[SOLVED] How do update your bios without a cpu?

[White Crow]

I have a dell precision t3400 and I bought a core 2 quad q9650 for it, I don't have the old processer anymore. The bios is way outdated (A 04) so it says that the processer isn't supported. Is there a way to update the bios using a thumbdrive or something? Thanks

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

If you're able to get into your OS's GUI, download all the BIOS version you can get a hold of after A04. You should be able to run the executable from within the OS by running it in an elevated command, i.e Right click installer>Run as Administrator.

Here is a list of BIOS versions
https://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=9pn0t
https://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=r192821
https://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=1xwr4
https://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=f65dr
https://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=r77409
https://www.dell.com/support/home/do/en/dobsdt1/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=r290840
https://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=9fy48
https://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=dy07g

Work your way up, gradually.

 

[White Crow]

Is there a way I can do it without getting into the os? Because it doesn't go past the windows 10 logo. Thanks for your kind reply btw

 

[White Crow]

Also do I have to download all the updates for it or can I upgrade to A 14 directly?

 

[ex_bubblehead]

Without a compatible processor there's nothing you can do. Why did you dispose of the previous processor before ensuring that all was working?

 

[herrwizo]

Yup, nothing you can do. Either get a compatible processor just to flash, or use a local computer service shop or similar and pay them to flash the BIOS for you. Boards which enable flashing without the CPU do actually exist, but they are quite rare and mostly on the higher-end of price spectrum.

EDIT: as a sidenote, if you can actually get image to your screen at all (and it would seem so from your post), or even better, enter the BIOS, then there might be a chance. But you will have to download the BIOS and prepare the entire thumb drive on a different computer before using it to flash new BIOS on your current one.

 

[White Crow]

I can enter the bios , run diagnostics etc, what will be the process of preparing the thumbdrive though?, I have an optiplex 745 lying around to make it. Also will I have to download all the bios versions one by one? Or will directly downloading the latest one work?

 

[SamirD]

I can enter the bios , run diagnostics etc, what will be the process of preparing the thumbdrive though?, I have an optiplex 745 lying around to make it. Also will I have to download all the bios versions one by one? Or will directly downloading the latest one work?

That's good, so your bios is supporting it and you don't need to upgrade. Run the diagnostics and confirm.

If your diagnostics work, then the processor is working and windows is just giving you trouble. Boot into safe mode and fix it there.

 

[White Crow]

That's good, so your bios is supporting it and you don't need to upgrade. Run the diagnostics and confirm.

If your diagnostics work, then the processor is working and windows is just giving you trouble. Boot into safe mode and fix it there.

Thank you so much, I am reinstalling windows