work for a while and then just lose the operating system.

windows 7 pro 64, 8gb ram and a 1tb sata disk.

i noticed there were some comments in the bios notes about >4gb of Ram giving disk issues and also "Addressed IDE-R issue in ATA and AHCI mode".

this has fixed it (thank $deity)

maybe this will help someone...