Forcing replacement of corrupt current BIOS

Question

Thanks for your time in reading this :-)

I'd like to replace the BIOS of a VOSTRO 1720 laptop, it is the latest A08 but I think it may be somehow corrupt because I'm seeing issues (i.e. not being able to boot from CD neither placing it first in the list with F2 nor by selecting it with F!2... some occasional freezes also)

The problem is that when flashing the BIOS it is not replaced 'cause I get a message that it already is the current one.

Any hints or suggestions on forcing the replacement of the BIOS even if already the current one?
Again thanks

Random Dude · Accepted Answer

Flashing an older one and then flashing A08 over it should do what you want.(I have no idea if that is going to solve your issues, though.)

flak2 · Accepted Answer

Thanks Random Dude :-) I'll try that if the reset as suggested before will not work

flak2 · Accepted Answer

Thanks EJN63, I'll try that too... thanks for trying, I consider my question aswered anyhow

ejn63 · Answer

There's nothing wrong with the BIOS.  Sounds like one of two things:  either a bad DVD or a bad DVD drive.

ejn63 · Answer

If there's an administrative password on the system, it will lock out changing the boot sequence. You should still be able to manually start the system from the CD/DVD drive - F12 at powerup should bring up a one-time boot menu. If it does, and the system still won't start up from the CD/DVD drive, you've a problem with the disc or drive -- not the BIOS.

flak2 · Answer

Thanks, yes... that was a possibility but the laptop passed the extended version of the Dell diagnostics and the drive seems to have no problems, that's the reason why I intended to replace the BIOS

(I also thought that the parameters could have not been saved because of the small battery but it is now new and I verified that the boot order has the CD at the first place)

I don't know where else to look at :-(

flak2 · Answer

Thanks EJN63,

there is no password defined and choosing the CD with F12 has no effect... also as mentioned before the drive does work and has passed the extended Dell diagnostics.

I don't wanna be pesky but If there are no other hints or suggestions and as a last resort would you kindly tell me how to replace the BIOS with a fresh version when the installed version is already the latest one?

:-)

ejn63 · Answer

There is no need to replace the BIOS. Try a reset: remove the battery, unplug the system and hold the power button for 30 seconds. Power up again. If that doesn't clear it, the problem lies other than with the BIOS.

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Forcing replacement of corrupt current BIOS

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