Dell XPS 12 bios update stuck. Edit: computer is working, problem with EC

I had the exact same problem with the same model computer while attempting to update to BIOS A07 as "recommended" on the Dell support web site..  About 2 hours into the update, my system was reporting 28% complete and appeared totally frozen.  Even the clock had stopped updating in the lower right corner of the screen.

Another 2 hours later, it was at 43%.  Eventually it got to 71% complete, but stayed there without advancing for 10 hours or so.  I called tech support.  They advised me to shut down the computer.  It would not shut down.  So following the step by step direction from tech support on the phone, I removed the bottom panel of the computer and unplugged the internal battery to get the computer to shut down.

When I rebooted, the BIOS screen reported that BIOS version A07 had indeed been installed.  Now, however, my computer hangs every time I attempt to boot from a fully powered down condition.  If I force a shut down and then restart, it starts fine.

Removing the video driver and using the Microsoft generic video driver resolves the problem -- the computer boots just fine.  Unfortunately, I can't run the generic driver because I need to support external monitors... 

If anyone out there has BIOS version A07 running on a 9Q33 and has no trouble booting from after a full system shutdown, I'd like to know what version of the video driver you are running.  I have tried several different driver versions without success.

(Also, I might note that I am very grateful to Dell's tech support for walking me through the process of recovering from the stalled BIOS update, even though my system is beyond its warranty.)

EDIT -- PARTIAL SOLUTION (or at least a more complete diagnosis of the problem...)

My computer will boot correctly after shutdown when I disable "Fast Startup" in Windows.  This is frustrating, tho, since fast startup is supposed to be important features of windows 8 (and 8.1, which I am running). 

So it seems possible that the current intel video driver on the Dell web site may be incompatible with fast startup after installing BIOS A07 with Windows 8.1.  Either that, or there is some other software on my computer that interacts with the video driver that causes the incompatibility with fast startup. 

Again, I make this conclusion based on the following observations: 

1) my computer boots just fine after shutdown with "fast startup" enabled if I remove the intel video driver and use the microsoft generic video driver

2) it boots just fine after shutdown with the intel video driver installed, but fast startup disabled. 

3) the computer consistently hangs on boot after a shutdown if the video driver is installed and fast startup enbled.

4) the computer boot fine after "restart" (rather than "shutdown") no matter what -- but this is because "restart" circumvents fast startup even when fast startup is enabled!

Here is a link that shows nicely how to disable fast startup in windows.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6320-fast-startup-turn-off-windows-8-a.html

(BTW, my video driver is Intel HD Graphics Family 10.18.10.3574 -- the latest currently available on the dell web site.  I also tried a more recent version -- something like 10.18.10.3910; can't remember exactly -- and had the same problem). 

Again, anyone who has BIOS A07 working on a 9Q33 with Windows 8.1 and fast-startup enabled, I'd love to know the version of your video driver.  Thanks!

EDIT #2: PART OF A LARGER PROBLEM

Turns out my computer won't wake from any sort of sleep or hibernate unless the video driver is disabled. Turning off "fast startup" solved my boot problems only because "shutdown" is a form of hibernation when "fast startup" is enabled. Thus, the problem has been waking from hibernation all along...

My problem  is getting far afield from this thread, so I have started a new one.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19620659

EDIT #3:  Downgrading to BIOS A06 resolved the problem.  See details in new thread (follow link on line above this one.)

Hi Kiwassa,

I will post a reply to the new thread you started as well. Just for coherence with my problem I will also post here.

The laptop after the seemingly failed bios update process, is working without any problems. I don't know if the new bios has anything to do with the touch screen but the touch screen is working again, although not right after the bios update, but after several restarts and with the fast startup both enabled and disabled.

Anyway my video driver is the 10.18.10.3277 one by Intel published by Intel at 19/08/2013.

It came to the conclusion the programming EC stage had stuck because the bios could not communicate with EC. This error was logged at the event viewer at the time the bios update process was running.

I would be great if we had some feedback from any Dell experts.

Umbaman.

I found Kiwassa's post first and replied to it and wanted to step in here and check on you.  Is your system still working without any problems?  Is the touchscreen working correctly?

Have you checked the event viewer recently and is it still giving errors regarding the EC?

TB

Hello Terry, 

Thanks for your answer.

The machine is working perfectly. Some  minor problems with the touchpad exist.

This error, regarding the EC,  was only reported several times during the bios update process.

What does that tell us?

Should I try to update the bios again?

Regards

I am curious if the BIOS update installed correctly.

1. Press the Windows key with R to open run.
2. Type msinfo32 and press enter to open system info.
3. On the right pane under the “Item” column look for BIOS version / date and does it read that A07 has been installed?

If A07 is installed and the system seems to be working correctly I don’t think I would do anymore.

You should be ok with A06 but if you want to try A07 again make sure that the AC adapter is connected to the notebook when you do so. Disconnect any other external devices before attempting the update. Download and save the BIOS update, do not install it yet. Disconnect the notebook from the internet, by disabling the wireless card and Ethernet cables. Restart the system and install the BIOS. Get back with me with the results.

TB

Sorry for resuming this thread,but I have a really similar problem..unfortunately not resolved. My XPS 12 won't startup after a freeze during the A08 BIOS update, no matter what I try.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19630272

It looks like Dell-Jennifer K was offering to help in the previous thread.  Please let me know if you continue to need help.

TB

Thanks Terry, unfortunately I didn't resolved my problem. I think I know what I can do..can you provide me an how-to for flashing the BIOS out of Windows? I know I can do it inserting a usb stick with computer powered off..and then, keeping "end" pressed, I have to insert the power cable. I tried and the computer powers on, but I think I'm using the wrong files in the USB stick..and on the Dell site I only find the .exe installer..

Sincerely, I think is weird to have a bricked laptop after trying to install an update RECCOMENDED by Dell. :(

I have spoke to several folks that have created an ISO of a BIOS update and saved it to a USB key, and they where able to successfully flash their systems.  This isn't something that I have done and I don't have instructions on doing so.  If any other readers have created a USB bios update key for their XPS 12 please post here.

I haven't read of a lot of people having problems flashing their XPS 12s and I typically suggest the Windows installer method to flashing the system. Was there a particular issue with the notebook that you was trying to resolve by flashing to A08.  Did the notebook seem to be working correctly before the flash attempt?

TB

I haven’t touched base with Umbaman and Kiwassa241 in a while. How are your systems running and have you had any further problems?

TB

No, I had no issues..I was only looking at downloads and drivers of my laptop,and I saw a lot of "recommended" updates..the first I downloaded and installed was the A08 BIOS(I was on A03) and it happened. Thanks for the tip of the bootable ISO, I'll see if I can create one. I tried with the method described in my previous post because it worked for some other Dell models.

Sounds good, I will be shooting you a friend request.  I can't promise anything here but if you continue to have problems I may be able to help.

TB

Thanks,really. You are very helpful and available. This is another case similar to mine..http://commweb-ps3.us.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19621970 and there are others on the web

If no one can help me I can arrange a repair with Dell..but I don't think it's fair to have to pay for something born from a recommended update, as I'm not the only one suffering of this problem.

I can not believe that there is no provision for an emergency procedure to reinstall or restore the BIOS in case of problems ..

Hello, it is explained well in the previous posts in this thread, and in my personal thread linked above. I link it again: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19630272