(Redirected) Winphlash user interface stopped working

I have an Inspiron 1501 - it's old but it woks great..  I tried updating the BIOS following the instructions on the Dell site. I repeatedly get the Winphlash User Interface has stopped working. I see others have reported the issue from years back, but no one has a solution. Can anyone tell me the proper technique to do this BIOS update without errors? I don't get any instructions on line - only a DOS type window then it disappears.

Also on the Dell site re Drivers, It finds my Service Tag  <ADMIN NOTE: Service tag removed per privacy policy> and then I get the message that my operating system Windows Vista Home Basic is not available on the machine --but it was bought from DELL with this OS?

Thanks in advance for any assistance/direction.

Jack