Dell asking for BIOS flash for XP pro upgrade

[pagel]

Went to upgrade my Dell factory installed w2kpro (with a shutdown hang) to Dell provided(discount coupon) XP Pro upgrade and it asks for a BIOS flash. Tried bypassing, but the install doesn't recognize the existing OS. Tried another xp install disk and it sees the existing OS as an "evaluation copy". Have never seen this before. Wonder what is happening at Dell. Any ideas anyone?

 

[Davetoo]

What did Dell tech say about the issue?

 

[pagel]

Haven't had a chance to call them yet. Wondered what the word on the street is, if anyone else has noticed this. I did call to request a replacement for the System Restore CD (W2K pro) and they won't send it. Say they don't support it anymore. That kind of blew me away.

 

[mapleleaf]

You may want to check this thread on the "shutdown" problem

thread616-562023

Ian

 

[mattjurado]

Is the CD labeled a Dell disk? I suspect it. I "borrowed" a Dell Windows XP cd from someone I knew, couldn't use it on any other machine. Its definitely looking for some specific dell hardware, or a bios file. Otherwise, you'ld be able to use that CD with any computer.

See if there are any bios updates for your model (use this with caution, I never like to recommend updating a bios, but this might actually work for you). Otherwise, you'll need to buy a real copy of Windows XP, if Dell won't send you one that matches your system (hell, I'd scream foul and start chewing out some Dell supervisors).

Matt