Arch Linux

nilsHaus

Member

Registered: 2007-06-22

Posts: 69

Upgrading Dell BIOS

Can I do it? I've seen someinstructions relating to ubuntu and gentoo, but nothing Arch specific...Since we're dealing the bios I'd rather be specific. Anyone have any idea how to go about this, I'm on a dell inspiron 2500 running revision A06 and the current one is A15 I think...

thayer

Fellow

From: Vancouver, BC

Registered: 2007-05-20

Posts: 1,560

Website

Re: Upgrading Dell BIOS

Can I do it? I've seen someinstructions relating to ubuntu and gentoo, but nothing Arch specific...Since we're dealing the bios I'd rather be specific. Anyone have any idea how to go about this, I'm on a dell inspiron 2500 running revision A06 and the current one is A15 I think...

I've used this reference in the past and it has worked great for both updates to my Inspiron 6400:

http://www.linuxinsight.com/how-to-flas … drive.html

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thayer williams ~ cinderwick.ca

nilsHaus

Member

Registered: 2007-06-22

Posts: 69

Re: Upgrading Dell BIOS

This looks promising.

Any idea what to do if files only come in self-extracting .exe? [EDIT: I tried using another windows machine but the floppy version quits when it can't find floppy and the hard drive version has a setup program which runs automatically...How do I get to the requisite files?

The contents of the self-extracted archive I got off here. http://support.us.dell.com/support/down … &cs=&s=gen

ls R52472
data1.cab  data2.cab    layout.bin  Setup.exe  setup.inx  vssver.scc
data1.hdr  ikernel.ex_  setup.bmp   Setup.ini  setup.iss

What tools should I use in lieu of mkisofs and cdrecord? I cannot find the alternatives listed on the website either?

[meaningless edit: I just noticed that website has a very nice animated favicon...]

Last edited by nilsHaus (2008-08-07 20:54:06)

nilsHaus

Member

Registered: 2007-06-22

Posts: 69

Re: Upgrading Dell BIOS

Nobody?

sultanoswing

Member

Registered: 2008-07-23

Posts: 267

Re: Upgrading Dell BIOS

Here's what I do to update the BIOS on my machines (Dell 1330 laptop and build-my-own desktop):

1) Go to bootdisk.com (http://www.bootdisk.com/) and download the file "flashcd.zip"

2) Open the ISO in flashcd.zip with "ISO Master" (available through pacman -S)

3) Using ISO Master, add the dos-based executables and BIOS update files to the ISO and save the edited ISO

4) Burn the edited ISO with your program of choice (k3b etc) - it should be bootable if you followed steps 2 and 3 correctly

5) Reboot using your new bootable CD and once in the DOS environment, run the BIOS flash program

6) Enjoy your new BIOS!

Last edited by sultanoswing (2008-08-09 02:24:11)

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Arch 3.17.1 (x86_64) w/Gnome 3.14.1
ASUS P7P55-E-Pro, Geforce GTX460, i5-750, 8GB, Samsung 830 SSD
Dell XPS m1330, Geforce 8400M, 4965AGN
HP Folio 13 Ultrabook

tardo

Member

Registered: 2006-07-15

Posts: 526

Re: Upgrading Dell BIOS

http://gentoo-wiki.com/Dell_BIOS_Upgrade

nilsHaus

Member

Registered: 2007-06-22

Posts: 69

Re: Upgrading Dell BIOS

Wow, sorry hadn't seen this yet. Thank you guys a bunch, I'll edit if it works.

rumil

Member

From: Krakow, Poland

Registered: 2007-11-16

Posts: 39

Re: Upgrading Dell BIOS

http://gentoo-wiki.com/Dell_BIOS_Upgrade

Just for the record: I've used some time ago SMBIOS method on my m1330 and worked as a charm!