Dell Copyright (C) 2001, All Rights reserved. www.dell.com BIOS Release Notes Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A17 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 09/20/01 (Memory location FFFF:0005) ********************************************************************* ** IMPORTANT NOTES FOR THIS RELEASE ** 1. Windows 2000 users with systems equipped with ATI video controllers must also download and install the A07 video driver (W2KA07.EXE) when upgrading to this BIOS. Failure to do so may prevent the LCD panel from to turning on when opening the lid after suspending the system by closing the lid. 2. Windows ME users must also download and install the OS Update utility for Windows ME (OSUPA00.EXE) when upgrading to this BIOS version. Failure to do so may prevent the system or peripherals from functioning properly. ********************************************************************* The following updates were made to the A13 & A16 BIOS to create A17: Issues Fixed: 1. Fixed issue in which the system may intermittently display a "no boot device available" message when attempting to boot to any device other than the floppy disk drive. 2. Fixed issue seen under WinME in which the system may not resume from suspend to the correct display(s) when an external CRT is attached. 3. Fixed audio stuttering heard when the fans turn on or off while playing music or videos. 4. Fixed "Unsafe Device Removal" warning message seen under Win2K after removing an IDE device or swapping from an IDE device to a battery. 5. Fixed issue seen under Win2K in which the LCD may fail to turn off when the lid is closed. Enhancements: 1. Added additional optimizations to the battery charging algorithm. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows 2000 ACPI 2. Microsoft Windows Millennium ACPI 3. Microsoft Windows XP =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A16 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 08/30/01 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made to the A12 BIOS to create A16: Enhancements: 1. Optimized the battery charging algorithm. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows 2000 ACPI 2. Microsoft Windows Millennium ACPI =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A15 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 08/28/01 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The A15 BIOS was not released. =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A14 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 08/23/01 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The A14 BIOS was not released. =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A13 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 07/13/01 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made to the A12 BIOS to create the A13 BIOS: Issues Fixed: 1. Fixed issue in which video jitter is observed on external CRTs when in certain video modes. 2. Fixed issue in which the system will hang under Windows 2000 when attempting to suspend with a TV set as the primary display while a CRT is connected. 3. Fixed issue in which the Fortezza encryption card is not recognized when a 3COM Mini-PCI NIC is installed and enabled in System Setup. 4. Fixed issue seen with dual-speed processors when the 'CPU Battery Setup' field is set to 'Maximum Performance' in System Setup: The processor will transition to the low speed after 2 suspend/resume cycles when no AC power is attached to the system. Enhancements: 1. The ATI video BIOS has been upgraded to version 4.089. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows 2000 ACPI 2. Microsoft Windows Millennium ACPI =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A12 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 07/05/01 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made to the A11 BIOS to create the A12 BIOS: Issues Fixed: 1. Fixed issue in which the system would fail to resume after a warm dock or undock event when using the Windows Millennium OS. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows 2000 ACPI 2. Microsoft Windows Millennium ACPI =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A11 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 06/21/01 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made to the A10 BIOS to create the A11 BIOS: Issues Fixed: 1. Fixed issue in which extra key presses during POST would lead to excessive beeps if choice.com is run from autoexec.bat. 2. Fixed issue in which systems automatically power on in response to the Auto-On alarm even when AC power is not present. 3. Fixed issue in which Windows 2000 display settings are lost when moving between docked and undocked hardware profiles. 4. Fixed issue in which systems fail to Wake On LAN from the Off State using the onboard dock NIC after shutting down from Windows 2000. 5. Fixed issue in which some newer Pentium processors are not identified correctly. 6. Fixed failure to boot from a CardBus NIC equipped with a bootable option ROM. 7. Fixed issue in which System Setup does not show the correct CPU speed when AC power is removed or added while in suspend and 'CPU Battery Setup' is set to 'Battery Optimized'. Enhancements: 1. Added support for extended serial port initialization - Int 14h, function 04h. 2. Added new boot device list on page 2 of System Setup. 3. Added a One-Time Boot Menu which allows users to change the boot device order for one boot only, by pressing during POST. 4. Added System Setup exit screen to ask user if they wish to save their changes. Changes to date/time and password settings cannot be undone. 5. Changed the Help Text in System Setup for 'CPU Battery Setup' field to explain that the CPU performance will not change upon insertion/removal of AC power until the system is turned off and turned back on. 6. The BIOS flash program has been modified to allow it to execute with much less available DOS memory under 640K. 7. New Help Text in System Setup explaining that the Slow IR setting may be overridden by some operating systems. 8. The ATI video BIOS has been upgraded to version 4.084. 9. The nVidia video BIOS has been upgraded to version 3.11.01.13.12. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows 2000 ACPI 2. Microsoft Windows Millennium ACPI =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A10 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 05/01/01 (Memory location FFFF:0005) ********************************************************************* CAUTION: One of two error conditions may be encountered when attempting to upgrade the Dell Inspiron 8000 BIOS without using the Dell BIOS Upgrade Disk image. 1. "Program too big to fit in memory" This occurs when using the I8000[version].exe flash program in conjunction with DOS versions newer than 6.22. 2. "Error! Make sure the file I8000[version].exe is in the current device A:" This error occurs when using the upgrade.exe program to launch the BIOS flash program in conjunction with DOS versions newer than 6.22. Both error messages occur because not enough free RAM exists in DOS versions newer than 6.22 for the programs to successfully execute. To avoid these error messages use the Dell BIOS Upgrade Disk to flash the system. ********************************************************************* The following updates were made the A09 BIOS to create the A10 BIOS: Issues Fixed: 1. Fixed issue in which some batteries may charge slowly. Enhancements: 1. Added support for new revisions of Pentium processors. 2. Changed the name reported by some systems from "Inspiron 8000e" to "Inspiron 8000". 3. In dual battery configurations, added an enhancement to charge the Primary battery first. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows 2000 ACPI 2. Microsoft Windows Millennium ACPI =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A09 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 04/05/01 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made the A08 BIOS to create the A09 BIOS: Issues Fixed: 1. Fixed issue in which high-capacity batteries may charge slowly. Enhancements: 1. Added fast memory test to reduce POST time. 2. The ATI video BIOS has been upgraded from version 4.070 to version 4.071. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows 2000 ACPI 2. Microsoft Windows Millennium ACPI =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A08 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 03/21/01 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made the A07 BIOS to create the A08 BIOS: Enhancements: 1. The ATI video BIOS has been upgraded from version 4.066 to version 4.070. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows 2000 ACPI 2. Microsoft Windows Millennium ACPI =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A07 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 03/18/01 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The A07 BIOS was not released. The following updates were made the A06 BIOS to create the A07 BIOS: Enhancements: 1. The ATI video BIOS has been upgraded from version 4.065 to version 4.066. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows 2000 ACPI 2. Microsoft Windows Millennium ACPI =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A06 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 03/07/01 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made the A05 BIOS to create the A06 BIOS: Issues Fixed: 1. Fixed issue seen under Win2K in which the system may hang after hot-docking with an ActionTec Mini-PCI Combo card installed. 2. Fixed intermittent Win2K blue screen error seen during boot when a NIC is installed and "Boot POST" is set to "Minimal" in System Setup. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows 2000 ACPI 2. Microsoft Windows Millennium ACPI =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A05 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 02/27/01 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made the A04 BIOS to create the A05 BIOS: 1. Fixed issue seen under Win2K in which HP USB CD-RW fails to install. 2. Fixed issue in which Num Lock would stay enabled after a warm reboot. 3. Fixed issue in which System Setup reports 'Battery Optimized' when the 'CPU Battery Setup:' option is set to 'Maximum Performance' and the system is booted without AC power attached. 4. Fixed issue in which Legacy USB support was creating an un-handled interrupt. This was causing failures with DOS NIC test utilities. Enhancements: 1. Added new Mini-PCI field to show the type of card installed: 1. Modem = "Modem" 2. NIC/Modem Combo = "Combo" 3. Wireless NIC = "Wireless" 4. All others = "Unknown" 2. Added new CMOS options to enable or disable NumLock depending the on hardware profile in which the system is booted. CMOS SETTING HW PROFILE NUMLOCK Disable N/A Off Enable N/A On Undocked Undocked On Undocked Docked Off Docked Undocked Off Docked Docked On 3. Added SMBIOS entry to describe the Mini-PCI slot. 4. Added support for newer Pentium III processor revisions. 5. The ATI video BIOS has been upgraded from version 4.061 to version 4.065. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows 2000 ACPI 2. Microsoft Windows Millennium ACPI =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A04 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 02/07/01 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made the A02 BIOS to create the A04 BIOS: Issues Fixed: 1. Fixed issue in which the touchpad and trackstick may stop working during heavy internal keyboard activity. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows 2000 ACPI 2. Microsoft Windows Millennium ACPI =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A03 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 01/22/01 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The A03 BIOS was not released. =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A02 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 12/05/00 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made the A01 BIOS to create the A02 BIOS: Issues Fixed: 1. Fixed issue in which an external 5-button mouse may stop responding if the touchpad is used. 2. Fixed issue seen under Windows 2000 in which an "Unsafe Device Removal" warning was displayed after warm undocking from a dock with a printer attached. 3. Fixed issue in which System Setup identified all systems as "Inspiron 8000 ???ST", regardless of the LCD panel attached. The last 1 or 2 letters of the system name correspond to the type of LCD panel attached, according to the following table: ST ==> 12.1" SVGA GT ==> 14.1" XGA X ==> 14.1" SXGA+ LT ==> 15.0" XGA VT ==> 15.0" SXGA+ U ==> 15.0" UXGA YT ==> 15.4" SXGA Enhancements: 1. Implemented changes to reduce fan activity. 2. Added support for ST-Micro and SST firmware hubs. 3. Added support for ATA-100 hard disk drives. This enhancement will have no affect unless the operating system also supports ATA-100. 4. Added support for the ActionTech J-Class Mini-PCI card. 5. Added support for UXGA LCD panels. 6. The video BIOS has been upgraded from version 4.059 to 4.061 The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows 2000 ACPI 2. Microsoft Windows Millennium ACPI =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A01 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 11/17/00 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made the A00 BIOS to create the A01 BIOS: Issues Fixed: 1. Fixed problem seen when charging some batteries. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows 2000 ACPI 2. Microsoft Windows Millennium ACPI =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8000 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A00 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 09/28/00 (Memory location FFFF:0005) Initial release of the BIOS Video BIOS is ATI 4.059 The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows 2000 ACPI 2. Microsoft Windows Millennium ACPI