How to update current BIOS when possibly corrupted

If you are using F8 to boot, you are using some variety of Safe Mode to boot to Windows?  If so, this is a Windows issue, not BIOS-related.  There is a very small possibility that the Windows/OS corruption was caused by some hardware issue, but that is a very remote possibility - and even then, the chances of it being a corrupt BIOS to cause it are even smaller.  What led you to believe it is corrupt BIOS code?

What OS are you working with?
What option in F8 are you using to boot?
Was there a hardware or software change prior to this (installation or update)?

Thanks for your reply.  I've been fooling with this for a while and can't actually say how I got the BIOS corruption idea.  I bought a new HP all in one printer and that is when the problem might have started.  I returned the printer and removed the printer from my control panel.  Of course the HP support people said their driver software had nothing to do with the problem, it's a Dell problem.

I get the Vista updates all the time.  Home version, not the 64 bit or whatever.

After a number of F8 tries, I get some sort of check for error option I click on and it says it can't find anything.  Then a hit the restart button and the computer boots normally.  But the next time the computer is turned off I have to F8 to restart.

What would be the best way to clean up windows?

Thanks for your help.

I would start by running a Startup Repair, and if that doesn't work, then I would try a CHKDSK and SFC:

Startup Repair:
Boot to your Vista DVD, then choose Repair your computer.

CHKDSK:
Open a Command Prompt (Start, Run..., CMD), then type in CHKDSK /R.  It will tell you it can't run it right now and ask if you want to schedule it for the next reboot.  Choose yes, then reboot and let the CHKDSK run - it will take up to an hour to complete.

SFC:
In a Command Prompt, type in SFC /SCANNOW.  This can take some time.

If these don't work, you can try some other things:

• Do a System Restore to a previous date - previous to the start of the problems.
• Use MSCONFIG to eliminate one startup program/service at a time until you find the one that keeps it from starting up.

I rebooted from the Dell Vista Home Premium Reinstallation DVD (or at least the DVD drive was running when I turned the computer on with the DVD inside).  The computer booted to the regular opening screen with the normal program icons.  There was no "Repair your computer" message/icon.  I did a search for same and did not find one.

Not sure how to find the Repair your computer area or even if the computer truely booted from the DVD.

Much thanks for your help.

You may have to go the second page of the setup to get the Repair option - after selecting the language, and on the same page as Install Now.  It is a link on the bottom-left of the page.  Hit F12 as soon as the PC turns on (top-right) and choose to boot from onboard DVD.

Hi, If you still have your Restore partition on your HD, then you should be able to select repair your computer, and that will take your computer back to factory state. see HERE.

It's worth noting that if you use the Restore partition, it will wipe out your settings, files, and applications on the C: drive.