Dell XPS12 messed up during BIOS update

Itfsos

It could easily be done. BIOS is stored in EEPROM or Flash memory. If using either, it could easily be recovered. Twenty years ago I trashed the BIOS/firmware for my computer controlled telescope, which was still under warranty. The free replacement now had the ability to recover from a bad burn. All it would take is a mini-pre-BIOS to control burning from a USB drive. I think this isn't done because some users would go in and do BIOS additions. They could also use a plug-in BIOS chip. You can get modified firmware chips for all most any car to allow functions not supported by the OEM. Most of these offer operational modifications to get better performance.

Hi ,

I completely understand your situation .But then for me to confirm on the price I would ask you to confirm the address so that I can provide the actual price rather than giving you approximate price.

Hope to hear from you soon .

Kind Regards ,

Hi , I completely understand your situation .But then for me to confirm on the price I would ask you to confirm the address so that I can provide the actual price rather than giving you approximate price. Hope to hear from you soon . Kind Regards ,

Sent you a private message.

Hello,

I took several precautions hoping to accomplish a BIOS update to A08 but unfortunately "bricked" my XPS 12.

Prior to installing, I reset the BIOS to defaults and charged the computer.  Windows was freshly booted and no applications we running.

During the BIOS update it hung at 28% with the fan at full speed exactly as described in a previous post by umbaman and kiwassa241 (en.community.dell.com/.../19620514).

After several hours Windows experienced a problem and the computer crashed (blue screen) with the BIOS last reported at 34% complete.  It tried to restart but never passed a blank screen (no indication of booting).  The fan remained at full speed and I eventually removed the AC adapter after a few hours to let the battery run out.  At this point, it does not seem to accept a charge and does not boot.

Has anyone been able to resolve this issue with Dell?

Hi Jennifer, so I update to my Alienware 13 to windows 10, then a bios update was recommended from Dell for my laptop . I did it , but then my computer is not starting. I am familiar with computer hardware ( I am a computer engineer) so I know that my computer is not starting because of that update which was recommended by Dell( I did used my service tag ) From now what can I do ? Here is my service tag <ADMIN NOTE: Service tag removed per privacy policy>

I have just had the same issue. I computer was working perfectly. Then after that update which was recommended by Dell, my computer is not turning on. Please Dell help us cause It is not our fault

The XPS 12 has been a great and reliable machine.  We have had several Dell computers over the years and have never experienced this type of problem.  If there are Dell representatives in this forum, please let us know how to proceed with the broken computer.  

I included the support information from Dell for reference.  The recommendations on the support page for my service tag are:

"Dell recommends applying this update during your next scheduled update cycle. The update contains feature enhancements or changes that will help keep your system software current and compatible with other system modules (firmware, BIOS, drivers and software)."

The instructions on the support page for my service tag are below.  There are no prerequisites or other requirements to install the recommended update.  The install software requires an AC adapter and a charged battery.

"Installation instructions
BIOS Update Executable for Windows

Download
1. Click Download File to download the file.
2. When the File Download window appears, click Save to save the file to your hard drive.

Run the BIOS update utility from Windows environment
1. Browse to the location where you downloaded the file and double-click the new file.
2. Windows System will auto restart and update BIOS while system startup screen.
3. After BIOS update finished, system will auto reboot to take effect"

I also followed the video provided by Dell on the Official Support Channel: Dell Tech Support on YouTube (TechSupportDell).  I included a link to Dell's instructional video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWn9YfxtYBo

What assistance can Dell provide the computer owner in this situation?

Hello,

There are several others with the same problem updating the BIOS and having the process halt in Windows.  In all cases, the only solution is main board replacement.  In all cases, the embedded controller update fails in Windows.

For reference, I included links to the other posts in the Dell Community forums.  I did not include all threads because some are for the same user/computer.  However, in many threads different customers add notes of their individual experiences.  Many customers are very knowledgeable, have been in the industry a long time, and have used Dell computers personally or supported hundreds of Dell computers in their workplace.  Based on their previously good experience with Dell, they likely purchased Dell computers for themselves, friends, and Family.

Unfortunately, many customers are upset by the events and will not buy Dell again.  I did not count the number of common failures but there are many more failures than there are forum threads.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19622012

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19647080

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19621970

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19630270

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19630206

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/p/19646628/20801458

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

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19632024

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19641189

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19622609

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19622012

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19602953

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19620514

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19648275

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19648421

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19592774

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19652253

Hi Greeenred ,

Regret the inconvenience caused ! Kindly forward the system service tag ,system owners contact details via private message so that I can verify the same to assist you further ,

Hoping to hear from you soon .

Kindest Regards ,

Hi ,

I would request you to re-post this issue on the Alienware forum since they can assist you with the best solution to get this issue sorted .

Kindest Regards ,

Same issue as others. The A09 bios was released & recommended BY DELL on 7/30/15 for my Dell XPS 9530. Unit is 18 months old. BIOS flash had completed and was attempting to restart Windows, BSOD, and now unit won't power on at all.

I can hold down the end key and get some signs of life but so far no luck.

This laptop was FLAWLESS before and dell refuses to offer any help since it's out of warranty - even though THEY recommended the update! Last person I talked with said it would be best to just buy another laptop!

I have always bought high end XPS laptops.....very disappointing ! 

BIOS updates should be done ONLY if the update is absolutely necessary to solve a serious problem. Dell always recommends any and all BIOS and driver updates. You should research any update to see if it is really needed. While BIOS update failures are a low probably, they do happen

Kirk - thanks for your opinion.

I had recently upgraded  to Win10, it has been documented that the A09 bios for the 9530 helps with overall system performance on Win10.

Most of us don't run BIOS updates for fun.

I work in IT and deploy hundreds of BIOS updates on dell systems every month. This makes the first and only time I've seen one brick. So yes, rare - but bad business practice to turn a blind eye to a 18 month old $1800 rig.

PLUS i firmly believe that motherboard replacement is NOT the only option. If dell would give us specifics on the procedure for BIOS recovery I think this could be fixed. Instead I will probably end up having to spend $350 of my hard earned money on a REFURB board.

Can you believe I contacted Dell's parts department and they quoted me $1499 for a new board! Then suggested I just buy another XPS 9530 instead....

I included a picture of the initial point in the update process where the fan speed went to 100% and the progress stopped for a couple of hours before the final crash.

There are three similar pictures from three different customers in the post linked below.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19622012