Do not turn off your computer or disconnect from the power source while updating the BIOS as this could harm your computer. During the update, your computer will restart and you may briefly see a black screen.
Before updating, please read the installation instructions and important information noted below.
Dell Inspiron 8000 System BIOS, A21
AUTO INSTALLEDThis file was automatically installed as part of a recent update. If you are experiencing any issues, you can manually download and reinstall.
This file was automatically installed as part of a recent update. If you are experiencing any issues, you can manually download and reinstall.
Inspiron 8000 FlashBIOS Version A21
Recommended
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Find more updates. Use SupportAssist to find all the latest driver updates for your device.
Fixes & Enhancements
The following updates were made to the A20 BIOS to create A21:
Issues Fixed: 1. Fixed issue seen with nVidia video controllers under WinXP in which an external CRT attached to a docking station may fail to turn on when the system is hot-docked with the lid closed. 2. Fixed issue in which the displays flicker several times when using to toggle between an external CRT and the LCD. 3. Fixed issue in which USB devices may be disabled if multiple devices are reset at the same time. 4. Fixed issue in which a USB Intellimouse may fail to respond when attached to the same USB hub as a USB keyboard. 5. Fixed issue in which some systems may fail to display the Dell Logo screen during POST. 6. Improve CardBus NIC performance under ACPI by preventing the operating system from assigning CardBus devices to IRQ 9.
Enhancements: 1. Updated the ATI video BIOS to version 4.100. 2. Added support for additional LCD panels.
Dell Technologies recommends reviewing this update to determine if it applies to your system. The update contains changes that impact only certain configurations or provides new features that may or may not apply to your environment.
This is a large file. Depending on your connection speed, it may take some time to download.
Format Description:
This file contains a compressed (or zipped) set of files. Download the file to a folder on your hard drive, and then run (double-click) it to unzip the set of files. Follow the instructions to complete the installation.
To ensure the integrity of your download, please verify the checksum value.
MD5:
Not available
SHA1:
Not available
SHA-256:
Not available
File Format:One or more self extracting disk images inside of a self extracting zip
File Name:I80-A21A.EXE
File Size:541.5 KB
This is a large file. Depending on your connection speed, it may take some time to download.
Format Description:
This file contains a compressed (or zipped) set of files. Download the file to a folder on your hard drive, then double-click it to unzip the set of files. Follow the instructions to complete the installation.
To ensure the integrity of your download, please verify the checksum value.
MD5:
Not available
SHA1:
Not available
SHA-256:
Not available
File Format:Flash BIOS executable
File Name:I80A21A.EXE
File Size:344.7 KB
This is a large file. Depending on your connection speed, it may take some time to download.
Format Description:
This file format consists of a BIOS-executable file. To use it, download the file and copy it to a DOS-bootable USB flash drive, then boot the system to the USB flash drive and run the program.
1. Click Download Now, to download the file. 2. When the File Download window appears, click Save (Windows XP users will click Save) this program to disk and click OK. The Save In: window appears. 3. From the Save In: field, click the down arrow then click to select Desktop and click Save. The file will download to your desktop. 4. If the Download Complete window appears, click Close. The file icon appears on your desktop.
Hard Drive Floppy Disk Creation
1. Get 1 blank, formatted floppy disks. 2. Double-click the new icon (it looks like a floppy diskette) on the desktop. The Self-Extractor window appears. 3. Click Setup. An black MS-DOS window appears with a message indicating that you need 1 floppy diskettes. 4. Press the [ENTER] key. A message appears prompting you to insert a blank floppy diskette. 5. Insert a floppy disk into the floppy disk drive. 6. Press the [ENTER] key. A message appears indicating that all data on the disk will be erased. 7. Press the [y] key and then press the [ENTER] key. The files are copied to the floppy diskette. If the procedure requires more than one diskette, repeat steps 5 – 7 until you reach the end of the diskette set. 8. After all the files have been copied to the last floppy disk, press the [ENTER] key and the MS-DOS window closes.
Install
1. Insert the first (or the only) disk of the set into the Floppy drive. 2. Click Start, click Shutdown, click Restart, and then click OK. Windows XP Users need only click restart. 3. Follow the on-screen instructions.
Hard Drive Installation (via WinZip) with HTML Pop-Up Window for A21-I80A.EXE
Download 1.Click Download Now, to download the file. 2.When the File Download window appears, click Save this program to disk (Windows XP users, click Save) and click OK. The Save In: window appears. 3.From the Save In: field, click the down arrow then click to select Desktop and click Save. The file will download to your desktop. 4.If the Download Complete window appears, click Close. The file name icon appears on your desktop.
Install 1.Double-click the new icon on the desktop labeled A21-I80A.EXE. The Self-Extractor window appears. 2.Click OK or Continue. The Self-Extracting Driver Installation window appears and prompts to extract files to C:\DELL\DRIVERS\R45942. 3.Leave all of the default settings and click Unzip or OK. If the directory doesn't exist, you'll be prompted to create one. Click Yes. A Self Extractor window appears and indicates C:\DELL\DRIVERS\R45942 files were extracted. 4.Click OK. Follow the on-screen installation instructions in the window.
HTML Pop-Up With Install Now Button 1.The Dell Software Installation Documentation window appears. 2.Click the Install Now button. A File Download window appears. 3.Click Run this program from its current location and click OK. The Security Warning window appears. 4.Click Yes. The InstallShield Wizard window appears. 5.Follow the on-screen instructions.
Need help with BIOS issues?
Find a solution in Dell's BIOS troubleshooting and usage guide.