XPS 8900, BIOS 2.2.1, Windows 10 boot loop error

Question

This is a problem that appears to have caused a lot of user headaches, and so far I have not found a solution. After updating the BIOS to version 2.2.1 my computer has entered into a boot loop error.

Here's the error that I'm getting. First, as my computer restarts I get the message under the Windows Splash Screen "Preparing automatic repair"

Then, I get the message with Dell SupportAssist: "Your system seems to be having trouble starting, Dell SupportAssist is scanning your hardware for a possible cause."

It then does a three minute scan, and gives me the message: "Hardware scan complete with no issues."

Then I hit continue, and the computer restarts.

I then get the Windows Splash Screen underneath it says "Performing Automatic Repair" I get a blue screen error: "Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart, we'll restart for you." It also provides a stop code error: MEMORY MANAGEMENT, this just keeps continuing.

I called Dell Support, and they insisted, that the BIOS update did not cause the problem because I can still enter the BIOS, using F2. They offered to help me fix the problem for a payment of $283, which would most likely involve reinstalling Windows. They explained that the problem was probably caused by a driver update that was happening the same time as the BIOS update. I have a hard time believing this, since I've never had this problem before.

Here are some specs on my machine:

-My main drive is a Transcend 512 GB SSD, which runs Windows 10 Pro.

-This drive is only recognized if the BIOS is configured using Legacy Boot, and AHCI.

- This seems to be a Windows error caused by BIOS update.

Has anybody found a solution to this problem?

MacCat · Answer

I have the same problem. After updating to 2.2.1. I am unable to get Windows 10 to run on my XPS 9800. It will show the startup screen and then always gets a "MEMORY MANAGEMENT" stop code. I removed the drives, moved them to another computer and ran chkdsk on them and they are all good. I have run the BIOS diag tool and it reports no errors.

I figure I would start over and use a new drive, but when the Windows 10 install starts it also gets the "MEMORY MANAGEMENT" stop code. So Windows 10 will not run on this computer anymore in any flavor. This tells me that the problem is the Bios update.

I am able to get a Linux based OS to work correctly and there are no problems or errors. This leads me to believe that the bios update is causing problems with Windows based OS directly.

MacCat · Answer

I see that Intel just released new microcode to fix Spectre and Meltdown problems today. Lets hope that when Dell release new firmware it will fix this issue.

aabeutler · Answer

Thanks for Reply MacCat

I have been going down the same route, I attempted to reinstall Windows 10 several different ways using a dvd and a usb drive. I could get Windows 8 and Windows 7 to start the install process but not Windows 10 I kept getting the Stop Code: Memory Managment.

Yesterday, I was finally able to get past the stop code error by setting my BIOS to UEFI and then booting from a Window 10 USB drive. I had to make sure that my bios was also set to AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) and all my hard drive were unpluged except for my master drive otherwise it would not recognize my SSD drive.

I also had to delete all partitions on that drive and I'm reinstalling everything. So far so good. I'll keep you posted. What a pain this has been for doing a simple BIOS update.

Williamsonoma · Answer

I have the SAME issue as everyone on this post.   aabeutler: How is it running since you made these changes? Also which bios are you running on your xps 8900? I see you are running 2.2.1

MacCat · Answer

Hi Williamsonama

I am still at 2.2.1 and tried what aabeutler suggested, but it does not work for me. I still get the memory error codes.

I guess I have to wait until Dell releases an update to the bad bios update. Seems like they would want to fix this soon since there are a lot of people having this issue.

fireberd · Answer

I just saw a report (10 minutes ago) from a user on the Cakewalk Sonar forum that they updated their 8900 today and no problems. 'I just updated my XPS8900 via Dell Update with no problems'

MacCat · Answer

So with a lot of playing around I was able to get the BIOS 2.2.1 to work. Aabeutler was correct that switching the bios to UEFI will work but you have to do it in two places in the BIOS. There can be no legacy bios support enabled for Windows 10 will not work at all, this includes the windows 10 install disk.    In the BIOS you need to do the following:   1. Under 'Boot Sequence' / 'Boot List Option' make sure that 'UEFI' is selected. 2. Under 'Advanced Boot Options' make sure that 'Enable legacy Options ROMs' is not selected.     When you do the above you can no longer boot up with normal USB images, it must be prepared with UEFI support for the bios to see them. I used Rufus (https://rufus.akeo.ie/) and a windows install .ios file and was able to make a USB that was valid to the UEFI bios.    I followed the second section called 'How to create a USB bootable media using Rufus' from this page: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-create-windows-10-usb-bootable-media-uefi-support     This tells me that Dell's QA department dropped the ball on testing the 2.2.1 release. If they has turned on even a single legacy option they would have found the problem.   So anyone that is using the factory images and setup will already be using the UEFI and secure boot by default and will not have any problems upgrading to the 2.2.1 release. If you have any legacy bios setting enabled you will run into problems.   Hope this helps

Jhqbraille · Answer

MacCat:

I think I resolved my problems... I posted this in another forum on the website.

XPS 8900 BIOS boot issue possible resolution

Lo and Behold.... I believe I have resolved my problem with the BIOS update that resulted in my husband's XPS 8900 boot loop. I'll update if there are issues later.

A little recap: My husband's computer would not boot or repair or enter Safe Mode after a URGENT BIOS update from 12/2017 that he downloaded and installed about Jan 31.

Finally got the computer to restore and go to Windows with the Dell Windows 7 DVD disk. (Nope, I don't know why that worked) However, turning the computer off resulted in the boot loop deja vu.

When trying restore again, it wiped the programs this time, but left the document files and some downloads. All Updates were lost since the beginning of time. USB ports didn't work, except for the keyboard and mouse. But, if these were unplugged, they ceased to function as well.

I tried a Microsoft patch my son found online, but it didn't work. The computer was on and functional to a point---as long as you didn't want to save anything externally or print, and as long as you didn't EVER want to turn the computer off.

Then I was called on an out of state trip unexpectedly. I had to leave for a week. Just got home today. While I was away, there was a power outage and the computer re-entered the dreaded boot loop. The computer was turned off.

So, I've been back at it for about two hours. The first 1/2 hour just getting the computer back to Windows. It no longer responded immediately to the disk. I don't even know why it actually finally sort-of booted, like before, but this time---drivers for the USB ports loaded automatically! (Not complaining, but no idea why)

I wondered if I should leave well enough alone, but ... In our case, my husband's computer, while not bricked, was really not usable. Like someone else said, if you wish to try this, too, please do so at your own risk.

My son found out Microsoft uploaded a patch/update/fix (download below) that names this exact issue with this exact system. The update successfully stops whatever process the BIOS update messed up (I didn't actually curse here, you know). [In totally non-techy manner, I call it boot loop neutralizer.]

So, if you want to try, download the file below, BUT DO NOT EXECUTE yet.

https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4078130

Timing is everything... I tried this VERY patch before my trip and it didn't work. It didn't do ANYTHING--good, bad, the computer didn't react at all.

I found out you I have to install EVERY SINGLE Windows update first---any and all. I didn't update anything other than Windows, so I don't know if updating other software at the same time will affect the outcome or not.

So, if you choose to, download ALL the updates and install them. BUT DO NOT RESTART!!! When all the updates are completely installed and the computer says it has to restart, DON'T!

Only THEN, click the exe fix file I mentioned earlier from Microsoft (link above). Don't interrupt it. It has a really heart-warming warning that if you interrupt the process it will make your computer unusable. Sweet!

So, I took a breath, said a short prayer, and did it. It said BIOS successfully updated. Another deeper breath and longer prayer, and restarted the computer. When it restarted--IT RESTARTED! And it did it twice more! All the files are intact. All the programs I re-installed are still installed and work, with the exception of the virus protection, which needed to be reinstalled.

Thanks to everyone who answered my questions and made suggestions. I sure hope this fix helps someone else out there.

GOOD LUCK!

ace974 · Answer

This worked for me when I was pulling my hair out trying to figure out that boot loop problem. Thanks for the post MacCat

XPS Desktops

XPS 8900, BIOS 2.2.1, Windows 10 boot loop error

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