Unable to update bios on ubuntu for vostro 1710

Brett Ussher breusshe at hotmail.com
Thu May 21 10:16:12 CDT 2009


Actually, need to correct myself again.  You can use the BartPE 
environment.  However, there is a catch.  The V1710A12.exe file will not 
run since it wants to expand to the C:\Windows\Temp folder (something 
that cannot be changed).  Therefore, you need a copy of the installer 
after it has been expanded to the C:\Windows\Temp folder.  I can think 
of a couple of ways to accomplish this.  First way, run the V1710A12.exe 
on any PC, just don't install it.  On my PC, it noticed that the BIOS 
was not what it expected and popped up a warning message asking me if I 
was sure that I wanted to install.  I answered "no" and had no adverse 
consequences, even after a reboot.  However, my outcome may not be as 
fortunate as yours.

This leads to the second way, just email me asking for a copy of the 
expanded version and I'll send it to you in a zip file.

Once you have the expanded version, expand the files into an empty 
folder and then download, install, and run PE Builder (BartPE).  When PE 
Builder is run, the first section labeled "Builder" has a text box 
labeled "Custom: (include files and folders from this directory)".  Put 
in the path for the folder you just created for the BIOS installer.  
This will add all of the files to the root of the bootable CD that PE 
Builder will make.  If you want the BIOS installer to be in it's own 
folder on the BartPE CD, then you'll need to make a folder within a 
folder (example:  C:\temp\BIOS = pointing "Custom:" to C:\temp\BIOS will 
add files within BIOS folder to root of BartPE CD; C:\temp\myfiles\BIOS 
= pointing "Custom:" to C:\temp\myfiles will add the folder BIOS to root 
of BartPE CD).

Once BartPE CD is built and booted from, the system runs off of the X: 
drive, not C:.  So, go to X:, find and run WinPhlash (either root of 
drive or in the folder you stored it in, BIOS in my example above) and 
you'll be on your way.  The rom file used for the update is "BIOS.ROM", 
you'll probably need to select that within the WinPhlash GUI.

Good luck!

Brett D. Ussher



Brett Ussher wrote:
> I don't think so.  I know that the inspiron 1720 updater will not run 
> under those conditions (tried it).
>
> Brett D. Ussher
>
>
>
> Tim Uckun wrote:
>   
>> Could I install the bios from a virtual machine (virtualbox) or 
>> perhaps a bartsPE boot CD?
>>
>> The latter seems like it would work.  Right?
>>     
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