Can't flash Dell BIOS Update even in FreeDOS

Discussion in 'BIOS Mods' started by ksio89, Jun 18, 2015.

  1. ksio89

    ksio89 MDL Member

    Nov 20, 2013
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    I have a Dell Inspiron 15R-5537 notebook and Dell has recently released a BIOS update for it, version A09. This update has some important fixes. Current BIOS version is A08. This update is for Dell Inspiron 14R-5437, 15-3537 and Inspiron 14-3437 models too. As you may know, Dell BIOS updates are .exe packages which can be installed in Windows or through a bootable DOS USB drive.


    I tried to install it in Windows but the flasher says this message: "NOTICE!! Running on an unsupported system". Nothing happens (it's supposed to reboot and flash the new BIOS firmware) and the only option is cancelling the procedure. I was able to flash the new firmware from version A06 to current (A08) without a problem, so this is the first time this is happening.




    Dell states that you can also flash new BIOS firmware via DOS, and so I did. I installed FreeDOS (1.1) into a 4 GB USB drive (formated in FAT32) with two different applications:




    1) using Rufus 2.2 (FAT32, MBR/BIOS etc.)




    2) UNetbootin (Diskimage option) + 1.1 FreeDOS .img file. I choose Option 4, "Load FreeDOS without drivers".




    And then I moved the update file (5437A09.exe) into the root folder of the USB drive.




    As I have Windows installed in UEFI Mode, I enabled Legacy Boot and disabled Secure Boo. Then I choose to boot with USB drive, and then FreeDOS starts. I enter "5437A09.exe" and then a message shows up asking me whether me to start the procedure with [Y/N], so I type "y".


    Unfortunately, nothing happens, and it gets stuck, even after very long. Then I have to enter Ctrl + Alt + Del to reboot the notebook, and I was lucky it didn't brick it, probably because it didn't actually start the flashing procedure.


    So, I woud like to ask you if there's something else I could try, because this BIOS update has some really important fixes. I don't believe I'm doing anything wrong, I really have no idea why it's not flashing the new BIOS firmware, either in Windows or in FreeDOS. Thanks in advance.


    Info:


    notebook model: Dell Inspiron 15R-5537
    OS: Windows 8.1 Pro x64
    BIOS/UEFI mode: UEFI
    BIOS: InsydeH20 EFI A08


    BIOS update link: http: //downloads. dell. com/ FOLDER01984593M/1/5437A09.EXE (remove the spaces because I can't post links yet)
     
  2. urie

    urie Moderator
    Staff Member

    May 21, 2007
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    Not sure if this may help looks like you may have already read it.

     
  3. ksio89

    ksio89 MDL Member

    Nov 20, 2013
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    Yeah, that's where I got the idea to create bootable USB drive with FreeDOS. I've already followed the steps from "Run the BIOS update utility from DOS environment, if UEFI Boot mode with Load Legacy Option disabled (Non-Windows users)", but after step 6, nothing happens, the cursor just blinks and I get stuck, only option is rebooting with Ctrl + Alt + Del or holding power button to force shutdown. Dell probably screwed up something when building this BIOS installer package, I did the flashing from Windows without issues from BIOS version A05 to A06, and from it to A08. I'm asking it because maybe I can extract the bios bare files, like .fd or .hdr, I don't know.
     
  4. LatinMcG

    LatinMcG Bios Borker

    Feb 27, 2011
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    #4 LatinMcG, Jun 18, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2015
    install older than A08 and try A09 ?

    hm i didnt see A07 or 6

    bu A08 has disabled some mcrfastboot on diags hmm.. try running diag
    powered off hold Fn key and power on. release Fn after 5 secs.
    then reboot to dos and retry.
    also try loading defaults in A08 bios first. save exit. re change efi and secureboot off.
     
  5. ksio89

    ksio89 MDL Member

    Nov 20, 2013
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    Sorry for late reply, but it still doesn't work. I wonder if Dell screwed up something with system detection, there's no reason to not update the BIOS.
     
  6. Tito

    Tito Super Mod / Adviser
    Staff Member

    Nov 30, 2009
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    Are you sure that A09 applies to 5537 as well? A08 for 5537 is roughly 12 MB where as 5437A09.EXE is around 6 MB.
     
  7. ksio89

    ksio89 MDL Member

    Nov 20, 2013
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    According to Dell yes, it says it applies to the following models:

    Inspiron 15 3537
    Inspiron 15R 5537 (my model)
    Inspiron 14 3437
    Inspiron 14R 5437

    These models are pretty much identical and only differ by parts like display resolution and CPUs, the EFI firmware is still InsydeH20 EFI in all of them.

    This new firmware shows up in drivers page after I type my service tag, so I don't think Dell would put it there it if it weren't compatible with my laptop.
     
  8. LatinMcG

    LatinMcG Bios Borker

    Feb 27, 2011
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    reflash a08 and reset defaults in bios.. then retry a09

    might have to do a wincris usb and try in recovery mode.