Unfortunatly I havn't gotten any kind of real solution on this one, and since it's out of warranty I havn't been able to talk to anyone at Dell about it. We ended up buying another 1815dn off e-bay that had "roller and imaging issues" for very cheap. I took it apart and salvaged the mother board out of it and replaced it with the board in our non-functioning unit.

This time when I did the BIOS update I did it through a USB connection. I had previously done this through the network. The update worked correctly through the USB connection.

Obviously Dell has some issues with updating this device on the network. I highly advise people to remove their unit from the network (removing the phone line would be advisable to prevent a fax from comming in as well) and doing the BIOS update totally through the UBS connection. This process can still take a long time (15 minutes in my case), don't turn off or unplug the unit.

By chance, did you do a network update using a Mac?  I noticed before trying to update the firmware that the firmware listed under Mac drivers and firmware etc was an EXE file.  I thought this was a little unusual but I used Wine to open the package which just unpacked the update file.  I proceeded to upgrade through the online print manager as instructed in the txt file included in the update package.  It might be a long shot but I'm thinking maybe the firmware screws up because it was written expressly for PCs.  It might have nothing to do with it but I'd be curious to know what kind of network system you are running. 

Is there anyone who had a hanging firmware upgrade that ended well?  I tried updating this morning (about 10 hours ago) and I am stuck with the screen that says "Downloadinggrade... Download FW IMG."  Installation instructions say not to turn off computer or printer or the memory will be corrupted.  I haven't done either of those things, but after 10 hours, I don't have much hope for this ending well. 

What can I do?  Anyone at Dell listening?  Seems there is a big problem with your firmware update and you need to step up the plate to help clean up the mess.

OK, it's now 2 days since my failed attempt to ugrade the firmware on my 1815dn. :robotmad: Faithful to the warnings in the install instructions, I haven't disconnected the printer or turned off the PC or the printer since then, and it is still hanging with the message:

Downloadgrade...

Download FW IMG.

on the LCD display.

Is anyone at Dell reading this forum??? Any suggestions?

I also found this...

I tried serveral setting, i always get the following error as a printout from my dell:"Memory Size: 11 MBIt is too small memory size for PS to work"The printer server says everything is okay.A downgrade to V1.03.03.08 fixed this problemI tried serveral setting, i always get the following error as a printout from my dell:"Memory Size: 11 MBIt is too small memory size for PS to work"The printer server says everything is okay.A downgrade to V1.03.03.08 fixed this problem

Hopefully, you're connected to the printer with the cable. I know the other printers, you have to be connected with the cable.

Firmware and instructions and level of importance are here.

I contacted someone at Dell. They will probably respond but they probably won't be in until Monday.

He can give you a better answer.

@PudgyOne

I was connected with the USB cable (although the network cable was also connected).

I'm assuming the printer is now bricked.  True?

If so, can I replace the "memory" that I presumably fried installing this firmware?  Is there a part number I can order?  How much is it?  According to the Dell website, it would cost me $499 to replace my 1815dn today.  If I can replace the ROM, or whatever it is the firmware is stored on, will it revive my printer?  Mechanically it is fine.