32 Posts
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3106
August 14th, 2020 12:00
Aurora R6, BIOS 1.0.23
I multiple boot my system with stable Windows 19041.450 and several Windows Insiders builds. Approximately a week ago, I was in one of the Insider builds (sorry I do not recall which one, could have been the Slow Ring), and when I did a check for updates (Windows Updates) there was a Firmware update already installed awaiting a Restart. It was BIOS version 1.0.23. I was currently running 1.0.22. This is the first time I can recall a Dell BIOS update coming thru WHQL MS Windows Update. I had little choice but to let it proceed. It restarted and updated fine, and all indications are I'm on 1.0.23. My issue is I cannot find anything, no announcement, no documentation, nothing on the Dell site or anywhere else. I have no idea what was changed.
Does anyone have any ideas where I can look? I'm a little concerned this 1.0.23 may be a beta bios, and I don't know it.
Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.
r72019
6 Professor
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5.3K Posts
1
August 15th, 2020 07:00
Looking at the June 11 date I'd guess it's just to address the June Intel security advisories:
Intel Security Advisory INTEL-SA-00295 (CVE-2020-0536, CVE-2020-0539, and CVE-2020-0545).
Intel Security Advisory INTEL-SA-00322 (CVE-2020-0528 and CVE-2020-0529).
Intel Security Advisory INTEL-SA-00320 (CVE-2020-0543).
Intel Security Advisory INTEL-SA-00329 (CVE-2020-0548 and CVE-2020-0549).
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17.1K Posts
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August 14th, 2020 14:00
Yes, they are (I saw it try on a new XPS laptop).
Supposedly, you can switch off "Capsule Updates" in BIOS and it will prevent those from installing.
Good to hear you are running v1.0.22 without problems. The BIOS on my Aurora-R6 hasn't been updated in some time and it's on my list of things to do. I traditionally like to install them all in consecutive order (sometimes even from outside Windows in UEFI Boot-Environment).
r72019
6 Professor
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5.3K Posts
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August 14th, 2020 17:00
What is interesting to me is that they would push out Dell BIOs updates via the Windows auto-update service. That seems to give no regard to the state the computer or laptop could be in (what if the battery is running low for example?). It seems to increase the risk of bricked boards or failed bios updates requiring a reset.
What is also odd, is that there does not appear to be a rhyme or reason to which PC's get targeted for this feature. My Aurora R7, and my Latitude 5501, both are out of date on bios versions. Neither have been targeted. I'll try turning off UEFI capsule firmware updates now that you mention it though just to be safe.
It also doesn't explain how he got revision 23, when the latest update posted on Dell's website is version 22, for the R6. One would think Dell would post their own updates to their website before distributing them to Microsoft.
moha56
32 Posts
1
August 14th, 2020 17:00
I'm not having any issues with 1.0.23 that I can tell. But, I would really like to see some documentation on it. What changed? If it was just CVE security stuff, fine, but I don't know.
Haven't posted a proof-pic that I really am on 1.0.23, so see attached.
r72019
6 Professor
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5.3K Posts
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August 14th, 2020 17:00
I just noticed you are on an insider build. Maybe that includes beta testing for ms partners and the bios 23 update is somehow relevant to the build?
Perhaps you can look for a dell firmware update under windows update history for more info.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17.1K Posts
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August 14th, 2020 21:00
Yes, all very interesting.
I thought it might just be laptops, but apparently not. You know ... Laptops are like Surface tablets and Surface Books. Surface tablets are like iPads and iPhones.
Lets just treat everything like a portable smart-device ... it will be fine. Don't worry, BIOS-Recovery will save you. If it bricks ... well now you have an excuse to get rid of that old (2 year old) computing device.
moha56
32 Posts
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August 15th, 2020 05:00
@Tesla1856
I narrowed it down to my Release Preview build of Windows. That is an Insider version. If I only knew what the documentation is on 1.0.23 I'd be happy. I'll post one pic. Thanks for the replies.
moha56
32 Posts
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August 15th, 2020 05:00
@r72019 Yes, indeed, there is evidence. I have evidence all over the place. A few pics.......
moha56
32 Posts
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August 15th, 2020 08:00
Thanks to all for the input. I'll put this to bed now. I think MS and Dell and Intel were testing-out-loud! All the CVE's mentioned would justify a test to a test MS release.
@r72019
@Tesla1856
bra51776
1 Rookie
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91 Posts
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September 2nd, 2020 10:00
I also had a forced-push BIOS update to 1.0.23, was running 1.0.22 just fine. Everything worked except for my power button, which stopped responding to AlienFX commands but would still power up and power down the tower. Tried a rollback, but because of the security advisories, it was locked.
Had to have a technician come out and replace my motherboard and alienhead power button assembly. That board had 1.0.11, which flashed itself to 1.0.23 and didn't fry the power button this time (whew!).
So, R6 users, beware your AlienFX functionality with this upgrade. I'm hoping I'm a one-off and my board was on it's way out anyways...