Vista - UPDATE BIOS x64

I am trying to update the bios on my computer but I am running into problems when booting from a usb flash drive. I get the error:

"Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible."

I have been going about this process following instructions found here:

Solution for Updating the BIOS on Windows Vista x64 Machines (VistaJuice)

Thanks in advance for any help.

Well dark.axon,

I'm running Vista 64 also & didn't have a problem updating BIOS. See if they have a BIOS installation option that you can run from within Windows itself. They usually have about 3 to 4 different ways to update BIOS. What's your motherboard's maker & model #? I'll look it up & see if I can't find a BIOS option for you also that'll run inside Vista.

Shawn

Hi Shawn,

Thanks for your reply. I'm running on a Dell Dimension e510. Manufacturer is Dell, model is 0HJ054. The only bios update that I have tried is the one from the dell website, and when I run the .exe as admin, I receive an error as follows:

"Windows Configuration Error
An error was encountered trying to configure Windows to allow flashing, please reboot and try again."

Of course, I've tried again, and no luck.

From what I've read, the only explanation is that there isn't any flashing software (like winflash) that has been made for the 64-bit systems.

Not really sure what to do right now, but anything you can think of/link me to will definitely help.

Thanks again

Ok,

I found this at Dell's site for a Chipset update for your Dell Dimension e510. It says that it's needed to keep BIOS, etc.. up to date. It is for the 64 bit Vista. I would recommend running this & then run the BIOS update. If it still doesn't work, you may try doing it in SAFE MODE in case something is interfering with it.

Here's the link for (Motherboard drivers) Chipset :

http://support.us.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R140595&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=187623

Here's the link for the BIOS I found. (probaly the same that you are trying) :
I noticed that Dell use to have A06 as the newest version but pulled it &
only has the A05 now.

http://support.us.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R121641&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=161979

Hope this works,
Shawn

Hi Shawn,

I installed the chipset utility, and tried the bios update version that I have(A07). Unfortunately, it still doesn't work . I already have the A05 bios update that you linked me, but thanks for the trouble you went through.

As of now I don't have an immediate need to update bios, since everything seems to be running smoothly so I'll be fine by just settling with my current bios. I just like to stay up to date.

Thanks again for your trouble.

Ok,

I researched further & so far the Flash .exe's that Dell has will not run on 64 bit, only 32 bit Vista or XP. There is a way around it though. OLD SCHOOL DOS. You must make a boot disk with the Flash .exe & run it in dos, OR of course if you have a extra harddrive & a copy of 32-bit Vista or XP you can take out your current drive & temporarly use the spare to change BIOS.

Here's a link I found to make a bootable USB key with WinPE on it to do the BIOS flash. They swear it worked & they are using Vista 64.

http://windowsconnected.com/blogs/joshs_blog/archive/2007/02/05/creating-a-bootable-winpe-2-0-usb-key.aspx

It's worth mentioning that everyone that installed A07 said they noticed no difference, so it might be worth waiting until Dell comes out with a 64 bit version of the Flasher .exe.

If only Dell would pull there head out and realize that they put a 32-bit Flasher for a 64 bit OS. DUH.

Good Luck,
Shawn