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Last BIOS update for the I8600...A12?

post #1 of 33
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Dell Inc. Copyright (C) 2004, All Rights reserved. www.dell.com BIOS Release Notes =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8600 Version: A12 Build Date: 12/07/04 The following updates were made to the A11 BIOS to create the A12 BIOS: Issues Fixed: 1. Fixed an issue that been seen on some systems where the system shutdown in stand by when plug in and out AC adaptor. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 1 =================================================================== =================================================================== 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 stand by if a Celeron M 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://support.dell.com/support/down...leaseid=R90277

For those I8600 owners without floppy drives, the above has been repackaged to run from bootable CD. Look in the image link below.
post #2 of 33
Wow, talk about a late fix... seems to me they're going to tweak it a bit in put it in the i6000.
post #3 of 33
No need to even use booting from CD, you can also download exe. straight to your desktop and flash from there.....I have flashed all BIOS in that manner since purchase over a year ago..never had any problems at all.....

Specs 8600 1.7
128Nvidia 5650FxGo
768Mb 333DDR
A12 BIOS
15.4 WSXGA+
4xDVDR+RW
1300 Wireless
post #4 of 33
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by warlord
No need to even use booting from CD, you can also download exe. straight to your desktop and flash from there.....I have flashed all BIOS in that manner since purchase over a year ago..never had any problems at all.....
Thats fine for those who choose to live dangerously and take the chance that the Windows-based flash may fail rendering the system board useless. Since I'm old-school, I'll continue to flash the BIOS outside of windows in DOS when I can as to minimize the chances of flashBIOS failure.
post #5 of 33
It don't think it will be long before floppy drives are extinct. Many systems not longer come with them unless specifically requested. I always use a Windows based flash and have not damaged any laptops. I think it there was THAT much risk DELL would not make a Windows based flash avaialbe - with all the systems they support think about the nightmare it would cause for their support team if even 1% of the time there was a problem with a Windows BIOS flash.
post #6 of 33
ehh they are under warranty anyway and 99.99% of the time it works just fine. You minimally reduce the chance.
post #7 of 33
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by anettis
It don't think it will be long before floppy drives are extinct. Many systems not longer come with them unless specifically requested. I always use a Windows based flash and have not damaged any laptops. I think it there was THAT much risk DELL would not make a Windows based flash avaialbe - with all the systems they support think about the nightmare it would cause for their support team if even 1% of the time there was a problem with a Windows BIOS flash.
I believe that Dell began creating the dual Windows/DOS executable flashBIOS due to the fact that many systems no longer ship with a floppy. The alternatives being bootable CD or USB Flash drive. Also, Dell realizes that many of their users being noobs have no idea what DOS is.

BTW: It has been well documented in this forum as well at delltalk.us.dell.com that many more notebooks have been rendered useless after attempting the faux Windows-Based flashBIOS than when attempted booted straight into DOS.
post #8 of 33
post #9 of 33
AxiomofIllusion: I cant tell you how much I agree.
post #10 of 33
Has anyone applied the A12 BIOS on WinXPPro SP2? Does not specifically say that it's validated for SP2, only SP1?


Robert
post #11 of 33
I just applied it (with the Windows .exe) with SP2 installed and it is working fine. I still think it's retarded that they verify with a SP1 install.
post #12 of 33
don't see as it does much except for that one little fix - which I don't seem to have.....

Anyone see any other undocumented effects?
post #13 of 33
I'm running A12 on my 8600 WinXP SP2. No problems so far.
post #14 of 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by Picard
I'm running A12 on my 8600 WinXP SP2. No problems so far.
Same here.
post #15 of 33
For those skeptical, I am certain that Dell would not release a "buggy" BIOS update if they think it is indeed buggy. Moreover, if there are issues on installation (windows EXE or DOS), Dell will surely give posted red warnings before you can download and install the software.
post #16 of 33
No issues on this end, Flashed without any problems at all...everything running smoothly....

Specs 8600 1.7
128Nvidia 5650FxGo
768Mb 333DDR
15.4 WSXGA+
4xDVDR+RW
1300 Wireless
60Gig Hd
post #17 of 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by Picard
For those skeptical, I am certain that Dell would not release a "buggy" BIOS update if they think it is indeed buggy. Moreover, if there are issues on installation (windows EXE or DOS), Dell will surely give posted red warnings before you can download and install the software.
Ummm - I have been in the software business for 15 years and while its true that companies strive to release bug free software - it is also true that just about EVERY sophisticated piece of software has bugs that will eventually be uncovered. This is why software patches are constantly realeaed by vendors. So it is within the realm of possibity that the latest BIOS could have issues - thus it is reassuring to hear from other people who have already flashed thier BIOS. (Acutally I am quite sure the latest BIOS does have bugs tucked away that could be found if you tested the BIOS under every possible hardware and software combination - but hopefully they are inconsequential enough to not be noticable to the average Joe).
post #18 of 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by Picard
For those skeptical, I am certain that Dell would not release a "buggy" BIOS update if they think it is indeed buggy. Moreover, if there are issues on installation (windows EXE or DOS), Dell will surely give posted red warnings before you can download and install the software.
HAHAHAHAHAA..HOOHOHHHOHOHOHOHOH..HEEEHEEHEEEE.... rofl!!!

/wipes tears of laughter from his eyes....

Oh dear, that was just what I needed......heeheehee..

Seriously, though, I intend *NO* offense whatsoever.

However, I'll have to *strongly* agree with anettis that *ALL* software/firmware "could" be buggy. I can not say how often I've seen "new" software supposedly "fix" things - only to find it breaks something else.

Hence, I like to get some feedback from those more daring than I before I upgrade things - especially when I'm not really experiencing any problems with the current version.

peace....
post #19 of 33
Yes yes i do agree with you guys. What i meant is that Dell would not release a particular software that will actually ruin your whole system INSTANTLY or if not, eventually.
post #20 of 33
Quote:
Originally Posted by Picard
Yes yes i do agree with you guys. What i meant is that Dell would not release a particular software that will actually ruin your whole system INSTANTLY or if not, eventually.
Picard, I know you mean well - so I won't mention things like Service packs and such which have done *exactly* that to some people....

Yes, Dell and most companies *mean well* when they release updates and what not.....unfortunately, the immense variety/peculiarities of system installations means that *someone*, *somewhere* will have problems - and those are the ones we tend to hear from on forums like these.....

peace, my friend.
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