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    Dell BIOS bug killing system boards

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by JimH8189, Mar 12, 2008.

  1. JimH8189

    JimH8189 Newbie

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    I was recently rebuilding an Image on an Inspiron 9100 when I updated the BIOS from A01 to A06. On the next boot the system couldn’t find the hard drive.

    Upon contacting Dell’s chat support I was told that by not updating the BIOS from A01 to A02 to A03 in order………up to the current BIOS that the board was more than likely damaged and that this is a know issue. I was told to re-flash the BIOS back to A01 and then try and do the updates in order. If this failed then the system board would have to be replaced. Of course it failed!

    All Dell can say is the System is out of warranty and even though this is a know bug in their BIOS code they adamantly refuse to accept the fact that the failure of this and probably many other system boards is their fault.

    I’ve asked Dell to post on the BIOS page a document explaining the importance of proper BIOS update procedures so damage doesn’t happen to other systems in the future……..of course that never happened.

    I have so many emails from Dell support that now won’t mention a word about the BIOS bug even though I’ve sent them copies of the chat transcript where their own tech admits this is a known issue and the tech even posted a copy of the exact error the system was giving me at boot. Dell’s probable fired the poor tech for being honest by now!

    I have tons of documents if anyone’s interested. Thanks for letting me vent!
     
    JimH8189, Mar 12, 2008
    #1
  2. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

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    Thats indeed weird. I have never heard of needing to upgrade the bios in order. Heck, ive done systems from A01 to A16! I never get, however, why they say to update the bios when a hard drive dies. You should have come to this forum for help first ;)
     
    nizzy1115, Mar 12, 2008
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  3. JimH8189

    JimH8189 Newbie

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    Hi Nizzy

    The hard drive is actually fine. When the BIOS bug did it's thing the system board lost it's ability to recognize the hard drive. That's the bug portion that Dell's aware of.

    If you have any suggestions they would be much appreciated

    ...............Jim
     
    JimH8189, Mar 12, 2008
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  4. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Sounds like you are in Dell Hell Jim. I'm sure you tried this route - Dell's Unresolved Issues.

    If not, give it a try and let us know what happens... If you have documentation from Dell stating it is a known issue, I would push for a replacement.
     
    BatBoy, Mar 12, 2008
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