Notebookforums
 
 Home 
       
 Forums 
 
 Guides 
   
Old 06-08-2006, 04:22 AM   #1
Echilon
GGTW
 
Echilon's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: England
Posts: 167
Credits: 168
 
Echilon is a n00b, but everyone loves n00bs!
HOW TO: Change your POST Bitmap

Ever thought it would look better if you had a custom image displayed when you turn on your laptop instead of the Dell logo? I found a utility from Dell which seems to work on most models, and replaces the default logo with a BMP of your choice. I've bundled the utility with a few splash screens, all you need to do is either follow the instructions to create a bootable USB key or burn the included ISO image and type 'spl2 imagename' at the prompt.

So far the utility is confirmed as working on the following models, although it probably works on a lot more:
  • Inspiron 6000
  • Inspiron 8100
  • Inspiron 8600
  • Inspiron 9300
  • Inspiron 9400
  • Dimension 800
  • Dimension 820
  • XPS Gen2 (M170)
  • XPS M1330
If it works for you and your model isn't listed here, please post to let others know. There are three splash screens included in the package, but if anyone wants any other included, please post them here and I'll zip them up with the next release.

Preview


Download

07/09/2007: USB instructions added.
15/09/2006: Archive updated, see post below.
__________________
Inspiron 9400, T2600 2.16Ghz, 2Gb DDR2, 802.11a,b, and g baby!

Last edited by Echilon; 09-07-2007 at 07:04 AM.
Echilon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2006, 06:41 AM   #2
_Belial
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8
Credits: -348
 
_Belial is a n00b, but everyone loves n00bs!
Damn,

I was all excited about this, then i tried it, it just won't boot the cd for me, i go to boot menu, pick cd/dvd drive i get alittle flashing cursor for a few mins (can't type) then it just carries on to windows

_Belial is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2006, 07:11 AM   #3
_Belial
Registered User

Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 8
Credits: -348
 
_Belial is a n00b, but everyone loves n00bs!
Ah i flashed to bios A01 and now it works, got some scary aliens on my screen when i boot up, many thanks (that's on an i9400 btw)
_Belial is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2006, 07:15 AM   #4
KillaSeason
Registered User

Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 37
Credits: -338
 
KillaSeason is a n00b, but everyone loves n00bs!
Can anyone confirm that this works on a Gen 2?

thanks
__________________
XPS Gen2 | XP Pro | 2.0 GHz Pentium-M | 2GB DDR2 533 MHz | Go 7800 GTX [AS5] | 80 Gig HD | Dell 2405FPW 24" LCD|Pacific Breeze Cooler| Nostromo n50
KillaSeason is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2006, 10:25 AM   #5
Echilon
GGTW
 
Echilon's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: England
Posts: 167
Credits: 168
 
Echilon is a n00b, but everyone loves n00bs!
Quote:
Originally Posted by KillaSeason
Can anyone confirm that this works on a Gen 2?

thanks
You'd have to try it and find out :P
__________________
Inspiron 9400, T2600 2.16Ghz, 2Gb DDR2, 802.11a,b, and g baby!
Echilon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2006, 10:55 AM   #6
LouisG3
Registered User

Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 14
Credits: -347
 
LouisG3 is a n00b, but everyone loves n00bs!
Edit: answered my own question. Thanks for the file.
LouisG3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2006, 11:47 AM   #7
jeffcmfrt
Registered User
 
jeffcmfrt's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 877
Credits: 1,911
 
jeffcmfrt is a n00b, but everyone loves n00bs!
How can we use our own images? Thanks yea I'm a dummy LOL Can you give step by step on how to use a image of our own? Be a little more specific for slow people like myself? I would love to do this on my M 1710.
__________________
XPS M1710, T7200
17 inch UltraSharp WUXGA
2GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2
512MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GTX
200GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
Creative Labs X-Fi Notebook Sound Card
D-Dock & X-Fi Xtream Sound card
Logitech Z5300 5.1
Logitech MX1000 Cordless Mouse
nostromo n52 Gamepad
jeffcmfrt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2006, 12:54 PM   #8
Echilon
GGTW
 
Echilon's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: England
Posts: 167
Credits: 168
 
Echilon is a n00b, but everyone loves n00bs!
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffcmfrt
How can we use our own images? Thanks yea I'm a dummy LOL Can you give step by step on how to use a image of our own? Be a little more specific for slow people like myself? I would love to do this on my M 1710.
You'll also need to extract the bootsector in WinISO/PowerISO, add the files, then re-add it. If you make one though, please post it here aswell
__________________
Inspiron 9400, T2600 2.16Ghz, 2Gb DDR2, 802.11a,b, and g baby!
Echilon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2006, 12:34 PM   #9
pinko
Registered User

Join Date: May 2006
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 391
Credits: 5
 
pinko is a n00b, but everyone loves n00bs!
Get an image editor like WinISO, open the image, add the bmp's you want, save the image, and burn it.
pinko is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2006, 01:02 PM   #10
pinko
Registered User

Join Date: May 2006
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 391
Credits: 5
 
pinko is a n00b, but everyone loves n00bs!
It's easier just to edit and 'save as', that way you dont have to worry about extracting or loosing the bootsector.
pinko is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2006, 01:07 PM   #11
Echilon
GGTW
 
Echilon's Avatar

Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: England
Posts: 167
Credits: 168
 
Echilon is a n00b, but everyone loves n00bs!
Quote:
Originally Posted by pinko
It's easier just to edit and 'save as', that way you dont have to worry about extracting or loosing the bootsector.
You have to edit the bootsector that's extracted to add your files.
__________________
Inspiron 9400, T2600 2.16Ghz, 2Gb DDR2, 802.11a,b, and g baby!
Echilon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2006, 01:35 PM   #12
pinko
Registered User

Join Date: May 2006
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Posts: 391
Credits: 5
 
pinko is a n00b, but everyone loves n00bs!
Dont extract anything, just open up the img in winiso, add your files to the appropriate directory and save the image. Ive been adding my own rom files to the premade bootdisks (for oc/voltmoding) with this method without a incident.
pinko is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-08-2006, 01:55 PM   #13
jeffcmfrt
Registered User
 
jeffcmfrt's Avatar

Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 877
Credits: 1,911
 
jeffcmfrt is a n00b, but everyone loves n00bs!
Ok guys thank's but ill have to pass on this one I can see me screwing somthing up bigtime. just like flashing the overclock I would love to try but I will wait until I can acually see it done. Then maybe I wont screw my machine up LOL

Best Wishes
__________________
XPS M1710, T7200
17 inch UltraSharp WUXGA
2GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2
512MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 7900 GTX
200GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
Creative Labs X-Fi Notebook Sound Card
D-Dock & X-Fi Xtream Sound card
Logitech Z5300 5.1
Logitech MX1000 Cordless Mouse
nostromo n52 Gamepad
jeffcmfrt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2006, 09:02 AM   #14
PcGeek04
WannaBe UberGeek
 
PcGeek04's Avatar

Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Milky Way, Local Group
Posts: 779
Credits: -128
 
PcGeek04 is a n00b, but everyone loves n00bs!
Quote:
Originally Posted by pinko
Dont extract anything, just open up the img in winiso, add your files to the appropriate directory and save the image. Ive been adding my own rom files to the premade bootdisks (for oc/voltmoding) with this method without a incident.
I have been playing around with this for a few hours, I have used WinISO and PowerISO, When I open the .iso file both apps display 2 files: BootCAT.BIN and BootIMG.BIN, I then added a .bmp and saved the image, burned it, it boots to cd/dvd and the new .bmp is not available as an option. The .iso has three files, the 2 .bin's and the new .bmp I added.

I assume that the BOOTIMG.BIN is where the .bmp needs to be placed although I am unable to open the .bin to edit or add files.

You stated to add the files to the appropriate directory, there are no directories, only the 2 .bin files...

please elaborate. Thanks
__________________











E1705-1.86Duo|1gb|x1400|100Gb|BT350|WUXGA
E1705-2.oDuo|2gb|7900GSX|100Gb|BT350|WUXGA-LG
3d06-4945
PS3-60GB w/YDL installed
Certifications: MCSE | Network+ | A+
Westy 42" W4207
PcGeek04 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-09-2006, 09:09 AM   #15
Pugsly0014
The Uberpally
 
Pugsly0014's Avatar

Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 434
Credits: -236
 
Pugsly0014 is a n00b, but everyone loves n00bs!
Quote:
Originally Posted by PcGeek04
I have been playing around with this for a few hours, I have used WinISO and PowerISO, When I open the .iso file both apps display 2 files: BootCAT.BIN and BootIMG.BIN, I then added a .bmp and saved the image, burned it, it boots to cd/dvd and the new .bmp is not available as an option. The .iso has three files, the 2 .bin's and the new .bmp I added.

I assume that the BOOTIMG.BIN is where the .bmp needs to be placed although I am unable to open the .bin to edit or add files.

You stated to add the files to the appropriate directory, there are no directories, only the 2 .bin files...

please elaborate. Thanks
Thoes are the bootimage files. You can not change them they are needed to boot from CD.
__________________
Mine - Dell XPS M1710 | Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 | 2x1GB DDR2 677 Dual Channel | Windows Vista Business | GeForce Go 7900GS (600/800 GTX Bios) | 3DMark05 9269 | 3DMark06 5130

Wifes - Dell Inspiron E1705 | Intel Core Duo T2400 | 2x512MB DDR2 677 Dual Channel | Windows XP Pro | GeForce Go 7900GS
Pugsly0014 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Dell POST Bitmap Echilon Dell Home (Inspiron, XPS, Studio) 7 06-24-2006 03:41 PM
testing post + I change title + i change again unholy Notebook Forums - General 21 01-30-2005 02:29 AM
Why Bitmap instead of JPG? helidude Alienware General 7 07-17-2004 04:20 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:01 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2009, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2001-2009 NotebookForums LLC