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**Force Flow** · 07-15-2010, 05:18 PM

I've been trying to create a bootable CD loaded with Dell BIOS updates. I've tried a few different methods, but have been unsuccessful so far.

Has anyone tried this?

I cannot use a floppy because the machines do not have floppy drives.

***glc*** · 07-15-2010, 10:42 PM

What about a USB floppy?

**EzyStvy** · 07-16-2010, 04:45 AM

I've updated Dell BIOS's Many times with their do it from within Windows version and never had a problem.

**Force Flow** · 07-16-2010, 04:26 PM

I don't have a USB floppy.

Running the BIOS update within windows works fine, but when there's dozens of machines that need the same treatment, it gets tiring and takes forever.

Dell's website says the EXE can be run from a boot disk, so I thought I might be able to get a boot CD working and help eliminate a few time consuming steps.

***glc*** · 07-16-2010, 04:50 PM

Perhaps you could BUY a USB floppy? They aren't that expensive.

jaydeee · 07-17-2010, 12:48 AM

try nLite.
its easy to use, I hope it helps you.

**Force Flow** · 07-17-2010, 03:57 PM

glc: Nope, gotta work with what I have.

jaydeee: nLite is for slipstreaming and creating unattended windows CDs. It won't work here.

**EzyStvy** · 07-18-2010, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Force Flow

Running the BIOS update within windows works fine, but when there's dozens of machines that need the same treatment, it gets tiring and takes forever.

I put on my statistical analysis hat and came up with the following:

Machines are on – people are working with pc.

You walk up and pop in cd run the EXE - and reboot -> Done

Or

You walk up to pc and pop in bootable cd.
You reboot – while hoping and praying that the pc is set to boot off cd first.
You run EXE off cd
You reboot again. -> Done

One method seems a little faster then the other.

**Force Flow** · 07-18-2010, 05:06 AM

ehh....not quite. These PCs haven't been deployed yet. They're sitting in piles.

I set up two stations where I swap in the towers, boot up, log in, run the update, it restarts, then I shut it down. Then swap in the next one.

If I could bypass the windows startup, the login process, and waiting for the desktop to load, this process would go much faster.

**EzyStvy** · 07-18-2010, 10:53 AM

The following might work using a cd instead of a floppy.

How to create a bootable floppy disk for an NTFS or FAT partition in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/305595

***glc*** · 07-18-2010, 12:34 PM

Have you tried this one yet?

http://bootdisk.com/flash.htm

07-15-2010, 05:18 PM	#1
Force Flow Barefoot on the Moon! Staff Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Northeastern USA Posts: 13,802	Bootable CD for dell BIOS updates I've been trying to create a bootable CD loaded with Dell BIOS updates. I've tried a few different methods, but have been unsuccessful so far. Has anyone tried this? I cannot use a floppy because the machines do not have floppy drives. __________________ There are two secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day, and you have to have a dream.

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07-15-2010, 10:42 PM	#2
*glc* Forum Administrator Staff Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Joplin MO Posts: 41,159	What about a USB floppy?

07-16-2010, 04:45 AM	#3
EzyStvy Ride 'em Cowboy Staff Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 9,472	I've updated Dell BIOS's Many times with their do it from within Windows version and never had a problem.

07-16-2010, 04:26 PM	#4
Force Flow Barefoot on the Moon! Staff Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Northeastern USA Posts: 13,802	I don't have a USB floppy. Running the BIOS update within windows works fine, but when there's dozens of machines that need the same treatment, it gets tiring and takes forever. Dell's website says the EXE can be run from a boot disk, so I thought I might be able to get a boot CD working and help eliminate a few time consuming steps.

07-16-2010, 04:50 PM	#5
*glc* Forum Administrator Staff Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Joplin MO Posts: 41,159	Perhaps you could BUY a USB floppy? They aren't that expensive.

07-17-2010, 12:48 AM	#6
jaydeee Member (6 bit) Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 38	try nLite. its easy to use, I hope it helps you.

07-17-2010, 03:57 PM	#7
Force Flow Barefoot on the Moon! Staff Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Northeastern USA Posts: 13,802	glc: Nope, gotta work with what I have. jaydeee: nLite is for slipstreaming and creating unattended windows CDs. It won't work here.

07-18-2010, 05:06 AM	#9
Force Flow Barefoot on the Moon! Staff Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Northeastern USA Posts: 13,802	ehh....not quite. These PCs haven't been deployed yet. They're sitting in piles. I set up two stations where I swap in the towers, boot up, log in, run the update, it restarts, then I shut it down. Then swap in the next one. If I could bypass the windows startup, the login process, and waiting for the desktop to load, this process would go much faster.

07-18-2010, 10:53 AM	#10
EzyStvy Ride 'em Cowboy Staff Premium Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 9,472	The following might work using a cd instead of a floppy. How to create a bootable floppy disk for an NTFS or FAT partition in Windows XP http://support.microsoft.com/kb/305595

07-18-2010, 12:34 PM	#11
*glc* Forum Administrator Staff Premium Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Joplin MO Posts: 41,159	Have you tried this one yet? http://bootdisk.com/flash.htm

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