I have the same problem, after searching on line, apparently no one has any sugguestion how to do this. I checked Dell's website without any success.

It would be nice if someone from Dell would response back to us and assist us. This will be the last laptop I purchase from Dell....

When you created the floppy disk did you make a bootable floppy first and then copy the bios file to the disk. Did you create the cd version from the iso given by the A22 update.

Hi malinis, Have you tried to upgrade your system memory, with your current BIOS in it. If you can get the memory in I would not mess around with the BIOS, or as the old saying goes, 'If it not broke, dont fiddle with it'.

You don't need to copy the BIOS files to a floppy or CD?  Simply download the updated BIOS file (A32), and double-click on it.

It'll update the BIOS 'on-the-fly' :emotion-55:

exatly how would someone do this i am having the same problem and need some serious help

I downloaded the A22 file to my desktop and then coped it to a floppy. Then I restarted my laptop with the floppy in and it went OK. That took me from A02 to A22. Then I downloaded the A32 to my desktop and executed it from there. It went OK. My problem is I still can't load up with both 512mb cards in. I have another thread on this that you can look at but have not updated on it what happened. Right now I have 1 512mb card and 1 128mb card in which puts me at 640 mb. I will say it does startup and shut down a lot quicker and operates a lot better in general. But I still would like to have my other 512 card in.  

I am having the same problem. I have a Dell Inspiron 5100, < Admin note: Service Tag removed due to TOS violation >, BIOS A02, Window XP Pro SP3.  It had 2 memory chips installed: one 512MB chip in the DIMM A slot, and another, unidentifiable chip in the DIMM B slot.  Both the BIOS and WinXP reported only 512MB RAM.

Using my Service Tag ID (Good customer! Sit, stay!), I went to support.dell.com and looked up the specs of replacement RAM chips for my 5100.  It said that there are 2 slots, max RAM of 1024MB (512MB in each slot), 200-pin SODIMM, DDR, PC2700 (333MHz).  Sooooo, I purchased 2 shiny new Crucial chips matching this spec, installed them in my machine, rebooted, it beeped 4 times and puked!!!!!  Blank screen.  Nothin'

So then, I tried various configurations including and excluding the new chips.  The only thing that works is the original Ultra brand, 512MB, PC2100(266MHz) chip in slot A alone, or in slot A with the original unidentifiable chip in slot B, or, get this, in slot B by itself!!! Slot B!!!  Slot A is empty!  Right now!  Aaaaaauuuuggghhhh!!!!!

So, I thought, BIOS update!  After all, I was only at A02.  I checked.  A32.  Downloaded, ran, ERROR: NOTICE!! Running on an unsupported system.  Only option is Cancel.

It shows the current BIOS as A02, Vendor: Phoenix Technologies LTD.

Ok, Dell, it's time to step up, man up, figure this out and provide a reasonable level of support!!!  You are costing people money and time and LOSING CUSTOMERS!!

I am having the same problem. I have a Dell Inspiron 5100, < Admin note: Service Tag removed due to TOS violation >, BIOS A02, Window XP Pro SP3.  It had 2 memory chips installed: one 512MB chip in the DIMM A slot, and another, unidentifiable chip in the DIMM B slot.  Both the BIOS and WinXP reported only 512MB RAM. Using my Service Tag ID (Good customer! Sit, stay!), I went to support.dell.com and looked up the specs of replacement RAM chips for my 5100.  It said that there are 2 slots, max RAM of 1024MB (512MB in each slot), 200-pin SODIMM, DDR, PC2700 (333MHz).  Sooooo, I purchased 2 shiny new Crucial chips matching this spec, installed them in my machine, rebooted, it beeped 4 times and puked!!!!!  Blank screen.  Nothin' So then, I tried various configurations including and excluding the new chips.  The only thing that works is the original Ultra brand, 512MB, PC2100(266MHz) chip in slot A alone, or in slot A with the original unidentifiable chip in slot B, or, get this, in slot B by itself!!! Slot B!!!  Slot A is empty!  Right now!  Aaaaaauuuuggghhhh!!!!! So, I thought, BIOS update!  After all, I was only at A02.  I checked.  A32.  Downloaded, ran, ERROR: NOTICE!! Running on an unsupported system.  Only option is Cancel. It shows the current BIOS as A02, Vendor: Phoenix Technologies LTD. Ok, Dell, it's time to step up, man up, figure this out and provide a reasonable level of support!!!  You are costing people money and time and LOSING CUSTOMERS!!

You will have to udate to A22 first before you do the A32. Dowmload A22 to your pc and then copy it to a floppy and the restart or reload with that flopy and then if that goes well you will be able to execute the A32 file that you downloaded.