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Unable to update BIOS on Optiplex 3020M
Hello,
I have an Otiplex 3020 with A10 bios, & it seems I am unable to update the BIOS. I have tried it from a fresh load of win10pro-1903 as well as from the F12 update bios option. When I try any of the versions of the BIOS from A10 on up from within windows the fan just goes to "jet speed" & the usual bios update option never shows up. Even after doing a complete bios settings reset, power off, pull power, pull bios battery, reseat memory, hold power button down 10 seconds, reassemble, run diagnostics (full diags pass). Try again from windows, same thing, no dialog box comes up for any version. Powercycle, tried from F12 on boot, it lets me select a bios update (tried A10 on up, multiple different small fat16 formatted usb keys, different usb slots), but will not allow me to actually apply it (box is greyed out still, see screenshot included).
Thanks!
bradthetechnut
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November 2nd, 2019 17:00
Use the Dell Support Assist site to update BIOS. It can update your BIOS to whatever the latest version was and update any outdated drivers.
Due to how far back A10 is, Dell Support Assist might have you update in a couple or so steps before downloading the latest version. For example, I had to download something like A11 & A14 before going to A22.
Some people have claimed "not true," but it depends on what BIOS they're updating from.
Tesla1856
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November 2nd, 2019 18:00
This is an UEFI system, so I would only flash from it’s provided Boot Environment... F12 Bios Update Option.
If you have A10, try A11 next.
KKBaSS
43 Posts
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November 2nd, 2019 18:00
Thanks for the replies, but so far no luck -
"I try any of the versions of the BIOS from A10 on up" - that means I have already tried the Dell provided BIOS update options from reflashing the same A10 with all the options through A20. None of them worked in Windows. Yes, I had previously tried SupportAssist & that kept failing, so I switch to trying to do them manually. Problem still exists. That said, I have seen stepped upgrades needed when going from very old to newer BIOS versions, however in this case it is not taking any of them. As stated I also tried it from the F12 boot option & even included a screenshot of the upgrade bios button greyed out, thus not allowing me to actually process the upgrade. I reviewed the provided link & there was nothing additional that I had not yet already done.
So why in Windows would the BIOS update not even show up once launched? Why in F12 on boot update bios option would the update bios button be greyed out?
Bitlocker is not an issue, the drive has been wiped & it was a fresh load of win10 (which seems to run OK otherwise, other than the fan spinning up like crazy). System has passed diagnostics multiple times. I have reset nvram, loaded bios defaults, etc.
bradthetechnut
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November 2nd, 2019 18:00
Dell Support Article Updating BIOS
bradthetechnut
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November 2nd, 2019 20:00
https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron/BIOS-Will-Not-Install/td-p/6024805
From a post in that thread: "Encountered the same problem with a Dell OptiPlex 5060, could not update until I disabled the Intel Virtualization Technology in BIOS."
KKBaSS
43 Posts
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November 3rd, 2019 04:00
Turning off virtualization was worth a shot, I did so, no difference in Windows or from F12 on boot. TPM is off, Secureboot is off. Allow downgrade is on, so I even tried A07 for kicks, but it is the same in windows & F12/boot as it was before. Funny enough, I open a bios update that isn't for 3020 (say T3610A17) & it opens the initial dialog box & gets as far as telling me it is not for this system, but the 3020M bios updates don't even do that much. I tried F12 boot one more time & a different fat (this one fat32 & not fat16) little usbkey & the optiplex 3020M A12 bios actually read this time & allowed the upgrade. Tried 3020M_A15 from windows & this time it actually opened unlike all the previous times. I'll admit I had a 3020 update in the mix (looks like that was my initial screenshot) but all the rest were 3020M & those were not opening in Windows or allowing the bios update button from F12. Fan is still super loud, but that is a different issue.
speedstep
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November 3rd, 2019 11:00
BIOS must be updated in stages and it cannot be done from DOS WINDOW within win 7 or 8 or 10.
You cannot jump from a10 to a20 in one step.
The other issue is that the MAX bios for a 3020 MICRO is A15.
This package contains the Dell system BIOS update. It is supported on Dell OptiPlex 3020M system that runs the Windows and DOS operating systems. BIOS is a firmware that is embedded on a small memory chip on the system board. It controls the keyboard, monitor, disk drives and other devices. This update addresses the Intel security advisory INTEL-SA-00233. The security advisory is an official statement when a product is impacted by a security vulnerability and a remedy is available.More details
This package contains the Dell system BIOS update and is supported on Dell OptiPlex 3020M that runs Windows and DOS operating systems. BIOS is a firmware that is embedded on a small memory chip on the computer's system board. It controls the keyboard, monitor, disk drives and other devices. This package fixes a potential issue where the system stops responding when an incorrectly formatted password is entered in the BIOS Security Manager (BIOS preboot password) screen.More details
This package provides the Dell System BIOS update and is supported on Dell OptiPlex 3020M for Windows and DOS Operating Systems.More details
This package provides the Dell System BIOS update and is supported on Dell OptiPlex 3020M for Windows and DOS Operating Systems.More details
This package provides the Dell System BIOS update and is supported on Dell OptiPlex 3020M for Windows and DOS Operating Systems.More details
This package provides the Dell System BIOS update and is supported on Dell OptiPlex 3020M for Windows and DOS Operating Systems.More details
This package provides the Dell System BIOS update and is supported on Dell OptiPlex 3020M for Windows and DOS Operating Systems.More details
This package provides the Dell System BIOS update and is supported on Dell OptiPlex 3020M for Windows and DOS Operating Systems.More details
This package provides the Dell System BIOS update and is supported on Dell OptiPlex 3020M for Windows and DOS Operating Systems.More details
This package provides the Dell System BIOS update and is supported on Dell OptiPlex 3020M for Windows and DOS Operating Systems.More details
This package provides the Dell System BIOS update and is supported on Dell OptiPlex 3020M for Windows and DOS Operating Systems.More details
This package provides the Dell System BIOS update and is supported on Dell OptiPlex 3020M for Windows and DOS Operating Systems.More details
This package provides the Dell System BIOS update and is supported on Dell OptiPlex 3020M for Windows and DOS Operating Systems.More details
This package provides the Dell System BIOS update and is supported on Dell OptiPlex 3020M for Windows and DOS Operating Systems.More details
jcwrks
9 Posts
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February 3rd, 2020 11:00
@speedstep I respectfully disagree. I've updated dozens of Dell 3020/9020 bioses and they are in fact cumulative. The download details mention nothing about not being cumulative. The fix is to put the updated bios on a fat32 flash drive > reboot and press F12 to get to the one-time boot menu > select bios flash update > select the bios file > begin flash update.
speedstep
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February 3rd, 2020 15:00
Having update several thousand units at A00 thru A05 I know for a fact that you cannot jump from A00 to A15. Also depends on whether its 3020 Micro Vs USFF Desktop Mini Tower.
There is usually a minimum version. If you try to jump to the last version it will refuse if you arent up to spec.
savvy2
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February 4th, 2020 04:00
the first error by you is the 3020M (means micro) then tell me A20 there is no A20 on any micro.
so what PC do you have, see 3020M at the bottom here, and is A15 max NOW not A20!
so PC is wrong or the file is wrong, which is it?
A10 start... NO BITLOCKER RIGHT?
Try A12 first, if that works you know all else is ok , if not FAT16 is wrong. DIG>? just one file there period.
f12 update is best, no safer why exists, period, except using a UPS TOO !
Fat16 ended in the DOS days,, USE FAT32 FORMATTED DISK ( SOP, we always use Fat32)
do not have other things on the USB stick memory , no partitions or other things there , one stick fat32, and 1 file.
yes do the upgrade of BIOS in steps. if F12 fails use smaller strips , for you it isA12. version
I just upgraded my 3020MT(minitower) no issues, using F12 , done 1000s in life time, never once a brick.
Even back to EPROM days mid 80's up .
but I used DOS for years and DDDP Dell DOS later and when F12 update happened this is bee's knees safe F12. (never flash BIOS with any corrupted OS or not 100% sure the OS OK< (can even a Deity know this?)
F12 works great. and make sure the BIOS fail is correct, for YOUR PC and YOUR model and no OTHERS.
3020 MT, it is called... MINI TOWER< MT...
my guess is the windows flashing was done first and now F12 fails 2nd, am I right?
there F12 way
turn off SAFE BOOT in BIOS.. (just in case) and make sure all USB ports are enabled in BIOS. all on.
then power on with USB stick FAT32 formatted and the one rom.exe file present
the hammer F12 at power on and pick up date bios , line
navigate to the Rom.exe file if need by.
if all is perfect above, try smaller steps, A10 to A20
some dell folks tell you a20 is all inclusive but are wrong on many Dell PC , the text documents on some warn you and others fail to warn you, so,,, there is that.
Quote page on F12
step one in the instructions , flashing non windows way, is missing
format the USB stick is missing , (or at the least tell what is supported, OMG) FAT32 is always 1st choice.
3020 MT, not any M versions answering only for MT mini tower, I can not see your PC can I.?
ON my 3020 MT, the stick is just and empty Fat32 stick and no OS there.! just 1 file there, rom.exe.
the BIOS F12 magic then finds the file and can run the exe, using F12 (mode, that is not really DOS but runs EXE)
\
the micro is NOT ANY MT MINITOWER nor the same. clear as day (mud)?
jcwrks
9 Posts
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February 4th, 2020 08:00
@savvy2 is right, the OP is using the wrong bios.