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    D620 A03 Bios?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by fizzleation, Aug 5, 2006.

  1. fizzleation

    fizzleation Notebook Consultant

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    the A03 bios update was released yesterday, does anyone know what it improves upon?
    edit: so i scrolled down the page and figured it out.. but one thing:
    Enhancements
    ------------
    1. Added support for newer versions of the Intel processor.
    2. Added support for Owner Password feature.
    3. Updated Intel logo displayed during POST.
    4. Added support for 64-bit Windows flash program.
    5. Update NVIDIA Quadro NVS 110M Video BIOS to version 5.72.22.21.FC.
    6. Improved system performance and thermal behavior.

    Look at #1! does that mean merom is supported?
     
    fizzleation, Aug 5, 2006
    #1
  2. Andrew Baxter

    Andrew Baxter -

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    That's cool, it would appear that's the case.
     
    Andrew Baxter, Aug 5, 2006
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  3. xAMDvsIntelx

    xAMDvsIntelx Notebook Deity

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    Yeah - Dell appears to be doing this also for the E1505 so far. Hopefully they'll do it for the E1705 and the E1405 too.
     
    xAMDvsIntelx, Aug 5, 2006
    #3
  4. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    E1405 already has it as well as the M1210. I haven't checked the latitudes or Precisions yet, but the M1710/E1705 don't have the updated BIOS yet. I imagine Dell will have them all updated within the next few days.
     
    Amber, Aug 5, 2006
    #4
  5. fizzleation

    fizzleation Notebook Consultant

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    so, theoretically, i could upgrade my processor? i know its a pain to do but i could correct?
     
    fizzleation, Aug 6, 2006
    #5
  6. Amber

    Amber Notebook Prophet NBR Reviewer

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    theoretically. The thing is that right now, merom is not released to the public, so if you do this now - you'll most like yoid your warranty. Second, Dell hasn't said anything about Merom yet, so we really don't know what the deal is. If dell starts offering merom in the current systems, then yes you can upgrade the CPU (won't void your warranty, but won't cover it either).
     
    Amber, Aug 6, 2006
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  7. bluskye

    bluskye Notebook Enthusiast

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    Who cares about the core2 duo support, did you see the huge list of bugs that were fixed in the release?
     
    bluskye, Aug 6, 2006
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  8. Pandaren

    Pandaren Notebook Geek

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    Good find. The list of bug fixes is indeed big. I think I will update.

    Ok... I ran the BIOS update and it seems to be fine. Off the bat, the fan now turns on when the CPU reaches 45C instead of 55C. This makes the base of the machine a lot cooler than before.

    The Core Duo logo on bootup (which is distorted if you don't have screen expansion on, and a bit fuzzy as well) is repaced with the new Intel logo. Overall very slick.
     
    Pandaren, Aug 6, 2006
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  9. chana

    chana Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just ordered a D620 from Dell Outlet and went looking for the A03 bios download at the Dell website, and it says that the download is no longer available. Is this true? Is it available somewhere else? Does anyone know why it's not available anymore: e.g. was there something wrong with it?
     
    chana, Aug 17, 2006
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  10. fizzleation

    fizzleation Notebook Consultant

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    wow, that is really strange. Well, i have it installed. I haven't noticed any issues... yet.. i might call dell to figure out the issue
     
    fizzleation, Aug 18, 2006
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  11. ssx

    ssx Newbie

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    The same has happened with A03 BIOS for Precision M65, i.e. it has disappeared from the web page after a while. I ran the update as well; it certainly affected the behaviour of the fans. However, I have noticed that dxdiag or Everest software now shows only 256 Mb of video memory (it should be 256 Mb dedicated+256 Mb of shared video mem on Quadro 350M).
    Fizzleation- how about your 110M?
     
    ssx, Aug 18, 2006
    #11
  12. fizzleation

    fizzleation Notebook Consultant

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    it shows 64mb dedicated for a total of 256... isn't it 128 dedicated?
     
    fizzleation, Aug 18, 2006
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  13. ssx

    ssx Newbie

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    ssx, Aug 18, 2006
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  14. fizzleation

    fizzleation Notebook Consultant

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    ok, then its right. Aside from that i have seen no difference except for a different intel logo at start up...
     
    fizzleation, Aug 18, 2006
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  15. chana

    chana Notebook Enthusiast

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    Now the A04 bios is available at the dell website. Has anyone noticed any improvements subtle or otherwise?
     
    chana, Sep 15, 2006
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  16. Pandaren

    Pandaren Notebook Geek

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    I'm also interested in what the A04 BIOS does. Its description at Dell's website says that there are improvements in the embedded controler, but does not elaborate on what those improvements are.
     
    Pandaren, Sep 16, 2006
    #16