BIOS update needed?

Question

I've convinced my buddy to let me upgrade his Dimension 8100 from Win ME to XP Pro. I am installing a new hard drive, 80 GB, 7200 rpm and will leave the old 40 GB drive in place (with old OS) as a back up device. The BIOS has never been updated and I'm not sure of the current version.   Must I do the BIOS update or I can I just see how the computer runs after the new OS is installed and then then make changes as needed?   The current RAM in his computer is 128 MB. Can I just add another 128 MB to it, as I understand there are 4 slots available for the rdram? Will the 128 RAM consist of two 64 MB sticks? Sorry if I'm crossing forum borders with my questions. This type of ram is quite expensive but I hope to run the XP pro with at least 256 MB of ram as I don't think the 128 MB will do the trick.   Thanks for any help out there.

Majestic · Answer

I'll try an answer some of your questions....   The current BIOS version is displayed during boot up.  If the big Dell logo is hiding the boot screens then press the ESC key when the logo first appears to minimize it.  The BIOS version will start with the letter 'A' followed by a number, such as: A07.  If you are still unable to view the BIOS version then just enter the BIOS Setup.  The system's BIOS version will be listed on the top of the BIOS Setup page.    The 8100 model had a specific BIOS version released for Windows XP and it is generally recommended that you upgrade to it when using that OS.  This is because the XP2 BIOS version adds BIOS support for the E-Support button included with the 8100 that isn't supported by the Windows XP operating system.  If you don't upgrade the BIOS and then install Windows XP you will get an yellow exclamation mark or two in Windows Device Manager.  There is a third party software called Metolious.zip that will work around that problem if you decide not to upgrade the BIOS.  You can click here for another forum discussion on that program.

joe_Trunk · Answer

''This BIOS update is recommended by Dell for Dimension 8100 system users wanting to run Windows XP… my question is has anyone experienced good or bad with this update?? And what are the added features?''   THE ABOVE WAS GOING TO BE MY NEW POST BUT THOUGHT A REPLY WAS IN ORDER AS ALSO HAVE AN 8100 SYSTEM RUNNING BIOS VERSION A02 AS PER ORIGINAL BUILD.   http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/format.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&SystemID=DIM_PNT_P4_8100&os=WME&osl=en&deviceid=308&devlib=1&category=1&releaseid=R36258   this link shows the update for the BIOS as recommended. I think Majestic answered most of my questions.  i was still curious on the 'order' and any good/bad experiences..

Majestic · Answer

Joe, if your looking for horror stories regarding BIOS upgrades then this forum is filled with them. Keep in mind though that this is a tech support forum so naturally you are going to hear of all the problems people have had. Seldom do people stop in to report their successful BIOS upgrades although it does happen. The only real way of making a comparison would be if Dell listed the number of downloads a particular file has had versus the complaints found in this forum.

As problems related to the XP2 BIOS upgrade...... over the years there hasn't been no real complaints regarding this update. Usually if Dell releases a "stinker" it doesn't take long before people are complaining here in the forum. With XP2 that never happened. As with any BIOS upgrade there is always a slight element of risk. That risk can range from a dead motherboard to a minor problem of having to clear the NVRAM. You can help minimize the risk by not interrupting the BIOS update while it is progress or by doing the update when weather conditions outside might indicate a possible power failure such as during a thunderstorm. It also helps to make sure the floppy disk used is in good condition. Fortunately the actual time spent updating the BIOS code is less than 30 seconds so your exposure to problems in minimal. Other than that you have done everything humanly possible to insure a good BIOS upgrade and if it goes bad then it's out of your control.

joe_Trunk · Answer

your input is much appreciated. I hate horror stories.. and, fortunately I have not had many at all really with this system (knock on wood).. and would like to keep it that way. I wouldn't call myself an expert, but just somewhat an_l... again, thanks for your input/response..

AL860 · Answer

Thanks to all for your response.

I practiced a BIOS flash today on my old Optiplex GX1, from A06 to A10 and it went almost too well. All programs and functions seem to be working just fine. A question comes to mind though, now that I've done the BIOS update should I change any settings in the BIOS or leave well enough alone?

I guess my RAM question on the 8100 should be addressed in another forum.

I am ready to take on the 8100 upgrade with a lot more confidence than I had yesterday.

racer-oZ · Answer

I've got an 8100 system as well, I upgraded to XP but never upgraded the bios, this weekend i'm installing more memory i got from dell. do you think it would be wise to upgrade the bios as well or will it make a difference in performance? thanks for any insight.

racer-oZ

Majestic · Answer

Racer-oZ,  if you haven't upgraded the BIOS at this point and all is working well then I would install the additional memory and see what happens.  If you encounter problems then you can then upgrade the BIOS.  Starting with the no longer available version A07 there was a tweak included in the BIOS for the reporting of the maximum memory size as well as support for hard drives larger than 137 gigs.  These tweaks would have been included in the later BIOS versions as well.  If you are using any BIOS version earlier than A08 then it might be worth while to upgrade.  As for any performance benefits.... rarely does a BIOS upgrade boost the system's performance.  The main purpose of an upgrade is to add new features and to fix past problems.  If the systems seems to perform better after upgrading the BIOS then more than likely there was an unnoticed problem with a prior version.

Majestic · Answer

AL860,  the only BIOS settings that may have changed after a BIOS upgrade would have been those associated with personalized options such as Fast Boot, the Boot Sequence, Auto Power On, etc.  The reason I say may is that most BIOS upgrades leave these settings intact as the upgrade does not default them.  Otherwise all the other major settings would have remained the same and would have transferred to the new BIOS version.  You might want to check them just the same.   As for the RDRAM.....  my knowledge of this is limited.  I do know that it has to be installed in pairs, but I am not sure how many megs each modules is rated at.  You can click here for the on-line version of your model's User Guide and the section pertaining to memory upgrades for your reference.

joe_Trunk · Answer

THERE ARE 4 SLOTS. I HAD 2 X 64 TO START WITH ALSO ON MY 8100 AND ADDED 2 X 256 MODULES. YOU HAVE TO ADD IN PAIRS. SIMPLY OPEN UP YOUR CASE, REFER TO THE MANUAL, AND LOOK INSIDE ABOVE THE PROCESSOR ON THE MOTHERBOARD. YOU MAY HAVE TO LIFT BACK THE POWER BOX AND SOME WIRING TO GET A GOOD LOOK TO SEE WHAT'S IN THE 4 SLOTS (OR YOU CAN GO INTO YOUR BIOS). THE ACTUAL RDRAM HAS METAL PLATES ON THE MODULES. THE OTHER 2 SHOULD BE THE CRIMMS FILLING THE SLOTS. REPLACE THESE ALWAYS WHEN NOT USING ALL 4 SLOTS WITH RDRAM.

racer-oZ · Answer

majestic, thanks for your reply! Before discovering these forums I was getting frustrated trying to find the answers I needed on the dell site. When I ordered the memory from dell they sold me 1 stick of 256 saying that my computer already had one in it plus a dummy stick to complete the circuit. Last night I opened her up and found 2 sticks of 128. :smileysad: So I guess I'm going to have to order another 256 since they have to be in pairs. Oh well, that will give me 768mb ram which should hold me over for a while. :smileyhappy: I'm going to insert the memory and then like you said I may try upgrading the bios just to make sure all my hardware is working together right. Thanks again!

racer-oZ

racer-oZ · Answer

Okay, finally got the extra memory from Dell, installed the two new 256mb sticks plus i am still using the 2 original 128mb sticks and the system recognized the memory upgrade great. Question now, should I update my bios or leave things well alone? As far as I can tell the computer is working fine with my XP home edition (originally had windows ME) By upgrading the bios what do I gain?   Once again thanks for any insight, the people who post tech advice on here are much appreciated for taking the time!   racer-oZ

Majestic · Answer

Racer-oZ, if your current BIOS is working good with Windows XP then you really have nothing to gain by upgrading the BIOS. If future hardware upgrades like a new processor or large hard drive is of interest then there is a need to a BIOS update. I guess the easiest way for you to review your need for a newer BIOS version is by posting the BIOS histories for the 8100 model. You can then decide if anything listed is in need or on your future want to do list. Here it is.....

Dell Computer Corporation
Copyright (C) 2000, All Rights reserved.

BIOS Release Notes

Systems: Dimension 8100
Version:        XP2
Release Date:   11-09-01

The following changes have been made to BIOS rev XP1 to create XP2:

1. Change the code from stuffing the keyboard buffer to setting a
   CMOS bit for Access Direct.

Systems: Dimension 8100
Version: XP1
Release Date: 10-11-01

The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A09 to create XP1:

1. Enable new e-support (Access Direct).
Since the e-support software that runs under Win 98/2000/ME does not
run under XP, new e-support button support (Access Direct) was created
to handle the e-button. This version provides a 'virtual keypress'
to provide that support.   This BIOS is otherwise identical to A09.

If A09 is used with XP, the lack of a driver for the ACPI-based
support will cause a 'yellow bang' in device manager which cannot be
removed.

If e-support button support is NOT required, this BIOS can be used for
systems NOT running Windows XP as well.

Systems: Dimension 8100
Version: A09
Release Date: 10-2-01

The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A08 to create A09:

1. Updated the BBS/Selectable boot code.
2. Updated USB emulation code.
3. Updated the log event code.
4. Added code to Save and Restore the PCI bridge registers during a S3.
5. Reverted to old LPT strategy.
6. Fixed System Setup "Primary Video Controller" force to AGP with No NIC.
7. Fixed PNP errors when installing dual Barco Cards.
8. Changed the F12 = Network Boot to F12 = Boot Menu.
9. Restart fan-monitoring when returning from a S3 state.

Systems: Dimension 8100
Version: A08
Release Date: 08-1-01

The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A07 to create A08:

1. Added beep for CTRL-ALT-F8/F10/F12 sequences in POST.
2. Added support for newer Pentium 4 CPU's.
3. Add additional functions to Int 15 Remote Lockout interface.
4. Display "F12 = Network Boot" on POST screen.
5. Fixed potential hang on Restart to MS-DOS w/USB mouse.
6. Alter ACPI S3 handling to better support WindowsXP.
7. Fixed chipset initialization causing printer problems when port is in ECP mode.
8. Adjust minimum speed threshold for system fan detection.
9. Changed the NIC detect to check for NIC_VENDOR_ID.
10. Fixed possible blue screen error during S3 Standby/resume.
11. Fix various USB issues.
12. Prevent BIOS from writing to user memory during flash updates.
13. Remove invalid IOAPIC support.

Systems: Dimension 8100
Version: A07
Release Date: 06-12-01

The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A06 to create A07:

1. Fixed potential corruption in system setup screens when accessing help.
2. Updated the USB and S3 resume code to fix win98 S3 problems.
3. Fixed problem with bang on System Device for ACPI BIOS in device
   manager after suspend/resume with USB emulation on.
4. Updated the PCI cache line size to 64 bytes for onboard devices.
5. Added IOAPIC support.
6. NEW FEATURE: Enhanced Selectable Boot in system setup.
   Desc: Our select boot implementation has changed in three ways:
1. A device may disappear (ex. removable HD) but will not be
   removed from the list.
2. Similar devices (class codes are the same) can replace each other.
3. Added devices are added to the end of the attempt list.
7. Fixed multiple issues in Win98SE with USB and S3 resumes
8. Updated SMBIOS table fields for AGP, Max CPU speed, and Max memory size.
9. Added 48-bit LBA support for large IDE drives.
10. Fix WIN 98/ME RESTART hang.
11. Updated USB Emulation to fix potential device insert/disconnect issues.
12. Add functions to the INT 15 Remote Lockout interface.

Systems: Dimension 8100
Version: A06
Release Date: 04-20-01

The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A04 to create A06:

1. Added capability to disable USB ports in SETUP.
2. Reconfigure ESCD for PXE changes.
3. Support C-step cpus (1.7 GHz and above).
4. Added capability to select deepest Suspend Mode in SETUP.
5. Removed IRQ 12 from PCI IRQ resource list.

Systems: Dimension 8100
Version: A04
Release Date: 03-14-01

The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A03 to create A04:

1. Correction to support factory install process for WinME.

Systems: Dimension 8100
Version: A03
Release Date: 01-30-01

The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A02 to create A03:

1. Set chipset register bits for new version steppings.
2. Added more robust handling of mouse and keyboard devices for Standby.
3. Re-adjust expansion ROM handling to accommodate a variety of adapters.
4. Allow Ctrl-Alt-Del functionality during adapter initialization.
5. Correctly handle Standby and Shutdown events.

Systems: Dimension 8100
Version: A02
Release Date: 11-30-00

The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A01 to create A02:

1. Fix the trigger for when the hard drive automatic detection code
    gets called.

Systems: Dimension 8100
Version: A01
Release Date: 11-17-00

The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A00 to create A01:

1. Updated Willamette F07 microcode patch level to "07".

Systems: Dimension 8100
Version: A00
Release Date: 10-28-00

* Initial BIOS release

Message Edited by Majestic on 04-14-2005 07:23 AM

racer-oZ · Answer

Well, reading that stuff I don't see a big need to upgrade the bios as of yet. Majestic I really appreciate your help! I'm gonna keep browsing the forums here as they have been great. If you ever need help tuning a remote control race car, that is my area of expertise (racing 20 years and counting) and would be happy to help you out.:smileyhappy:

racer-oZ

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BIOS update needed?

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