Area-51 R2, what system firmware I need?

Question

Hi, Specs: Alienware Area 51 R2. Intel i7-6800K Intel X99 (stock). Windows 10. GTX 1080 (stock). Samsung 970 Evo Plus (boot SSD drive w/M.2 to PCIe adapter). 16GB RAM (stock). BIOS A14 So I have a yellow exclamation point in Device Manager>Firmware>System Firmware. It states, 'This device cannot start. (Code 10)'. The system firmware version is 1.0.8. When Driver Booster 9 (uninstalled now) updated my system firmware to that version above, my BIOS beeped at me 10 times after I restarted it and I got no video feedback after that. It just turned on and turned off in an endless loop. The BIOS never popped up even after resetting the CMOS. It also ruined the CMOS battery, which I had to replace. Nonetheless, I got it working now. I just checked my drivers in Device Manager and that is what I found for system firmware. How do I know what version I need to install for my device? Should I disable/uninstall that driver or just leave it be? I am scared to touch it since that was the culprit for corrupting my BIOS. Thank you for any help I receive or for just taking the time to read it.  Thanks!

redxps630 · Accepted Answer

this code 10 error might go away if you update bios to latest version (? already done), but I suggest you just ignore it since pc is working otherwise fine. updating bios is inherently risky even when you did everything correctly.

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-ph/000189015/system-firmware-displays-code-10-error-in-device-manager-on-the-xps-8940-desktop

Vanadiel · Answer

If you go to the Properties of the firmware (double click on System Firmware), under the driver tab, what is listed for the driver provider data?

And under the Events tab, what is listed there for entries?

Are there any additional entries listed in the event log for it? (click on "View all Events" button under the Events tab)

Vanadiel · Answer

Right click on the very top name, Desktop-name and select "scan for hardware changes".

It should auto scan for any hardware changes and load missing drivers for hardware from Windows Update.

Is this Windows 7, 10 or 11?

Jos4 · Answer

Thanks for the quick response, I appreciate it.

I am using Windows 10; I have listed all of my specs in my post in the opening paragraph. Let me know if there is something I left out that you need.

Yep, I have done that and it doesn't seem to make a difference. That system firmware sticks around.

Jos4 · Answer

I will provide screenshots of the drive, but there are only two events.

Driver tab:

System Firmware Driver.jpg

Events tab:

System Firmware Events.jpg

December 6th was when my BIOS beeped at me 10 times and never turned back on until I fixed it. That update also ruined the CMOS battery. Now that System Firmware is listed in Device Manager. I am not sure what it was before but it was allegedly some firmware from 2006 never touched since I have had this PC.

Jos4 · Answer

Thanks for that! Hopefully, it goes away or at least doesn't cause another issue later down the road.

I updated the BIOS to the latest version (version I had before the hiccup) from the Dell Support site after getting my PC up and running again.

I am right there with you on leaving it as is. If it isn't broken don't fix it. I'll take your advice and leave it.

I was just trying to see if there was a particular way to get the correct version specifically for my device.

BIOS is a scary thing and probably should never be touched in my opinion—unless it is absolutely necessary.

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