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5100 Bios
I noticed on the dell download site there are 2 different bios for the 5100. The first being dells own bios developed version. What are the differences between the 2 and has anyone flashed their inspiron 5100 with dells A22 bios?
Dell Abacus 5100 Dell System Bios, A22
File Date 8/21/2003
Inspiron 5100 Dell Developed Flash Bios
Dell Inspiron 1100/5100 System Bios, v.A06-02, A06
File Date 6/18/2003
Dell Inspiron 1100/5100 A06 Bios
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Posted August 26th, 2003 13:00
So dell support, what is the deal with these 2 bios versions? I would appreciate if you can explain?
376
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Posted August 26th, 2003 15:00
All,
What executor100 says in his post is essentially correct; Dell has started to provide a Dell-made BIOS option for this system.
One note, unfortunately, there is not a way to update to this Dell-made version without a floppy drive (unless you have another computer with a CDR/CDRW drive that you can download the new BIOS to and then burn a copy on).376
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Posted August 26th, 2003 17:00
Hey guys, I just flash-upgraded by older A06 BIOS to the new Dell Abacus A22 BIOS. No problems with the new A22 BIOS yet. It has some features that the Pheonix A06 didn't have; a 6 page menu including a battery listing, more detailed descriptions of components installed, stuff like that. The Pheonix BIOS A06 only had couple of pages to change various settings. The new bios probably fixed some problems too but I never ran into any with the Inspiron 5100 I have.
Also, it updates the video BIOS for your ATI Mobile Radeon 7500, so that will probably help somewhere down the line when new drivers are released.
376
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Posted August 27th, 2003 05:00
executer100, did you upgrade using a cdrom drive or floppy? Also, does this new version have the option of booting from usb such as a ram stick?
376
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Posted August 27th, 2003 18:00
There are 2 versions , 1 for floppy and another one is an ISO that you can use to make a boot cd (what a thoughtful idea !) .
Here's the readme text :
BIOS Release Notes
===================================================================
===================================================================
Systems: Dell Inspiron 5100/1100 Series
Version: A22
Build Date: 08/19/2003
ATI Radeon 7500 Video BIOS version is 8.005.000.007
Intel Video BIOS version 2980
Isues Fixed:
1. Prevent the system from registering a power button press when the lid is closed.
The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems:
1. Microsoft Windows XP
===================================================================
=================== End of A22 Release Notes =====================
===================================================================
Systems: Dell Inspiron 5100/1100 Series
Version: A21
Build Date: 07/21/2003
ATI Radeon 7500 Video BIOS version is 8.005.000.007
Intel Video BIOS version 2980
Isues Fixed:
1. Fixed the issue where the system would occasionally lock up when
resuming from stand by with a USB keyboard attached.
The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems:
1. Microsoft Windows XP
===================================================================
=================== End of A21 Release Notes =====================
===================================================================
Systems: Dell Inspiron 5100/1100 Series
Version: A20
Build Date: 07/16/2003
ATI Radeon 7500 Video BIOS version is 8.005.000.007
Intel Video BIOS version 2980
Initial release of the BIOS
The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems:
1. Microsoft Windows XP
===================================================================
=================== End of A20 Release Notes =====================
===================================================================474
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Posted August 28th, 2003 02:00
My Inspiron 5100 had a CD-RW/DVD drive, so I simply burned the .ISO image for the Flash upgrade onto a CD-RW disc (using Easy CD Creator's Data CD option, not directcd), rebooted the machine, changed the device boot order through the BIOS (so that the CD-RW/DVD is the first item on the boot device list), rebooted again with the CD-RW inside, and BOOM, upgrade done with minimal interaction needed. I believe it advises you to have your laptop connected to the AC adaptor before you do the upgrade. No problems yet!!
The .iso file listed on the Dell download page is all you really need. The .exe file has the .iso and a readme/info text file, if you want to read through that. I don't even remember what the text file had in it, I think it was basically that version history that was posted here in a previous post.
Oh, and yes, USB storage devices are listed in the boot menu. You can now boot from USB memory devices and USB floppy drives! I'd love to play around with the USB mem sticks but I don't have any.
Doing away with those CD-RWs for future BIOS upgrades and boot disks is great.
Message Edited by executor100 on 08-27-2003 10:21 PM
474
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Posted August 28th, 2003 03:00
Here are some pictures of the BIOS screens for those who are interested. They're slightly on the large side so it might take some time for non-broadband users to download it.
http://members.aol.com/ultimatsephiroth/splash.jpeg
http://members.aol.com/ultimatsephiroth/pg1.jpeg
http://members.aol.com/ultimatsephiroth/pg2.jpeg
http://members.aol.com/ultimatsephiroth/pg3.jpeg
http://members.aol.com/ultimatsephiroth/pg4.jpeg
http://members.aol.com/ultimatsephiroth/pg5.jpeg <= forgot this one!!
Thanks for catching that john!
http://members.aol.com/ultimatsephiroth/pg6.jpeg
Message Edited by executor100 on 08-28-2003 12:01 AM
474
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Posted August 28th, 2003 03:00
Thanks for posting those images. I noticed there are alot more options than what the previous bios had.1052
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Posted August 28th, 2003 03:00
And don't forget this one:
http://members.aol.com/ultimatsephiroth/pg5.jpeg
executor100
13 Posts
376
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Posted August 25th, 2003 18:00