Keep your BIOS up to date
Dell, like other computer manufacturers, periodically releases updates for their systems, including new hardware drivers, utilities, and BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) versions. Ensuring that you have the latest BIOS will help to keep your computer running smoothly. Updating the BIOS on a Dell computer using the technical support section of Dell's website is not difficult for an average user.
Instructions
1. Reboot your computer and watch the opening screen. Right below the progress bar you will see the BIOS version number. Write this down to verify that you need to upgrade.
2. Start Internet Explorer (the Dell website uses ASP - Active Server Protocol, which is not supported in Firefox.) Navigate to "http://www.dell.com". Click "Technical Support" at the top of the screen. Click "Support for Home Users" or "Support for Business Users" as appropriate. Click "Drivers and Downloads".
3. Look for your computer's service number. This can be found on a tag attached to your system. If you have it, click "Enter a Tag", enter the number and click "Go". If you cannot find it, you can click "Find my service number" to have the Dell website find your number.
4. Scan the list of drivers and other upgrades. You can filter this list by selecting "BIOS" in the Category drop-down menu. Note the version number of the BIOS listed. If it is higher than the version number you wrote down for your computer, you will need to perform the upgrade. Click "Download" next to the BIOS listing. When prompted, select "Save" to save the download to your desktop or another temporary destination. Exit Internet Explorer when the download completes.
5. Make sure no other programs are running. Double-click the BIOS upgrade program you downloaded. You will be prompted twice to confirm that you want to upgrade the BIOS. When the program completes, the system will automatically reboot to load the new BIOS. You can verify that you have the new version by watching the initial boot screen. When the upgrade is complete, you can delete the downloaded upgrade program.
Tags: your computer, Dell website, version number, Internet Explorer, service number, that have