How to Flash the BIOS on a Dell

The BIOS ensures that the computer hardware and software are functioning.

The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) checks the system hardware and connected devices to transfer settings to the computer's operating system during the boot process. Updates to memory, hard drive or start-up programs usually require updating or flashing the BIOS so that the system will properly start. Windows computers require a special sequence of keys during start-up to activate the system setup window to update or flash the BIOS. According to Dell Computers, the F2 key during start-up accesses the system setup controls on most desktop and laptop models. Linux users can flash the BIOS using typed commands.

Instructions

Windows

1. Shut down your computer and plug the power cord into an outlet if it's not already connected (applicable to laptops).

2. Turn on your computer and then press the "F2 key" when the "Dell" logo appears on the screen to access the Setup screen. If the Setup screen does not appear and the system continues its start-up (boot) sequence, wait for the computer to finish booting up and then safely restart the computer.

   According to Dell, some older computer models may use a different sequence of keys to access system setup. If pressing "F2" does not work, try one of these sequences when you see the "Dell" logo at start-up:

   Press the "Delete (Del)" key
   Laptops: Press and hold the "Fn" key and then press the "F1" key
   Laptops: Press and hold the "Fn" key and then press the "Esc" key
   Desktops: Press and hold the "Control (Ctrl)" and "Alt" keys and then press the "Enter" key

3. Press the left and right arrow keys to toggle through the tabs on the Setup screen until the "BIOS" tab is selected.

4. Press the up and down keys to highlight the items under the Setup tab and then press the right arrow key to select the function.

5. Press the "F10" key to save changed settings and then press the "Enter" key to confirm this command to exit the Setup screen to continue the boot process.

Ubuntu 7.04

1. Type "getsystemid" at the command prompt and then press the "Return" key.

2. Write down the system information displayed, that will contain the following details: Libsmbios, System ID, Service Tag number, Express Service Code, Product Name, BIOS Version, Vendor and Is Dell. Underline the BIOS version number.

3. Download the latest BIOS update for your system (see Resource 1 for a list from Dell). Identify the appropriate version using your System ID and BIOS version numbers from Step 2.

4. Type "system_bios_ven_0x1028_dev_[system ID]_version_[BIOS version]" at the command prompt, making sure to replace "[system ID]" and "[BIOS version]: with the information from Step 2.

5. Press the "Return" key to open the system directory.

6. Type "download bios.hdr" at the command prompt and then press the "Return" key to download the BIOS update file to the system directory.

7. Type "modprobe dell_rbu" at the command prompt and then press the "Return" key to load the driver.

8. Type "dellBiosUpdate -u -f ./bios.hdr-[x.x.x]" at the command prompt, where "[x.x.x]" specifies the BIOS version number obtained in Step 2. For example, if the BIOS version is 2.3.2, type "dellBiosUpdate -u -f ./bios.hdr-2.3.2" at the command prompt.

9. Press the "Return" key and to update and flash the BIOS. Type "reboot" at the command prompt and then press the "Return" key to restart the computer with the installed updates.

Tips & Warnings

• Dell warns, "Incorrectly changing BIOS settings may leave the computer in a state in which the operating system no longer starts. We therefore recommend that you record the original BIOS settings before you modify them."

References

• Dell Support: What Is the BIOS and How to Access It on a Dell Computer
• Dell: XPS M1330 Owner's Manual
• Dell: Latitude 610/C150 Service Manual-Flashing the BIOS
• Dell: Dimension 4700 Series Service Manual-System Setup
• Dell: Flashing the BIOS on Ubuntu 7.04

Resources

• Dell: Index of Linux BIOS HDRs