Flashing bios

the first thing I would check is the bios to see if there is an option to flash bios at all, if there isn't it may just be easier to buy a new mainboard that is built for overclocking.

 

Just check Dell's support site for the model. If there's a BIOS update, it'll be there.

It will require DOS. If you have Windows installed, no problem. If not, then you'll have to figure out how to boot into a DOS environment and run the update.

If the reason you want to update is because of a password, I have exactly the same problem, and not able to solve it, either.

 

few things-
1. Dells lock down overclocking. You would have to get a board that supports overclocking and throw all the components into that one. By locked down, i mean super locked down, no hacker has yet (to my knowledge) been able to bypass it.

2. Bios updates on dells are super easy, go to dell.com and download it, its a little .exe prog and it takes care of everything. Did it not too long ago on my buddies laptop.

3. If there is a bios password you are trying to get around, again not very difficult. On the main board somewhere (google dell optiplex xxx bios pw jumper) there should be a jumper you move and it will reset the password. A buddy of mine was in that same situation, just moved the jumper from pin and it was reset. google is your friend.

 

not true there. Depending on the mobo manufature you can flash from inside windows. I have installed multiple updates to the BIOS on my computer from with in windows. It reflashes the chip and it takes full effect on the next reboot.