I have just been told that the vid card will be replaced ( hopefully on Thursday ). Dell thanked me for taking the time to call ATI.

Regarding the error you are getting I got that too, but I think it has a lot to do where you download the file to, once I downloaded it to the desktop it seemed alright ?? By the way apparently ,( though I am only going on previous research ) the bios listed is the original not an upgrade so it should not be needed. Doesn't make a lot of sense to post it if it is already fitted to all cards from day one so I am not sure the information is totally kosher !! 

Whymewhynot

What problems are you having ? My problems where more serious than not being able to flash the bios, I was just wondering if it is possible to force the flash to rewrite the bios.

So I would not assume there is anything wrong with the vid card on that alone, what are your symptoms ?

• blank screen on boot up;
• need to make 3 to 10 hard reboots to make it work ( its just the screen that wont turn on. rest is doing fine, hear windows sounds n all );
• It's not the little pin on the LCD lid thats placed incorrectly;
• formatted and reinstalled my pc from scrap still no fix.

So basically im stuck with a laptop that doesnt turn on when i want it too and it doesnt seem to be software related since i've tried everything on that point.

I would use ATI website , you have to register but that is no big thing, then send them a mail using the tech support link including all the details etc. They where pretty darned fast getting back to me ( you have to check there site fro updates as they do not mail you a response ).

See what they say, if they can identify it as a hardware issue.

My lappy is doing the same as yours with the exception that when it black screens the notebook is frozen as well, also I was experiencing a lot of tears and color banding on booting, this apparently is atrributed the video bios/ chips being corrupt or something.