i downloaded the latest version of bios for my vostro 3300 from:

http://ftp.us.dell.com/bios/3300_A10.EXE

and extracted the .hdr file from it. and then tried to update it:

# dellBiosUpdate -u -f 3300_a10.hdr
Performing BIOS update...
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "/usr/sbin/dellBiosUpdate", line 115, in
def ensureRbuDriver():
File "/usr/sbin/dellBiosUpdate", line 153, in main
exit_code = updateBios(HdrFile(options.hdr), options)
File "", line 3, in updateBios
File "/usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/libsmbios_c/trace_decorator.py", line 108, in trace
result = func(*args, **kw)
File "/usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/libsmbios_c/rbu_update.py", line 91, in updateBios
raise InappropriateHDRFile( _("The .HDR file does not list this system (0x%04x) as a supported system. The supported systems are: %s") % (id, ["0x%04x" % x for x in hdrfile.systemIds()]) )
TypeError: not all arguments converted during string formatting

so it seems like the hdr does not support my system id. should i safely use force '--override-sysid-check' option? some info that might be needed:

# dellBiosUpdate --hdr-info=3300_a10.hdr
BIOS HDR file information dump.

Filename: 3300_a10.hdr
File magic header: $RBU
Header length: 84
Header major version: 1
Header minor version: 1
Number of supported systems: 1
Quick check field: Copyright 2009 Dell Inc.
BIOS Version (RAW):
BIOS Version: A10
Misc flags: 0
Compatibility flags: 1
System ID: 0x003f Hardware Revision: 0

# smbios-sys-info
Libsmbios version: 2.2.26
Product Name: Vostro 3300
Vendor: Dell Inc.
BIOS Version: A04
System ID: 0x043F
Service Tag: <ADMIN NOTE:Service tag & express service code removed per privacy policy>
Express Service Code:
Asset Tag:
Property Ownership Tag: