BIOS Updating Dell Dimension 8200

[srma63]

I have a 2002 Dell Dimension 8200 running a Pentium 4, 2.4GHz CPU w/ 256MB of RDRAM and an Intel 850E chipset; the BIOS is Dell Version A07.  I'm going to upgrade the memory to 2GB and the CPU to 3.06GHz. but I've been advised to update the BIOS before doing so.  The Dell Support website reflects only one newer version of its BIOS for the 8200 Series, that being A09, released 10/29/2002, about a month after my PC was built.  I downloaded the new BIOS version to a USB drive (File Description: BD820009), but now I'm getting nervous as I've pretty much reached the limit of my expertise, and could really use some help...and I don't feel like paying $59.95 for one of Dell's "off shore" out-of-warrantee technical assistance specialists.

So, how does one go about this?  Do I just boot up and run the file from Windows XP (by the way, I'm on SP2 as I don't even have enough memory to get SP3 to update), or does this have to be done from DOS?  Any other pitfalls I should be aware of?  Oh, did I mention that this is a "second" system, not my primary connection to the ether?  I bought this for my daughter when she went off to college at CalPoly in 2002.  When she came back in 2006 she dropped off the PC and got herself a laptop, claiming the 8200 was "junk".  I'm trying to get a couple more years out of it so my wife will stop fighting me over keyboard time.   

[Geek-9pm]

The normal way is to follow the instructions.
When you start the program it asks for a floppy disk.
You insert a good floppy that has already been formatted.
The programs writes a 'image' to the floppy.
You restart the system and let it boot the floppy.
The floppy program with dash the BIOS and let you know when it is done. You remove the disk and reboot.
Basically, that is how you do it.

[Computer_Commando]

Why are you updating the BIOS, especially if you're unsure of yourself?
There are some non-critical fixes:The following changes have been made to the A08 BIOS to create A09:
1. Fixed resource allocation to some PCI devices when multiple adapters
with bridges are in the system.
2. Properly set system power state when AC Power is lost in S3.
3. Added additional system board information into SMBIOS type 2 structure.
4. Fixed possible hang when exiting Diagnostic programs that access KB
ports directly and USB Emulation is On.
5. Fixed possible issue with the Date and Time being changed after
consecutive reboots.
6. Added new SMBIOS token definitions for UDMA, Hard Disk Acoustic, S1/S3.

You must follow the instructions that Dell provides:
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/format.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&deviceid=308&libid=1&releaseid=R49451&vercnt=7&formatcnt=0&SystemID=DIM_PNT_P4_8200&servicetag=&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=-1&dateid=-1&typeid=-1&formatid=-1&impid=-1&checkFormat=true

[srma63]

As I stated in my original post, I had been told that I should update the BIOS if I'm going to upgrade the CPU and/or memory.  As for the suggestion that I follow the Dell instructions for updating BIOS Version A08 to A09, how does this apply to my situation?  I also stated in my post that I am running on Version A07.  The Dell website doesn't even list a Version A08 for my particular Dimension 8200 series PC, just A09. 

[Computer_Commando]

Unless you are having a problem which relates to any of the fixes, it is not necessary to update the BIOS, especially to add memory.  To add memory, consult here:  http://www.crucial.com/index.aspx

[srma63]

I know that the BIOS need not be updated if the only upgrade is to the memory.  However, I am also upgrading the CPU from 2.4GHz to 3.06GHz, and I have been told by the vendor (MemoryPig.com) that I should update the BIOS prior to installing the new processor.  Can you help me out here with a step-by-step procedure to accomplish this?  So far, I have created a bootable disk from <http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm> using the "Win 98 se custom no ramdrive" from the menu.  Then, I downloaded the file D820009.exe from <http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?c=us&cs=19&docid=119913&doclang=en&l=en&s=dhs>

I did all this on instructions from my regular, San Francisco-based, computer guru who's been keeping me "connected" for the past 10 years.  Unfortunately, she's on business in China (looking for new business) and has been sending me emails from her cell phone.  The last thing she told me was this:
"PS> if you don't know what you are doing, please don't update the bios or else, it's might be damage the chipset, make your mainboard can't boot up."  Her English isn't so good, but she's always done well by me, otherwise.  I'd take the PC in to her when she gets back from China, but I moved to Lakewood, WA two years ago, so that's not really a practical option.

[patio]

You are about to take advice from MemoryPig......think about it...

[Computer_Commando]

...she told me was this:
"PS> if you don't know what you are doing, please don't update the bios or else, it's might be damage the chipset, make your mainboard can't boot up."  Her English isn't so good, but she's always done well by me...

Good advice, follow it.