error codes 0221 /0146 and extremely fast bios clock

Question

This is a complete night mare,I have spent all day trying to resolve these problems. Firstly I notice my bios clock running extremely fast,about 60x to fast. This is causing all sorts of problems.

I have run a diagnostics test and come up with two error code messages as above.

For the 0221 error code I have run updates but still the same.

For error code 0146 I am assuming I have to replace the hard drive.

Would the fast bios clock be down to the cmos/bios battery and do I need to replace it.

Thank you for any help any one can offer

Mike

Tamie · Answer

For the 0221 error code the suggestion is to flash to the latest bios and then retry the diagnostics.

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

It suggests if you're still getting the error after flashing the bios, contact tech support.

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/contact_technical_support?

PaulCRyan · Answer

Flashing my PowerEdge 1300 from A04 to A12 BIOS fixed this problem of a runaway racing CMOS clock for me!  Yeah, I'm surprised.  Thought the box was going to be toast.

Marbia · Answer

How do I flash the BIOS if I can't get the computer to load?

Tamie · Answer

The BIOS update can be downloaded on a different machine and put on a bootable floppy drive, CD/DVD or USB stick. Then boot to that device and run the BIOS update from there. Here are the generic instructions for a floppy drive:

Run the BIOS update utility from DOS environment (Non-Windows users)

NOTE: You will need to provide a bootable DOS diskette. This executable file does not create the DOS system files.

Copy the file .EXE to a bootable floppy.
Boot from the floppy to the DOS prompt.
Run the file by typing Y:\ .EXE (where y is the drive letter where the executable is located).

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error codes 0221 /0146 and extremely fast bios clock

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