Dell Copyright (C) 2003, All Rights reserved. www.dell.com BIOS Release Notes =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8200 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A10 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 05/16/03 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made to the A09 BIOS to create the A10 BIOS: Issues Fixed: 1. Fixed issue where the system may fail to boot to CD if the primary hard disk drive is not installed. 2. Fixed issue where the ACPI battery gauge may not always report the correct percent capacity. Enhancements: 1. Added 'Configure Passwords' field to the System Security page in System Setup. This feature allows the system administrator password to be used to prevent users from installing system or hard disk drive passwords. 2. Added support for newer revisions of the Pentium 4 processor. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows XP =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8200 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A09 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 03/07/03 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made to the A08 BIOS to create the A09 BIOS: Issues Fixed: 1. Fixed issue in which the system may display the following error after the BIOS is flashed using Floppyless or Remote BIOS Update: "The System ROM version and the Keyboard Controller ROM versions do not match." 2. Fixed a problem with an erratic USB Mouse while running the Dell Diagnostic utilities. 3. Fixed problem where there may be slow device recognition for USB devices connected to HUBs during POST and while in use. 4. Fixed problem where the hot-key will not respond under ACPI with AC attached and no batteries installed. 5. Fixed issue in which modular bay drives may not be recognized correctly by SMBIOS under ACPI operating systems. 6. Fixed problem in which SMBIOS fails to notify Dell Open Manage Client Instrumentation of system fan failures. 7. Fixed problem where the USB signal strength would deteriorate when using 5 meter long cables. 8. Fixed problem where PenPower may break TouchPad and external mice functionality. 9. Fixed problem where the system may stop responding after escaping a BIOS system password screen on resumes under ACPI operating systems. 10. Fixed problem where popping noise may be heard during POST and resumes under ACPI operating systems. 11. Fixed issue in which System Setup displays the wrong capacity for hard disk drives larger than 65GB. Enhancements: 1. Enhanced BIOS support to ensure Computrace Security Software operates consistently when new BIOS versions are released. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows XP =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8200 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A08 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 12/10/02 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made to the A07 BIOS to create the A08 BIOS: Enhancements: 1. Added ability to launch Dell Diagnostics from the One Time Boot Menu and, when the system is off, by holding the Internet Button down while pressing the power button. Note that the Dell Diagnostics CD may be required to run the complete suite of tests. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows XP =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8200 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A07 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 10/28/02 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made to the A06 BIOS to create the A07 BIOS: Issues Fixed: 1. Fixed issue in which ISA devices could not be manually reconfigured to use IRQ 10 in Device Manager. 2. Fixed issue in which some bootable CDs do not boot. 3. Improved accuracy of the battery discharge rate reported to ACPI for purposes of battery time remaining calculations. 4. Fixed issue in which some external serial port devices attached to the system may detect a break or framing error when the OS loads. 5. Fixed system hang seen when the user suspends the system using the Sleep Button () then closes the lid and resumes after warm docking to a docking station with a CRT attached. 6. Fixed issue in which horizontal lines and flickering may be seen under Win2K and WinXP when running applications in a full screen DOS window. 7. Fixed issue in which the OS may not be allowed to throttle the CPU after the system is resumed from Standby. 8. Fixed issue in which the internal modem may be redetected by the OS after enabling the modem to receive incoming calls then performing a system reboot. 9. Fixed intermittent issue in which the system may fail to complete POST with AC power attached and a fully discharged battery installed. 10. Fixed issue in which the user may need to suspend touchpad and trackstick use for several seconds before either device will respond. Enhancements: 1. Replaced with as the hotkey used to exit the One Time Boot Menu screen. 2. Improved battery status reporting algorithm to reduce time spent in SMM when updating the OS battery information. 3. Optimized the thermal management algorithm. 4. Added support for newer revisions of the Pentium 4 processor. 5. Updated the NVIDIA GeForce2GO video BIOS to version 3.11.01.44.D1. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows XP =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8200 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A06 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 08/17/02 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made to the A04 BIOS to create the A06 BIOS: Issues Fixed: 1. Decreased the amount of time required to wake from Standby under Windows XP. 2. Fixed problem in which large file transfers using the serial port may fail. 3. Fixed issue in which the system cannot enter Standby with a Simpletech Flash Card installed in the PCMCIA slot. 4. Fixed problem in which the system will not resume to both LCD and external CRT when resuming by opening the lid if an external CRT is attached. 5. Fixed issue in which an excessive delay may be seen when enabling a hard disk drive password in System Setup. 6. Fixed problem in which an external CRT attached to the dock may not be active after hot-docking. 7. Modified the help text for the Ring/Event Resume field in System Setup. The reference to waking from a ring event caused by an external modem attached to the serial port has been removed. 8. Fixed issue in which the BIOS may erroneously report that a 70W AC adapter is attached when the battery is removed while the system is powered on. 9. Fixed issues in which the BIOS may prevent the processor from running in the correct performance mode when a 70W AC adapter is removed or attached. The actual processor performance mode is controlled by the Intel SpeedStep application under Windows 2000 and the operating system under Windows XP. 10. Fixed problem where some bootable CD-ROMs may fail to boot. Enhancements: 1. Added support for newer revisions of the Pentium 4 processor. 2. Modified system behavior when using 70W AC adapters, including allowing the system to run when docked with a 70W AC adapter. 3. Updated SMBIOS to reflect support for higher processor speeds. 4. Reduced the number of System Management Interrupts that occur when USB Legacy is enabled. 5. Added a field on page 1 of System Setup to identify the type of LCD panel installed on the system. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows XP =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8200 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A05 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 08/14/02 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The A05 BIOS was not released. =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8200 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A04 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 07/09/02 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made to the A03 BIOS to create the A04 BIOS: Issues Fixed: 1. Fixed issue in which the AC adapter may turn off while charging the battery. Enhancements: 1. Added support for newer LCD panels. 2. Updated the NVIDIA GeForce2Go video BIOS to version 3.11.01.44.C2. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows XP =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8200 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A03 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 06/03/02 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made to the A02 BIOS to create the A03 BIOS: Enhancements: 1. Added SMBIOS/thermal support for 2.0GHz & 1.9GHz processors. 2. Added support for additional Firmware Hub FLASH memory devices. 3. Enhanced battery charge terminate behavior. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows XP =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8200 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A02 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 04/04/02 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made to the A01 BIOS to create the A02 BIOS: Enhancements: 1. Enhanced Speedstep power management functionality. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows XP =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8200 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A01 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 03/20/02 (Memory location FFFF:0005) The following updates were made to the A00 BIOS to create the A01 BIOS: Issues Fixed: 1. Fixed hang resuming from hibernate when IR is enabled. 2. Changed GeForce2GO Video BIOS to 3.11.01.44.B4 to correct timings on certain panels. The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows XP =================================================================== =================================================================== Systems: Dell Inspiron 8200 (Memory location F000:E845) Version: A00 (Memory location F000:E842) Build Date: 02/26/02 (Memory location FFFF:0005) Initial release of the BIOS NVIDIA GeForce2GO Video BIOS is 3.11.01.44.B1 The BIOS release has been validated on the following operating systems: 1. Microsoft Windows XP