His issue is the bios update util is a dos based application so it needs to run in dos/windows/freedos. i know there are some tools that will take floppy boot images and reproduce them to usb devices turning it into a usb disk.. then you cna get a freedos boot image from bootdisk.com and move from there. On Wed, Feb 25, 2009 at 4:51 PM, Trent Shipley wrote: > I am running Ubuntu 8.10 on a Dell Inspiron 530. > > Something in the last kernel upgrade really hosed the boot sequence.  I figure > I can't start complaining until I have an up-to-date BIOS. > > On Wednesday 2009-02-25, Lisa Kachold wrote: >> Are you set on Gentoo?  [Other's are a bit more powerful?] >> (Don't flame me, I have hand scripted gentoo builds [For AZWSX.COM] but >> it's not the most secure distro or best for a pendrive)! >> >> Here's a fast Ubuntu (I have used): >> https://wiki.ubuntu.com/LiveUsbPendrivePersistent >> >> Here's a nice Knoppix USB: >> http://www.pendrivelinux.com/usb-knoppix-510/ >> >> >> obnosis.com | wiki.obnosis.com| (503)754-4452 >> PLUG HACKFESTS 2nd Saturday Each Month@Noon - 3PM >> Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:41:35 -0800 >> From: trent_shipley@yahoo.com >> Subject: Re: flash bios dos usb stick >> To: plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us >> >> >> >> I haven't even gotten to the moment of truth where I try to boot from the >> usb stick.  I still need to get MBR, vfat-16, Grub, and FreeDOS all loaded >> correctly. >> >> I actually did burn a CD, boot successfully into FreeDOS, and launch the >> Dell BIOS flash package.  Then the BIOS flasher crapped out complaining >> that it couldn't write back to a drive.  So I need to flash from a >> read-write medium. >> >> From: Stephen >> To: tshipley@deru.com; Main PLUG >>  discussion list >> Sent: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 3:32:07 PM >> Subject: Re: flash bios dos usb stick >> >> I know this will depend on the bios i think and what order it places >> yoru USB devices compared to your Hard disk device. >> >> On Tue, Feb 24, 2009 at 9:56 PM, Trent Shipley wrote: >> > I am trying to build a bootable DOS memory stick so that I can flash my >> > BIOS. >> > >> > The instructions (http://en.gentoo-wiki.com/wiki/FreeDOS_Flash_Drive) >> > say: >> > >> > And finally, you can install GRUB : >> > grub >> > grub> device (hd5) /dev/sdb >> > grub> root (hd5,0) >> > grub> setup >> >>  (hd5) >> >> > grub> quit >> > -------------------------- >> > The line:  grub> device (hd5) /dev/sdb >> > is giving me trouble. >> > >> > I know that the stick is mounted at /dev/sdd  but I don't know how to >> > find the value that goes in the (hd5) part of the command. >> > >> > http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/articles/grub_intro/ >> > suggests >> > >> > # grub >> > grub> find /boot/grub/stage1 >> >  (hd0,1) >> >  (hd2,0) >> > >> > followed by >> > >> > grub> find (hd2,0)/boot/im >> > grub> find (hd2,0)/boot/images/ >> > >> > but this has been decidedly unsuccessful. >> > >> > >> > --------------------------------------------------- >> > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us >> > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: >> > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > > > --------------------------------------------------- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > -- A mouse trap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button. Stephen --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss