XP2 BIOS Upgrade and speed issues?

Question

Greetings,

I have upgraded my Dell Dimension 8100 series from BIOS v.A06 to v.XP2. Since the upgrade I have noticed a considerable diminishment in my computers speed with execution of programs. Has anyone else experienced this? My computer ran faster before the upgrade. The reason for the upgrade was to increase my memory from 256 to 1GB and I was told in order to be able to do that I needed to FLASH to BIOS. I have not upgraded the memory modules as of yet. Could this be the reason why it is so slow?

Majestic · Answer

Try clearing the NVRAM. By doing so will rule out any conflicts between the hardware information stored in the NVRAM and the newly installed BIOS which isn't uncommon. To clear the NVRAM on your model just do this.....

Reboot system and enter the BIOS Setup by pressing F2.
Turn on Caps Lock, Scroll Lock and Num Lock.
Press the ALT and E keys at the same time.
NOTE: The system will emit a beep tone to indicate that NVRAM has been cleared.
Press the ESC key, and then the ENTER key to save the changes and reboot the system.

Message Edited by Majestic on 10-05-2006 05:19 PM

RoHe · Answer

Run bios setup (F2 before XP starts to load) and make sure CPU speed is set to Normal, not Compatible. Save the change and reboot. If set to Compatible, system will run very slowly. Ron

trextegra · Answer

why does everyone update there bios all the time when not upgrading hardware.  i see it on here all the time and everytime the user is experiencing speed and performance issues. is updating your bios SUPPOST to help the user, because it seems that everyone is just ending up having trouble.

RoHe · Answer

Kyle,
You asked a good question. Some BIOS updates are released to fix problems with the previous versions. Others are released to provide support for newer CPUs, etc. Dell doesn't always say exactly what a new version fixes or does better than the previous one. So unless you're having problems, it may not be worth updating.

Then again, some people want just want to say they always have the newest thing... ;)

Ron

Patrickwc · Answer

To update this thread, the reason I needed to upgrade my BIOS was to accomadate a memory upgrade.  My computer was running fine without the BIOS upgrade, I just wanted to increase the memory so as to allow my larger applications to open and perform better.  The suggestion the Majestic provide to me regarding clearing the NVRAM solved the issue of the computer operating slower.  My computer now has a BIOS that will be ready for hardware upgrades if I so choose to do so.  Thanks to all who contributed to this thread.  I appreciate your feedback!

Majestic · Answer

Patrick,  thanks for posting back with an update.  I don't know if you were aware of it or not, but the XP2 BIOS version adds 48-bit LBA support for hard drives larger than 137 gigs in your system.  This may or may not be a future hardware upgrade plan, but I thought I would mention it.

Majestic · Answer

Kyle, here is my view on BIOS upgrades......   If the machine is no longer under warranty then a BIOS upgrade shouldn't be done needlessly.  Only upgrade it if the newer version corrects a problem or adds needed features or hardware support.   If the machine is covered by warranty then the BIOS should be kept up to date.  That way you will always have the latest BIOS version in place to support any future hardware or operating system upgrades you may do.  For most Dell systems, Dell will lose interest in releasing newer BIOS versions long before your warranty expires.    Although bad BIOS flashes are rare, it's better they happen during the warranty period.  I've seen too many postings from folks with older machines that are upgrading the hardware and now need a newer BIOS version installed only to have it go bad.  The cost of repairs in now out of their pocket.  Granted there are times when a newer BIOS version may cause a problem, it can be resolved by flashing back to the previous version.

Patrickwc · Answer

Thanks Majestic,   As always I appreciate your insights and assistance with issues regarding my machine.  I will file this information away in case it is needed.  Thanks again!

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XP2 BIOS Upgrade and speed issues?

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