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Go to SolutionBIOS A15 NOT HAPPENING ! ! !
sorry this is all such old stuff, but that's how life is sometimes...
so, I'm trying to apply the newest (and probably last) BIOS update for my trusty OptiPlex 780 SFF, but the new version isn't a flash file - it's download, put on a 'bootable' disk, and run from there ... problem is there's no 'bootable system disk' for windows 7... that's problem # 1.
problem # 2 is, even if I wanted to, how could I make a bootable disk ? I even went so far as to buy one that has a "access system prompt" that very politely drops me as x:\ - in some variation of Linux which just happens to be incompatible with the BIOS / windows 7 entirely.
so, i'll give a big fat cigar to whomever can solve this one - I sure can't......
thanks,
tool_tip
ieee488 :
I thank you for responding, but getting the BIOS file is not difficult... When I search for updates / upgrades using my service tag (FVT QKN 1) I find the BIOS file (and others) with the notation "This file format consists of a BIOS-executable file. To use it, download the file and copy it to a DOS-bootable USB flash drive, then boot the system to the USB flash drive and run the program."
So, getting the o780-a15.exe doesn't solve the problem, as you can see..... in fact, that's what set me off on my week long quest to find or make a DOS-bootable USB flash drive !
Maybe I'm missing something.... is it possible to RUN this file right from the link instead of SAVE AS or CANCEL ? also, is the version in your link "Non-Packaged" or "packaged" ?
and don't forget: that big fat cigar is still waiting for you - ha !
thanks again,
Tool_Tip
IEEE-488,
hi, again... technically, no, there's no reason I couldn't just click on the exe and see what happens, but with bios, if it gets hosed, I'm in a world of hurt... as would my system, and because this came to me 'second hand,' I have no original installation material to work with...
Whether you have original installation material or not is irrelevant with a BIOS update.
It is risky. PERIOD.
You can render your PC completely useless. PERIOD.
IEEE-488,
maybe I've gotten spoiled by having had intel mobo's which always seemed to have 'flash' or packaged bios,
I have no idea what you mean.
IEEE-488,
hi, again... technically, no, there's no reason I couldn't just click on the exe and see what happens, but with bios, if it gets hosed, I'm in a world of hurt... as would my system, and because this came to me 'second hand,' I have no original installation material to work with... maybe I've gotten spoiled by having had intel mobo's which always seemed to have 'flash' or packaged bios, so I'm a little hesitant to experiment with this box... but what the hey, nothing ventured nothing gained, right... i'll give it a go and - hopefully - be back with your cigar....
beamermt79
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Posted January 23rd, 2016 12:00
Bios for most OEM's now come in an executable file that you just run, it flashes, then restarts the computer after everything is successful. It saves time and energy having to make a bootable disk and blah blah. It everything is OK with your computer, running the executable should work just fine.
beamermt79,
you sound pretty confident.... it's just a little unusual that along with the download is that statement "This file format consists of a BIOS-executable file. To use it, download the file and copy it to a DOS-bootable USB flash drive, then boot the system to the USB flash drive and run the program." - which I've never seen on a bios update before... the intel mobo I had before this would definitively say "this is a flash bios update.....all I need to do is 2x click on it and wait until it was finished...etc" sure was a lot more clear.
tx,
tool_tip
beamermt79:
wow ! I never even tried a google search, but your link is a gold mine of solutions... if RUFUS doesn't work, nothing will... you get the cigar, my friend... i'll pm you if it v2.6 works as soon as I get some new usb sticks..
thx a million,
~Daniel~
beamermt79
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Posted January 30th, 2016 11:00
no problem, hope it all works out! :-)
beamermt79
6 Operator
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2342 Posts
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Posted January 26th, 2016 13:00
I agree with you. I can only go with my own experience however in that most modern BIOS/UEFI updates are self executable. I will say that if you click on the EXE file and all it does is unpack a bios file and a readme, then you will have to get a bootable flash drive. You can click here for a Google search on bootable flash drives.