Solved install new bios

[kaschiro]

I have a dell inspiron 17r n7110 laptop.............I just installed w7 ultima x64...I replace most of the dell drivers...everything is running fine...I did not replace the BIOS, since everything is running normal, do I leave well enough alone?
Kas

 

[fireberd]

With a BIOS, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies. In addition, with a Dell there is a risk of a motherboard replacement if the BIOS update corrupted the BIOS and it would not boot. There is no recovery from a corrupted BIOS update on a Dell.

The Dell A13 BIOS (latest listed) "Fixes and Enhancements" is only a fix for a problem with Windows 8.

 

[Britton30]

I agree, don't update the BIOS unless it will address a specific issue you may have.

 

[kaschiro]

thanks for the input
Kas

 

[Britton30]

You're very welcome.

 

[SandeepP]

I have a dell inspiron 17r n7110 laptop.............I just installed w7 ultima x64...I replace most of the dell drivers...everything is running fine...I did not replace the BIOS, since everything is running normal, do I leave well enough alone?
Kas

Hi kaschiro,

As everybody correctly suggested you should not update the BIOS until and unless it is needed. You could also check what update the BIOS has and whether it is applicable to you.

Like the current one is A13: Driver Details | Dell US

You could check it under :

Fixes & Enhancements
Fix issue when system resume from S4 automatically after upgrade to windows 8.

So if you are not on Windows 8 and not facing this issue this update would not be beneficial for you. If you have any further queries, please feel free to contact us.

 

[emerald08]

@SandeepP. Is there any possible way to create a bootable CD for BIOS from the exe file? My reasons for updating my BIOS version A05 to the latest is there seems to be a string of fixes that my E6510 would benefit from. I would rather update my BIOS through some bootable method or command-line (with clear directions for me to follow) versus doing one within windows.

 

[richnrockville]

I have upgraded the bios on many dells via the windows update and never had a problem yet. but the wisdom of not updating unless something is not working is good advice..

Rich

 

[emerald08]

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:

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!

 

[Britton30]

@ Emerald08, there are also some prerequisites to update your BIOS.

Notes:--------
1. 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.

2. 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.

3. Please note that if the A10 or before A10 BIOS is currently installed on your system you must first update to A11 BIOS and then flash to the latest A-rev BIOS.

The update method seems fairly straight forward.

BIOS Update Executable for Windows/DOS

Download
1. Click Download File to download the file.
2. When the File Download window appears, click Save to save the file to your hard drive.

Run the BIOS update utility from Windows environment
1. Browse to the location where you downloaded the file and double-click the new file.
2. Windows System will auto restart and update BIOS while system startup screen.
3. After BIOS update finished, system will auto reboot to take effect.

Run the BIOS update utility from DOS environment (Non-Windows users)
NOTE: You will need to provide a bootable DOS USB key. This executable file does not create the DOS system files.
1. Copy the downloaded file to a bootable DOS USB key.
2. Boot from the USB key to the DOS prompt.
3. Run the file by typing copied file name where the executable is located

The Dell web page.

 

[emerald08]

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]

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]

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:

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:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/682-command-prompt-startup.html

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]

I think the OP wanted to know if he had to do the prerequisite updates first. http://www.sevenforums.com/drivers/313922-install-new-bios.html#post2622674

 

[SandeepP]

I think the OP wanted to know if he had to do the prerequisite updates first. http://www.sevenforums.com/drivers/313922-install-new-bios.html#post2622674

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]

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]

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

 

[emerald08]

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]

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

 

[kevineaton77]

a05 to a16

**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...