Critical BIOS update fails

Question

I can view the file in question - OptiPlex_7780_7480_1.6.3.exe (at the following location - C:\ProgramData\Dell\UpdateService\Downloads). I right click to Run as Administrator, but am not allowed.

The size of the file on disk 32,2 MB (33.857.536 bytes).

Trying to install this critical update using the Dell Command Update from the Start menu always gives a failure.

This is a relatively new update for my Optoplex 7780 AIO and is running just fine.

Any suggestions?

Chino de Oro · Answer

@davehorne , installation instructions:

Updating the BIOS from Windows

Note 1: Before updating the BIOS, ensure that you suspend BitLocker encryption on a BitLocker-enabled system. If BitLocker is not enabled on your system, you can ignore this step. For information about how to disable BitLocker, see How to Enable or Disable BitLocker with TPM in Windows at support.dell.com.
Note 2: Do not turn off power or interrupt the BIOS update process during the update.

Download and Installation
1. Click Download File.
2. Click Save to save the file to your hard drive.
3. Browse to the location where you downloaded the file.
4. Double-click the new file.
The system restarts automatically and updates the BIOS at the system startup screen. After the BIOS update is complete, system restarts again.

Updating the BIOS from BIOS Boot Menu (independent of operating system)

Note 1: Before updating the BIOS, ensure that you suspend BitLocker encryption on a BitLocker-enabled system. If BitLocker is not enabled on your system, you can ignore this step. For information about how to disable BitLocker, see How to Enable or Disable BitLocker with TPM in Windows at support.dell.com.
Note 2: Do not turn off power or interrupt the BIOS update process during the update.

Installation
1. Copy the downloaded file to a USB drive. The USB drive does not need to be bootable device.
2. Insert the USB drive into any USB port.
3. Power on the system.
4. At the DELL logo screen, press F12 to access the one-time boot menu.
5. Select BIOS Flash Update in the Other Options section.
6. Click the ... button to browse the USB drive to locate the downloaded file.
7. Select the file and click Ok.
8. Verify the existing system BIOS information and the BIOS update information.
9. Click Begin Flash Update.
10. Review the Warning message and click Yes to proceed with the update.
The system restarts and displays a progress bar at the Dell logo screen. The system restarts again when the update is complete.

Important: Do not power off the system until the process of updating the BIOS is completed.

davehorne · Answer

Thanks for the prompt response.Before I proceed, I'd like to ask a question or two.  Does the USB drive, the drive where I download the OptiPlex_7780_7480_1.6.3.exe file, have to be empty showing only that one file?I ask because I've seen in the past where BIOS updates were performed using an essentially clean USB drive.  (The drive I presently use, a Samsung T5 SSD, is used for continuous backups ... and I'd just as soon copy that OptiPlex_7780_7480_1.6.3.exe file to that drive.)Thanks.  Dave Horne

davehorne · Answer

More information - I tried the first suggestion - updating from Windows. I downloaded the file, went to the file location, right clicked to Run as Administrator, the Dell program opened, and I eventually received the Error - Unable to find OS Protocol Access Interface.

I want to be reassured that following the second suggestion will be successful.

davehorne · Answer

Yet more information - I tried F12 as per your information to enter the BIOS setup but that didn't work. After looking online, I saw that F2 was the key I should use ... and I did.

I entered the menu but could not find BIOS Flash Update.

After looking through the menu, I saw under Security, UEFI Capsule Firmware Update.

Is this what I want? Please advise on how to proceed. I realize the information you gave me was copy and paste, but is it the exact information I need for my Optiplex 7780?

Also, the interface of that BIOS menu looked like it was an old DOS menu.

Chino de Oro · Answer

Re:  Does the USB drive, the drive where I download the OptiPlex_7780_7480_1.6.3.exe file, have to be empty showing only that one file? No, the USB doesn't have to empty.

davehorne · Answer

Considering all the issues I've encountered, I'm inclined to agree with you.

Chino de Oro · Answer

Re: I realize the information you gave me was copy and paste, but is it the exact information I need for my Optiplex 7780?

You are correct. I posted the instructions I copied from Dell BIOS update page, just scroll down toward the bottom of the page, you will find instructions there. It is for your machine. Here is the full link.

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=123pp&oscode=wt64a&productcode=optiplex-7780-aio

redxps630 · Answer

Re: This is a relatively new update for my Optoplex 7780 AIO and is running just fine.
Any suggestions?

It is often reported by users that their systems become unusable (No POST) after official Dell “critical” bios updates, especially newer ones. Some bugs in these exe are not fully anticipated by Dell engineer. During Dell’s effort to fix some issues often obscure to common user, old bug begets new bug. one wonders whether this cycle of update serves the engineer (who needs a job) more than the customer.

If your pc is running fine, better leave it alone. no need to be swayed by Dell “critical” prompt and nudge.

Chino de Oro · Answer

Re: More information - I tried the first suggestion - updating from Windows. I downloaded the file, went to the file location, right clicked to Run as Administrator, the Dell program opened, and I eventually received the Error - Unable to find OS Protocol Access Interface.

Temporarily disable Virtualization Technology in BIOS and updating from Windows again to see if it helps.

Chino de Oro · Answer

Re: Considering all the issues I've encountered, I'm inclined to agree with you.

Not sure if this response was for the suggestion from the other member. But it is a good advise, don't fix if it isn't broken. If you have encountered many issues on your machine, then you will have to decide if this update could resolve them or not. That advise just says to leave it alone IF your machine is running fine. In your original post, you only ask for suggestion to overcome the failed BIOS update, no other issues were mentioned.

Although this BIOS update was marked URGENT, it will only fix the issue where the Administrator and System Password cannot be set through Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) command. This issue occurs when you enter more than 16 characters.

Hope you find all the information useful and be able to update your BIOS.

davehorne · Answer

Thanks for your help in this. Since this is a stand alone desktop being used at home and not at a business per se, and since I have no password word issues logging in my this desktop, I'm not going to pursue this any further.

Thanks ... Dave Horne

Optiplex Desktops

Critical BIOS update fails

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