HOWTO: BIOS Upgrade on DELL Computers WITHOUT a WINDOWS Install

[haqking]

There are a few ways to do it

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DellBIOS

[JC Cheloven]

FreeDos didn't work for me, just got a message "this file can't be run" or something similar.

Just a quick check: Have you tried the dos executable or tha windows one? There's both at dell's, only the 'dos' one is applicable here.

There are a few ways to do it

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DellBIOS

It seems I'm still out of luck:

The only BIOS recommended update for the Dell Mini 9 is version A01. There is no know mechanism for doing this update from Linux at this time.

Thanks for the link anyway, perhaps I can work out some of the methods outlined there. I'll come back with my findings, if there is any at all useful
JC

[haqking]

Just a quick check: Have you tried the dos executable or tha windows one? There's both at dell's, only the 'dos' one is applicable here.


It seems I'm still out of luck:
Thanks for the link anyway, perhaps I can work out some of the methods outlined there. I'll come back with my findings, if there is any at all useful
JC

here is someone using wine to do it with A01

http://www.mydellmini.com/forum/ubun....html#post5298

And here is a launchpad discussion

https://answers.launchpad.net/dell-mini/+question/60269

[rudy1094]

This was just what I needed to update my bios. Worked perfectly.

[mikewhatever]

Just a quick check: Have you tried the dos executable or tha windows one? There's both at dell's, only the 'dos' one is applicable here.

I've use the only one available, which mentioned nothing about being a DOS or Windows executable, same as the OP, by the way.

[cement_head]

I've use the only one available, which mentioned nothing about being a DOS or Windows executable, same as the OP, by the way.

Might try the post Hacking made - looks as though some of the newer machines are a bit tricky.

- CH

[Lars Noodén]

There's also a trick to boot FreeDOS from Grub without needing a floppy or USB stick.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php...67&postcount=8

[blortuga]

I've tried rufus, and the unetbootin FreeDos method.

Both of these respond with "Program can not be run in DOS mode".

This is with Bios A04 and A07 for a Dell Inspiron 7520 15 SE.

I think I need to boot to WinPE.

[cement_head]

I've tried rufus, and the unetbootin FreeDos method.

Both of these respond with "Program can not be run in DOS mode".

This is with Bios A04 and A07 for a Dell Inspiron 7520 15 SE.

I think I need to boot to WinPE.

I've run into this before. Luckily, I was able to find a BIOS (for a supermicro) that wasn't WinPhlash. Maybe try this: https://wiki.ubuntu.com/DellBIOS

[blortuga]

I also tried WinPE.
Curse me for a fool, but I built a 64-bit WinPE image, and that didn't work. I'll get a chance later this week to try a 32-bit one.

I think I'll try the syslinux method - but if it's based on FreeDOS, I don't think its going to be any better than Rufus. . .