Precision 5510 Thunderbolt 3 Firmware Updates on Linux

You can update the system firmware from a usb key directly in the uefi boot menu, no DOS required.

The Thunderbold updater uses .NET and the Thunderbolt driver ... so a DOS/uefi updater seems unlikely.

The DA200 HDMI not working is a known issue. It should work at unusably low resolutions (like 1024x768).. issue is logged here: https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=93578

Updating the Thunderbolt controller requires Intel display drivers. That's not doable in DOS. We're actively working with Intel on getting Thunderbolt controller firmware updates working on Linux. Please bear with us.

I'm glad to hear that Dell is working on a proper solution for supporting Thunderbolt firmware upgrades from Linux and Thunderbolt accessories for their hardware. If Dell is able to establish a proper flow for doing all firmware updates for their hardware from GNU/Linux systems (e.g. via fwupd), then they can really claim another step upwards to the throne for the vendor with the best Linux support! I'm looking forward to that day.

Just a side-thought I had, while we're waiting for this: Since the current firmware upgrade executable is made for Windows only and cannot be used in Linux, nor FreeDOS environment: Has anyone attempted to run it from ReactOS? (I believe the latest ReactOS claim to have some .NET 4.x support, at least. This is a Windows look-a-like environment, so maybe it could work? I must say I've never tried ReactOS myself before... It is a long-shot.)

Why not make a DOS boot drive and run the executable from that? That is how we updated Dell BIOS on Linux machines until 2015.  It appears to me any bios or firmware that Dell like as Windows/DOS should accept this.

Because the thing requires Windows.  I've tried.  Really, this alone would be sufficient, but no.

Not that it matters much.  I did end up building a Windows boot disk just for this purpose, applied the updates, and the TB3 port is still essentially non-functional, even as USB-C only.  

I am sorry I stepped into this in the middle of the conversation, don't understand the entire problem.  Like you, I have felt some anger because I ordered a "Linux" laptop from Dell that just does not work as they sent it out.  I did not notice all of the problems until about 6 weeks after I got it, by then too later to return.  I'm trying to work around this as well as possible.  But it is very frustrating.

When we ordered, my tech advisor here said the Dell Dock just doesn't work at all, so I did not buy one.  Instead,  I have a little dongle from Dell for that port, it allows 1 ethernet, 1 VGA cable, 1 USB.  These 3 things have been working dependably, mostly, except that the video goes black now and then.  I saw a significant enhancement with new kernel.  That little dongle thing for USB-C is not completely useless.

But, then again, I was warned that the Thunderbolt dock is an unworkable brick from the beginning :)

Has there been made any progress on this? I'm also wondering if the combination thunderbolt and hdmi is possible. See also this question

HI @BartonGeorge thanks for your orginal response. It's been a while since the last update on this thread. Any further progress? I'm one of the many buyers who purchased a machine that came with factory installed Linux and am very keen to be able to use Thunderbolt 3 devices.

It seems that intrepid Arch Linux users have managed to update the firmware under Linux. Anyone here familiar with the instructions provided at wiki.archlinux.org/.../Dell_XPS_13_(9360) seems that Dell engineers have provided this info. An officially supported update process would be fantastic folks!