Has anyone here actually had a bios upgrade fail when using the "double click the executable in windows" method?  Why go to the trouble of making a CD when the other way works fine.

Or is that particular version only avialable in a floppy-boot format?

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@frrussre wrote:

Insp 5100 XP. Original Bios A04.  No Floppy Drive, but Cdrw/DVD.

Has anyone successfully, updated the bios to 22 using the ISO CD Bootable disc method?

And then flashed the Bios to 29, either by ISO Disc or hardrive method?

Reg. Frank R.

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read this success story though on an 1100

http://delltalk.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_bios&message.id=26495

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@NemesisDB wrote:

Has anyone here actually had a bios upgrade fail when using the "double click the executable in windows" method?  Why go to the trouble of making a CD when the other way works fine.

Or is that particular version only avialable in a floppy-boot format?

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the hdd upgrade method has a far higher rate of failure than using dos.

doesn't matter if you don't mind using your laptop as a doorstop after a failed hdd flash.

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@frrussre wrote:

Insp 5100 XP. Original Bios A04.  No Floppy Drive, but Cdrw/DVD.

Has anyone successfully, updated the bios to 22 using the ISO CD Bootable disc method?

And then flashed the Bios to 29, either by ISO Disc or hardrive method?

Reg. Frank R.

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I sucessfully upgraded the BIOS in my Inspiron 1100 using this method. I used the ISO CD Bootable version of a22 that was provided by Dell.

What I use now is a USB Memory Key. You can make the USB Memory Key bootable and then run the BIOS upgrade from it. I use one at work that I have loaded BIOS updates for all the different Dell computers that we use and have a Menu to choose them from.

Thanks for the replies.

Has anyone, gone on to the higher Bios #'s after #22? 

Have you found advantages with the newer Bios?

My 5100: occassional freeze, can't do anything.  Have to pull the power & remove battey.  Wait 60 secs, power back up.

Twice  in 1 year battery not charging.

Lights turn orange (Solid or flashing)  instead of green, with power cable connected.

Ps. I have previously flahed all my Desktops (Floppy method) & found they make for faster Bootup & shutdown  + usually less video card problems.

Reg. Frank R.

bacillus wrote:

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 the hdd upgrade method has a far higher rate of failure than using dos.

doesn't matter if you don't mind using your laptop as a doorstop after a failed hdd flash.

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 Can you quantify significantly higher?  I'm personally 4 for 4 with dell notebooks.  I mean, I assume there's always a slight risk no matter how you do it.  I'm personally too scared to flash a five(?) year old fic board I have although it kinda needs it for better usb support.  So again, I ask, has anyone out there had a bios flash fail (and by fail I mean that the laptop is now a doorstop-- using either method (assuming you plugged it in and had a good battery)?

You just had to search this bios forum to see that 99% of folk that complaint of a failed bios flash have used the hard drive method to update. Whilst to be fair, those who have no problems do not post of their successes when using the hard drive method on these forums.
Given the option, I would choose the DOS method to update my bios on every occasion.

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@bacillus wrote:
You just had to search this bios forum to see that 99% of folk that complaint of a failed bios flash have used the hard drive method to update. Whilst to be fair, those who have no problems do not post of their successes when using the hard drive method on these forums.
Given the option, I would choose the DOS method to update my bios on every occasion.

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I shall Flash the Bios #22 using the ISO/CD method, thats my only way. 

I don't think Bios #29 can be flashed other then Hard Drive, method???????

Or am I mistaken.

Reg. Frank R.