New I8600 A11 flashBIOS

[somms]

Dell Inc.
Copyright (C) 2004, All Rights reserved.
www.dell.com


BIOS Release Notes

===================================================================
===================================================================
Systems:      Dell Inspiron 8600
Version:      A11
Build Date:   10/25/04

The following updates were made to the A10 BIOS to create the A11 BIOS:

Issues Fixed:
1.  Fixed an issue where the system was unable to resume from standby
    if a Celeron processor was installed.

The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems:
1.  Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 1 

===================================================================
===================================================================
Systems:      Dell Inspiron 8600
Version:      A10
Build Date:   08/30/04

The following updates were made to the A09 BIOS to create the A10 BIOS:

Issues Fixed:
1.  Fixed Quickset messages when docked without AC.

Enhancements:
1.  Added support new Intel processors and new wireless cards.

The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems:
1.  Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 1 

===================================================================
===================================================================
Systems:      Dell Inspiron 8600
Version:      A09
Build Date:   07/08/04

The following updates were made to the A08 BIOS to create the A09 BIOS:

Issues Fixed:
1.  Fixed issue in which the system may unexpectedly shutdown or
    lockup when booting with certain PCMCIA cards inserted.

Enhancements:
1.  Added support for informed hot-undocking. The undock method can
    be configured as either "Hot Undock" or "Warm Undock" using the
    new "Undocking Method" field on page 5 of System Setup. The
    system must be rebooted after changing this field.
    Previously, the system would only allow warm-undocking. When
    warm-undocking, the system enters Standby mode if the dock eject
    button is pressed or the user commands the Operating System to
    undock the computer from the Start Menu.
    The new default behavior is Hot Undock. This allows the system
    to stay powered on when undocking.

    PLEASE NOTE: Regardless of how "Undocking Method" is configured,
    the user must notify the system before undocking by either pressing
    the dock eject button or commanding the OS to undock the computer
    from the Start Menu.

The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems:
1.  Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 1 

===================================================================
===================================================================
Systems:      Dell Inspiron 8600
Version:      A08
Build Date:   04/26/04

The following updates were made to the A07 BIOS to create the A08 BIOS:

Enhancements:
===============
1.  Added support for newer versions of the Intel Pentium M processor.


The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems:
1.  Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 1 

===================================================================
===================================================================
Systems:      Dell Inspiron 8600
Version:      A07
Build Date:   04/14/04

                     **** PLEASE NOTE ****
      After upgrading to this BIOS the operating system may redetect
      some devices and you may be prompted to restart the computer
      to complete installation. This is expected behavior on certain
      systems. All of the devices will function properly after the
      redetection.
                     **** PLEASE NOTE ****

The following updates were made to the A06 BIOS to create the A07 BIOS:

Issues Fixed:
=============
1.  Fixed issues where the system fails to boot to certain USB storage
    devices or any USB storage when several such devices are attached
    to the system.
2.  Fixed issue seen after several Standby/Resume cycles in which an
    external USB keyboard can no longer be used to enter a BIOS or
    hard-disk drive password.
3.  Fixed problem where a reboot is required for a System Setup boot
    order change to take effect. Now, if <F2> is pressed during POST to
    enter System Setup, and a boot order change is made, the new boot
    order will take effect upon exiting System Setup.
4.  Fixed issue in which no audio is received from the analog audio
    channel of a DVD-RW drive in the media bay.
5.  Fixed issue in which media bay devices may be reported incorrectly
    in SMBIOS if the device is swapped while in Standby.
6.  Fixed possible system hang during POST when the Parallel Mode in
    System Setup is configured to DISABLE.
7.  Fixed issue in which QuickSet may intermittently fail to detect
    a hotkey press, such as the <Fn + F10> CD Eject hotkey.
8.  Update to Pre-boot System Assessment to build 3012. This version
    addresses problems when executing the hard-disk drive tests
    without AC power attached.

Enhancements:
===============
1.  Added support for DVD+/-RW drives to be displayed in System Setup
    and SMBIOS correctly.
2.  Added feature to allow the BIOS Admin password to unlock the
    primary hard-disk drive password. For this feature to work, the
    BIOS Admin password must be installed at the time the drive
    password is created. Also, the BIOS Admin password will only
    unlock the password for a drive that is installed in the specific
    system on which the drive password is originally created.
3.  Added support for newer versions of the Intel Pentium M processor.


The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems:
1.  Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 1 

===================================================================
===================================================================
Systems:      Dell Inspiron 8600
Version:      A06
Build Date:   03/31/04

                     **** PLEASE NOTE ****
      After upgrading to this BIOS the operating system may redetect
      some devices and you may be prompted to restart the computer
      to complete installation. This is expected behavior on certain
      systems. All of the devices will function properly after the
      redetection.
                     **** PLEASE NOTE ****

The following updates were made to the A05 BIOS to create the A06 BIOS:

Issues Fixed:
=============
1.  Fixed issue in which the serial port, parallel port and infrared
    port would not be seen by the operating system on some systems.
    Also fixes issue where, after upgrading to A05 BIOS, some systems
    may require an audio driver update.

The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems:
1.  Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 1 

===================================================================
===================================================================
Systems:      Dell Inspiron 8600
Version:      A05
Build Date:   02/11/04

The following updates were made to the A04 BIOS to create the A05 BIOS:

Issues Fixed:
=============
1.  Fixed system hang seen when resuming from Standby after inserting
    an optical drive into the media bay while in Standby.

2.  Fixed system hang seen when resuming from Standby if the user
    notifies the operating system to eject an optical drive before
    entering Standby, but the drive is never removed.

Enhancements:
===============
1.  Added support for identifying new DVD+/-RW drives in System
    Setup and in SMBIOS.


The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems:
1.  Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 1 

===================================================================
===================================================================
Systems:      Dell Inspiron 8600
Version:      A04
Build Date:   01/12/04

The following updates were made to the A03 BIOS to create the A04 BIOS:

Issues Fixed:
=============
1.  Improved the battery charging algorithm for fully discharged batteries.
2.  Fixed problem where a system running on batteries may resume 
    immediately after entering a suspend state when the system is low on
    battery life.
3.  Fixed issue in DOS where if a USB key is the boot device the System will
    hang for a few minutes before displaying an error message if the USB key 
    is removed.
4.  Improved dual-battery discharge algorithm.  Discharge secondary
    battery first to 3%, then attempt to discharge primary battery to 3%,
    then secondary to 0% followed by primary to 0%.
5.  Fixed an issue where the system may hang at the end of POST if a 
    HUB with a USB device is connected.

Enhancements:
===============
1.  Added support for newer Intel MiniPCI wireless card.


The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems:
1.  Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 1 

===================================================================
===================================================================
Systems:      Dell Inspiron 8600
Version:      A03
Build Date:   11/18/03

The following updates were made to the A02 BIOS to create the A03 BIOS:

Enhancements:
===============
1.  Added support for newer video controllers.


The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems:
1.  Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 1 

===================================================================
===================================================================
Systems:      Dell Inspiron 8600
Version:      A02
Build Date:   09/30/03

The following updates were made to the A01 BIOS to create the A02 BIOS:

Issues Fixed:
=============
1.  Fixed hang seen when exiting Dell Diagnostics with a USB keyboard
    connected.
2.  Fixed problem where System Setup may report the wrong CPU speed.
3.  Fixed intermittent "unexpected error" seen when running the System
    BIOS flash update program in Windows.
4.  Fixed intermittent abnormal NumLock LED behavior seen during POST.

Enhancements:
===============
1.  Reduced the minimum remaining battery capacity required to run
    the System BIOS flash update program in Windows. The flash update
    program requires that an AC adapter be attached and the battery
    be charged to at least 11%.
2.  Added support for newer battery packs.


The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems:
1.  Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 1 

===================================================================
===================================================================
Systems:      Dell Inspiron 8600
Version:      A01
Build Date:   08/27/03

Issues Fixed:
=============
1.  Fixed hang seen during boot with the HP PSC2200 all-in-one USB
    printer attached.
2.  Improved the dual-battery discharging algorithm.
3.  Fixed problem where the system would shutdown if the battery
    drained to a critically low battery state while the system was
    in Standby.
4.  Fixed problem where the battery LED will flash amber when the
    battery is swapped while in Standby.
5.  Fixed problem where pressing <ALT-P> while in BIOS Setup will
    not function if the "Enable Keypad" option is set to "by NumLock".
6.  Fixed problem where SMBIOS would not report an accurate battery
    capacity for a fully charged Dell supported battery.
7.  Decreased the time required for the system to enter Standby after
    closing the lid.
8.  Fixed a problem where a USB floppy attached to the system would be lost
    during the OS CD installation.

Enhancements:
===============
1.  Added support for new video controllers.
2.  Optimized the thermal control algorithm.

The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems:
1.  Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 1 

===================================================================
===================================================================
Systems:      Dell Inspiron 8600
Version:      A00
Build Date:   07/01/03


Initial release of the BIOS

The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems:
1.  Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 1

http://ftp.us.dell.com/bios/I8600A11.TXT
http://ftp.us.dell.com/bios/I8600A11.exe

[snowymainer]

should I do that shortly ?

[djtaylor]

If you have a Celeron. Otherwise, if it ain't broke...

[Igg]

wish they change where it would drain both battery at the sametime if you have a modular battery

[Stravos]

Why are they only validating the BIOS on sp1 when they ship their 8600s with sp2?

[RoyalFlush]

doesn't make sense to drain both batteries at once, think about it. you're working with two batteries, then you need the cdrom drive. if you take out the modular battery, now you would have the primary at less than 100%. I think the system is best the way it is right now. Choice doesn't hurt though.

[warlord]

Flashed mine , everything went smoothly no problems ,system running perfectly, baby will be 1 year old in a few weeks and have not had a single problem at all ..zero errors and zero dead pixels, god I love this laptop......

Specs 8600 1.7
128Nvidia 5650FxGo
768Mb 333DDR
60 Gig Hd
15.4 WSXGA+
1300 Wireless
4XDVDR+RW

[daroga]

Originally Posted by warlord

Flashed mine , everything went smoothly no problems ,system running perfectly, baby will be 1 year old in a few weeks and have not had a single problem at all ..zero errors and zero dead pixels, god I love this laptop......

They are great machines. Mine will be one year old in January. These machines rock so much

Tim

[Igg]

Originally Posted by RoyalFlush

doesn't make sense to drain both batteries at once, think about it. you're working with two batteries, then you need the cdrom drive. if you take out the modular battery, now you would have the primary at less than 100%. I think the system is best the way it is right now. Choice doesn't hurt though.

I guess i am just concerned that my modular battery is being constantly drained to 2% before my main would kick in.


I dont think that's good for li-ion batteries.