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October 3rd, 2019 14:00

GX620 bios update

I have a GX620 and bios version is pretty old (05) 

im running windows 7, i downloaded the bios update but it fails when i launch the app

i have read some forums and they said I need to install the update on windows xp is that true ? 

and is it worth updating or i should just leave it as it is?

9 Legend

 • 

47K Posts

October 4th, 2019 04:00

GX620 requires XP or MSDOS floppy to update bios.

A11 is the last version.

CANNOT BE RUN FROM DOS WINDOW INSIDE WIN7

Must be run as administrator.

ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE WILL BRICK THE MACHINE IF ITS INSTALLED AND YOU TRY TO UPDATE BIOS.  iT WILL CRASH JUST AFTER IT ERASES THE BIOS AND BE DEAD AFTERWARDS. 1.44 MSDOS FLOPPY is the safest way to update this specific bios.

Main reason to install A11 is updated memory timing as well as supporting pentium D 900 series and windows 10.  Pentium D 915 processor is very cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B009YPSYJG/ref=dp_olp_0?ie=UTF8&condition=all&qid=1570188883&sr=8-6

LAHF/SAHF and NX and CMPXCHG instructions are needed for 8.1 and 10.

Description Download
Dell Optiplex GX620/GX520 System BIOS
This package provides the Dell System BIOS Update and is supported on Dell Optiplex GX620/GX520 for Windows and DOS Operating Systems.More details
 

http://downloads.dell.com/bios/gx620a11.exe

Dell Optiplex GX520/GX620 System BIOS
This package provides the Dell System BIOS Update and is supported on OptiPlex GX520/GX620 running the following Operating Systems: Windows and DOS.More details
 

http://downloads.dell.com/bios/gx620a10.exe

Dell OptiPlex System BIOS, A08
Dell OptiPlex GX620 A08 System BIOSMore details
 

http://downloads.dell.com/bios/gx620a08.exe

Dell OptiPlex System BIOS, A07
Dell OptiPlex GX620 A07 System BIOSMore details
 

http://downloads.dell.com/bios/gx620a07.exe

Dell OptiPlex System BIOS, A06
OptiPlex GX620/GX520 A06 System BIOSMore details
 

http://downloads.dell.com/bios/gx620a06.exe

Dell OptiPlex System BIOS, A05
OptiPlex GX620/GX520 A05 System BIOSMore details
 

http://downloads.dell.com/bios/gx620a05.exe

Dell OptiPlex System BIOS, A03
OptiPlex GX620 / GX520 System BIOSMore details
 

http://downloads.dell.com/bios/gx620a03.exe

Dell OptiPlex System BIOS, A01
OptiPlex GX620 / GX520 Flash BIOSMore details

http://downloads.dell.com/bios/gx620a01.exe

 

 

9 Legend

 • 

47K Posts

October 4th, 2019 06:00

The reason I update these to Bios A11 has several reasons.

Fixes
- Fixed SMBIOS memory reporting for systems with 2 DIMM slots.

Enhancements
- Added support for Cedar Mill/Presler D0 step processors made in 2006.
- Enhanced internal hard drive diagnostics tests reporting.
- Enhanced hard drive password functionality.
- Enhanced support for mismatched memory.
- Enhanced module bay functionality.
- Enhanced OROM shadowing into BIOS.
- Enhanced PCIE read completion boundary function.

 

The GX620 is a very special machine because it runs everything from MSDOS all the way thru Windows 10.   It also supports all Drive types including both SATA and IDE on the same box.  This makes it a wonderful data recovery unit.

1.  Pentium D 900 series is required for windows 8.1 or 10.

2.  Windows 10 will be 64 bit only from now on.

3.  Video Cards like the GT1030 are now required to run some games.

Newer R Series Radeon cards and Newer RTX Nvidia cards will never work in these systems because UEFI bios is required for those.

Every other Card up to GTX 1080 TI will work but you may need to get bigger power supply and you must use X16 slot extender because full length cards do not fit into the GX620 case.   There are no issues with XPS400 which is the other model of the same vintage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa9b0TkTsLM

 

 

9 Legend

 • 

47K Posts

July 3rd, 2020 00:00

A11 is the latest bios

http://downloads.dell.com/published/pages/optiplex-gx620.html

Description Version Download
Dell Optiplex GX620/GX520 System BIOS
More details
A11
 

http://downloads.dell.com/bios/A11GX620.EXE

 

7 Technologist

 • 

12.2K Posts

October 3rd, 2019 15:00

That is a 13 year old system and why risk fate. There have only been 2 BIOS updates according to the support page and the newest is labeled optional. I never suggest a BIOS update just to have a newer update. If you are having a problem that the update addresses that is another matter. But for a system as old as you have and assuming it is working as well as a 13 year old system can work, I would leave it alone.

478 Posts

October 3rd, 2019 15:00

@JOcean  Exactly!

It's amazing that there were only two updates ever. Must have been a pretty well designed bios in the beginning,

I hope it runs until proton decay

 

 

478 Posts

October 3rd, 2019 15:00

y2e2, what problems occur that you need to update the bios?

I think @speedstep may have one of these old machines or a similar model, and will probably see your post early tomorrow morning. Until then, don't try to do any update.

Some dell bios updates have been known to crater the motherboard. Dell will only help if a dell support person directed you personally to perform the operation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14 Posts

October 4th, 2019 06:00

THANK YOU SO MUCH !  

I just updated the bios to A11 via MSDOS and it worked and didn't take time at all maybe like 3 minutes . 

I already have ordered a Pentium d 945 and i did not know I needed to update the bios .

Thanks for your help again and have a wonderful day !

14 Posts

October 4th, 2019 08:00

Thanks alot you've really helped me.

I really appreciate it !

2 Posts

July 2nd, 2020 23:00

Hello!
I have a question about the BIOS GX620A10 date 04/06/2020
Is this the BIOS update from 27/10/2006?
Should I have a BIOS A10 from 2006, should I update? what is the difference between these two BIOS from the description can be inferred that they are identical, but the difference in the size of the EXE files.
Thank you.

2 Posts

July 4th, 2020 12:00

Thank you. Look at the release dates.

9 Legend

 • 

47K Posts

July 8th, 2020 03:00

There is no reason to look at release dates a11 is the final version

Description Download
Dell Optiplex GX620/GX520 System BIOS
This package provides the Dell System BIOS Update and is supported on Dell Optiplex GX620/GX520 for Windows and DOS Operating Systems.More details
 

http://downloads.dell.com/bios/gx620a11.exe

Dell Optiplex GX520/GX620 System BIOS
This package provides the Dell System BIOS Update and is supported on OptiPlex GX520/GX620 running the following Operating Systems: Windows and DOS.More details
 

http://downloads.dell.com/bios/gx620a10.exe

Dell OptiPlex System BIOS, A08
Dell OptiPlex GX620 A08 System BIOSMore details
 

http://downloads.dell.com/bios/gx620a08.exe

Dell OptiPlex System BIOS, A07
Dell OptiPlex GX620 A07 System BIOSMore details
 

http://downloads.dell.com/bios/gx620a07.exe

Dell OptiPlex System BIOS, A06
OptiPlex GX620/GX520 A06 System BIOSMore details
 

http://downloads.dell.com/bios/gx620a06.exe

Dell OptiPlex System BIOS, A05
OptiPlex GX620/GX520 A05 System BIOSMore details
 

http://downloads.dell.com/bios/gx620a05.exe

Dell OptiPlex System BIOS, A03
OptiPlex GX620 / GX520 System BIOSMore details
 

http://downloads.dell.com/bios/gx620a03.exe

Dell OptiPlex System BIOS, A01
OptiPlex GX620 / GX520 Flash BIOSMore details

http://downloads.dell.com/bios/gx620a01.exe

 

 

 

1 Message

September 18th, 2020 11:00

Hello. I was updating the BIOS from old A10 (year 2006?) to A11 for an Optiplex GX620. Everything went ok and the screen displayed "A11" as BIOS version. However, I just browsed internet in case a more recent update exists. I found two versions (A11 updated on 2014, and a "new" A10 updated on 2020) in the Dell page:

 

1) version A10, released on June 2020, updated on June 2020. (f course, it is not the same A10 that was in the GX620 computer I had been updating earlier today, however)

2) version A11, updated on 2014

So, then I downloaded this "new" version "A10" from june 2020 (in spite that I have just installed version A11 earlier today). I tried to install this new "A10" version using a floppy disk (as recommended) and then I got this message on screen: "Program Payload Error. An error was encountered trying to access the flash program´s data image, please reboot and try again. If this error re-occurs, please contact technical help".

So, what BIOS version (A11 from year 2014, or "A10" from June 2020) should I install in order to have the GX620 to be able to take advantage of all the enhancements ??? (- Added support for Cedar Mill/Presler D0 step processors. - Enhanced internal hard drive diagnostics tests reporting.- Enhanced hard drive password functionality. - Enhanced support for mismatched memory.- Enhanced module bay functionality. - Enhanced OROM shadowing into BIOS.- Enhanced PCIE read completion boundary function.) Please, remember I got an error message when trying to install the new "A10" from june 2020, just after the BIOS was already updated from "old" A10 (2006?) to "A11" (year 2014 update) earlier today. Please help me, thanks. Henry

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