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My Dell XPS M1330 currently has BIOS version A11 which is too outdated to install windows 7 Home Premium. I followed the instructions on the Dell support site, downloaded the appropriate BIOS update executable (M1330A15.EXE) and ran it.

Since my battery has worn out it flagged an error saying that my computer didn't have a battery, but I can work around that by using M1330A15.EXE /forceit from a cmd prompt with elevated permissions.

It confirms that I want to update from A11 to A15 and I press OK. This causes Windows to shutdown. All good so far.

The problem:
After the shutdown there is a black screen for a few minutes after which windows starts normally. However when I check the BIOS version (with msinfo32.exe), it still shows A11!

It appears like the BIOS update was never flashed and that the black screen just timed out and started windows again :(. Any help or insight will be appreciated since there is no service center in my locality for the appropriate battery and vista is creating a lot of problems for me!

Edit:
The reason I need to update my BIOS is because Windows 7 CD gives the warning:

The following issues are preventing Windows from upgrading... Windows cannot be installed on this computer with the current system BIOS version.

Contact your computer manufacturer for a BIOS update,... OEM Name: Dell Inc.; OEM Model: XPS M1330 ; BIOS Version: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A11;...

Also, it still shows A11 even in my BIOS setup screen!

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  • What makes you think you cannot run Windows 7 with the A11 revision of your BIOS? The only other method is to use a USB stick. If Dell doesn't offer that method for their devices your really don't have another way to update your BIOS.
    – Ramhound
    May 24, 2014 at 22:33
  • Does msinfo.exe just report that it has version 11, or does it actually have version 11. (Look at the BIOS screen when booting. Msinfo might just have old information).
    – Hennes
    May 24, 2014 at 22:34
  • What version of BIOS is reported during POST?
    – joeqwerty
    May 24, 2014 at 23:11
  • @Ramhound I have edited my question to include more appropriate information in response to your comment. Very sorry for the delay!
    – reubenjohn
    May 25, 2014 at 8:53
  • @Hennes see Edit (It is not just msinfo32.exe that is showing A11)
    – reubenjohn
    May 25, 2014 at 8:54

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