How do I reset/update my BIOS for Optiplex GX280?

How do I reset/update my BIOS for Optiplex GX280?

So far this has been a nightmare for me, which has been frustrating me constantly. I am using Dell Optiplex GX280 with Windows XP home edition, which is running a BIOS version A04. Recently, i've rebooted the pc to find out that its not booting. It will get to the Windows boot up screen with the progress bar but only to restart to the same process again, over and over. Frustrated that I am, i've inserted the Windows recovery CD to at least either repair of reinstall the operating system to find out that was not possible. I hit F8 to have the boot options, each of the boot option that I've selected gave me an error saying: "Selected boot device is not available." Right after that, I went to the BIOS setting and did a diagnostic test, which recognized all the Boot devices onboard. Now, I cannot even repair of reinstall Windows XP, because the system is not booting from none of the boot devices.

Asked by: Guest | Views: 239

Total answers/comments: 2

Comments display order:

bert [Entry]

"Reset your computer's BIOS and then reboot. If the problem still persists, get a Windows 95 CD and use it to format the system. You will then be able to install your choice of Windows.

If the problem has still not gone, you can look into changing your memory - it could be going bad and can be a contributing factor."

bert [Entry]

"Older machines have BIOS limitations on hard drive sizes.

If you have a hard drive in this machine which is GREATER than ~137Gb, and the BOOT partition is larger than 137Gb, then booting will fail if the boot files (somehow) get moved somewhere on the drive past the 137Gb mark.

Solutions are to defrag the drive to put the boot files back at the front of the partition (mydefrag is excellent for this, google it), but this doesn't help if you can't boot.

Another requires forethought. If you install ANY version of Windows on a drive partition larger than 137GB, consider partitioning the drive into at least TWO partitions, first (boot) less than 137GB, second (or more) any size you desire.

This is only an issue on OLDER BIOS's, as they often didn't translate CHS into logical sectors as the newer BIOS's do nowadays. Older DELL machines suffer from this issue often.

**BEST SOLUTION **
Partition Magic or similar tools could be used to shrink the boot partition down to less than 137Gb, shuffling files around as it does so. This would resolve your problem and prevent it reoccurring in the future. These are typically on bootable media themselves and would be immediately applicable to your situation."
"Older machines have BIOS limitations on hard drive sizes.

If you have a hard drive in this machine which is GREATER than ~137Gb, and the BOOT partition is larger than 137Gb, then booting will fail if the boot files (somehow) get moved somewhere on the drive past the 137Gb mark.

Solutions are to defrag the drive to put the boot files back at the front of the partition (mydefrag is excellent for this, google it), but this doesn't help if you can't boot.

Another requires forethought. If you install ANY version of Windows on a drive partition larger than 137GB, consider partitioning the drive into at least TWO partitions, first (boot) less than 137GB, second (or more) any size you desire.

This is only an issue on OLDER BIOS's, as they often didn't translate CHS into logical sectors as the newer BIOS's do nowadays. Older DELL machines suffer from this issue often.

**BEST SOLUTION **
Partition Magic or similar tools could be used to shrink the boot partition down to less than 137Gb, shuffling files around as it does so. This would resolve your problem and prevent it reoccurring in the future. These are typically on bootable media themselves and would be immediately applicable to your situation."