Paul, Technically you don't need to do that. Once you download the A08 or A07 executables for floppy disk install, you can create bootable floppy disks. Derek From the Dell forums: Once the file is downloaded to your hard drive just run the file. The program will then prompt you into creating a bootable BIOS upgrade floppy disk so have a "good" blank one available. Once the floppy is created just leave the floppy in the drive and reboot your system. The BIOS upgrade program will then prompt you into updating the BIOS. If the floppy fails to boot then check your system's boot order and make sure the floppy drive is before the hard drive in the boot sequence. Once the BIOS upgrade is successfully done just remove the floppy disk and reboot the system. The actual time it takes the new BIOS code to be written is less than 30 seconds. While the upgrade is in progress do not interrupt the upgrade or do the upgrade when weather conditions might indicate a possible power failure such as doing the upgrade during a thunderstorm. An interrupted BIOS upgrade will corrupt the currently installed BIOS and make your motherboard unusable. On Thu, Apr 11, 2013 at 11:18 AM, Hachmeyer, Mr. Paul S. < [log in to unmask]> wrote: > Derek, > I'll check that out. I guess I can access the hard drives via remote > desktop since the keyboards lock up once booted. Thanks. > Paul > > -----Original Message----- > From: Personal Computer Hardware discussion List [mailto: > [log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Derek Buchanan > Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 2:51 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Dell > > Paul, > There was an issue with the GX280's having a USB connect problem and > they rectified it with a bios update A08. I would also make sure that the > bios on the GX270's are up to last issued update of A07. I would see if > that rectifies the problems before you have to go windows troubleshooting. > > Derek > > > On Wed, Apr 10, 2013 at 11:54 AM, Hachmeyer, Mr. Paul S. < > [log in to unmask]> wrote: > > > I have 2 slightly aged Dell pc's that seem to boot up ok, but the usb > > mouse and usb keyboard stop working after a couple of keystrokes on > > the keyboard. > > I've tried different keyboards and mouse, same result. Pulled and > > reinserted the internal cards and memory, all of the usb ports have > > the same issue. > > Both pc's are win xp with sp3, Optiplex GX270 and Optiplex GX280. > > Paul Hachmeyer > > Do you want to signoff PCBUILD or just change to > Digest mode - visit our web site: > http://freepctech.com/pcbuild.shtml > The NOSPIN Group is now offering Free PC Tech support at our website: http://freepctech.com