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Vostro 260s, BIOS A10 will not update
I have a Vostro 260s core i3 3.3ghz with 6 GB ram running Windows 7 64 bit. my current bios is ver A06
I have downloaded the correct bios updates (the ME-10 and earlier ME-08 exe files) but to no avail
I have searched these forums and done much googling without finding a solution.
the attached screenshot was of no help at all.
the reason for wanting to try a new bios is that recently I got 'system fan failure' message at boot and still have it - even though I have installed a new fan, and tried the 'remove cmos battery' method of supposedly getting rid of it.
I'm a bit baffled as to why Dell diagnostics and Support Assistant have been of no help either.
I always input my Service Tag but the tests don't work for me - be it the quick or full test the screen just stay there without completing - even if left for over an hour.
I have tried my best and am now out of options unless someone here can solve this for me.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
8 Wizard
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17K Posts
0
February 14th, 2019 12:00
1. That BIOS sounds fine. Just run with that.
2. Doesn't sound like a BIOS problem.
3. Normally, only a proper Dell fan will work (without errors or re-wiring).
4. I use ePSA (that runs outside-of-Windows).
speedstep
9 Legend
9 Legend
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47K Posts
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February 15th, 2019 08:00
This has to be done with clean install Windows 7
This has to be run AS ADMINISTRATOR on a machine that DOES NOT HAVE ANY ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE INSTALLED.
You cannot jump from A00 to A10 in one step.
Dell Fans are not wired standard. Until you swap the wires to be like dell does them the fan will show failure. The motherboard and or fan can also be damaged by miswired non dell fans.
DELL FAN WIRING
This package provides the Intel H61 Chipset Software Installation Utility and is supported on Inspiron Desktop 620 and Vostro Desktop 260/260S that are running the following Windows Operating System: Windows 7. More details
Windows 7 64-bit
This package provides the Dell System BIOS Update and is supported on Inspiron 620/Vostro 260 for Windows and DOS Operating Systems.More details
MH/SW BIOS release. More details
01. Add a condition for I-cafe to remove "Hard-Disk drive failure" F1/F2 error message. a.BIOS doesn't detect ODD. b.PXE boot enable. c.PXE boot or USB boot is the first boot option in boot order list. 02. Only do i-cafe behavior for Sawgress. Elimination MH.More details
A04 system BIOSMore details
Inspiron 620 and Vostro 260 A02 System BIOSMore details
Inspiron 620 and Vostro 260 A00 System BIOSMore details
Kevbro
5 Posts
0
February 15th, 2019 10:00
thanks for the replies, I would have answered sooner but got no notifications
just a couple of points though ....
1. I'm happy to accept that the problem is not bios related, but disappointed that I cannot update it.
I do find it hard to accept that a bios update can only be done on a clean install though and have no intention of trashing my Win 7 just to do something apparently won't solve my problem,
I already have bios A06 on my system and am not jumping to A10 - in fact I have failed with the official A10 and A8 downloads, so may as well stick with A06.
2. I do have antivirus installed so will uninstall and try again sometime.
3. the ePSA comment seemed promising, but my PC was built in 2005 and apparently this Alienware option came out in 2009?
4. I got the error with what is the original Dell Fan (photos attached) it does not have the same coloured wiring as in the photo that has been advised - having said that mine has worked perfectly well for years.
it is a 4 pin as is the motherboard jumper.
When I first got the error I did check the fan - it was running ok, but to me quite slowly which is why I bought an Akasa one that runs faster (photos attached).
whichever fan I try I still get the error and could re-wire the Akasar, but the sensor wiring colours are different and I'm afraid of doing any damage.
rightly or wrongly I can only assume that the error message came about because the Dell fan RPM had dropped too much, but surely the Akasa is industry standard and should work?