XPS 8930, latest BIOS update failed

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@ViceLikeEye wrote:

XPS 8930. 

I noticed the fans have been (at times) throttling massively. 

 

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Which fan is throttling?

Depending on which one ... each would point to a different possible issue.

I posted a detailed Reply, but it's missing now.
I'll try once more.

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@ViceLikeEye wrote:

XPS 8930.  My current BIOS version is 1.0.10. 

My friend suggested I do a BIOS update.  but I don't want to brick my shiny new PC.   

 

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You can call Dell and let them assist you. If it bricks then, you get a new motherboard (supposedly). Most UEFI-based machines have to option to flash-BIOS from initial F12 boot-screen (ie outside of Windows).

OK, thank you.  I await your reply.

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@ViceLikeEye wrote:

1. I figured my 1 year limited warranty would somewhat cover me. 

2. I was hoping I could just get a quick solution 

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1. "Somewhat" is a very vague term:

https://www.dell.com/community/Customer-Care-Wiki/Dell-Policy-BIOS-update-breaks-motherboard-CMOS/ta-p/6063959

2. Expectations of Quick and/or Easy solutions to complicated issues isn't very realistic, in my experience anyway. :Smile:

My posts in this thread seem to be working now.

I figured my 1 year limited warranty would somewhat cover me.  I was hoping I could just get a quick solution and not do this on the phone.  Thanks so much for the reply.

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@ViceLikeEye wrote:

I recently purchased a XPS 8930.  I noticed the fans have been (at times) throttling massively.  I haven't done any gaming at all.  Nor have I done anything too strenuous for what I thought was such a capable machine.  The only thing I do is Photoshop as a hobby and I'm a fairly lightweight PS user.  I use a mixed bag of monitors that I have purchased; Some old and some new, five in total.  I control all of them thru a program called DisplayFusion plus I use a docking station for extra video inputs.  I can put all monitors minus my main monitor on standby or have them running with DisplayFusion.  With all monitors running my fans throttle like crazy.  It sounds like the PC is preparing for liftoff into space.  To prevent this, I essentially have put my PC into, "Limp Mode".  Meaning I'm only running one monitor to avoid a meltdown.  Apparently some of the monitors use the NVIDIA GPU and the some monitors use the Intel GPU via the docking station. 

My friend suggested I do a BIOS update.  I told him that was a great idea.  I went to the Support page, I hit the, "Detect Drivers" button.  I downloaded the drivers and when I click on the 1.0.13.exe file, it asks if it's OK to modify my PC, I click yes, It makes my cursor spin for a second or two then it creates another file called, "amifldrv64.sys".  That's all it does.  According to the instructional video it is supposed to launch the BIOS update.  My current BIOS version is 1.0.10. 

From what I have scanned thru on a couple of posts here, I believe it's the Intel GPU at risk.  Something about a meltdown too.  Not good.  I also gleaned from another post that antivirus might play a factor.  Would simply booting into Safe Mode and turning off my antivirus allow me to update my BIOS?  I'm fairly certain using all my monitors is forcing the unstable Intel GPU to engage resulting in the fan throttling; Hence the long explanation in the first paragraph. 

My specs copied from Amazon.com:

• 8th Generation Intel i7-8700 6-Core 3.20 GHz Processor (12M Cache, up to 4.60 GHz), Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)
• 32GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory, 512GB Solid State Drive + 2TB 7200 RPM SATA Hard Drive, DVD-RW Drive
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti 4GB GDDR5 Graphics (1x Display Port, 1x HDMI, 1x DVI), Intel UHD Graphics 630
• Dell Wireless 802.11a/c + Bluetooth v4.1, Integrated 5.1 Channel Audio with Waves MaxxAudio Pro
• 1 Year Limited Warranty, Dell USB Laser Mouse - Black, Dell Wired Keyboard - Black, No Monitor Included

Please let me know if any more info is needed.  This was a big chunk of cash I spent on this PC.  I was kind of hoping everything worked flawlessly out of the box.  I was wrong and now I need your help.  Please keep any replies simple.  I'm not computer illiterate but I'm not a wizard either.  If it was anything other than the BIOS I'd be OK with just taking shots in the dark but I don't want to brick my shiny new PC.  Please help.

Thanks in advance. 

 

 

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If you aren't computer literate are you sure you need all that in a computer? I often wonder if people use half of what they buy and why do they buy it all? I don't know why your bios failed since I wasn't there to control it.

I have no idea which fan it is, without opening the case.

I will call first.  That's the best option.  Plus the tech support is paid for, why not use it.

EDIT:  I will post my findings/results here.

Thank you Tesla1856.

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@ViceLikeEye wrote:

I have no idea which fan it is, without opening the case.

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Correct. The side cover pops-off. You can run it like that for a while.

I suggest you download and read the PDF manuals if you want to DIY troubleshoot and/or fix.

I never said I was computer illiterate.  That is on your poor reading comprehension.  Does one need to know how every piece of their car works in order to drive?  No.  I was simply stating that I lie somewhere in the middle of novice PC user to Uber nerd but I was trying to say it with some humility.  I figured 99% of people would have gotten the gist of what I was trying to convey.  I don't understand or have time to learn all of the technical terms spouted by a computer engineer.  Are we clear now?

If you must know why I bought this PC, it is for some light to medium gaming, heavier Photoshop editing/rendering and some video editing/rendering.  I also wanted to, "Future proof" myself for the next several years. 

Now, please stop trying to derail the problem solving.

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@ViceLikeEye wrote:

the tech support is paid for, why not use it.

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That I agree with. 

However, without even being able to tell the Phone Support rep what fan(s) are too noisy for your tastes, you are likely in for a long session.

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@ViceLikeEye wrote:

1. I control all of them thru a program called DisplayFusion plus I use a docking station for extra video inputs. 

2. I'm fairly certain using all my monitors is forcing the unstable Intel GPU 

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1. To verify that the XPS-8930 itself is working properly, I suggest you fall-back to a simpler and more normal config.

I suggest you disconnect the "Docking Station", uninstall it's drivers, and uninstall Display Fusion.

Connect a couple of monitors to (only) the dedicated Nvidia GTX-1050-Ti.

2. Doubtful (unless, maybe, it has something to do with DisplayFusion and the Docking Station). 

There should be an option inside Nvidia Control-Panel that tells the system to use the Nvidia card as the preferred GPU.

I suppose also related ... it's been my observation over the years ... once you connect more than one monitor to a video-card, it no longer down-clocks (even when the machine is idle).

OK, in those 3-4 posts, that's all I was trying to tell you (in that original post that got lost). Hope that helps.

The top rear fan will surely ramp up as you get into more usage so I would advise adding a front fan when it does (like the one I did) but make sure all the air comes in from OUTSIDE. All the 8900 series have a noisy fan problem. In the meantime I would back off on additions like Tesla said and update to the latest bios, that's what it is for.

@Tesla1856

Right now with only my main monitor running I only hear a faint whirring (which might be the 2TB HDD) and occasional light fan noise.  No big deal.  I know it will never be as quiet as a SSD only PC.

With that said, it's less about the fan noise and more about a potential, "Meltdown" due to the Intel GPU being at risk.  I gathered from a few posts that a BIOS update would fix this issue. 

@546insp

I will call Support.  It's on my To Do list for Monday.  Thanks for recognizing your fumble.

EDIT:  One more thing - With all these Dell customers complaining about BIOS updates, you'd think Dell would get their act together and make it easier.  My last PC (Lenovo) was super easy to update the BIOS.