No the i8100 and the C810 are the same exact system except for some of the plastic parts and the BIOS. There is NO other differences and either BIOS will work on it. Now if you prefer to have the C810 BIOS then just flash it with the right/newest C810 BIOS using the /forceit switch.

The BIOS flash has nothing to do with how the text/graphics are displayed during boot up. Hit the Fn+F7 keys and that will get the unit to display in full screen mode.

Ed C,

Thanks much for the assistance!  I will reflash with the right BIOS as everything is very small during the boot process including the Dell splash screen.  Should be the right way to go.

PS:Can you elaborate a little on the '"/forceit" switch, please? 

Mitobo83

How can I force the BIOS to flash? Booting with the prepared disk gives me a message: "Error. This utility does not support this system.".  When I try one of the executables from the disk, I get:: "Cannot use Dell System Latitude C810 BIOS in a Dell System Inspiron 8100"

Any ideas?

You have the version that makes the bootable floppy. Once it give you the error get to a A:\ Prompt and type in the the flash program along with the /forceit switch.

BIOS_name.exe /forceit

you need a space between the last E of .exe and the / (forward slash) then NO space from / to forceit

C810_A12.exe /forceit

I tried flashing with the 'forceit' switch as you suggested to no avail.  I entered: C810_A12.exe/forceit and after a short loading process, I got an error saying 'Cannot use a "Dell System Latitude C810" BIOS in a "Dell System Inspiron 8100", Press any key to exit, ROM update not performed.'.

Should I try any of the previous versions or just give up and leave it like it is?

I added the space as you suggested and the same thing happened except now in the blue background I see: Verifying system configuration then the red ERROR box with the same message.  Think maybe Dell built some safeguards in this version to prevent flashing the wrong BIOS?

I even tried the switch in CAPS just in case.

OK I forgot something.

You may need to use a second switch   /forcetype 

C810_A12.exe /forceit /forcetype        or reverse the forceit and forcetype.

That should do it. Sorry I forgot about the second switch.

Thank you! Thank you!   This forum is great.

The second switch, FORCETYPE was the one that worked.  Systems back up.