XPS 8930, BIOS 1.1.26 fails to load

You should do BIOS updates via the F12 menu with the BIOS .exe file on a USB stick. That worked for me and others with BIOS 1.1.26 on XPS 8930:

If there's only the one BIOS .exe file on the USB, the Flash Update app should automatically insert the correct info into various boxes on the form. Just use Tab to move all the way to the button at the bottom to begin the update.

Before you click that button to start the update, confirm that the correct "current" info is shown in box at top left (eg: BIOS v1.1.24) and the correct "update" info (eg, BIOS 1.1.26 ) is shown in the box at top right. Once you confirm that, click the Start button...

Apparently, I'm not supposed to use this method when I only want to update to a newer version.  So that being the case, I still need Dell to fix this download to work correctly.  Thanks.

Who says you're "not supposed to use this method when I only want to update to a newer version"?

Read the last post by @DELL-Chris M in this thread about the exact same problem using SupportAssist to update BIOS on an XPS 8930 to 1.1.26. His post lists all the steps to use the F12 method to run the flash update.

Using SupportAssist or Dell Update inside Windows may actually increase the possibility of a failed BIOS update, which could brick your motherboard. So even after they fix the SupportAssist problem with the BIOS 1.1.26 update, why would you still want to take any extra risks?

My XPS 8930 came with BIOS 1.1.8, and I've done 14 BIOS updates (currently running 1.1.26) since then, using the F12 method every single time, and never had a problem...

I tried to follow these steps.  I formatted 2 different USB drives to FAT32 and copied the .rcv file to them.  I restarted the machine and pressing F12 immediately took me to a screen where I could accept Select BIOS flash update.  There was a no Other Options section.  Selecting this produced a screen where no other drive was available for selection.  I've done this with both the flash drives in and the computer completely powered off as well as just a restart with the computer already on.  Nothing works!  The file that is on the flash drive is entitled BIOS_IMG.rcv. 

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@Wxman38 wrote:

I tried to follow these steps.  I formatted 2 different USB drives to FAT32 and copied the .rcv file to them.  I restarted the machine and pressing F12 immediately took me to a screen where I could accept Select BIOS flash update.  There was a no Other Options section.  Selecting this produced a screen where no other drive was available for selection.  I've done this with both the flash drives in and the computer completely powered off as well as just a restart with the computer already on.  Nothing works!  The file that is on the flash drive is entitled BIOS_IMG.rcv. 

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I did say multiple times to put the BIOS .exe file on the USB stick....

Have tried BIOS Flash Update several times for this new BIOS version using a new USB stick, newly formatted. and then with only the BIOS 1.1.26.exe file on it. When I get into Flash Update it is not seeing the USB or offering any option for USB or the 1.1.26.exe file on it. The USB stick is in when I turn on the PC and the BIOS file is visible on it in File Explorer when I check that afterward. Any ideas on why Flash Update isn't seeing the USB and offering the BIOPS file as an update choice? Thanks.

@TomCl  - The USB stick has to be formatted FAT32.  NTFS format won't work. 

What size is this new USB stick? Try one that's 2 GB, with only one partition on it.

The BIOS 1.1.26  .exe file name should automatically appear in the middle box on right side of the screen, assuming it's the only file on the USB. Then use Tab to move the highlight to the Start Update button. Now check in top right box to see if the correct update file name is shown there and top left box has current BIOS version info. If it's all correct, just click the Start button.

Thanks for your helpful response. BIOS 1.1.26 is now operating on my XPS 8930.

I was using Dell Support Article 000128928--Flashing the BIOS from the F12 One-Time Boot Menu—as guide after several installation attempts from Support Assist/Windows 11 did not work, the first time that has failed for me.

All instructions in the article seemed clear. The USB stick I bought is 128gb and I formatted it exFAT, but F12 Flash Update was not seeing the BIOS.exe file copied onto the USB.

Your input prompted me to look again for detail on USB stick formatting, and at the bottom of the above article I saw a link to another—Article 000145519--How to Create a Bootable USB Flash Drive using Dell Diagnostic Deployment Package (DDDP). The need to make a flash drive bootable is probably common knowledge for many but I need such detail spelled out step by step.

After used DDDP to make the USB stick bootable and re-copying the BIOS.exe file onto it, F12 Flash Update worked perfectly. Live and learn. Thanks again for your help.

@TomCl  Glad you got the BIOS update installed.

You actually don't need the USB stick to be bootable when you're using the F12 Flash update option.  You just have to use a USB that's formatted FAT32.

With a bootable USB, you may be able just to boot directly from that stick and run the BIOS .exe file from the "DOS prompt" by typing in the name of the update .exe file and pressing Enter.  You won't get the  graphical interface you see with the F12 Flash Update option to guide you or to show progress while the update is working...

I have a FAT32-formatted (non-bootable) 2-GB USB stick that's only used for BIOS updates. I delete the prior version and copy the new version onto that stick. I've done 14 BIOS updates on my XPS 8930 since 2019, and it's never failed to work.

Fair enough, I'll try that next time.

On this current update before the bootability step, F12 Flash Update was not seeing the same USB stick that was correctly formatted and had only the same BIOS update file on it. It showed no update file that I could highlight and select. After making it bootable, Flash Update saw the file and populated it into the box where I could select it. Maybe the 128gb size of the stick affected my initial tries.

Thanks.

@TomCl  - I believe there is a size limit for a USB stick used with the F12 Flash Update option. I've asked Dell to add the requirement for FAT32 formatting and a size limit, if any, to the instructions.

It's possible making the stick bootable created an "acceptable" format so Flash could read it and see the BIOS update .exe file.

At least you got it done. Now open BIOS setup and review these 5 BIOS options to see if you want to change their settings:

BIOS Recovery from Hard Drive - default = Enabled  (I keep default)

BIOS Auto-Recovery - default = Disabled (I enable)

Always Perform Integrity Check - default = Disabled (I enable)

UEFI Firmware Capsule Updates - default = Enabled (I disable)

Wake Up by Integrated LAN - default = Enabled (I disable)

Settings for these 5 revert to default every time there's a BIOS update. So you have to keep on top of them, if you change any from its default setting. 

More helpful info that I have saved to my misc. IS list. Thank you.

Spot on about Dell needing to cover things such as FAT32/exFAT formatting and USB stick-size limit. When they leave out such steps, non-experts like me spin our wheels for hours trying to piece together a complete set of instructions for systems updates/problems.

@TomCl  - That's why this forum is here to help...!