Windows 7 Reinstallation Fails

Using the Dell Windows 7 Reinstallation DVD on an Inspiron 1764:

I deleted all partitions on Inspiron 1764.

Created new partition and formatted it

Ran reinstallation program, it started off fine copied all of the files, installed the updated and started the Completing Installation step.

It next displayed a message that the system was going to reboot, which it did (first setup reboot).

After the first setup reboot, windows loaded from HDD and setup took over again.

A few minutes later the computer Blue screened, did a memory dump and then the computer rebooted. All I could read from the blue screen was to the effect:  - there was an error to prevent damage your computer was shut down - try updating the BOIS or see your system administrator.

The computer then rebooted and windows setup started but a window popped up saying that there was an unexpected reboot or error, to click the "OK" button then reinstall windows.

I am having problems updating the bios as suggested. Using a DOS bootable USB flash drive and trying both available update files (1764A13_win.exe & then FLASHME_v103_Win_1194_4M_1764A13.exe) I received an error message saying that the programs will not run in DOS mode.  Both files are listed as working under DOS.

I ran the diagnostics on the machine and everything passed.

Any ideas on how to resolve a) the unexpected reboot during OS install and/or b) the BIOS exe files not running under DOS mode on a bootable USB flash drive?