Re: BIOS Flashing Fears....

And how many times have people, who are amateurs as this person obviously
is, written and asked about this very subject. I have seen a failed bios
flash in the past simply because someone had plugged the computer into a
light switch outlet and when they hit the enter key they left the room,
turned out the light as they left. This failed flash rendered the computer
incapable of booting from a floppy, CD or hard drive which effectively
created a paper weight until another motherboard could be obtained. Dell at
this time, I believe, doesn't provide the motherboard replacement for the
8200 anymore as this system is now about 4 years old IIRC.

People do stupid things. I was trying to "scare" the OP into making sure
everything was right before the flash was accomplished. If the OP didn't
feel comfortable in doing the flash I would hope that the OP would then seek
local professional help.


"Pop`" <nodoby@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:%23RJvAe6yGHA.772@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Wow, what planet are you from? Don't look now but your egocentricity and
ignorance are showing.

LVTravel wrote:
You should be afraid of flashing the bios.

Wrong. Knowledge is power, which you appear to be short on.

If there is a valid reason to do it, you should prepare first.

Of course, just as you should prepare first for eating a mean, going to
bed, taking a shower, installing a program, or flashing a BIOS. It's
simply something not done very often becasue it's not needed very often,
but it's nothing to fear.


If you don't have one, purchase an uninterruptible power supply (about
$75-80 for an inexpensive one) as you should have a very dependable
power supply and landline power isn't that dependable. If power
fails during the minute or so that the flash requires, the computer
will not work again without replacing the chip that you were flashing.

Flashing a BIOS chip is so fast and reliable that this, as good and useful
as a UPS is, just isn't necessary. If one is paranoid about it, then
don't do it on stormy days or when traffic is heavy. If your ac power is
normally reliable, there is no reason for it not to be reliable for the
few seconds it takes to flash a BIOS.
Even if you are one of the one in many millions that has a power glitch
longer than the hold-over time of your PSU, it's still possible to flash
the BIOS and get going again; it IS an inconvenience, but ... highly
unlikely.
A UPS is valuable and useful but don't buy one just to flash BIOS unless
you have lots of money to spend, in which case you probably already have
one.

Next, create the boot floppy disk as directed and then follow the
directions given by Dell. Flashes can be successfully performed and
I have done so on many Dell machines (I personally own an older 8100
model.) Normally goes without problems IF you have a good power
supply but with Murphy's law (that which can go wrong will) without
the good power supply power will fail at exactly the wrong time.

I'll bet I've flashed a lot more machines than you have and even in this
unreliable, totally above ground rural power grid, there has never been an
interruption occur during the flashing. You're fear-mongering without
good cause here. To mentione these things as a good thing to have and why
is one thing but to initmate that they are a MUST is just plain silly.

Your presentation leaves a LOT to be desired.

At least you were right about the non-progressive flashing need.



"Toscarelli" <Toscarelli@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:uT6QBYxyGHA.4932@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Of course the worst I always anticipate.

I was advised by tech I should consider Flashing Bios Of a Dell
Dimension 8200 w/ XP Pro.

I now have the current Bios Rev from Dell, A09

I forgot what's on the computer now, I think A07

Should I do this as is with the Flash, or go Linear, first flashing
A08, then A09?

I fear the compuiter will lock up and I will have nothing to
rollback on. Thanks,

mt





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Relevant Pages

  • Need Help - Computer Only Operatres (limited too!) in Safe Mode
    ... Computer and pointer froze so I held the power button down until it ... and flash the BIOS. ... control panel and use another computer here to research this error message ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Need Help - Computer Only Operatres (limited too!) in Safe Mode
    ... If you can't flash it out, you will probably need BIOS ... Computer and pointer froze so I held the power button down ... control panel and use another computer here to research this error message ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Need Help - Computer Only Operatres (limited too!) in Safe Mode
    ... safemode with networking for close to 12 hours before I shut down. ... Computer and pointer froze so I held the power button down ... he says I'll need to reformat and flash the BIOS (seems to imply ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: Need Help - Computer Only Operatres (limited too!) in Safe Mode
    ... The flash is a BIOS update provided by HP. ... floppy allow me to flash from DOS? ... I don't know where I would find a DOS flasher for my BIOS. ... Computer and pointer froze so I held the power button down ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: BIOS Flashing Fears....
    ... This failed flash rendered the ... Knowledge is power, which you appear to be short on. ... bed, taking a shower, installing a program, or flashing a BIOS. ... will not work again without replacing the chip that you were flashing. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)