PowerEdge 500SC Bios Revision Question

Hi Branson,

Hereis the latest System BIOS revision:

Dell Server System BIOS, PowerEdge 500 SC, A05
Filename: PE500SC-BIOSA05.exe (477 KB)

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

Thanks
Mark

Message Edited on 03/07/02 06:31PM by DELL-Mark A

Thanks very much. That helps. Is there any reason that that wouldn't have shown up on the downloadable files for the PE500sc?

--Branson

Hi Branson,

The file does not show up correctly if you click on the "System Management" link. But if you choose you Operating System, language and the choose "All" from the download category, then look under System BIOS, it is there.

Sorry for the confusion, I have reported it to the webmaster.

Message Edited by DELL-Mark A on 02-14-2004 09:42 AM

that's funny, my 500SC is 6 months old and has a Bios Revision A7! I must admit, I consider the BIOS on these machines very "weak".... very little information, no room for manipulation. Try changing the amount of memory your video card uses. NOT!

Mark,

Yaaaaargh !!! Stand still while I smite thee !!!

Dangit, now where did I lay that sword down ?

Ok, you, (on Dell's behalf), get a reprieve from the smiting for now. Good thing I couldn't find grimwald.

Now, on to it...

I have a problem in the bios. Because of the concurrent problems, I cannot write anything to a floppy disk, and can only read from one sporadically.

So, I need to update the bios. (I have v 4)

I went to the file downloads, and looked for a newer bios.

Found one with less trouble than pulling my own teeth.

Barely.

Ok, it says that my "operating system" is not applicable. In other words, it is a "windows" file, that apprently is supposed to work in "windows". No matter the version...

I download the file. Took nearly a half hour on a dialup. Got offline. Rebooted to a clean boot with nothing else loaded at dialup....

...And...

"This application does not support windows 98".

WHAT ???

So, I extract the files from it. Sure enough, it will work with NT but not 98.

I come back and go through everything all over again, to get v6 instead, thinking an older version would surely work...

Exactly the same results.

What is up with this ?

The only other apparent way I can do this is to get the other file.

You know, the one that is a zip file.

You know, the one that when you click on it, it opens up and wants to.....

....Write to a couple of floppies !!!


YAAAARRRRGGGHHH !!!!! I'm really looking for that sword !

How can I get a file that will actually work with my windows 98, and will upgrade my bios ???

Hi Luka,

First, if you are having trouble reading floppies with your PowerEdge 500 SC, do NOT attempt to flash the BIOS. IF the floppy decides to stop reading during the flash, you will end up with a large paperweight. Reseating the cables on the floppy drive helps sometimes, otherwise replace the floppy drive and cable before proceeding.

Second, the System BIOS flash works at a DOS level; it does not matter which Operating System is installed. This is why you see the "not applicable" message on the downloads page.

I have seen the "This application does not support windows 98" message before if the download was corrupt (since your download took so long, this may be the problem), when using a defective floppy or the floppy has been formated at one time on an NT 4.0 box.

Try this procedure, from a windows system (does not have to be your server). Download this file to your desktop:
Dell Server System BIOS, PowerEdge 500 SC, A07
Filename: PE500SC-BIOSA07.EXE [480 KB]
http://support.dell.com/filelib/format.aspx?ReleaseID=R47672

Execute the file. The setup program will (should) ask for a floppy and create a bootable image on the floppy.

Insert the floppy in your server and reboot the system.

Hope this helps ...

Thanks for using the Dell Community Forums!

Mark,

I thank you for your reply.

I will take your post step by step, in my reply.

I KNOW I shouldn't use the floppy. That is why I wanted a file that could be used in windows 98.

I have years of experience building computers. I have worked as a hardware tech in a computer store. I know all about the cables, and the rest of the hardware. I replaced all hardware with brand new, properly seated, etc. Including two different brand new floppy drives. The problem doesn't change. The original equipment was all tested, and then reinstalled.


Bios flash and dos... I tried to run it in dos. It said this program does not run in dos.

The download was as long as it was because of my dialup connection. If I download again, it will take just as long. Therefore, according to you, it is likely to have the same problem. Therefore it would be a waste of my time to try the download again. And again, and again, and again, for as many times as it would take to POSSIBLY get a good copy. Especially since the only way to determine whether it is a good copy or not, is to try the installation again each time.

Besides, I have downloaded installation files even as large as 13 megs, and never have a problem with the file being corrupt. (Files for programs that I have bought. Anti-virus, anti-trojan, etc... I do not "file-share".)

It never even got as far as the floppies. .......My floppy drive does not work...... Why would it have gotten that far ?


I have already downloaded that file. C'mon Mark, I tell you the floppy drive does not work... You come back and tell me not to use the floppy, because it might screw up my entire system. Then you want me to download a file, and tell me the file will want to write to a couple of floppies ????

You didn't pay attention to what I said. You didn't even pay attention to what YOU said.



To reiterate from before....

There were two files available. One was to be run directly from windows. One was to be put on floppies and run. I downloaded both. I know the one for floppies is worthless to me. I was concentrating on a file for windows. I would like a file that works when you either click on it in windows, or will work in dos from the c: drive.

ie: put the files on the root of the C: drive. Boot to dos. Execute the files from the root of C:.......



It has been this way since I bought the machine. I became disabled before buying this machine. I bought the machine with every penny I could spare. I could not afford to call your tech services and ask about the floppy.

Do you know what it is like to honestly not have a penny in your pocket, or in the bank, or anywhere at all... For month after month, after month. Year after year.... I live on 300 dollars a month. 10 dollars is a fortune. There is no way in heck that I can afford to pay a minimum 25 dollars for a phone call to someone who will just give me the same sort of answer that you have just given me.

I was able to use the computer without the floppy, so I let it ride.

Recently I was able to afford to buy the needed hardware, and found that the results were exactly the same no matter what was done with the hardware. From there I was able to do some diagnostics and determine the problem is most likely in the bios. So, I reinstalled all the original equipment, and came looking here.

If I find a way to successfully flash the bios, and the problem does not rectify itself, then the only other source for the problem is the bus itself, or the motherboard.

Either/both of those problems were there when the computer arrived here. But as I said, I had spent my last penny on the computer. I could NOT afford your "free" tech service.

The computer is now out of "warrantee". Meaning that your costly free tech service would be even more costly. Plus, now that I have gotten this far in tracking down the problem, I am sure that I am out of luck if it comes to replacing the motherboard.

At this point, the best I can hope for is that you can find me a file somewhere that will execute.... On the hard drive.... Either from windows or from dos. Then, if the new bios doesn't fix it, I will be forced to just continue to use the computer as is, until it truly dies... and then remember forever what a costly lemon this thing was, right from the packing box.

Hi Luka,

I understand your frustration, I will try to help all I can.

If I read you response correctly, you do not have another computer to make the System BIOS floppy with and you only have the Windows 98 Operating System. This make it difficult as the "Update Package for Windows" or floppyless install only works on Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003. Windows 98 is not validated on any PowerEdge Server.
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/software/smdup/dup11/en/ugwinhtm/1intro.htm#1046746

Since you have changed the floppy drive and cable, the problem is most likely within the motherboard. I do have one suggestion which may possibly resolve the issue. The NVRAM may be corrupted on the motherboard making the floppy inoperable.

First remove any PCI cards or external peripherals. 

Check the section on System Board Jumpers in the Installation and Troubleshooting Guide:
http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/pe500sc/en/it/5e375aa0.htm#1028508

Power down, place a jumper on the NVRAM pin shown in the link. Power the system up until POST is complete, then power down and remove the jumper.

Once this is complete, power up, enter the System BIOS. Light the 3 keyboard LED's (Caps lock, Num lock and Scroll Lock). Hold the ALT key down and press the E key. The system should beep once. Then hold the ALT key down and press the F key. This resets all the settings to the factory default.

Hopefully, this procedure will restore the floppy operation.

To clarify one thing. The file PE500SC-BIOSA07.EXE is a Windows executable which "should" create a DOS bootable diskette. Place the file on your desktop and execute it. Do not try to run the file in a DOS window.

Thanks

Wow !

Well done !

Thank you.

I will follow all these instructions before the night is through.

And kudos to you for recognizing the frustration, and not reacting to it.

Thank you again. I'll come back and respond to let you know the results.

Have a good one !

:)

Jeff.

Mark,

I just wanted to say thank you.

The trick worked.

Sorry it took so ong to get back here and let you know. I didn't do the work that night, and not for a long while after, for reasons I won't get into here.

:)

But, clearing the NVRAM did seem to make the floppy drive work.

And I got the bios updated.

Great !!

:)

I still have a couple problems, including the original one. But I'll start another thread.

Thanks again.

:)