Drivers and Utilities disappeared from BIOS

[Member HS0601]

Some advice please. I am using a Dell Inspiron 9300 and originally downloaded AntiX-19 Full. It worked great for two years but I started to have messages that blocks were missing, decided to reinstall AntiX-19 and got told by the installer that it would probably fail soon. This made me check the BIOS, Drivers and Utilities was missing. I have the Drivers and Utilities CD but it will not play. I have since found out that there is a newer BIOS, I am currently A04, there is an A05 on Dell’s website. But I have seen warnings that trying to install can make the motherboard unusable.

Would it be less risky to install just the Drivers and Utilities, using a USB fob, or should I try to install the newer BIOS, again using a USB fob?

Thanks. I am keen to get back to the Inspiron because it will take a wired connection, unlike the Windows laptop I am on now.

[Member Xunzi_23]

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Hi,
Before doing anything else, if you have not done so make a backup of important data.

a BIOS update is not a particularly risky procedure if you have a stable power supply.

Before updating I would replace the board battery and do a BIOS reset.

An update must be done from windows or DOS.

But,the situation you describe does not indicate a BIOS error exists.

I started to have messages that blocks were missing, decided to reinstall AntiX-19 and got told by
the installer that it would probably fail soon.

My presumption is that means the HDD has a lot of bad blocks or indications of read write Errors and reallocation.
SSD usually fails without warning and is opaque. i.e. your system talks to the controller not the memory.

Before doing anything else make a backup of important data. Repeating myself, yes this is the most
important step !.

Then Check your disk or disks. That is best done running live as you need to access the whole drive.

On a system belonging to me I would replace the disk with SSD from a reputable manufacturer rather
than try to limp along with a failing drive.
My preference SanDisk. Prices are very low at present so a good time to buy.

If you only run Linux the driver utilitys you mentioned are normally not needed.

Tutorial for fsck.

http://www.howtogeek.com/745921/how-to-use-the-fsck-command-on-linux/

• This reply was modified 4 months, 3 weeks ago by Xunzi_23.

[Member HS0601]

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Hi Xunzi_23,

Thanks for your reply. I have already backed up my data. Lots for me to get on with. I really appreciate your help.

[Member Xunzi_23]

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Thanks, please keep us updated.
You can find a service manual and user manual for your device at below address.

http://www.dell.com/support/home/de-de/product-support/product/inspiron-9300/docs

[Member HS0601]

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Hi, do I need to solder the contacts to the new board battery?

[Member HS0601]

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Hi, do I need to solder the contacts to the new board battery?

[Member HS0601]

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Thanks for the manual.

[Member Xunzi_23]

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Sorry for late reply, troubled times.
Please just follow the service manual as far as possible.

A holder for cr2032 Battery costs a few cents, you will need to solder to board plug cable
ensure polarity is correct. Shrink the holder in to some tube if possible, otherwise carefully
wrap with insulating tape. I have never tried to solder directly on to a CR2032, it might work,
but more likely destroy the battery. If you try please do so outside as there may be a slight
fire risk.

I have succesfully just used first capton tape then shrink tube to hold wires in correct place.
Would only do in an emergency.

original Dell battery with holder can easily cost 10USD. Way too much.

Please always search for service manuals, Dell is easy to find, for many other devices they are
like gold dust. Rare.

• This reply was modified 3 months, 3 weeks ago by Xunzi_23.

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