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Windows XP upgrade

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2003 3:04 pm
by ldcr
Someone help me please!!! I upgraded to Windows XP, but there were some problems with some software, which I tried to fix, but couldn't, got frustrated and just uninstalled XP (went back to ME). Fixed all the problems (I hope) and tried to reinstall XP. Everything goes great until I do the Flash BIOS thing. I reboot with my floppy in and get to the Flash BIOS screen, but then nothing happens. I tried hitting every key on the keyboard and it just sits there. I can't even reboot with Ctrl-Alt-Del. I've contacted Dell (I got the upgrade from Dell and they have their own set of upgrades to drivers for the Dell computers) and they've given me many fixes, none that work. Can someone help me??? I have a Dell Dimension 8100, but know very little about the rest. I'm not as "techy" as some of the people on this site, so please talk to me in "common language". Thanks.

Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2003 3:09 pm
by NickS
Can you explain to someone who has never had the fortune to own a Dell what you mean by the "Flash BIOS screen" ? What exactly does this screen say ?
Is there some option to get into a setup or configuration screen (e.g. by pressing F1) before it hangs ?

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2003 3:04 am
by ldcr
When I try to boot the system with the upgraded BIOS info floppy disk, it reads the disk and then a screen comes up entitled: FLASH BIOS UPDATE PROGRAM VERSION XP2. Then it says: Verifying system configuration. Checking ROM file... ROM file CRC-32 is correct. Press any key to continue. And then nothing happens. I have tried to get into setup using the F2 key when booting normally, but I can't seem to get to this either. Any ideas?

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2003 1:41 pm
by NickS
So you're trying to flash the BIOS by booting from a diskette which should automatically carry out a flash update, but the update doesn't happen ? Did the Dell people mention any kind of flash protection jumper or setting, or is there anything in your user manual for the motherboard ?

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2003 3:00 pm
by Denniss
Have you created the bootdisk or had Dell some installation program to create a bootdisk with Biosflash Data copied to it ?

Dell should have some instructions for the biosflash update - have you read them ?
Sometimes a previous Bios has to be installed prior to installing the latest one

If you've created the bootdisk at your own and then copied the Biosflash data on it try th DRDOS "Basic Biosflash" bootdisk from www.bootdisk.com

Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2003 3:19 pm
by ldcr
I used the upgrade packet from Dell, which includes updated drivers Dell says I need, and update BIOS info. Dell doesn't mention anything about the motherboard. I assume that the packet takes care of everything, since they don't want you messing with the insides if it is under warranty, which mine isn't anymore. I followed the instructions as they were, but didn't uninstall my antivirus software because the instructions said to "disable" not "unistall", and the printer upgrade was giving me a hard time, so I just got really frustrated and uninstalled XP, going back to ME. (We have business info on the computer and I needed to use the printer; I guess I shouldn't have been so impatient, but nothing I can do about it now.)