BIOS update

Question

Has anyone encountered any drawbacks or problems after downloading and installing the latest BIOS for a Dimension E510?

Elsbeth. · Answer

bluepineapple,

There have been no reports that I know of with the E510 BIOS updates. However, any BIOS flash carries a slight risk of failure due to enviromental or other reasons, so in most cases the maxim of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies.

bluepineapple · Answer

That's my dilemma... I don't know if it's 'broke.'  I don't know if the problem with my computer is related to the BIOS.  As referenced in my other post, during startup my computer freezes at the 'Dell logo' screen.  Do you know if this issue is related to BIOS?  I believe I have BIOS version A02.

Philip42h · Answer

The C/E512s have a issue hanging of restart - i.e. freezing at the 'Dell logo' screen. This is impacted by the number and position of USB devices connected. On th E512, this is a BIOS issue and Dell clearly don't have a fix for it yet (or at least not a published one that I can find)   I suggest that you try your PC with only keyboard and mouse connected - if the problem is still there, then its different from the one on the 512s; if its 'gone' then it may be the same / a related issue and you will know a little more about the problem.

bluepineapple · Answer

You mean E510, right?

Philip42h · Answer

bluepineapple wrote:

You mean E510, right?

No, I mean the E512 & C512 - i.e. NOT your PC. But ... the 512's are AMD powered 'equivalent' PCs to the Intel powered 510 series - both produced around the same time (now) by Dell.

You seem to be experiencing the same sort of 'hang' issue as 512 users are ... so it just may have the same cause (i.e. USB handling in the BIOS), and that might be worth investigating ... ?

Elsbeth. · Answer

bluepineapple,

If the system is hanging at start, then it is best to check the diagnostic lights on the front and see what pattern they give you. You can check in the manual for what the light pattern means.

bluepineapple · Answer

When it hangs at the 'Dell Logo' screen the diagnostic light pattern is 1-green and 4-green.  The manual does not list a problem description for this pattern.  Sometimes it will hang at the screen right after the 'Dell Logo' screen and the corresponding light pattern is 1-green and 2-green.  Finally when my computer has successfully booted to the OS the light pattern shows no numbers illuminated.  Your thoughts on possible resolutions?

Elsbeth. · Answer

bluepineapple, I would follow the troubleshooting steps outlined in the manual for the 1,2, green pattern, to see if that helps resolve your issue.

bluepineapple · Answer

I reinstalled my sound card (Sound Blaster Live 24-bit) and so far my computer doesn't hang at the second screen anymore but still does at the 'Dell logo' screen.  Do you know what diagnostic lights 1-green, 4-green mean?

Elsbeth. · Answer

bluepineapple,

No, I don't know what that sequence means.

I would try next to unplug all USB devices including the monitor, and see if that has any effect, if it does, then plug them in one at a time to see which device may be causing the hang.

Elsbeth. · Answer

double post Message Edited by DELL-Elsbeth on 06-19-2007 03:48 AM

bluepineapple · Answer

After unplugging every device then turning my computer on without any cables attached except for the power cable, it still hung, diagnostic lights were 1,4 green.  However, after reconnecting each device one by one and restarting the computer each time, the hanging has since stopped.  But, after POST the diagnostic light pattern is NOT 1,2,3,4-green.  None of the numbers are illuminated.  Does this mean that my computer is not in a normal operating condition?

Elsbeth. · Answer

bluepineapple, With all the diagnostic lights off and the system powered up to Windows, that indicates a normal startup.

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BIOS update

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