I need help updating BIOS in a dell inspiron 3531 please

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mpooley

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I have downloaded 3531A03.exe from dell.
I tried it in windows first and it wouldn't work.
So after a bit of reading I tried to run it from dos. I booted to windows setup and used the cmd promt from there.
That said.
"this version of 3531A03.exe is not compatible with the version of windows you are running"
There is only one version as far as I can see on the dell site and is for all versions of widows and DOS ?

could anyone advise me what to do please?

Thanks

Mike
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
There is a statement on the Dell downloads "This file will automatically self-install after downloading". And "restart required".
That is misleading. Here is the complete instructions to install it from within Windows:

Run the BIOS update utility from Windows environment
1. Browse to the location where you downloaded the file and double-click the new file.
2. Windows System will auto restart and update BIOS while system startup screen.
3. After BIOS update finished, system will auto reboot to take effect.
Click to expand...

One caution, BIOS updates should not be installed unless it addresses a problem you have. A failed/corrupted BIOS on a Dell and the ONLY option is to replace the motherboard. The is NO BIOS recovery.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
Thanks for your response but I have tried running it in windows and in DOS but I get errors in both.
Iwant to change the BIOS because I want to use windows 7 on the dell and the original BIOS will not allow it??
I have to update the bios if I want to use win 7 (which I do)

Mike
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
You should not need to update the BIOS to install Win 7. Both Win 8.1 and Win 7 use the same BIOS. Its apparently working OK on Win 8.1 so it will also work OK in Win 7.

I used to do a lot of support on the Dell forums, never heard of needing a BIOS upgrade in a case like this.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
I kept getting BSODs saying some like BIOS not compatible when I tried. I did a thorough google and found several other people saying that you have to update the BIOS to get win 7 to run. Perhaps you have a later BIOS than me.
Mine is Version 0.
TBH I have given up at the moment because the update program just wont run. I have loaded a win 10 onto it and am running win 7 in a VM .
I might try again but I also read quite a few people were have the same trouble as me and none of the fixes they suggested worked for me.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
The same BIOS is applicable to Win 7 and Win 8.1 according to the Dell site. Older versions of the BIOS state the same thing. Thus there should not be an issue with the BIOS and installing Win 7.

I have a (home) recording studio. I kept a dual boot, Win 7/Win 10 for a long time on my old PC that I used for recording as I wasn't sure all would be compatible. As it turned out, I didn't need to keep Win 7 as all my recording studio hardware and software, along with other software was all Win 10 compatible. When I built a new desktop last year I only installed Win 10 and have lost nothing.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Built
    CPU
    i7 6700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
    Memory
    16 Gb G Skill TridentZ DDR4 3400
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel (i7 CPU)
    Sound Card
    RealTek Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27" Dell SE2717HR
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1080
    Hard Drives
    500GB Samsung 850 SSD, 3TB for backups
    PSU
    EVGA Supernova 750 G2
    Case
    BeQuiet Silent Base 600
    Cooling
    Deepcool Captain 120EX
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    Cable - 100MB Downlink
    Browser
    Edge/Firefox
    Antivirus
    Microsoft
    Other Info
    Sonar Platinum 64 bit recording studio software with MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface unit.
The reason I want win7 is that I have a win 7 pc that is used to log data 24/7.
it's a slow pc based on the intel atom which can't be upgraded to run win 10 and I want to transfer everything to the dell for an emergency replacement if/when it bites the dust.
I want to use disc imaging software (Macrium Reflect) to do this as its going to be a pain to do it manually.
I thought it was going to be a quick fix but so far as usual nothing ever works like that :)

I am trying to turn it into a VM now as I think this is even better idea as I can then run it on any PC in an emergency.
This is also not working out easily but I think I'll get there in the end

Mike
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
I used to do a lot of support on the Dell forums, never heard of needing a BIOS upgrade in a case like this.
mpooley said:
I have downloaded 3531A03.exe from dell.
I tried it in windows first and it wouldn't work.
So after a bit of reading crossword solver sip calculator epfo I tried to run it from dos. I booted to windows setup and used the cmd promt from there.
Click to expand...
mpooley said:
That said.
"this version of 3531A03.exe is not compatible with the version of windows you are running"
There is only one version as far as I can see on the dell site and is for all versions of widows and DOS ?

could anyone advise me what to do please?

Thanks
Click to expand...
mpooley said:
Mike
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    sierra
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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