HELP! how do flash bios if computer wont boot from floppy first?

Question

My computer is an old dimension (L667r)  - (BLDLCX_14.exe   bios file) I download the proper file for the updated bios and put it on a floppy disk . The problem is , I cant change the boot order ( in the current bios) . If I change to boot from floppy first, then it wont allow any other devices to be booted up. If I change it to boot from the HD first , it allows the next device (cd) to boot up second- and nothing else. The only way to get the computer on is to have the boot order be (1) cd- (2) HD (3) floppy. It is not possible to use the bios file I need from a floppy disk . I need to know how I can get it to copy to a cd ....or any other ideas?  Any help is Appreciated . As it is now, I am stuck. =(    thankyou

peterfelgate_ce40d3 · Answer

Have you got the floppy drive set up correctly in the bios? Can you use the floppy drive? If so, check you can create, and boot, a floppy first, then put the requisite bios file on the floppy and boot from it. If you get really stuck, you CAN create a boot CD but you'll need a working floppy to do this - you need to read the MDDOS files from a floppy - this can be done on another PC if need be.

Majestic · Answer

Are you sure the floppy drive works?  If it does indeed work then just run the BIOS upgrade from the floppy disk and after the update is done then change the boot order back to the way you had it.    Also I'm not sure you are correctly using the BIOS update file you downloaded.  The download can not just be put on a floppy.  You must run that download from your hard drive to create a bootable BIOS upgrade floppy disk.  Once the floppy is created you can then boot your system from it to update the BIOS.   The alternative is to burn the 'non-packaged' format of the A14 BIOS update to a CD.  Then boot the system using a bootable CD like the Dell Resource CD that came with your system.  Then at the MS-DOS prompt switch to your burnt CD and manually run the BIOS update by typing.....    DLCX_A14.EXE    and then press the ENTER key.  The BIOS update will then run.   You can click here for a download of the 'non-packaged' A14 BIOS update.

Nphunkincredibl · Answer

In the bios I can choose to boot from floppy first , but in doing so , I am not able to boot any other devices following. I dont know why its like that. I do know the floppy works. i did put the file on a floppy disk.....I just cant use the disk .....because of the boot order.  :smileysad:

Nphunkincredibl · Answer

Thankyou for your ideas. I did open the file and make the bootable diskette ( vs just putting it on a diskette) The cd idea sounds like it might work but I run into a new problem. I havent ever used my cd writer before and now I know why: I have no drivers for it .( omigosh!) It's a HP cd-writer+8100 . I go to the HP sight ...They want to mail a cd with the drivers for              $ 10.00........I try DriverGuide.com........They dont have anything for WIN XP .......  :smileyindifferent:

Majestic · Answer

I don't know what else to tell you.  I tried doing a search on Google for a driver, but unfortunately a lot of the sites re-direct you back to HP's web site.  I guess they really want to sell you a CD.  I would suggest posting in the Dimension - CD/DVD Devices forum about the driver problem.   Possibly someone there will know of a better site or how to work around the problem.   If you know someone else with a CD burner you could always create the BIOS upgrade CD on their machine.  That is of course if you have another CD drive to boot from. Message Edited by Majestic on 03-21-2006 07:21 AM

peterfelgate_ce40d3 · Answer

Can you clarify what you mean regarding the boot? If you put the floppy first, it will boot from the floppy. It won't "boot" the next devices unless there's no floppy present. To flash the bios, you should boot with the floppy with the flash software on it, which will do the flash (you'll have to respond to the questions aked for confirmation). When finished, remove the floppy and reboot; the machine should not find the floppy in the drive and hence boot the next device in the list and so on. It should try the HDD at some point if it is in the list and boot from it. Only if it can find no other boot device do you get an error.

Report on what you have tried and what symptoms you are getting.

Nphunkincredibl · Answer

Ok.....I have figured out what I had wrong in my (current) bios , and I now have the correct boot order ...1-floppy 2-cd 3- hd  ...That is no longer a problem . I have tried the A14 file on the floppy by booting with it in the machine but all that happens is 'non-system disk or disk error. Replace the disk and press any key when ready'   I am stuck at this screen . (I believe someone mentioned something about the Dell resource cd but I dont see how that can help because the cd is for Win98 and I use WinXP) ....Oh, I'm all good with the drivers for my cd writer too. :smileyhappy:   I'm just stuck on this bios thing *sigh

Nphunkincredibl · Answer

I appreciate your guys' help with this....I wouldnt know who else to ask . tyvm :smileyhappy: I need one of you to be my neighbor......just kidding...!

peterfelgate_ce40d3 · Answer

OK, your problem is that you have a non-bootable floppy disk with just the bios file on it. You need a bootable floppy. Create a boot floppy first and make sure it works. Best bet if you have XP is to right click on the floppy icon with a blank floppy in the drive then opt to format an MSDOS bootable floppy. Make sure the floppy is OK by booting to it tot he A> prompt. Reboot to the hard disk, or use another machine, and copy the bios flash file (the ***.exe) file to the floppy. Then, boot the floppy, and at the A> prompt type in the name of the .exe file to run it. Follow the instructions and prompts. When complete, take the floppy out and reboot the machine. Make sure you have a good stable power supply when you go to flash the bios.

Nphunkincredibl · Answer

Ahhhh...I made the bootable floppy .....will write back in a minute..lol

Nphunkincredibl · Answer

Message Edited by Nphunkincredible on 03-22-2006 10:57 AM

Nphunkincredibl · Answer

OK..I have a bootable floppy....I have a floppy with the bios file on it.......I have a bootable floppy with the bios file on it as well.....none of these work. All I get is 'Disk l/O error...replace the disk and then press any key' waaaaaa.....:smileysad:

peterfelgate_ce40d3 · Answer

Did you CREATE the boot floppy on the target machine that you want to flash the bios on?  It sounds like you have a physically dodgy floppy disk.  Make sure you can create a bootable floppy (without the bios flash executable on it) on the target machine first.

Nphunkincredibl · Answer

I have a bootable floppy

peterfelgate_ce40d3 · Answer

Once you have checked that the floppy boots to the A> prompt correctly, then download the file DLCX_A14.EXE to your hard disk (if you haven't already done so), then copy this to the floppy.  Boot to the floppy, and at the A> prompt enter DLCX_A14.EXE to run the bios flash.  Follow the prompts.

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HELP! how do flash bios if computer wont boot from floppy first?

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