Never upgraded my BIOS current version A02

Question

I have never upgraded my BIOS and when I try it tells me the file to upgrade to A32 says it's running on an unsupported system and will not allow me to install. I tried copying the install file to a CD-RM and rebooted from the CD but nothing. Below is my BIOS info as far as I can tell. Any help would be appreciated.

BIOS vendor: PHOENIX TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
BIOS version: A02
BIOS date: 01/31/2003

GreyMack · Answer

You may not be able to jump from A02 to A32. There are release notes for each revision, and somewhere in there you should find more information. If you would like confirmation of your analysis after reading those notes, post back with your model number and operating system.   GM

RandyBee · Answer

Obviously I need to start from the oldest file (the closest to A02 that is available) and work my way up but is it necessary or recommended to do ALL of the upgrades?   What precautions can I take in case of a system failure as a result of a BIOS upgrade?   Will a system restore point make any difference?   Can you sucessfully boot these drivers from a CD-RW or does it have to be a CD-R or even a floppy.    Sorry to ask so many questions just want to do it right.   Thanks for your help.

NemesisDB · Answer

Post your computer model! For an i1100/i5100 you will need to flash to A22 first and then to A32.  If this is your model I suggest only flashing to A31 though as A32 in my opinion has problems

GreyMack · Answer

Updating to each interim version is not necessary, and is not advised.   The precautions recommended vary according to system.   A System Restore point will have no effect on the BIOS update.   The preferred method varies according to series.   Again, there are limitations and precautions specific to model.   GM

RandyBee · Answer

It's an Inspiron 1100 and I'm using the original drivers that came with it.

roadking3286 · Answer

I have a simular problem, but I am trying to upgrade from A06 Bios version which is a Phoenix Bios on my Inspiron 1100. the lowest one available is A22, but it says it is  a Dell Bios.  I think the problem may be in this mis-match. It will not let me do the A22 upgrade. I get the same error message about not being a supported system.

leduke30 · Answer

Try typing and entering the Flash Command followed by a space and one of these additions    /jabil, /forceit, or /forcetype. These are used successfully to change CPtV/S's to CPxJ's and to change Inspirons of certain models into Latitudes, and also to facilitate BIOS downgrade Flashes.

RandyBee · Answer

@leduke30 wrote:
Try typing and entering the Flash Command followed by a space and one of these additions /jabil, /forceit, or /forcetype. These are used successfully to change CPtV/S's to CPxJ's and to change Inspirons of certain models into Latitudes, and also to facilitate BIOS downgrade Flashes.

I apologize if I'm inexperienced in BIOS installation methods etc. but how do I go about implementing the procedure you just described? I'm very adept with computers just not in this area. Thanks for any help!

NemesisDB · Answer

Randy, do NOT run the flash with those commands ... if it's not flashing, there is a reason. First, (re)confirm that you have the correct file. You want bios version A22 for the i1100. Secondly, how are you flashing the bios? This flash *must* be performed from a floppy or bootable CD (or possibly a dos partition). It cannot be run from a windows environment or a dos window. If you are trying to run the upgrade from windows, that is probably why you are recieving the error.

hope this helps,

dan

NemesisDB · Answer

the most current file will *NOT* work ...  for the last time, you need A22 first!

RandyBee · Answer

I downloaded the most current bios file for my system (I entered in my service code once as well as just searching by model# both showed the same file) I copied it to a empty CD-RW and rebooted and presses F12 or whatever then told it to boot from CD and nothing...

Does it need to be a CD-R or is there no difference?
Does the CD need to be prepared in any way to make it work as a boot disk with these files?

Thanks again...

GreyMack · Answer

The A22 BIOS Update is available as an EXE file to create a bootable floppy, or as an ISO image to be used with CD burning software to create a bootable CD-R.

If you have no floppy drive, but you have a CD-RW drive, you will need to consult your CD burning software on the method to copy the ISO file download and create a bootable CD. Others here may be helpful in this process, but it depends on which CD burning software you use. The following link is just one example, pertinent to Nero Burning ROM version 5.5 only. http://www.bay-wolf.com/burnimage.htm

If you still find no joy, contact Dell for a bootable CD with the A22 update on it.

GM

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Never upgraded my BIOS current version A02

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