Updating BIOS from a .exe file

Jeffmrg · 08-20-2004, 02:35 PM

I have a need to update the BIOS on my Dell Latitude D600. The executable necessary to do this is a file I obtained from Dell and it is the .exe filetype. How do I go about updating my BIOS with this file, if at all? Thanks in advance.

michaelk · 08-20-2004, 02:46 PM

Were there any instructions on Dell's website? It could be a self extracting zip file or the complete executable.

In general, to update a motherboard BIOS you need a DOS boot floppy. Copy the file to the disk and reboot the PC. Run the the utility to update the BIOS.

Master Fox · 08-20-2004, 03:18 PM

wait ok

is the file in a bin file?

format a blank format make sure there is no bad sectors or anything copy the exe into your hard drive with windows on and then it must be a extracting exe so that will extract all the files onto the floopy and then at boot you see something like Flashbios press alt+F2 or something and then it ask you for a bin file and it should update well atleast thats how my pc works

Jeffmrg · 08-20-2004, 04:21 PM

The file is not a zipped or compressed. It seems that I will need to copy it to a CD, enter setup at BIOS and then hunt around for any flash BIOS update options. The computer is linux (SW) only, not dual boot.

Master Fox · 08-20-2004, 04:26 PM

well i found out:

This file format consists of a BIOS executable file. The Universal (Windows/MS DOS) format can be used to install from Windows XP, Windows 2000, NT, Windows 9X, Windows ME or a MS DOS environment.

so you have to update it on windows soz

u should really check out: http://support.ap.dell.com/ap/en/fil...searchtype=age and read the page

Jeffmrg · 08-20-2004, 07:04 PM

Yes, thank you, I had already read that info on Dell's web site. Installing Windows just so I can do BIOS update is not a viable option.

Anybody have an opinion on possibly doing this from an emulated environment?

luwigie · 08-20-2004, 08:41 PM

I would NOT do this from an emulated environment... It's too easy to make a mother board completely useless when doing a BIOS upgrade. Go to bootdisk.com grab a .IMA of a dos boot disk, write the image to a floppy, copy the .exe to the floppy, and reboot to that floppy.

2damncommon · 08-20-2004, 09:04 PM

The image should be on the way.
Let me know if there is a problem with the image.
Good Luck.

Jeffmrg · 08-20-2004, 09:16 PM

Thanks. The .exe is in the mail.

Jeffmrg · 08-21-2004, 08:25 AM

I burned the image to CD but it would not boot (BIOS is configured correctly to boot CD first). Is the image specific to floppy? Is a CD image needed and 'doable'? I am doing this on a notebook computer and don't have floppy drive capability. Thanks.

luwigie · 08-21-2004, 10:32 AM

If the image is exactly 1.40 MBs, then I would say that it is set up as a floppy disk only image. If you don't have any blank floppies, you can burn a cd with el turito if you use floppy disk emulation (type 1 I think).

Master Fox · 08-21-2004, 11:07 AM

But one thing on my pc at start up just at the bios it says

Press ctl+F2 to enter flash utl dont you have that at the bottom of the screen or something??

Jeffmrg · 08-21-2004, 11:20 AM

Thanks for the information (all). I was able to do FD emulation and get a bootable CD containing my .exe. Wish me luck on the next step!

PS-I do not see a flash utility option anywhere in the BIOS startup or subsequent screens.

Master Fox · 08-21-2004, 11:22 AM

*wishes luck* :P

Yeh ohwell must be diffent bios's or something

Jeffmrg · 08-21-2004, 11:59 AM

Thanks to all. The BIOS flash update executed without a hitch and was successful. Here's the summary:

1. All steps were performed on my Linux (Slackware 10) only notebook,
2. The .exe file (flash BIOS updater) was downloaded from Dell.
3. 2damncommon created the boot floppy image from that file.
4. I burned the image to CD with floppy emulation as suggested by luwigie.
5. Booted from the CD and ran the executable.
6. Reboot--and I am up and running.

jeffmrg