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    Dell Inspiron 5150 dvd install problem

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by itgirl, Jan 21, 2009.

  1. itgirl

    itgirl Newbie

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    I have just bought a new dvd drive for my Inspiron 5150 - I can not get the laptop to recognise that it is there. When I boot up a light flashes on the drive but nowhere is there an icon indicating that the drive is available for use.

    I went back to the shop where I bought the drive and they said that I would need to flash the Bios by downloading the appropriate flash bios facility from Dell Support - I have located the download but as yet I haven't downloaded it. I am somewaht hesitant to do that as I do not know what actually happens when the bios is flashed. Do I need to have the new drive in place - does that make any difference and please tell me that once I have run the bios flash exe that I will not have to re-install windows.
    Any advice will be welcome.
    Itgirl
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    itgirl, Jan 21, 2009
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  2. Jakpro

    Jakpro Notebook Evangelist

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    You can flash the Bios without the drive installed.

    You will NOT have to reinstall your operating system.

    There were some Bios updates that affected the recognition of the DVD drive. I had a 5150 for 4 years. It could help to recognize the drive--or not.

    If there are any extra connectors that are attached to the old drive, you may have to remove it and use it on the new drive. Sometimes there is an extra connector between the drive and the motherboard-an adapter. I don't remember whether the 5150 that I had used an adapter or not.
     
    Jakpro, Jan 21, 2009
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