Need help with OMCI.SYS in a DELL Latitude

I bought this Latitude C610 for my daughter today. In the process of cleaning it up, I decided to update the BIOS. It "seemed" to go ok. I used the non-DOS floppy method by downloading an exe file under Windows(on another laptop) and transferring the file via USB thumbdrive to this Latitude C610.
During the reboot, before windows came up, it stated: "Attempting to remotely update the BIOS... ", or words to that effect. It sat like that for maybe half a minute, then shut down. I restarted it, and, when Win XP booted up, in the lower right corner, a found new hardware notice came up, identifying it as OpenManage Client Instrumentation Device Driver.
Then, the "Welcome to the Found New Hardware Wizard came up, an I chose the recommended automatic software installation. It hung up in the process, stating the the OMCI.SYS file on (Unknown) was needed.
I did a search for it, and found it in the Windows/system32/drivers folder, and pointed the Install Wizard to it. It balked at taking it, stating: Cannot Install this Hardware-an error occurred... "The sytem cannot find the file specified." When you click FINISH, the found new hardware wizard comes up again. I googled "OMCI.SYS" but don't know enough to know which hit to pursue. Can anyone point me to, or give me a link to the proper file?
I looked into some hits that mention Dell specifically, but there seem to be numerous incarnations of this file. Thanks.

 

OpenManage Client Instrumentation information and download here:
http://www.dell.com/content/topics/...anage_servers_nonflash?c=us&l=en&s=gen&~tab=2

Look in Device Manager, the unknown device may be under a heading, like Multimedia or System.

Apparently the OMCI is the software that carries out the BIOS upgrade, it may not have the correct file to load. Are you certain you got the correct upgrade? When you go to the Dell Downloads section, use the Service Tag method to identify the machine.

Are there instructions for doing the upgrade "remotely ". The upgrade files may be saved in the wrong place.

I always try to do a DOS method of BIOS upgrade.

Matt

 

HI Matt,
I did use the Service Tag method to find the upgrade files.
Unfortunately, I do not have a floppy drive with this laptop, so I am pretty much forced to update the BIOS from within Windows.
If I am wrong, please let me know.
I'm not sure about the remotely updating process and what it means.
If by chance I did download and update the wrong BIOS file, can I undo that and go back?
I'm writing this before I tried following the link you provided, so maybe some of the questions will be answered there.
I'll stay in touch. Thanks.
Vic

 

A DOS BIOS upgrade can be done without a floppy drive. There are boot images here for burning onto CD, www.bootdisk.com. You might be able to add the flash files onto the same disk or burn them onto another disk.

Dell may(should) have some instructions for flashing an internet offline/remote computer.

Having second thoughts, your system seems to be functioning OK, it may be that Windows seems to want to install a new piece of hardware it has found or the BIOS upgrade has added new functionality to a current piece of hardware. You may need to check if the BIOS has actually been upgraded.
Did you check in Device Manager?

If you go into the BIOS settings, it may state the version of the BIOS there (look at the information at the top of the screen), otherwise you need to disable the Dell spashscreen. Disabling the splashscreen should be in the BIOS settings, then you will need to stop at the second screen using the Pause/Break key . Search for "BIOS version" at the Dell website.

I am not sure if the BIOS has been flashed or that the result of the flash is that a piece of hardware needs new drivers (due to the upgrade). I might expect that OMCI wants to be connected to the internet (the Dell server).

One thing you can try is to install all the driver updates from the Dell website.

As you can see from the original link, OMCI probably wants to connect to the Dell website and download updates. Updating a remote computer may require special methods.

Matt
If you are stuck, search or ask at the Dell Community forums website.

 

HI Matt,
I did approach Dell for email support. Their reply was first to reset the setup defaults to see if I don't regain the second 128megs of ram. No luck. BTW it is clearly BIOS version A16. I did reset the BIOS defaults because the time and date changed to 00 hours sometime in may of 2003.They suggested I reflash. I did, and this time, during the BIOS setup wizard, it told me that it could not inspect my system(a preliminary step), and that setup cannot complete. Bios setup failed, and then kicked me out of the setup.
It occurred to me that I probably didn't mention to you that after the first BIOS update, during POST, I received a message stating that the amount of RAM changed. Well it went from 128 to 256. The next time I rebooted, the same change message came up, only this time, it showed 128 again, both under Windows and in the BIOS. I opened the memory cover, and saw two SODIMMS. I googled the number on one of them, and it is identified as a 128meg PC133 Sodimm. Both sticks are identical, so I'm sure that there are 256 megs in the laptop, but, no matter what I do, it stays at 128megs.
Dell Tech supp gave me three downloads for the OMCI fix. I haven't pursued that yet, thinking that as long as the BIOS is messed up, there is no point in pursuing that driver.
I do own a Dell system recovery disk that has WinXP home edition on it. This laptop has WinXP pro installed, even though the COA on the underside is for Win2000pro 1-2cpu. I also own a Win XP pro CD. Do you think either one of them would repair this installation?
What order would you pursue this recovery process in? BIOS first, windows repair, OMCI repair/installation, - or does it matter? I did reply to Dell and asked them to "walk" me through making a boot CD to try and recover/reflash the BIOS outside of the probably corrupted Windows environment. I know you gave me links to making BOOT Cds, but I'm too dumb, I think, to try it without explicit instructions.
The troubling thing is that Dell tech support stated-reset BIOS to defaults, reflash the BIOS, download and install 3 files related to OMCI. If that fails, I need a new motherboard!
That's not going to happen, because I'm sure that would cost me more than I paid for the laptop.
Thanks for your continued interest and willingness to help, Matt.
Vic

 

We are jumping around a little with different problems. The way I see it, the first problem would be getting the RAM recognised. Second, apart from OMCI not working correctly, the Windows XP system seems to be functioning OK.

Can you see any problems listed in Control Panel -> System -> Hardware tab -> Device Manager? What are the details of any problem (what is the heading it is listed under)?

RAM, try cleaning the connectors carefully with a soft pencil eraser. Have you tried reversing the modules in the slots? Are they identical or made by different manufacturers? There is a memory diagnostic in my signature, again, you would need to make a boot CD to run them. I would test each module individually and run the tests overnight.

I have a Dell machine that seems to have a problem with the RAM. It will not start sometimes and the only way to reset it is to remove the RAM modules and start the machine, it works after shutting down and the modules are replaced (it appears to be a basic motherboard problem). You could try this, it won't hurt anything.

Nobody has suggested that the battery needs replacing? Check the manual/user guide:
http://support.dell.com/support/systemsinfo/document.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen
but you should be able to run the machine with only the external power adapter. There will be instructions there for setting defaults in the BIOS settings. Setting the BIOS to default settings should be done after flashing. How OMCI does it from Windows may be a source of the problems (not the RAM problem though).

Can you pls list out what is happening and what are the main problems.

Checking at Dell, the A16 appears to be the one and only (original) release of the BIOS. Unless the system has basic hardware problems it should not need to be reflashed. It seems that OMCI is having a problem after the flash/upgrade. Whether it is a problem with OMCI software or that the OMCI software is set to update drivers is what I am not sure about.

Matt

 

Hi Matt. My apologies. I originally posted two problems-one under Hardware for the RAM, and the other under Win XP or Internet for the missing or corrupted IE.
Let me just consolidate, and perhaps update the latest developments. I am also communicating with Dell email support. Warranty on this machine ran out in 2005.
This laptop, when i bought it, only showed 128megs of ram. I deleted as much junk from the previous owner, and then tried to connect to the internet. I bought a Linksys USB wireless adapter, installed it, and it connected to my router ok, but never saw the internet.
I then flashed the BIOS. It was A09 before, and the only update available was A16. I've done plenty of updates before. This time, it didn't go so well-obviously. I did see the increase in ram through one boot, and then saw it go back to 128 through the second and all subsequent reboots. I did open the cover and saw two identical sodimms. I did swap their positions. I will next try and boot the laptop with one sodimm at a time and see if one or the other is defective.
Also, as you know, after the BIOS flash, that new hardware wizard keeps finding the OMCI and asks for the file that I don't have.
In the meantime, Dell tech support tells me that I can't flash the BIOS from a CD. It has to be a floppy, or from within the operating system. They gave me a link to the old version (A9).
I copied it to a USB thumbdrive, and now the laptop won't read the USB drive.
It recognizes that I plugged it in, but tells me that it is malfunctioning, or words to that effect. I know it is a good drive because it works fine in all of my other computers. I copied the zip file for BIOS version 9 to a CD. From there, I copied it to a folder on the laptop. Trying to execute it, I got the same results as I got when I tried to reflash version 16-it inspected my system, and then told me it cannot complete.
Can you shed some hope on this mess, or am I toast?
In the control panel device manager-the OpenManage CLient Instrumentation
part of the systems devices had a red x throught it. I right clicked it and forund that the item was disabled. It gave me a chance to enable it. This I did. Of course, the same found new hardware wizard immediately popped up. I canceled it out, but the red x is gone. Rebooting still takes me through the found new hardware routine, and now the red x remains gone.
I know that the battery needs replacing. I looked on ebay, and decided that I probably won't throw good money after bad. My daughter is willing to live with it plugged in all of the time.
I think I'll download the 3 files that dell tech support gave me links to. One is over 200megs big. One is a file I already downloaded. It is 22 megs big. That is the one that when executed told me the destination computer is not a Dell product.
Do you think that is worthwhile pursuing, or should I find some way, if any, to salvage the BIOS and hopefully resolve the ram, and now, the USB problem?

 

Now I remember the thread about IE. IE is an integral part of Windows, those people that remove it run the risk of damaging Windows. In the sequence of events you may have flashed the BIOS using a Windows system that is not working correctly (which is why I stated "I always try to use a DOS method" of BIOS upgrade).

You may have your work cut out for you trying to fix these problems, but me, I would roll up my sleeves ready to do battle

See if any of those OMCI installers will get the OMCI device to work. Look for "uninstaller ", maybe in Control Panel -> Add or Remove Programs and uninstall the old version before installing the new one. See if the installer makes a new folder for the files, you may be able to direct the New Hardware wizard to that folder to find the drivers. Also check for a folder "Drivers" on the C: drive, Dell usually put hardware drivers in that folder. When you are running the New Hardware wizard, look for the "Have disk..." button and use that to navigate.

If you find a cure for the OMCI problem, Windows may still be "sick" due to having IE uninstalled, but if you decide to do a repair reinstall of Windows or even reformat, you will know how to get the OMCI drivers.

If you can only get 128MB of RAM to work, you might be fighting an up-hill battle. 128MB is tiny for Win XP. You can check the second-hand market for larger modules (PC133 sodimm modules) if you think it is worth trying or maybe installing a smaller OS like Win 2000. In fact, that may be the reason why the previous owner wanted to trim-down Windows by removing IE.

I'm still not sure I would consider it a BIOS problem, but avoid flashing from within Windows. Read at that bootdisk website, the only other alternatives may be to find a floppy drive for it or get an external floppy drive as long as there is an option to actually boot to an external floppy drive in the BIOS settings. Tackle whatever problems you can and leave the BIOS reflash till last.

Matt

 

I'll keep in touch Matt. So you think I could repair the Windows installation with one of my disks? I will pursue that OMCI repair with the 3 files they gave me.
I found a local shop that has a bunch of laptops for sale, and called em up. They do have Dell Latitude C610s around, and the guy said that as long as I bring my laptop in to his shop, he'll let me borrow a floppy and flash the BIOS from within the DOS environment.
But now you say that is my last priority.
Have a nice weekend.

 

I think PeteC suggested it in the other thread, but I don't think either of us have had much exposure to Dell laptops. I know it should be possible on a Dell desktop machine.

Edit: rethinking, it may depend on if it is an OEM disk. Also, I know a that an XP Home disk won't repair an XP Pro system.

Matt

 

HI Matt,
I downloaded and tried installing the 3 files that Dell gave me links to. One was 221megs!, on was 22, and the 3rd was a modest 2 or 3. I still get the nag about found new hardware and can't find that OMCI.SYS file. I then decided I would just try and repair the Windows installation. It has about 8 minutes to run right now, but, late in the installation, I got an identical notice, 4 times, that an error occurred loading a .dll file( 4 different .dll files) It stated that the file may not have been installed or it is corrupted. Two files wab32.dll and directdb.dll belong in Program Files\Common Files\ system\,
one file: inetcomm.dll, goes to Windows\system32\, and the 4th one msoe.dll goes to Program Files\outlook Express.
Should I try and hunt the files down via Google, or should I just ignore them, hoping they never pop up in my daughter's internet surfing? She'll use Yahoo for mail.
I did make "some" progress with that OMCI install, because after unzipping that humongous file, and then installing it, I at least got no grief trying to install the 22meg one. Previously, when I tried installing the 22 meg one, it stopped immediately telling me the target computer is not a Dell product.

 

Some good news, Matt. Even though the laptop isn't performing flawlessly, it at least boots all the way into the desktop without any popups, nags, etc.
This is after the Windows repair. The USB port, even though a little buggy, at least sees the thumb drive.
It does seem to take a bit longer to boot up than I feel it should. One thing the huge file did was install an icon in the lower right corner that identifies itself as an MSSQL Server. Right clicking it gives me the option to exit. I can't find it under msconfig/startup to uncheck it. Also, the add/remove icon in the control panel just sits there-won't respond. When it does, it remains blank and doesn't show the installed programs. I'd like to remove the server function. I still have just 128 megs, and I don't need the extra resource hog. Trying to flash the version 16 BIOS at least runs all the way to the end, but it ends with telling me that I am trying to update the same one, so it won't proceed. When I try to flash back to ver 9, it says essentially the same thing, that the existing BIOS is the same or newer, so it won't complete the process either. At least no red Xs or warnings, just a statement like "What are you doing, you dummy? "
In the hardware manager, the red X is gone from the OpenManage Client Device driver, but I now have a yellow ball with the black exclamation mark in the Microsoft System Management BIOS driver.
I'm going to try and serach for those missing or corrupted .dll files and place them where they belong. Is that how it is done?--copy and paste? Or do they have to undergo some sort of installation routine/

 

Without checking, all those missing dll files will be Microsoft files. It sounds like there were some glitches during the installation, so why not "play it again Sam" and rerun the repair installation. I may not be right, but because the IE "extractor" ) uninstaller) has removed vital files, it may need to reinstall in a sequence.

I will let you do the leg-work , here is the MS dll database:
http://support.microsoft.com/dllhelp/
Put the file names in, choose a version that is sounds like yours and see what program it is used for. It will probably be IE or Outlook Express because they are linked together.

So, the first avenues might be to run the reinstall of Windows again or you could try downloading and reinstalling the currently installed version of Internet Explorer (don't go to IE 7 because it will over(?)load your RAM).

If you want to check startup items, get Hijack This (you can find it at the major download sites). Read the information about it though, it allows adjustments to the registry. Make backups of the registry if you want to disable something. Actually, you should be able to find and get information about the "server" using Ctrl+Alt+Del -> Task Manager and finding it under the Processes tab.

Use Task Manager to see what is happening. When you get to the desktop, open Task Manager and watch the CPU, Page File and Physical Memory readouts under the Performance tab.

It sounds like there is a "hitch" during boot, probably because of the missing dlls. To put them back you may need to rerun the repair-reinstall or reinstall IE.

Matt