Vostro 260 - BIOS update from A08 to A10 impossible

Hi, did this Update included the AHCI "enable" Funktion for the 260? need this for SSD with Trim support ... please tell your Engineering Team to make this possible. thx

I suggest a third-party SATA 6Gb/s card.

"Probably would take a rewrite of BIOS to enable AHCI..."

A complete rewrite?  It would only take a slight modification.  And since they are working on fixing the latest BIOS update right now, it wouldn't take any effort at all for them to add AHCI to the BIOS menu so those people who need it can turn it on.

Hi All,

I am replying to behalf of DELL-Saharsh K. I have attached a test BIOS update file. Please download and try to update the BIOS and share the feedback. Please note that this file is not yet available online. It will be done shortly depending on the feedback.

Note: Before updating BIOS: 
-No external devices (flash drives, printers, external hard drives) should be connected.
-All other programs should be closed and documents saved.
-System should be connected to UPS to avoid power failure. 

http://en.community.dell.com/cfs-file.ashx/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/3514/0755.BIOS.zip

Please share the findings.

Isn't it amazing that a company like Dell doesn't have anyone in their employ capable of writing a proper BIOS file?  The released a supposed update, A10, a couple months ago that didn't work and have been trying to "fix it" for a few weeks now and still can't get it right.  And that can't seem to enable AHCI either even though others have done a simple modification to get it working.  Is it a wonder their sales are slumping?

Doesn't work on Windows 7 64-bit.  After opening the zip file, the name of the BIOS file inside is MS-A10.zi_p, which doesn't make sense.  I tried changing the name to MS-A10.exe and running it but I get an error that this file is not compatible with the version of Windows that is running.

This one worked. Update successful, system info screen says dell bios a10

Thanks guys.

List this as answered

:emotion-21:

Hi angryyyone,

I understand that the AHCI option is not enabled in BIOS for Inspiron 620/Vostro 260. However, the system by default is set to run in AHCI mode by default from the factory and it is optimized to use all the features of SATA II.

I know the Vostro 260 manual states that it AHCI mode is set by default but that is not accurate.  Check the BIOS file.  IDE mode is the default.

Hi angryyyone,

As per the information I have, the system is set to run in AHCI mode by default irrespective of any setting in BIOS. There's isn't any setting in BIOS to check this. Would like to know how you have checked this information. Please share a screenshot if possible.

This isn't correct. If the SATA controller would run in AHCI mode, the device manager would show "Intel(R) Desktop/Workstation/Server Express Chipset SATA AHCI Controller". Instead, it shows this on all of my Vostro 260 boxes:

I took the download that was posted 7/17/13 and extracted the actual BIOS file, MS-A10.bin.  I then opened MS-A10.bin in AMIBCP.  If you look at the Setup Configuration Tab/Advanced/Sata Configuration you will see that SATA Mode is set for IDE for both failsafe and optimal, and SATA Controller 0 is set for Compatible Mode, not Enhanced.  It would be VERY easy for a Dell Engineer to fix this and make their customers happy.  It shouldn't take them but a few minutes.

where they take the information?

on the picture is only specified that is a 2-port SATA controller available!

ahci is not specified,

they work for Dell?

Hi Appu S.

I can confirm the disclosures of angryyyone

the bios is set to standard ide mode.

The disclosures of the control system are just fake.

With all other Dell computers, the user can decide whether AHCI in the bios or

IDE - fashion. Only at the Votro 260 not there, the menu is hidden in the BIOS.

this is no AHCI and no support for the Trim on SSD-Drives.

Please to remedy!

Hello Appu,

I can confirm that this update file (4111.MS-A10 (2).zip) works! Nice work. :)

Hi angryyyone,

Let me get this case reviewed. I will keep you posted on the status.