Dell Optiplex GX620 hangs after firmware update... help

Tue Oct 23 11:53:15 CDT 2007

Hi,

It might be possible to recover the BIOS even if the content of the flash is corrupt. I do not have documentation for recent systems, but the docs I do have states that future Optiplex and Precision WorkStations should have the same functionality. *knock on wood*

Symptoms of corrupt BIOS flash:
"System will not boot or complete POST, will display a blank screen and produce a "single beep", beep code, continuously without pattern."

NOTE: 
This is _not_ the symptom you describe, so it is possible your issue is not a corrupt BIOS in flash. You should investigate the beep codes as Matt and Michael has already suggested.

In short:

1. Get a MS-DOS formatted Floppy Diskette.
2. Copy a BIOS .hdr file to the floppy.
The file name should be in this format: <model><version>.hdr Example: GX620A11.HDR
3. Place floppy in failed system and power on the system.
4. The system should automagically re-flash the BIOS and reboot. If you see the Dell BIOS splash screen you have succeeded and can remove the floppy diskette and let the system boot normally.

In detail:

1. You need a floppy drive, if your system does not have one you need to get one. (I do not think a USB will work. E.g an old fashioned internal floppy is most likely the only option.)
2. You need a working system, any working system with a floppy drive will do.
3. Unplug the failing system completely removing power. 
4. On the working system, either copy the BIOS executable for the system to the diskette, or create the flash BIOS diskette image from the webpack file downloaded from the Dell website. 
5. On the working system, open a DOS prompt window, or exit to DOS and access the diskette drive. Usually done by typing A:\ <Enter> 
6. At the DOS prompt type the respective command based on the following:

 A:\BIOSname -writehdrfile

once completed, the message "BIOSname.hdr written" will appear.  
7. At this point move the diskette with the BIOSname.hdr file to the failed system, reconnect the system power, place the diskette in the A: drive and power on the system. 

NOTE: 
This diskette does NOT have to be bootable, all operations are handled at a BIOS level. 

8. At this point the system should automatically re-flash its BIOS from the BIOSname.hdr file. 
9. Shortly the system should reboot, the normal Dell logo screen should appear and at this point, remove the diskette from the A: drive so the system will not attempt to boot from it. 
10. It may be necessary to go into the respective system setup and change some settings to complete this process and enable proper settings for the environment.

Best Regards
Harald Jensås

> -----Original Message-----
> From: firmware-tools-devel-bounces at lists.us.dell.com [mailto:firmware-
> tools-devel-bounces at lists.us.dell.com] On Behalf Of davide rossetti
> Sent: 22 October 2007 23:56
> To: firmware-tools-devel at lists.us.dell.com
> Subject: Dell Optiplex GX620 hangs after firmware update... help
> 
> dear all,
> I'm so sad :( I ruined my GX620 using formware tools.... I know it's
> beta but please help me to get out of it...
> 
> I followed the instructions on
> http://linux.dell.com/wiki/index.php/Oss/Firmware_Tools/announce
> 
> I did:
> 1) yum install $(inventory_firmware -b)
> it found a brand new firmware (A11, old was A03)
> 2) apply_updates --yes
> 3) apply_updates --yes
> 4) apply_updates --yes
> 
> yes, I did it 3 times as the apply was so quick that I thought there
> was some error somewhere...
> Then I did a power-down
> Then a powen on
> and now I'm in the situation that the PC stops during BIOS:
> - LCD stay in power-save
> - a bunch of beeps are played, then it goes silent
> - led panel has network,3 and 4 leds ON
> I'm stuck! how can I get out of this situation ???
> thank you in advance
> davide
> 
> --
> davide.rossetti at gmail.com ICQ:290677265 SKYPE:d.rossetti
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