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XPS 8500, BIOS A13, big performance hit
Last weekend I updated my XPS 8500 to A13 because it was marked "Urgent". Since then the machine has slowed very noticeably. (boot time is about the same). I would like to roll back to A12 to verify this, but when I try to install A12 it won't let me saying A12 is an older version. How do I go back to A12?
thanks
bigtee
bigtee49
11 Posts
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April 19th, 2018 11:00
What happens if I go into the BIOS and reset it? Will it put the Bios version back to how it was shipped?
speedstep
8 Wizard
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April 19th, 2018 11:00
This isn't allowed.
DELL-Chris M
Community Manager
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54.2K Posts
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April 19th, 2018 14:00
The rollback is not possible. Resetting the BIOS will simply reset A13 to its defaults.
What operating system? List all of the currently installed Dell software.
simsim986
4 Posts
1
April 19th, 2018 15:00
A11 + USB drive + Rufus + A11.exe /forceit
Make DOS bootable drive, boot with it and write command.
DELL-Chris M
Community Manager
Community Manager
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April 20th, 2018 05:00
simsim986,
Have successfully done those above instructions on the XPS 8500? Or had you done a similar operation on a different Dell model computer?
simsim986
4 Posts
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April 20th, 2018 06:00
Yes, I have XPS 8500 and changed BIOS on it from A13 to A11. Computer performance restored.
speedstep
8 Wizard
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April 20th, 2018 07:00
Well spelling counts so you need a space A11.exe/forceit won't work but A11.exe /forceit might. I've only seen this with legacy bios however never with UEFI bios.
The options can be invoked with either / or - characters.
Examples
To silently update a system and prevent an automatic reboot:
To silently update a system and allow an automatic reboot:
simsim986
4 Posts
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April 20th, 2018 08:00
Yes, you are right about space. I edited my previous post.
bigtee49
11 Posts
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April 20th, 2018 10:00
simsim986,
I didn't fully follow your procedure. Can you please provide in more detail your fix?
thanks
bigtee49
simsim986
4 Posts
0
April 20th, 2018 11:00
I followed these instructions: https://www.howtogeek.com/136987/how-to-create-a-bootable-dos-usb-drive/
speedstep
8 Wizard
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April 20th, 2018 11:00
He made an MSDOS bootable usb flash drive. Set Bios for Legacy CSM boot and F12 booted from the USB Flash drive and use the /forceit switch with previous bios version. I don't actually know if this works or not because thats usually a legacy bios command.
The file used was
https://downloads.dell.com/FOLDER01513928M/1/A11.EXE
Run the BIOS update utility from DOS environment from CSM Legacy F12 Boot Mode. The bootable device MUST BE INSTALLED BEFORE YOU TURN THE UNIT ON.
Run the BIOS update utility from DOS environment if UEFI Boot Mode (Secure Boot Enabled) must be DISABLED
NOTE: You will need to provide a bootable DOS USB key.
This executable file does not create the DOS system files.
1. Copy the downloaded file to a bootable DOS USB key.
2. Power on the system, then go to BIOS Setup by pressing F2 and go to Boot > Boot Mode option.
3. Change UEFI Secure Boot Enabled to Secure boot DISABLED Legacy Boot Mode.
4. Go to Exit > Save Changes and restart system.
5. Press F12, then Select USB Storage Drive and Boot to DOS prompt.
6. Run the file by typing copied file name where the executable is located.
7. After BIOS update finished, system will auto reboot to take effect.
7. Go to BIOS Setup by pressing F2 key.
8. Change the Legacy to UEFI from F2 > Boot > Boot Mode.
9. Go to Exit > Save Changes and restart system to go back original UEFI Boot Mode.
Note: Please make sure you suspend BitLocker encryption before updating BIOS on a BitLocker enabled system.
If you don't enable BitLocker on your system then there is no change.
apfel912
5 Posts
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April 23rd, 2018 06:00
The perf hit is expected. The patch fixes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectre_(security_vulnerability) by removing some optimizations that had security bugs.