New Firmware update 1.1.15 for XPS 8930

@Anonymous Mine is exactly like yours. I am running Windows 10 Pro Version 1903 Build 18362.904 (System Information indicates Version 10.0.18362 Build 18362) on an XPS 8910. So whether it is Windows Version 1903 or 1909 or XPS 8910 or 8930, the results of System Firmware properties in Device Manager are the same.

I would also like to point out that the name/title of the System Firmware properties window that @spotteddog posted is different than what we are seeing. Also in the properties window, it has 'System Firmware' followed by '1.1.13' whereas there is nothing following the words 'System Firmware' in ours. In addition, the Driver Date is not consistent with the release date of BIOS version 1.1.3 which was 4/6/20. The Driver Date of 2/20/20 was almost two months earlier than when the BIOS was released.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/system-firmware-in-device-manager/a1fe8d1a-9e19-4eaa-97e4-78f90162b778

XPS 8930, i7-9700, Win 10 v1909 (Build 18363.959), BIOS 1.1.15:

Start>Run>msinfo32.exe

Device Manager:

@Anonymous  @RoHe 

Thanks, I needed that...

So, enter 'win' in the Start Menu search yields:

And, enter 'winver' yields:

I'd say I'm suitably behind the bleeding edge.

GK

@GKDesigns    I'd say I'm suitably behind the bleeding edge.

. . . and I am right behind you  

There is a lot to be said for not being on the bleeding edge. For one thing, you are not risking bricking your computer or dealing with all the issues with the latest upgrade of Windows 10. 

If you're behind on BIOS versions, you don't have the latest CVE updates to fix Intel's serious security holes and there are lots of them, 4 CVE fixes just in BIOS v1.1.15, alone.

My XPS 8930 came late last year with BIOS v1.1.8 and subsequently updated to 1.1.10, 1.1.12, 1.1.13, and now 1.1.15. For whatever reasons, Dell doesn't mention running these updates via the F12 menu BIOS Update option with a USB stick but that hasn't caused any issues here (knock wood!).  There's always going to be some risk of updating BIOS regardless of how it's done but I think doing it entirely outside Windows is safer. YRMV!

According to Dell's BIOS update policy, they'll replace the motherboard -one time only- if a BIOS update, not remotely run by one of their tech support agent, bricks the motherboard, as long as the PC is still under warranty.  (N.B. - Updating BIOS in response to a SupportAssist alert does not count as tech support!) 

So my attitude is get these updates done before the warranty expires, but stop if the motherboard has to be replaced and/or after the warranty expires.

I noticed BIOS Time listed in Task Manager increased from 9.3 sec with BIOS 1.1.13 to 14.1 sec with 1.1.15 today, but I have to watch that for a while to see if this latest update really has slowed the boot down, a little.

Have to admit I don't understand the reasoning or logic behind the "Enhancement" listed for BIOS 1.1.12 , and wonder if that was a typo which should say "disable". I checked BIOS settings after that update, and "Wake by LAN" was disabled, but I don't remember how it was set in v1.1.10. Maybe @Anonymous can check since he still has v1.1.10, assuming he didn't change that setting manually...

@RoHe   "Wake by LAN" was disabled, but I don't remember how it was set in v1.1.10. Maybe @Dell630i can check since he still has v1.1.10, assuming he didn't change that setting manually...

I have a BIOS setting "Wake Up by Integrated LAN" which is 'Disabled' . . . and not by my doing.

I should probably update BIOS, and I do it with a USB stick, like you. For a while it seemed like all the BIOS updates were meant to fix the "crazy screaming fan noise" and excessive heat everyone was complaining about. I don't have any modulated fans, so it did not seem necessary/worth the risk to me.

@Anonymous  If you do update beyond BIOS 1.1.10, check that LAN wake setting again...

When you do BIOS updates with a USB stick, are you booting directly from the USB stick or using the F12 menu BIOS update option? 

I only use the F12 BIOS update option and a non-bootable USB with only the .exe file on it.

@RoHe   I only use the F12 BIOS update option and a non-bootable USB with only the .exe file on it.

Same for me. I am pretty sure I learned it from you.   Thanks! 

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@RoHe wrote:

I noticed BIOS Time listed in Task Manager increased from 9.3 sec with BIOS 1.1.13 to 14.1 sec with 1.1.15 today, but I have to watch that for a while to see if this latest update really has slowed the boot down, a little.

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BIOS Time has increased after installing BIOS v1.1.15, at least on this XPS 8930.  Last few BIOS Times were all about ~16 sec, up from ~9 sec with v1.1.13.  Guess BIOS has to do some additional work because of the 4 CVE fixes included in v1.1.15. Not that I'm really going to notice/miss those extra 7 sec...