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Vostro 3300 BIOS Update Failed - Recovery Procedure Needed
I had a working Vostro 3300 laptop and was doing maintenance to bring it up to date. I downloaded and installed the recommended BIOS update for this laptop... Dell Vostro 3300 System BIOS 3300A12.EXE | Windows/DOS (2 MB) BIOS Release date 17 JUL 2014. Last Updated 17 JUL 2014 Recommended The BIOS update failed and left the computer with no working BIOS.
I find some solution for vostro 3500 like :
1. Download the Dell BIOS update .exe file to a USB flash drive.
2. Run the .exe file with /writehdrfile parameter
3. Run the .exe file with /writeromfile parameter
4. Copy the .hdr file to winery50.hdr
5. Remove the battery and AC power from the dead computer
6. Insert the flash drive into the dead computer's USB port
7. Hold down the End key and then connect the AC power
8. Dead computer reads USB flash and asks if update should be done
9. Allow the update to finish and then reboot.
10. Computer is now working normally.
But it doesnt work for me.
Can someone please help ?
Thanks
alachgar
1 Message
7
November 3rd, 2016 15:00
Hi there,
I struggled for this for about 2 days and I got it fixed and i am now sharing this solution.
So please follow these instructions and change accordinly: THIS IS FOR Vostro 3400 Laptops
Download the Dell BIOS update .exe file to a USB flash drive.
0. Go to your USB flash drive by typing E: -or whatever your Flashdrive letter is assigned- at the command line.
2. At the command prompt Run the .exe file with /writehdrfile parameter (ie: blablabla.exe /writehdrfile)
3. Run the .exe file with /writeromfile parameter (ie: blablabla.exe /writeromfile)
4. Copy the .hdr file to winery40.hdr (ie: copy XXXXX.hrd winery40.hdr for 3400s)
5. Remove the battery and AC power from the dead computer
6. Insert the flash drive into the dead computer's USB port
7. Hold down the End key and then connect the AC power
8. Dead computer reads USB flash and asks if update should be done
9. Allow the update to finish and then reboot.
10. Computer is now working normally.
Note: I learned that hdr file for:
Vostro 3500 = winery50.hdr
Vostro 3700 = winery70.hdr
Vostro 3400 = winery40.hdr
Etc... and this is -my friends where people get confused.
Thank you all .
thanh h.
1 Message
1
November 6th, 2016 01:00
1. Download the Dell BIOS update .exe file to a USB flash drive (3300A12.exe)
2. Run the .exe file with /writehdrfile parameter
3. Run the .exe file with /writeromfile parameter
4. Copy 3300A12.hdr file to Winery30.hdr
(USB: 3300a12.exe, 3300a12.rom, Winery30.hdr, amifldrv32.sys)
5. Remove the battery and AC power from the dead computer
6. Insert the flash drive into the dead computer's USB port
7. Hold down the End key and then connect the AC power
8. Dead computer reads USB flash and asks if update should be done
(Screen: Bios Recovery mode has been detected - Proceed with flash update)
9. Allow the update to finish and then reboot.
(F2 Screen: System: Vostro 3300, Dell bios version name : A12 (2014)
10. Computer is now working normally.
ejn63
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87.5K Posts
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October 1st, 2016 09:00
Two options at this point:
Have a shop un-solder the BIOS chip, flash it externally and re-solder it, or
Replace the mainboard.
Anonymous
5 Practitioner
5 Practitioner
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274.2K Posts
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February 18th, 2017 14:00
I am very new to this. Can somebody, anybody, explain step-by-step in excruciating detail how to do steps 2-4? I cannot figure this out. I tried to update the BIOS on my Vostro 3700 and I am hitting a wall. I have a bootable USB, I hold down "end", plug in the A/C adapter and I am getting a blank screen with flash codes on the keyboard. Please explain this like I am 5 years old.
PHN_Doug
1 Message
0
June 20th, 2017 12:00
Thank you Thank you Thank you!
The winery40.hdr tip was EXACTLY what I needed. Answer to prayer that I found your post!
Thank you!!!
ynotchat
1 Message
0
October 1st, 2017 14:00
mate, you have saved my bacon. thanks for this very helpful post. i also renamed the .rom file to windery30.rom as well as the .hdr file (you didnt mention the rom) and it came back to life while holding the end key. brilliant stuff. thanks very much for posting.