No Error Message Displays When Flashing an Unsupported BIOS on Precision, OptiPlex, Vostro, and Inspiron Desktop

Summary: This article provides information about a message what should display when flashing an unsupported BIOS on Precision, OptiPlex, Vostro, or Inspiron desktops.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Symptoms

Precision, OptiPlex, Vostro, or Inspiron desktop is expected to display an error when flashing an unsupported BIOS.

An expected error message

However, some computers may display no error message and show that the progress continues. They display no error message and stay on the EXE BIOS Flash tool after double-clicking an unsupported BIOS file. This is a wrong behavior.

BIOS update continues without an error message

Affected Platforms:

  • Inspiron 3030 Desktop
  • Inspiron 3030 Small Desktop
  • OptiPlex Small Form Factor 7020
  • OptiPlex Small Form Factor Plus 7020
  • OptiPlex Tower 7020
  • OptiPlex Tower Plus 7020
  • Precision 3460 Small Form Factor
  • Precision 3660 Tower
  • Precision 3680 Tower
  • Vostro 3030 Desktop
  • Vostro 3030 Small Desktop

Cause

This is due to the BIOS coding issue.

Resolution

Updating to the latest BIOS version for your computer resolves the issue. To download and install the BIOS, reference BIOS Update Guide.

Affected Products

Inspiron 3030 Desktop, Inspiron 3030 Small Desktop, OptiPlex Small Form Factor Plus 7020, OptiPlex Small Form Factor 7020, OptiPlex Tower 7020, OptiPlex Tower Plus 7020, Precision 3460 Small Form Factor, Precision 3660 Tower, Precision 3680 Tower , Vostro 3030 Desktop, Vostro 3030 Small Desktop ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000222841
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 13 Nov 2025
Version:  6
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