Dell Vostro 470 - need BIOS file to reprogram BIOS chip

[Folxs]

I'm searching for BIOS for Vostro 470 - i need to reprogram BIOS, because it suddenly disappeared.
Maybe someone have full 4MB BIOS file?

[desy2820]

I found the BIOS on Dell's website.  It states that it can be used in a variety of environments, including MS-DOS.
link:  http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=GVGPD&fileId=3292921037&osCode=W764&productCode=vostro-470&languageCode=EN&categoryId=BI

[ezcrazy]

Hello,

I've downloaded the executable file desy2820 gave you and extracted the files from it. I've found a 2MB .CAP file in it, which upon taking a further look at it, it turns out to be a BIOS file which you can flash with any BIOS flasher just like you would with a .BIN.

Below you will find the ZIP file containing all the files that I have extracted, the .CAP file is the file that you will need to flash with your BIOS flasher.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/112467995/A12.zip

[Folxs]

Thanks both of You very much - but I tried to do it earlier and it doesn't work.
I tried to flash tat .cap and .rom file and nothing. It's because i think Full bios is 4MB with zeros - here, there arent zeros and it is only ~2MB.
I need full 4MB file with zeros! I think only way to get it is download full file from working BIOS chip
Maybe someone has Vostro 470?

[ezcrazy]

What BIOS flasher and application to flash are you using, as normally it would work. Also what error is the flashing application giving you? By the way, what is the BIOS chip's part number?

I would also try to download the A10 version of the BIOS and flash with that as the A12 tends to break computers every now and then.

Also if the BIOS chip is fine, instructions below will most likely work (Got them from DELL):
1.  Download the Dell BIOS update .exe file to a USB flash drive.
2.  Run the .exe file with /writehdrfile parameter
3.  Run the .exe file with /writeromfile parameter
4.  Copy the .hdr file to winery50.hdr
5.  Remove the battery and AC power from the dead computer
6.  Insert the flash drive into the dead computer's USB port
7.  Hold down the End key and then connect the AC power
8.  Dead computer reads USB flash and asks if update should be done
9.  Allow the update to finish and then reboot.
10.  Computer is now working normally.

[Folxs]

Computer even does not start. I have to program BIOS with programmer

[ezcrazy]

Yeah I know, but some DELL laptops have a fail safe mode for BIOS programming. What programmer are you using again? I can't help you without giving further details about your problem.

[Folxs]

This is not a laptop - this is a PC
BeeProg

[ezcrazy]

This is not a laptop - this is a PC
BeeProg

What's the part number on the chip (or the sticker on the chip if there is one)

[Folxs]

Winbond 25Q32BVSIG

[ezcrazy]

Hang on, I've found an XPS 8500 which uses the same BIOS as the Vostro 470, I'm going to read the EPROM into a ROM or a bin file for you. If flashing the file I'm gonna give ya still doesn't work I'm going to blame the chip, something else on the board, your programmer or user error (I'm still going to give you the benefit of the doubt because the BeeProg is a $1000 programmer, if you it very cheap it's most likely a fake programmer and there may be some incompatibility with that chip)

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/112467995/2015-11-10%2000-22.ROM

[Folxs]

This particular file is the file You read from BIOS chip? Why it's only 2.6mb instead of full 4mb (2.6mb + zeros)? But thank You very much!  I'll try and post here the results.
Programmer is really high end - it is 100% original BeeProg and every time works fine

[ezcrazy]

The ROM I gave you for now is not from the BIOS chip, I've yet have to get some alone time with the PC in question. Just gave you that to see if it can work, do you have Skype or any other sort of IM (Steam or smth else, as it'd be faster to try to help you.)

This particular file is the file You read from BIOS chip? Why it's only 2.6mb instead of full 4mb (2.6mb + zeros)? But thank You very much!  I'll try and post here the results.
Programmer is really high end - it is 100% original BeeProg and every time works fine

[Folxs]

I got skype: Moneyson, facebook etc.
But have You access to any computer to get BIOS from chip? I tried 4 files - all size of 2.6mb and nothing. I need full 4mb file - only way to get it is read from chip

[ezcrazy]

I've added you, we'll try to fill the rest of the file with 0's, because in reality that's what the DELL flashing APP is doing. I will have access to a PC that uses the same BIOS as yours but I don't have any ETA on that.

[Folxs]

Ok, sorry - in my country is 01:00AM and I should be sleeping right now
How we can fill that bios with zeros? Can You post instructions here? Also for other ppl. Or on facebook? Contact me: www.facebook.com/folxs.htc

[ezcrazy]

Well, with a hex editor. I also have to sleep very soon, 1:04AM

Ok, sorry - in my country is 01:00AM and I should be sleeping right now
How we can fill that bios with zeros? Can You post instructions here? Also for other ppl. Or on facebook? Contact me: www.facebook.com/folxs.htc

[Folxs]

How much zeros and where I should add?

[ezcrazy]

I'll add them later for you after reading the datasheet, out of curiosity, is the flasher even recognizing the chip as I could not find it in BeeProg's comparable list. I did however find similar chips, but have not looked at any of their datasheets until I know for sure that it's at least detecting the EPROM.

How much zeros and where I should add?

[Folxs]

Yes, programmer recognizes it. I can buy that chips on alieexpress - but the most important for me is to get BIOS file. When I'm reading file from chip i have 4mb file with almost all zeros - only on the end there are some data

[ezcrazy]

Could you give me the read from the chip, I'll most likely be able to tell you if its corrupted data by using binwalk and check if it still recognizes any parts of the BIOS.

[Folxs]

Ok, but tomorrow - because I got this file in computer that is in my work. I'll post it here after 11AM
Good night, and thank You very very much for help!

[Deathwish]

isnt the beeprog the same as the dataman one ?.

[Folxs]

I don't know. It's the first time in my life i heard about dataman

[Deathwish]

dataman are well known, i had one of their gang programmers way back in about late 99. elnec seem to re badghe some of them from what i have seen and the 2 programmes used to programme by each company are near identical too