Stupid BIOS Update Mistake, How to Revert Back to Previous BIOS?

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glitterninja

glitterninja

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Jan 30, 2016
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I have a Windows 7 Pro PC that I've been having minor trouble with because my headphones have almost no sound, while speakers and everything else are just fine. Anyway, one website suggested updating drivers, so I went out to update my Soundmax Integrated HD Audio driver and the Dell Optiplex 755, and on the Dell website found several driver updates.

Or so I thought. One update was to BIOS 22 and I absentmindedly chose it, updated the BIOS, and now my Windows 7 says it's not a genuine copy. My registration key doesn't work anymore.

This is a refurbished computer that came pre-installed with Windows 7 Pro so I half suspect I'm really screwed here, but have no idea. Is there anything I can do to uninstall this BIOS update I shouldn't have done? Can I just restore back to the Win 7 that's on this system? I haven't had this computer long and I've got backups so I don't mind reverting back to the original settings.

Thanks, I really appreciate the help!
 
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Eliasand

Eliasand

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Nov 8, 2015
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There is a little Cmos jumper on the motherboard, usually near the Cmos battery. Its a piece of plastic covering 2 of 3 pins. Turn off the power supply on the switch, move the jumper to the other pins, hold down the power button for 15 secs, then put the jumper back in its original place, and power on the machine. This will have reset the bios.
 
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glitterninja

glitterninja

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Okay, I'm still in deep doo-doo here. I've tried several things over the last two months but no luck.

The jumper only has two pins, not three, so I can't reset the jumper.

I also tried taking the cmos battery out per some instructions I found elsewhere, then reseating it after a few minutes, but that didn't do anything.

I've also tried loading BIOS defaults from the main bootup screen but nothing happens when I do that.

Any thoughts at all?
 
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Eliasand

Eliasand

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If you only have 2 CMOS pins, you can short them with a screwdriver, or something else that's metal. Just unplug the PC, touch both the pins at the same time with the metal object for 10-15 secs, release the pins, and power on the PC. See if that helps.
 
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glitterninja

glitterninja

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Thanks -- unfortunately, that didn't do it either. Still on BIOS A22.

Can I install the BIOS A21 from the Dell site and run it, or would that not work?

And I should just ask this now: if I just buy another version of Windows 7 and install it would that probably solve this problem?
 
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glitterninja

glitterninja

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Thank you -- I really appreciate the help you've given me on this!

Sorry I haven't replied sooner, everything else in the house seems to have broken down lately too, the computer has been on the back burner.
 
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Girl_Downunder

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If the PC was a local refurbisher, they might reinstall it for you for free (ours does). Have you checked, all over (& under), for the OEM product key sticker?

Worst case scenario is either buy a copy or install Linux. I run Mint & am happy with it. You can (if you have access to a friends PC) burn a "live" DVD of it, boot to it, & see if it's suitable?

Good luck!
 
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sam1275tom

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Sorry to say but it will not work anyway, that method is to restore default CMOS value, while BIOS will remain the current version.
I don;t think there's anyway to restore the previous activation for windows, only way is to activate again.
 
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