Dell has issued a critical BIOS update for the Dell Inspiron 530 series. BIOS Update 1.0.12 adds new Intel processor support as well as updated Intel microcode.
But, much more importantly, it fixes a buggy memory map for systems with 4 GB of memory or more installed. Considering I have 4 GB of memory in my system, I was affected by this… but not greatly, as my 530 is using Vista 32-bit and only addresses the 4 GB during POST.
Anyways, 4 GB of RAM or not, all Inspiron 530 owners should head on over to Dell.com and get updated.
It would also be nice if they would open the BIOS up to change the CPU multiplier. At a minimum please set it to 9 (the default for Q6600 at 2.4GHz) instead of the locked 5 the system ships with. This essentially throttles the chip down to 1.5GHz.
Info on this comes from applying CPU-ID.
Dell always locks CPU multiplier on their consumer motherboards. Originally they did this to please Intel, but now they do it to promote their prosumer XPS line (which has the multiplier unlocked).
Thanks for the info (via Google). We got a 530 about a month ago shipped with 1.0.7 and it had boot issues – we’ll see if this fixes it.
Incase anyone turns this up on searches, Dell has recently released bios 1.0.16 and 1.0.2 for the 530 Inspirons.
My Inspiron 530 is happily chugging along w/8GBram on VistaHP x64.
Thanks for the heads up, it’s funny… this week I thought “hey, maybe Dell updated the Inspiron 530’s BIOS lately.”
I’ll give it a spin and report back on a new news item.
passinthru:
which version of BIOS (1.0.16 , 1.0.2) should I be using for Inspiron 530? Currently I have 1.0.16 on my machine but when I turn on my machine, not sure which fan makes clicking noise for a few seconds then goes away. Normally, when the machine turns on, the fan just goes on high speed for a few seconds then goes down to normal quiet speed. Reboot is fine, it doesn’t make the clicking noise when it goes on high speed.
I see version 1.0.2 fixes fan issue, but the version seems to be much smaller than 1.0.16.
It didn’t make that noise when I first got it two months ago.
1.0.2 is for the second revision of Inspiron 530 motherboards. If you have 1.0.16, you have the latest version for your 530.
New bios version 1.0.18 for 1st gen boards. Not sure what it fixes but they changed the boot up logo.
But, the BIOS looks like a generic phoenix bios now… odd.
Hello
i`m trying to upgrade the bios on a clients Inspiron 530 and it fails each time….Is the bios locked ?
I have tried numerous floppies,usb drives as wellas creating a bootable cd rom, all have failed, i`m suspecting the bios is locked….whats you guys input ? Help please !
Can anyone send me, or upload a previous version of the bio other than 1.0.18? After flashing my bios to this latest version, an entire slew of issues has begun. I will tell the computer to restart. It never actually restarts, fans come on, but it won’t boot.. It won’t even display the bios Dell Screen. I have to unplug the OSHA power cable from the back for 2+ minutes and plug it back in.. It will then restart with a warning about “ALERT! Previous attempts at booting this system have failed at checkpoint….”
Thanks y’all!
Brett, before you go searching for older BIOS (mine updated successfully, hence I don’t have older versions), I woudl suggest re-running the BIOS update, and then clearing all BIOS settings.
If that doesn’t work, power the system off and pop out the clock battery for a half hour.
Hi Christopher,
Thanks for the advice. I may try and remove the battery today. I did try a few times to re-run the BIOS update, but it says “Terminating, Current Version already installed” or something to that effect–so I cannot actually run the update again. I will clear all BIOS setting however first, before removing the battery and see if that help, although all settings are default.
Thank You!
I also updated 530’s bios from 1013 to 1018 recently and the machine then refused to boot if i had my DVI to HDMI cable connected. I have it connected to a 46 inch plasma screen and have had it working like that for nearly a year. As soon as i updated the bios and re-booted it no longer worked unless i plugged in a VGA cable to the on-board graphics card.
Once into windows it never recognised the add-on card at all. Dell have replaced the motherboard but with one using the same bios version 1018. This one does exactly the same except when i now load windows using the VGA cable it sees the ATI graphics card ok. But only work with the VGA cable not DVI to HDMI. I even went out and bought a new video card with HDMI on it and that’s the same.
I had to jump through the normal hoops to make the tech support guy happy. Even to the extent of telling him i re-installed windows as he said that would fix it (i ask you) I was told and given a link by tech support to download (one) previous version of the bios at a time and try to see if that fixes the problem. The only trouble is it gives me an error message telling me i’m trying to install an older bios version over a new one.
Can anyone tell me if there is a way to downgrade the bios on a Dell 530s.
hello i have been trying to update to 1.02 but everytime it tell me “not ich7” could any one help me i don’t know what this is
I’ve just upgraded to 1.0.18 and found the same – the system will not boot if my lcd is plugged in via the DVI on my after market ATI graphics card. Did you ever find a solution Chris?
Hi, yes. Managed to get this problem fixed. Just download the same bios version file you have updated from (old version). You need to boot up with a bootable disk with the old bios file on it. When flashing the bios you need to type the name of the bios file followed by “forcebios” this willl downgrade your bios to a previous version. Tha’s the only fix for that issue. Let me know how you get on. Good luck.
Many thanks Chris, using the command line
530_1016.exe /forecebios
did indeed resolve the issue and I am now booting fine, and indeed running my Windows 7 RTM upgrade.
Dell should have a note on the 1.0.18 BIOS warning of the possible impact.
Chris
I should also have said that you can run the above command “530_1016.exe /forecebios” from a command line within Windows quite successfully, useful as my PC doesn’t have a floppy drive.
Thanks for the thread, wish I read it before buying a new Mobo without doing more diagnostics. The new logo really cost me đ
Well, I’ll have to buy a proc and put the other one in my whitebox NAS box.
-e
Greetings, when I upgraded my 530 to Windows 7 I was not successful in getting the XPMode or Virtal Computer to run well. I receive a message regarding “hardware assisted virtualization.” The message says that my BIOS 1.0.18 has it turned off and I need to turn it on…but I have not been able to figure out how to do that…..any ideas?
Hey, really useful thread. I am running 1.0.7 (oops) and am having the infamous cpu fan trouble. The Dell site is recommending that I download the 1.0.18 flash, but given the problems with GPU support should I go for the 1.0.16 version? Any advice much appreciated.
Hi Dave, the problem I had was with the 530s so not too sure if it’s the same motherboard. When I bought the machine it was running bios version 1.0.13 and I updated to 1.0.18. That was when I started suffering with the GPU support issue.
After about 3 months I managed to convince Dell they had a problem but only after they made me buy an extended warranty. I did eventually get that money back though. To make a long story shorter, I did go back to 1.0.13 and the machine is happy now. I really only put the latest bios on as I was installing windows 7 and wanted to make sure of complete compatibility. So in short, if I were you I would go with 1.0.13.
PS, They told me no one else had reported this issue to them, but I donât believe a word of it. I wonder if itâs still the same bios file for download?????
Chris.
I’m assuming that no one with a first-revision 530 board has > 4 GB running sucessfully, even with the 16 bios?
I have 2x2GB = 4GB running happily, but get RAM error codes if I try to put two more sticks in. TIA.
Hey thanks guys, especially for Chris for going through all the hardships and saving my rear end in the long wrong! I was just going to look to update the Bios from the 1.0.13 that came on my 530 to the newer 1.0.18, which yes Chris it is still for download on Dell’s website. So thanks again!
Hi Chris, I have just installed a new graphics card (ATI 4530 HD) on my Dell inspiron 530 running win 7 64bit and whilst I can plug in my HDMI cable, and get it to work if I am already logged in, I get black screens if I reboot or start up from shut-down unless the HDMI cable is removed and only the dvi is connected – I can reboot and start up as normal if only the DVI is connected though I have the 1.0.18 bios update on computer and my brother has managed to find your thread with similar issues on it and then he was able to locate and send me the 530_1016.EXE (and 530_1015.EXE and 530_1013.EXE files) and we have tried to follow your instructions but not being experienced in command line prompts etc we keep finding that it does nothing.
I have placed the 530_1016.EXE file in the local disk folder then went to RUN then CMD then where the flashing dash was I pasted your 530_1016.exe /forecebios and clicked ‘enter’ but it does nothing…. we also tried putting the .EXE file in my user folder but it still didn’t work. am I missing something? I don’t have a floppy drive and really need to fix this, can you help me please?
Examanation – if you get nothing at all then it must have found the command, otherwise it would give you an error and say that 530_1016.exe “is not recognised as an internal or external command”. So perhaps you are not an administrator on the PC? Click on the Start button as bottom left and type “User Accounts” into the search box – select that option when it appears – what type of account are you running, does it say Adminstrator or Standard user?
If you are a standard user then do you know the administrator user and password? Logon on as that user and try the same process you did
Chris
Hi Chris,
I am sorry, I was very tired after whole day of trying to solve this issue with my bro and wasn’t clear, I said nothing happened in relation to the BIOS still being the 1.0.18 version – when using the command we did get the message âis not recognised as an internal or external commandâ, and when we just tried to run the EXE files directly that we got “no operation” at the end of the install attempt as it didn’t want to downgrade. I am on the admin account and I just checked and still running with 1.0.18 so we haven’t got it right yet.
Where do you suggest we place the EXE file and then what exactly do we do from there (bearing in mind I am just a mum with a computer, not really sure of the whole ‘run’ , ‘command’ stuff). My brother lives 4 hours away and is trying to help by phone so we are getting desperate and are grateful for your help : )
Thanks so much for your quick response, very grateful – this is indeed quite stressful after buying a new graphics card and HDMI cable to have to go through all this.
I don’t know that it matters where you place the EXE file, when you place the file then just make sure that when you open the cmd window you change the directory to that location.
So if you copied it to the top directory C: then you would do a cd after opening the cmd windows to get to the correct location. The main thing is that when you type the command dir in the command window you get a list of files that includes the EXE – then you know you are in the correct place.
Now you can type 530_1016.EXE /forcebios and it will run the command – well it certainly did for me anyway.
If you type that and get the âis not recognised as an internal or external commandâ message then it is not looking in the local directory and you can force it to by using the following .530_1016.EXE /forcebios as the leading . tells it to look in the current directory.
Let’s see if that helps – one step at a time!
I’m working from home today so just keep the feedback coming.
Chris
Thanks Chris, for being there : )
IT WORKED!!!!
You are an ANGEL!!!!!! xxxxxxxxx
Great news Emanation – glad we managed to get it sorted!
Thanks for the /forcebios tip! The 530s in our conference room wouldn’t boot with the projector connected after 1.0.18 and I couldn’t find downgrade instructions on Dell’s website anywhere. Thought I was going to have find a different PC for that room!
Hell Chris,
I have a Dell Inspiron 530 Quad with 8 Gig mem, windows 7, and a FireMV quad card from ATI. I am experiancing video stability problems while running windows 7. The Windows vista (still on same machine) is very stable. I recently upgraded to bios Version 1.0.18 and that is when the video started becoming unstable. ATI Tech thought the inspiron is too whimpy for the Job, and recommended using a work station. It was also mentioned by ATI that Win 7 accesses video differently and some bios/updates were problematic.
How do I roll back the Bios to an earlier version? (can’t to a down load and install to an earlier version)
Is the machine to whimmpy for job?
Hi Chris,
We have a inspiron 530s pc. We recently updated our bios to the recomended Version: 1.0.18. Now we only get a black screen. When we downloaded the new update that prompted to restart the computer and it never restarted again. Now it’s just a black screen.
Check whether you get the same issue if you boot using when you have a screen plugged into the VGA port. If that solves it then you need to downgrade to the .16 BIOS as described above. You need to run the command 530_1016.exe /forcebios to get it to downgrade. Hope that helps.
Hi again, Chris
Unfortunately, I tried each cmd you stated up above 530_1016.exe /forcebios and the .530_1016.exe /forcebios and nothing works, it states âis not recognised as an internal or external commandâ. My computer will turn on if I have the screen unattached (Mecury PerfectView 1571TWP), and than after I hear that computer is completely on, I re-attach the monitor and it works?
What shall I do now? It did not do this before I had upgraded to the 1.0.18.
Thanks
Additionally, Chris
I am the administrator on the computer.
Thanks!
The error message âis not recognised as an internal or external command” means that it hasn’t found the 530_1016.exe file. Have you downloaded the file and do you know where it is on the computer. If you put the file at c: and then when you are at the command prompt do the following, it should work
c:
cd
.530_1016.exe /forcebios
Hello, Chris
Yes, it is downloaded in the same folder that I have the new 1.0.18., and I did what you recommended above, and I still receive the same message, can I delete/remove the 1.0.18, since I have 1.0.16 already saved?
Or what do you think I should try next?
Thank-you
It still sounds as though the file isn’t being found – check that the file name is exactly right 530_1016.exe
The commands I gave you above are for the file being located at the top folder on c: which is usually shown as c:
To make sure that the file is at that top folder then do the following
Use explorer you can right click on the 530_1016.exe file in the folder where you put it, and chose “copy” from the list of options
Now left click on the c: disk on your explorer screen and it will show you all of the files and folders under c:
Now right click in the white space below that list, chose “paste” from the list of options
You have copied you file to c:
Now open a command prompt (under system tools)
You get the black command prompt and in that type the following
c:
cd
.530_1016.exe /forcebios
Hello: Chris
You are exactly right, I was adding the correct file name but it was not in the c drive it was saved in my documents. I thought that my documents was in the C drive, but I was finally able to add the older bios and it works perfectly again.
Thank-you so much!
You had me worried for a while there Carlos – glad it is now resolved.
Chris
Hey Chris,
Im having trouble updating the BIOS. I’m stuck on 1.0.13 and all the d/l on dell support site are not working. They are all coming up as a .application file and i believe they should be in .exe format? correct me if im wrong.
Me again, lol.
I figured out that the download manager was messing up the file extension and i just needed to download it “via internet browser”, so all is well and i hope you have a great day!
Hey Chris,
Wondering if there’s a simple answer to this question:
I’m currently running an Inspiron 530 (1.66MHzCPU*300wPSU), all equipment is factory original, except for the graphics card which I installed (ATIx1650PRO) and 4x1GB RAM.
I’m not at a point where I can spend money on a new system, but I’d like to upgrade a bit for recreational gaming purposes.
I don’t play around with any “overclocking”, etc. Just want to be able to play a couple of new games that are out, which I don’t believe this system can handle (CIV5, which I’ve tried, and I know there’s some lag, BIOSHOCK2, and Fallout NewVegas).
Would like to do a couple of upgrades, maybe extend the useful life of this system by a couple years, and allow me to save up to buy a new/future system as far out as possible.
So, the 1st upgrade I’m looking at is to install an ATX 650W PSU
THE QUESTION IS: I know the BIOS is factory original (1.0.2)….do I need to upgrade it for the new PSU?
Next upgrade would be an ATI 5770 graphics card.
Then, if by that point I haven’t turned the system into a steaming pile of slag, I’d begin contemplating a CPU/MOBO update.
Would apprecaite your answer to the BIOS question first and foremost, then any thoughts you have on my approach.
I’ve priced things out, and can do the PSU and graphics card updates for about $200.
Anticipate the CPU/MOBO being another $150-200, and then (if it’s required), updating from XP to W7 for another, what, $100+change?
Thanks?
I would upgrade the BIOS regardless of PSU. A BIOS that old is just increasing the potential for crashes and glitches. Especially if you are going to upgrade your CPU, having the latest BIOS is essential.
I wouldn’t bother with a motherboard upgrade on an Inspiron.
I have a 530s which Ive used for about 4 months and after the last Windows vista updates ran the computer has been stuck on the Dell splash screen. It states Im using Bios 1.0.15 – I have tried unplugging it, reseating the hard drive, etc. I ran the diagnostic test which came back all tests passed and have also tried to use the reinstallation dvd for vista- but it cannot find any drivers on my pc. Any ideas? BTW I bought it 2 yrs ago and only recently started using it so my warranty is up.
@Dave
I have just upgraded to 1.0.18 and I have 6gb RAM running successfully on Vista Business 64bit. Before the BIOS update, the system was only seeing 3gb in dxdiag and task manager.
I’m still having the random occurrence of the CPU fan running at max speed after warm reboots. This has occurred from the time I bought this back in 8/08, and now with BIOS ver 1.0.18. When I went to Dell’s website and entered my service tag, it showed latest BIOS ver as 1.0.18, so I assume that it properly detected the motherboard version.
Would ver 1.0.16 fix this problem? I don’t recall the original BIOS version back in 8/08, so I can only guess.
Strange numbering system – I would think that 1.0.18 is newer than 1.0.2. Since this fan problem has been widely reported for a long time since 1.0.18 and Dell has done nothing, I assume that they’ve abandoned support for this computer.
I concur with Danno, it’s a stupid and strange numbering system.
Which one is the latest. 1.0.18 or 1.02?
Dano – I have the exact same problem as well. Fan runs at full blast after warm reboots.. I too have had this problem with no fix since 2008 when I purchased it. Please update us if you come up with a resolution.. I will continue looking as well.
Thanks again,
Brett
Hi there, alot of great info here. I’ve been doing alot of reading today regarding the hardware virtualization setting on the CPU. I work from home and have been using a SRD (secure remote desktop) and a VPN connection for work ok for quite awhile until having troubles this wk. My company’s tech support said my problem is the hardware virtualization setting being NO/disabled. He wasn’t sure what could’ve changed it or how I could’ve worked so long with it like that but said it’s gotta be changed. He’s also a bit limited on how aggressive of steps he could give me, hence my research today.
I have a inspiron 530 with intel pentium duel cpu e2 160 @1.80 ghz. I have BIOS version 1.0.5 and I looked all through there and did not find the VT setting to change. Further readings almost had me convinced to try upgrading my BIOS to 1.0.18 but after reading this I’m glad I hesitated. The only change I’ve made to my system is a new PCI video card so mostly factory PC.
So my questions would be….
What’s the easiest way to reset the HW VT to YES or enabled?
If it does involve upgrading my BIOS which version after 1.0.5 has the fewest problems and will offer this setting to reset?
What’s the safest way to upgrade the BIOS and what can I expect afterwards? IE total OS wipe so total rebuild, or problems with current downloads/files no longer being compatable with new config, etc etc.
The company tech guy suggested either a repair shop or new PC but I thought I would at least try myself first. I’m willing to take a risk since a new PC is already looming but I would obviously like to get some more use out of this PC before investing in new PC.
thanks for all the great info and look forward to seeing more.
Beware of Chris Price of Reboot Computer Tech a.k.a. 2sznuff on Ebay. He is a lowlife who likes to scam and trash competitors.
Angry, I assure you, whoever that is… it isn’t me. That’s not my eBay user name to begin with.
I’ve picked a lot of hokey names in the past for products and services, but I don’t think I’d ever call a company “Reboot Computer Tech”.