New bios needed?

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Hi...

I have a 4600 purchased last November. The BIOS version is A6. I see that
there is a A10 on Dell's site.

It's important to say that (touch wood) I'm NOT having any hardware
problems.

Is there a compelling reason to download and install the newer version? Or
should I follow the philosophy of "If it ain't broke....don't fix it"?

TIA

--
David Nimon
dnimonREMOVE@##sympatico.ca

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

It won't hurt to do it, but probably not
necessary unless you are planning to upgrade
the processor. It mainly fixes assorted minor
issues in addition to accommodating newer
processors.

"David Nimon" <dnimonREMOVE@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:mjkJc.19798$RD4.1410980@news20.bellglobal.com...
> Hi...
>
> I have a 4600 purchased last November. The BIOS version is A6.
I see that
> there is a A10 on Dell's site.
>
> It's important to say that (touch wood) I'm NOT having any
hardware
> problems.
>
> Is there a compelling reason to download and install the newer
version? Or
> should I follow the philosophy of "If it ain't broke....don't
fix it"?
>
> TIA
>
> --
> David Nimon
> dnimonREMOVE@##sympatico.ca
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Here's what you'd get. You decide if you need any of theses
fixes/enhancements.
Personally I've never had a problem with a BIOS flash when I've followed the
directions.
YMMV.




The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A06 to create A07:

1. Fix handling of interrupts for PCI slot 1 in the preboot and DOS
environments


The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A07 to create A08:

1. Added support for Pentium 4 and Celeron CPUs with larger caches and
higher power requirements.
2. Updated microcode for new CPUs.
3. Prevent system lock-up when AC power is lost or button override is used
during system resume.
4. Allow full use of 1MB & 8MB on-board video memory to prevent issues with
non-windows operating systems.


(A08 to A09 but this is what it says)
The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A04 to create A05:

1. Add support for external system management tools to adjust asset tag.
2. Prevent boot failure in F12 Boot Menu if "Hard-Disk Drive C:" is
unchecked.
3. Prevent problems on first customer boot with manually going into
Utility Partition.


The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A09 to create A10:

1. Add support for faster processors and latest Celeron processors and
update processor microcode to support latest CPUs.
2. Added support for special keyboard.
3. Enabled SMBIOS token for integrated NIC with RPL.
4. Enabled use of the VESA 4F09h function to correct system splash video
corruption with some AGP video cards.
5. Added detection code for CPU/Cache failures.
6. Added new manufacturing mode messages.


"David Nimon" <dnimonREMOVE@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:mjkJc.19798$RD4.1410980@news20.bellglobal.com...
> Hi...
>
> I have a 4600 purchased last November. The BIOS version is A6. I see that
> there is a A10 on Dell's site.
>
> It's important to say that (touch wood) I'm NOT having any hardware
> problems.
>
> Is there a compelling reason to download and install the newer version? Or
> should I follow the philosophy of "If it ain't broke....don't fix it"?
>
> TIA
>
> --
> David Nimon
> dnimonREMOVE@##sympatico.ca
>
>

 

[Tony]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

update it ............

my question to the ones who are telling you no is ....Have anyone of you
ever updated your bios or are you all afraid to try something.

Dell make is easy to update.

You dont need a bootable floppy like a regular motherboard with a flash
program and the bin on it.


"David Nimon" <dnimonREMOVE@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:mjkJc.19798$RD4.1410980@news20.bellglobal.com...
> Hi...
>
> I have a 4600 purchased last November. The BIOS version is A6. I see that
> there is a A10 on Dell's site.
>
> It's important to say that (touch wood) I'm NOT having any hardware
> problems.
>
> Is there a compelling reason to download and install the newer version? Or
> should I follow the philosophy of "If it ain't broke....don't fix it"?
>
> TIA
>
> --
> David Nimon
> dnimonREMOVE@##sympatico.ca
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"David Nimon" <dnimonREMOVE@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:mjkJc.19798$RD4.1410980@news20.bellglobal.com...
> Hi...
>

<snip>

> Is there a compelling reason to download and install the newer version?

No.


>Or should I follow the philosophy of "If it ain't broke....don't fix it"?

Yes.



> TIA
>
> --
> David Nimon
> dnimonREMOVE@##sympatico.ca
>
>


Stew

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"tony" <aarcuda@cox.net.spam> wrote in message
news:YMoJc.5495$ve2.3764@okepread05...
> update it ............
>
> my question to the ones who are telling you no is ....Have anyone of you
> ever updated your bios or are you all afraid to try something.
>
> Dell make is easy to update.
>
> You dont need a bootable floppy like a regular motherboard with a flash
> program and the bin on it.
>


And my answer to you is: only one or two.

Thousand.

Ever felt the sting of a dead motherboard after an apparently successful
flash?

I didn't think so.


Stew

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Stay where you are at.
Check the documentation of the BIOS to be sure there is no benefit for
you..

Very remote, but if something goes wrong during a BIOS flash, you can
turn the motherboard into a paperweight.

So "If it ain't broke....don't fix it" applies to a BIOS flash.

--
Jupiter Jones
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


"David Nimon" <dnimonREMOVE@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:mjkJc.19798$RD4.1410980@news20.bellglobal.com...
> Hi...
>
> I have a 4600 purchased last November. The BIOS version is A6. I see
that
> there is a A10 on Dell's site.
>
> It's important to say that (touch wood) I'm NOT having any hardware
> problems.
>
> Is there a compelling reason to download and install the newer
version? Or
> should I follow the philosophy of "If it ain't broke....don't fix
it"?
>
> TIA
>
> --
> David Nimon
> dnimonREMOVE@##sympatico.ca
>
>

 

[ted]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"David Nimon" <dnimonREMOVE@sympatico.ca> wrote in message news:mjkJc.19798$RD4.1410980@news20.bellglobal.com...
> Hi...
>
> I have a 4600 purchased last November. The BIOS version is A6. I see that
> there is a A10 on Dell's site.

> Is there a compelling reason to download and install the newer version? Or
> should I follow the philosophy of "If it ain't broke....don't fix it"?

Research/consider the changes. In addition, research/consider
the risk. Some systems (the well designed ones) support a BIOS
recovery scheme which eliminates the risk of a failed BIOS update
and/or corrupted image leaving you hanging. I don't know whether
your system supports that. Perhaps the docs or someone here or
someone in the Dell BIOS forums or Dell tech support could answer
that for you.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Tony;
I have updated BIOS more times than I can count.
While I have never lost a motherboard flashing the BIOS, but I know
those who have.
The chance is slight but very real.

I am not afraid and I doubt the others are afraid.
Your insinuation that we would be afraid coupled with your complete
lack of reason why to update shows a lot of your ego to simply have
the latest whatever the cost.

Easy is good but not really relevant.
If there is nothing to be gained, why flash the BIOS when there is a
slight chance of losing the motherboard.

Risk Management comes to mind.
If you have nothing to gain and a lot to lose WHY?
Taking risk without possibility of payback is ...
Nice of you to gamble with someone else's computer.

The Why you have omitted in your explanation is very relevant to your
point.

--
Jupiter Jones
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


"tony" <aarcuda@cox.net.spam> wrote in message
news:YMoJc.5495$ve2.3764@okepread05...
> update it ............
>
> my question to the ones who are telling you no is ....Have anyone
of you
> ever updated your bios or are you all afraid to try something.
>
> Dell make is easy to update.
>
> You dont need a bootable floppy like a regular motherboard with a
flash
> program and the bin on it.
>
>
> "David Nimon" <dnimonREMOVE@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
> news:mjkJc.19798$RD4.1410980@news20.bellglobal.com...
> > Hi...
> >
> > I have a 4600 purchased last November. The BIOS version is A6. I
see that
> > there is a A10 on Dell's site.
> >
> > It's important to say that (touch wood) I'm NOT having any
hardware
> > problems.
> >
> > Is there a compelling reason to download and install the newer
version? Or
> > should I follow the philosophy of "If it ain't broke....don't fix
it"?
> >
> > TIA
> >
> > --
> > David Nimon
> > dnimonREMOVE@##sympatico.ca
> >
> >
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Hello,

We would recommend updating the BIOS.

Be sure that you do not loose power while updating the BIOS, and you should
not have any problems.

We regularly update the BIOS on all Dell systems that we support without any
problems (2400, 4500, 4550, 4600, 8200, 8300)

Best of luck


--
JLA ENTERPRISES TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATION
Technical Support Team

Check out some of the items we are offering
Dell Docking Stations starting at $5.00
Dell 21" Flat Screen Monitors starting at $40.00
Dell Latitude and Inspiron CD Rom and Floppy Drives starting at $5.00

Be sure to visit http://www.jlaenterprises.com


"David Nimon" <dnimonREMOVE@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:mjkJc.19798$RD4.1410980@news20.bellglobal.com...
> Hi...
>
> I have a 4600 purchased last November. The BIOS version is A6. I see that
> there is a A10 on Dell's site.
>
> It's important to say that (touch wood) I'm NOT having any hardware
> problems.
>
> Is there a compelling reason to download and install the newer version? Or
> should I follow the philosophy of "If it ain't broke....don't fix it"?
>
> TIA
>
> --
> David Nimon
> dnimonREMOVE@##sympatico.ca
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

"JLA ENTERPRISES TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATION" <info@jlaenterprises.com> wrote
in message newsvvJc.153852$2o2.8438299@twister.southeast.rr.com...
> Hello,
>
> We would recommend updating the BIOS.
>
> Be sure that you do not loose power while updating the BIOS, and you
> should
> not have any problems.
>
> We regularly update the BIOS on all Dell systems that we support without
> any
> problems (2400, 4500, 4550, 4600, 8200, 8300)
>
> Best of luck
>
>
> --
> JLA ENTERPRISES TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATION
> Technical Support Team
>
> Check out some of the items we are offering
> Dell Docking Stations starting at $5.00
> Dell 21" Flat Screen Monitors starting at $40.00
> Dell Latitude and Inspiron CD Rom and Floppy Drives starting at $5.00
>
> Be sure to visit http://www.jlaenterprises.com
>


Cool!

How much do you charge to replace a Dell 4600 motherboard if I need one?

Seriously.


Stew

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Thanks to all who took the time to express an opinion on this topic.

I appreciate and will consider all comments--both pro and con.

--
David Nimon
dnimonREMOVE@##sympatico.ca
"S.Lewis" <fearlessfreep@noyoujump.com> wrote in message
newsWvJc.5325$eS5.1605@bignews2.bellsouth.net...
>
> "JLA ENTERPRISES TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATION" <info@jlaenterprises.com> wrote
> in message newsvvJc.153852$2o2.8438299@twister.southeast.rr.com...
> > Hello,
> >
> > We would recommend updating the BIOS.
> >