Finding BIOS Version

That is the latest and correct file for your machine. The BIOS version you have now should be visible in BIOS Setup, but you may need to disable Quiet Boot to see it.

Thanks.  I'll take a look and hope I can figure that one out. 

WB0DUL - DICK

click 'programs', then 'accessories', then 'system tools', then on 'system information'

on the page that pops up, you'll see a section for "bios".  it will tell you which version of bios youre running, and what date it was created.  you can then determine if there is a newer one out for your system.

Thanks.  I had to do a little searching, as there wasn't a tab specifically labeled BIOS, per se, but it was under Components/System/Advanced Information (I run W98SE).  It read:

BIOSDate: 11/08/00

BIOSVersion: PhoenixBIOS 4.0 Release 6.0

Now my next decision is whether I should upgrade the BIOS with the A14_175.exe file I downloaded or leave well enough alone.  Also, is A14 a newer version than what I already have? 

Are there certain guidlines that should be followed that would dictate whether or not a BIOS upgrade is necessary, or if I should go by the old addage "If it ain't broke (or appears not to be broke), don't fix it"? 

When my son gave me this computer after buying a new Toshiba laptop, it would on occassion come up with an error of "Operating System Not Found" upon bootup.  Continually shutting it off and rebooting would eventually allow it to come to life.  He moved and cannot find the CD/disks, etc that came with it and he said that he was told it needed a new HD.  I have downloaded and run the Dell Diagnostics and everything passed with flying colors.  I also (prior to running the diagnostics) copied COMMAND.COM from the Microsoft Windows 98 Bootup Disk over to the HD.  That seemed to resolve the above bootup error, as it has not happened since and that has been over a week and a half. 

Again, thanks for helping me locate the BIOS version.  I am a little reluctant to flash the BIOS after reading some of the problems that others have had after doing it. 

wb0dul - Dick

 

 

Dick wb0dul,

I'm not a tech so I don't know what the symptoms mean but I have learned a hard lesson from personal experience. Make sure you back up 'cause you never know when it might fail. I hadn't backed everything and lost a lot.

I had a problem with 5160 (that arrived the beginning of Oct.) in Dec. It froze one night while in IE and I ended up having to power down manually. Then it couldn't find the HD when I tried to power up again. So I turned it off and went to bed. In the morning I was scared wondering if all was lost and new I needed to back up critical files. I turned it on and it worked fine basically. I did back up the most critical stuff (although I made a mistake on email and backed up the wrong folder). Dell tech support wanted to replace the HD but it was new and working fine and it would be a lot of work to reload everything that had taken me quite a while getting set up in the first place.

Well a week ago, on Monday it froze right in the middle of typing and email and after powering down it couldn't find the HD.

So the fact that it seems to be working fine doesn't necesarily mean that it is.

Kathi ka6tnd

running windows 98 is the sole reason for all of your computer issues.  if you upgrade to windows xp you will actually have a working pc 100% of the time. it is the most stable windows ever.  it shocks me that people in 2005 are running an operating system that was released in 1997/1998 and are surprised that it is giving them problems.  spend the $ and get XP, preferably Professional edition, but Home should do you just fine if you dont want to spend the extra cash.

I'm running XP Home on my Gateway desktop.  The only reason I'm running W98SE on this laptop ios because it came with it.  It's a dinosaur by todays standards, so I don't want to invest a lot of money in it.  It's a P2 with 256 megs of RAM, so XP would be "pushing" it.  I like XP on my desktop, so I'm familiar with it.  I have a feelig I'll probably buy a new laptop in the next 6 months or so, thuis my reason to not want to put any more into this one.  Since it was free, I'm ahead of the game right now. 

I agree with what you say though. 

wb0dul,
Scan disk that is part of Win98, unless you are talking about something different than what I'm thinking of doesn't do back up. It just checks the disk for errors.

So, make sure you have backed up all your files (and not on CD/RW I also learned the hard way when this new Dell wouldn't read them after the first time). Otherwise if your computer should fail suddenly like this one did last week, you will lose stuff like I did. Not fun. I'm still trying to get stuff, including having to go back to the old computer to transfer what's there.

I also had an old laptop only mine was sold to me with Win98 1st ed, although I didn't realize it at the time (SE, ME and 2000 were out at the time). It had 128 MB Ram which after asking around I got different answers about XP. Some people tried to tell me it would work but I was leary since I'd already had some memory issues with my HP 5510 multi function printer software. It took up so much memory I couldn't even print from special business software. Had to remove stuff from the start up menu.

I needed at least SE to run our business software but couldn't figure out a way to get it or a newer operating system that would work on that old machine which wasn't worth upgrading the ram on, since it was only 650 mHz, etc. I replace the HD on it about a year before and its still running and it got me through while this one was down.

73,

Hi Kathi...

What?  No 88?  ROFL!!!!

Oh I know the purpose of Scandisk.  I'm not sure how effective it is, but I just let it do its thing.  I'm just going to plug along with this machine for a while.  I have a 2.6 Gig Gateway that has been great.  So, if this one gives up the ghost, I'm not out anything.  I backup data files only on a CD-R. 

I'm not really pleased with Dells Support.  I asked one of the tech reps on a recent call if I could go with a wireless network as I was running Windows XP on A Gateway and W98SE on a Dell laptop.  I got an unequivocal "no", it's not possible.  So, I called CompUSA and asked them the same question.  Their answer was "As long as you are running SE there's no problem."  So, I called Dell sales and ordered an additional 128 megs of RAm to bring this one up to 256.  When the little gal took my order she asked if there was anything else she could help me with.  I told her that I would buy a router and a wireless adapter card for this, but the tech department said it wouldn't work.  She directed me to their web site, pointed me at a Linksys Wireless router and then to an adapter card that she said would work.  She knew more than the tech rep.  So, I ordered them and everything works fine.  I told her she should be in their Tech department.  She laughed.  I think she was in Argentina or Brazil.  It's a shame we can't talk to tech reps and sales people in this country.  Anyway, the wireless network is operational, despite the tech support saying no.

Go figure.

73,

Dick - wb0dul

 

 

leduke30,

Just to clarify, I wasn't in any way blaming Dell for the inability to read the CD/RW discs. It was just when I tried them in the new machine and they didn't read after the first time and I was looking for help on the user forums that I found out that I had been maing a mistake all along by backing up to CD/RW. They were so easy to use with drag and drop after they were formatted but I didn't realize how unreliable they apparently are, especially when trying to use in a machine other than the original one.

I've never shopped on ebay and I'm not sure of just how that all works. I might look into getting the update, but I'm confused as to just what that is. I was getting the system updates from the MS website until awhile ago I think they stopped having them for Win98. It sounds like you are saying this would still be 1st ed. Is that correct? For that, since I'm not really using the old machine other than I kept it as a back up and I'm glad I did with the HD failure. That enabled me to get online and get help on the user forums while I was waiting for the new HD.

I have some specific software that I run that requires at least SE, plus my thumb drive (that I bought to try to use to transfer data from the old machine) says that for Win98 it needs a driver installed and it won't work on 1st ed. Of course I might look into finding the directions and trying to download it anyway and see if it would work. That would be a lot easier for transferring stuff.

Thanks for the help.

wb0dul,
Around here I've normally heard 88 used for YLs, not OMs. I missed the other part--I'm not up on all those letter combos.

My current thing is to try to get a copy of my warranty. Something says it was in the user guide or whatever its called--the other book that came with the machine apparently besides the user manual. I've temporarily misplaced mine.

I've been back and forth with a couple of email replies so far with no warranty. The first one (I started with customer service since my complaints and requests were relating to the customer service--or lack of it--side of tech support) told me where to look on Dell's website where I would find the warranty. Nope. It just told the type of warranty which I already knew. Then when I replied, a tech replied to me and just gave generally what was and wasn't covered--still no actual link to where I can find the actual warranty. And I don't remember seeing it--other than that it is 4 years of in home 24/7 and weekends tech support. I assumed that meant that I would actually see a tech who would come out and diagnose and repair my computer if needed and I was hoping not to need it.

But I did get a customer satisfaction survey about my previous email tech support satisfaction so I guess someone at Dell does care. I basically told them I was very dissatisfied so we'll see what comes of that.

73,

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=41884&item=7142490402&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

This is a sample of the CD I am referring to, but an Upgrade version from 3.1 and W95 might be a better buy and less limited.

You're not a YL?  I thought you were, thus the 88's.  I don't send 88 to OM's. 

Hope you find the warranty.  I'd definitely be turning the house upside down looking for it if it were a 4 year warranty.  As for somebody coming out, I doubt they will, unless the issue can't be resolved over the phone.  I am not happy with Dell's tech support, and I told them so in a survey they e-mailed me.  I haven't heard anything back. 

The "in-home" tech support would most likely kick in if there was a need to replace hardware.  I don't think it would cover software issues, but maybe it does.  Find the warranty. 

As for the driver for the thumb drive, you may find it on the thum drive manufacturers web site.  I have a Memorex 1 Gigabyte thumb drive that I got for Christmas.  It was immediately recognized by my XP desktop, but my W98SE needed a driver installed.  Look at the manual/users guide that came with the thumb drive and it should tell you where to find the driver.  Mine did.  Now it works just fine with my 98SE laptop. 

Good luck. 

Dick - WB0DUL

PS: Are you active on the air?