No BIOS Update Since 2010

Question

I currently have a Studio XPS 8100 desktop with Win7 x64 Pro. All up-to-date and runs perfectly. I've been running the Windows 8 Enterprise Preview in a VM for several weeks. For me, the key to success was Start8, which is a Start menu replacement application created by Stardock. This allows me to completely bypass the Windows 8 Start Screen - which I really hate - and work only with the desktop. There are other Start menu replacements that people like, notably Classic Shell. Without having to deal with the Start Screen I was able to concentrate on the technical and usability improvements in Windows 8. Now I'm getting ready to actually upgrade my computer to Windows 8. My computer isn't on Dell's list of computers supported for a Windows 8 upgrade, but that doesn't concern me, as I can take care of the details myself. To be fair to Dell, you can't expect them to support every computer they've ever sold going back to the Windows XP SP3 era. Now I do have one question, and it's about my BIOS: My BIOS was last updated in 2010 (11/18/2010 to be precise; version A05), and since my computer is not on the supported list for a Windows 8 upgrade, there will be no more BIOS updates. Is this going to cause a problem when I upgrade to Windows 8? My computer easily passed the Windows Upgrade Assistant, which includes tests for necessary BIOS support.

DELL-Vikram M · Answer

Hi DaddyX,

BIOS upgrade is recommended before upgrading to Windows 8. However, if there is no BIOS update available, you can still go ahead and upgrade to Windows 8. Since the Windows Upgrade Assistant passed all the necessary tests for your system to upgrade to Windows 8, BIOS should not be an issue. The only concern should be compatible drivers for Windows 8. You may try installing the Windows 7 drivers in compatibility mode which may or may not work.

Please reply for any further clarifications.

Philip_Yip · Answer

You should install Windows 8 64 bit. I installed it on my XPS 8300 which is likewise unsupported. The 3 models XPS 8100, 8300 and 8500 are all similar so you should be able to install the Windows 8 drivers from the XPS 8500 on your XPS 8100. i.e. the following drivers:

Chipset

Intel Chipset Instalaltion Utility http://ftp.dell.com/FOLDER00685042M/3/Chipset_Intel_W84_A00_Setup-89J9Y_ZPE.exe

Intel AMT HECI Driver http://ftp.dell.com/FOLDER00699393M/1/ME_Intel_W84_A00_Setup-CR1H4_ZPE.exe

SATA

Intel Rapid Storage Technology http://ftp.dell.com/FOLDER00703949M/3/RST_Intel_W84_A00_Setup-W2JXP_ZPE.exe

Audio

Realtek ALC887 Audio http://ftp.dell.com/FOLDER00685039M/3/Audio_Realtek_W84_A00_Setup-XK1WP_ZPE.exe

Video

ATI (AMD) Autodetect

nVidea AutoDetect

Card Reader

Foxconn Icon Manager http://ftp.dell.com/FOLDER00697898M/2/APP_CardReader_W84_A00_Setup-C4PWV_ZPE.exe

Bluetooth

Dell Bluetooth 365/370 http://ftp1.dell.com/folder00865420m/1/

With regards to the BIOS I had the same problems with the XPS 8300 and the A06 BIOS but the installation ran fine. It would be nice if Dell did update the BIOS for these 2 models but it seems unlikely that they will in the near future.

Let me know if they work so I can add the following drivers to Unofficial Driver Sets for Windows 8.

With regards to the installation see my wiki Windows Reinstallation Guide for full instructions on installing WIndows 8 via A Clean Install (best performance).

I installed WIndows 8 64 bit on my XPS 8300 and it ran fine but I personally preferred Windows 7 so I reinstalled Windows 7.

DaddyX_b90f82 · Answer

Wow - such great information from the two of you. Thank you both for your help! Philip - After I upgrade I'll let you know how it worked out w/r/t drivers. However, I'm not rushing out to upgrade in the next few days. I may even wait until the first few rounds of updates are published.

Thanks again...I really appreciate it.

Philip_Yip · Answer

Its a good idea to wait for some updates for both 3rd party and Microsoft. However if you plan to upgrade to Windows 8 later on, I would still advise you to purchase the upgrade license now and to create the .iso as instructed in Step 3 of my Windows Reinstallation Guide.

The only reason I suggest doing this now opposed to waiting is because the price for a license will be much higher after the 31/01/2013 when the promotional discounts expire so if you plan to install Windows 8 you might aswell take advantage of this price opposed to spending 2-3 times as much later on. Also register for the Media Centre Edition promotion.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows/download-shop

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows-8/feature-packs

Windows General

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