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Unable to update BIOS A11 for Dell Inspiron 5110

Max -  
 Moi -
Hello,
I have a Dell Inspiron 5110 laptop.
I want to upgrade to Windows 10, but the Windows 10 upgrade assistant tells me that the BIOS is not supported.
So I wanted to update my BIOS.
The current version is A03.
On Dell's support site, after detecting the motherboard, the latest available version is A11. Those who have installed A11 were able to upgrade to Windows 10.
I have the .exe file for this version.

However, I'm struggling with the BIOS update
- through Windows, when I run the .exe file, it opens the AFINGUI software, starts the process (I hear the fan going crazy), but the mouse and keyboard get stuck, the cursor is unresponsive. I left it running all night. Complete crash.
I was able to reboot without any problem.
- So I tried creating a bootable USB stick using the F12 function at startup. I call the .exe file. It asks me "flash bios? y or n", I press y. The procedure starts but freezes at 12% (erasing flash........ 12%). It crashes too. I let it run for several hours. Nothing!

I can always turn on the computer without any issues each time, but it seems like something is stuck. I don't know what to do! Where could this be coming from? Does anyone have a solution?

Thanks
Max

Configuration: iPhone / Safari 13.0.1

10 answers

  1.
    gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 703
     
    Hello,

    It seems complicated to upgrade this model to Windows 10.
    Updating the BIOS would be the simplest step, so...
    Even after installing Windows 10, it's not guaranteed; there could be driver issues, black screen...

    For your BIOS, install version 10 and then try version 11 again.

    By expanding the lines, there is a link to the previous version, which seems to be 10; it's the only one I've seen between 3 and 11 (I can't find the others).
    https://www.dell.com/support/home/en/fr/frbsdt1/product-support/product/inspiron-15r-n5110/drivers

    Version 10
    (You need to confirm, make sure it’s really your model)
    https://www.dell.com/support/home/en/fr/frbsdt1/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=nv25h&oscode=w764&productcode=inspiron-15r-n5110

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    1
    1. Max
       
      I just tried the A10. It’s definitely the right model. It gets stuck at 12% like the 11. Should I just throw the laptop away??? Because it's risky to stay on W7. No more Dell, that's for sure.
      There must be something blocking the flash. But what? Mystery... I’ve been searching everywhere for more than 3 days. Thanks anyway.
      0
  2. AluMinioume Posted messages 3107 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   582
     
    Hi,
    I don't know if it's related, but there might be a security option in the UEFI to prevent flashing, as is the case on some Lenovo ThinkPads or ThinkCentre workstations.
    0
    1. Max
       
      Thank you. Perhaps. I don't know. But how do I remove the blockage if that's the case? What maneuver?
      0
    2. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 703
       
      Hi AluMinioume,

      It must be a simple BIOS (not UEFI)
      Security, maybe, but I think in that case it would block from the start.
      0
    3. Max
       
      It starts, it goes to 12% right at the beginning and then nothing. It lasts less than 1 second and then stops.
      0
  3. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 703
     
    A 9 exists but I can't find it (and probably others)


    For your information, w 7, end of support so no more updates but it will still be usable for a few more years.
    (just more sensitive because vulnerabilities will no longer be fixed)

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    0
    1. Max
       
      I found the 5, the 9, and the 11 and the 10 with you :) but the problem is the same every time which is why I think something is preventing the boot. But what?
      0
    2. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 703
       
      Okay, so it's possible security, since not even 1 second, but I don't see which one.
      0
    3. AluMinioume Posted messages 3107 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   582
       
      There may be a possibility to flash the BIOS externally if it is stored on a separate chip.

      Desolder the chip and flash it with an external chip reader.
      But for that, you need to have access to the BIOS file alone, without the utility around it.

      Dell tends to provide only non-extractable .exe files. However, it is possible to extract the actual BIOS file from this .exe file by executing the command 
      /writeromfile
      (I just tried it).
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    4. Max
       
      Ok thanks. I'm going to try. But once I have the .rom... what do I do next?
      0
    5. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 703 > Max
       
      No, but there, he's telling you to unsolder the chip that contains the BIOS, erase it and reprogram it with a device, then resolder it.
      That's neither realistic nor feasible.
      0
  4. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 703
     
    Have you tried from the office and from a USB stick?

    Is this stick created on the same PC?
    If so, remove all your protection programs, just in case the antivirus or something else is interfering by blocking certain aspects of the file.
    Or create your USB stick, if you're trying again via USB, on another PC.

    That would already be a point to check.

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    1. Max
       
      I will try to create the key with another PC since I haven't done that. I will keep you updated.

      I erased the antivirus. I even restored the entire system to its original configuration. That didn’t work either.
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    2. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 703
       
      Look at the BitLocker history if you have ... and disable
      https://www.dell.com/support/article/en/en/frbsdt1/sln153694/update-the-bios-on-dell-systems-with-bitlocker-enabled?lang=en
      0
    3. Max
       
      No, I don't have it. So it doesn't come from there.
      0
      1. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 703 > Max
         
        And the key created on another PC, same thing?
        0
    4. Max
       
      I created the key from another PC but the result is the same :(
      0
  6. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 703
     
    Can you provide photos of each step until the block?

    Registered, you can put them directly in the discussion
    https://www.commentcamarche.net/infos/25913-ccm-inserer-une-image-dans-une-discussion/

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    1. AluMinioume Posted messages 3107 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   582
       
      And if the BIOS really encounters problems with Windows 10, there is always the possibility of installing a maintained Linux distribution. It can be a good alternative to Windows 7.
      0
      1. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 703 > AluMinioume Posted messages 3107 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
         
        Yes,
        Stay on Windows 7 or switch to Windows 8.1 or any other like Linux.
        0
    2. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 703
       
      Is everything unplugged from the PC?
      0
    3. Max91200 Posted messages 8 Status Member
       
      And then nothing... what do you mean by peripheral? I only have the USB drive plugged in.
      0
      1. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 703 > Max91200 Posted messages 8 Status Member
         
        From the office in the picture
        0
  8. Max91200 Posted messages 8 Status Member
     
    Here it is
    Sorry for the reflections lol
    It opens this and I'm stuck.
    I tried a more recent version of this software but it does the same thing.

    0
    1. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 703
       
      So, he doesn't want to start at all.
      Have you tried flashing with version 3?
      It's either a refusal or it works and cleans up the BIOS if there was an error.
      0
    2. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 703
       
      In the meantime, provide the link to the page that Dell gives you after identifying the PC.
      0
    3. Max91200 Posted messages 8 Status Member
       
      He refuses because it's the same version. I already tried: for the link I typed n5110 a03 into Google and I found it right away.
      0
  9. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 703
     
    "<i> On Dell's support site, after detecting the motherboard,</i>"
    then
    "<i>I typed n5110 a03 into Google and I found it right away</i>"

    Did you run the detection, to be sure of the model and version of the BIOS to install?
    Detect the computer
    https://www.dell.com/support/home/en/en/frbsdt1/?%7Eck=mn
    the resulting page should specify the model and other information that may be useful

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    1. Max91200 Posted messages 8 Status Member
       
      For detection, I need supportAssist but I can no longer install it because since I did a system restore, I have to redo all the Windows updates before :( but I had taken the BIOS versions right before restoring the system. The files starting with N5110 were indeed the correct ones and the label under my computer says: Inspiron model N5110.
      0
      1. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 703 > Max91200 Posted messages 8 Status Member
         
        try their update software/utilities, you never know ...
        0
    2. Max91200 Posted messages 8 Status Member
       
      I installed Ubuntu (Linux) and during the installation, it updated all the drivers for me, it created a partition between W7 and Ubuntu and formatted all the partitions. I realized that this had fixed my computer clock (it hadn't been syncing for several months). I was using a synchronization program. I thought my battery was dead. And upon restarting, strangely, the time was set correctly in my program. I found that odd because it hadn't happened for months. I tried flashing the BIOS again with the latest version, 11, and it worked! Persistence finally pays off :) everything is resolved. Thank you very much!!!
      0
      1. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 703 > Max91200 Posted messages 8 Status Member
         
        Perfect!
        :-)
        But it was probably that battery that was the issue, it should still be changed.
        (it maintains the BIOS settings and for security the BIOS may not have wanted to update)
        Now you just need to upgrade to Windows 10 and if there are driver issues start with this:
        https://www.commentcamarche.net/faq/48455-mettre-a-jour-ses-pilotes-gratuitement-avec-driverscloud
        Then manually resolve any remaining ones.

        However, depending on what the installation of Ubuntu did, it may cause problems.
        (partition format can sometimes be specific)
        Consider upgrading to 10 with the upgrade and once the free activation is retrieved, reinstall Windows 10 cleanly with erasure and conversion of the hard drive if needed.
        (or you'll be able to remove Ubuntu without any issues)
        0
  10. remite
     
    Hello,
    maybe by disabling "secure boot" in the BIOS.
    But for flashing under DOS (from the BIOS), it's not an .exe file that is needed, it's a .rom .hdr .bin or something like that.

    If you are installing a UEFI BIOS as a replacement for a legacy BIOS, the boot partition must be GPT and not MBR.

    Since you have solved your problem, mark it as "resolved."
    0
    1. gugu01 Posted messages 15669 Registration date   Status Contributor Last intervention   4 703
       
      Hello remite,

      No but it's fine, the BIOS is up to date now.
      Moreover, it's a BIOS so it couldn't have secure boot.
      Legacy is not a BIOS but a degraded mode under UEFI that he doesn't have.
      ;-)
      0
    2. Max91200 Posted messages 8 Status Member
       
      Thank you all.
      0
  11. Moi
     
    You have to flash the BIOS in the order of updates from the version you have. Apparently, if you go to Dell's FTP site, they are listed in order (info found on blug from the USA in English).

    In other words, you cannot skip versions, for example from A3 to A10.
    0