bios update

[Matt Domsch]

On Sun, May 22, 2011 at 05:51:20AM -0700, Craig White wrote:
> On Sat, 2011-05-21 at 21:25 -0500, Matt Domsch wrote:
> > On Wed, May 18, 2011 at 10:55:24AM -0300, Sebastian wrote:
> > >    Apologies*if this has been discussed, I couldn't find it.
> > >    I have a single boot FC14 system on a*Dell precision M6500 precision
> > >    notebook and*wish to update the BIOS.
> > >    I go to the Dell download site, and for my machine select the closest
> > >    match to my operating system: RH Enterprise Linux 5.
> > >    This gives me the only option to download an EXE file: "M6500A06.EXE"
> > >    Is it possible to update my bios with this file given my current
> > >    installation?
> > >    I have*windows Virtual Box under FC14,*or,
> > >    Do I need to delete my*installation, install windows and reinstall?
> > >    As I really don't want to do this, a final option to consider: could I
> > >    install windows via a USB drive (so as to not destroy my current*system)
> > >    and then install bios?*
> > 
> > http://linux.dell.com/wiki/index.php/Repository/firmware
> > 
> > describes how to do this for many (but not all) Dell systems.  The
> > firmware repository on linux.dell.com carries firmware payloads for
> > >300 different system types.  firmware-addon-dell and firmware-tools
> > packages are included in Fedora and EPEL, so you only need the
> > firmware payload RPM from the firmware repository then.
> ----
> and it shouldn't go without mention that Matt is not only a board member
> of Fedora but also has spearheaded tremendous Linux support at Dell
> which provides tools such as these to make life easier for Linux users
> for which I am very grateful.

Former board member (I chose not to stand for re-election in December
2010 due to other commitments, and a strong desire to see others step
into that leadership role after my 5 year tenure), but thanks for the
votes of confidence!

-- 
Matt Domsch
Technology Strategist
Dell | Office of the CTO