BIOS inaccessible after restoring to new hard drive

[JeffZ]

After using TI to restore Windows XP and all my files and folders to a new hard drive installed in a Dell Inspiron 8100 notebook, I cannot access the BIOS. All that is displayed is the first page (of 7) with most of the data missing - i.e. hard drive info, service tag, etc..
Also, I can't get to the remaining 6 pages. Tried shutting down and completely removing AC and battery power without success. I didn't backup (or restore) what appeared to be a hidden A: drive assigned to Symantec's "GOBACK". Should I have? Does the BIOS need this file(s)? I thought the BIOS was in ROM. IT appears to be a Phoenix BIOS, versio A07. Can someone help me get access to the BIOS back? Everything else works fine after the restore.

[bobdat]

-{ Quote: "After using TI to restore Windows XP and all my files and folders to a new hard drive installed in a Dell Inspiron 8100 notebook, I cannot access the BIOS. All that is displayed is the first page (of 7) with most of the data missing - i.e. hard drive info, service tag, etc..
Also, I can't get to the remaining 6 pages. Tried shutting down and completely removing AC and battery power without success. I didn't backup (or restore) what appeared to be a hidden A: drive assigned to Symantec's "GOBACK". Should I have? Does the BIOS need this file(s)? I thought the BIOS was in ROM. IT appears to be a Phoenix BIOS, versio A07. Can someone help me get access to the BIOS back? Everything else works fine after the restore." }-
I doubt that your BIOS problem is the result of using TI.

I would boot into diagnostics and, if all test were successful, then download the A07 (or newest) BIOS flasher from your Dell support website and re-flash your BIOS.

Are you running any BIOS-controlling programs like 18KFanGUI? They may be the cause.

[jmk94903]

-{ Quote: "After using TI to restore Windows XP and all my files and folders to a new hard drive installed in a Dell Inspiron 8100 notebook, I cannot access the BIOS. All that is displayed is the first page (of 7) with most of the data missing - i.e. hard drive info, service tag, etc..
Also, I can't get to the remaining 6 pages. Tried shutting down and completely removing AC and battery power without success. I didn't backup (or restore) what appeared to be a hidden A: drive assigned to Symantec's "GOBACK". Should I have? Does the BIOS need this file(s)? I thought the BIOS was in ROM. IT appears to be a Phoenix BIOS, versio A07. Can someone help me get access to the BIOS back? Everything else works fine after the restore." }-Check this forum for GOBACK incompatibility with TI. If there is a problem, it is probably due to GOBACK.

You might uninstall GOBACK and then restore the image and check again.

Since the BIOS is accessed even before the hard drive, nothing is needed on the hard drive for BIOS access. However, programs that alter the hard drive such as GOBACK could prevent the hard drive from being recognized by the BIOS.

[bVolk]

There is a TI FAQ item on GoBack as well.

[starsfan09]

To Re-Affirm what John and bVolk are saying, check out Post #2 in this thread. http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=141843

If you have a fairly new Notebook from Dell, there's a chance it has Norton "Ghost 10" on it. This partition is hidden.

Norton "GoBack" and "Ghost 10" together on a HD...while trying to use ATI??
WOW! What an EXPLOSION this has to be!!! Like putting 2 Cats in the same room with a Dog??? ??? :'( :'(

Also, take Bob's advice, and check for a BIOS update. Flash if there is.

[bobdat]

Here's a link to your Dell 8100 BIOS update, A15. Your A07 is a little out of date: ;)

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R57195&SystemID=INS_PNT_P3CT_8100&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=1329&devlib=0&typecnt=1&vercnt=10&formatcnt=4&libid=1&fileid=68418

[JeffZ]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll pursue further and post results.

[JeffZ]

I was able to successfully :D repair this problem by downloading an updated BIOS version from Dell's website and install it via CD versus installing from the Desktop icon created by the download. Thanks, again, for all the replies.