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September 27th, 2025 20:28
NOT able to Update BIOS
I have a Inspiron 20 Model 3043 running WIN10 Home.
The Dell Update webpage for this machine shows a "critical" update for a BIOS version A13. My machine currrently has version A11.
I have attempted EVERY method listed on the BIOS Update page on the Dell website.
Some of the methods simply do NOT list this BIOS update, so they don't work.
Even worse, is that the methods that DO work end up giving a (to me) VERY strange error message - those methods error out because, they state, there is no battery!
The problem is, this machine is more like a desktop than a laptop - it is NOT configured with a battery!
I would have thought that by using the update web pages with the correct service tag, that I would have been given the appropriate version of these Dell update programs!
I'm looking for advice on how to proceed now.
Thank you!
bradthetechnut
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September 28th, 2025 03:00
Are you sure the motherboard does not have a size 2032 CMOS battery? I haven't heard of an MB that doesn't have one yet.
kailasa108
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September 28th, 2025 03:23
@bradthetechnut Thanks for your reply! Maybe I should add that the MB in this machine is NOT the original one - it is the best upgrade available for this model; it is able to use 8Gb of memory (which it has), and has a Pentium N3540 CPU running at the original clocking of 2.16Ghz. When I put the upgraded board in this machine, I checked the CMOs battery - it is there and good.
Is the CMOs battery what the error message refers to?? I ask, because the other info about the BIOS upgrade reminded users to have their machine plugged into mains power and the machine battery pack at least at a 10% level.....
ejn63
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September 28th, 2025 15:01
Was the mainboard installed originally shipped in a different model? What's the complete Dell part number on the board?
No, this is not a CMOS battery issue.
bradthetechnut
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September 28th, 2025 23:27
"VERY strange error message - those methods error out because, they state, there is no battery!" I should ask, when did you last replace the battery? Hopefully your MB didn't come from a laptop.
Bad batteries affect BIOS and cause all sorts of bizarre problems depending on the model.
Updating BIOS on a bad battery might be next to impossible. It was impossible for me to load Win10 with a dead battery.
ejn63 is right if the error message(s) refer to a battery pack.
kailasa108
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September 29th, 2025 22:54
@ejn63 Thanks for replying!
Ruh-roh. I don't know if the old MB was also in a different model. The old board is what came in this machine when it was purchased new.
Likewise, I don't know if the new MB was in a different model. The seller just advertised it for an Inspiron 20 Model 3043. It's supposedly a new board. I had to put a heatsink on it FWIW.
The new board DOES have a socket marked battery....
I think the board number is - DAQF2AMB6A0 Rev: A.
That number is stamped on both sides of the board, and is noticeably big.
(edited)