Optiplex 5055 - Trusted Device reports corrupted BIOS

Question

Howdy,

Just got a refurbished Dell Optiplex 5055 Ryzen APU. Flashed latest BIOS 1.2.8 from Dell support site. Everything works but Dell Trusted Device agent reports this in Windows Event Viewer:

"BIOS Verification : 1 (Failed Result) "

Then this:

"Corrupted image found and copied to location C:\ProgramData\Dell\BIOSVerification\ImageCapture\BIOSImageCaptureBVS04282021_015524.bv"

What would that be? What can I do to get this actually resolved?

It also came with a non-supported service tag of . China? During the boot, it displays some hex code on the left side from the Dell logo. Is that normal? Do not recall seeing that before.

Thx

redxps630 · Accepted Answer

Re: Is there any way to bring it back to normal? I am fairly technical and do not mind the risk of bricking it rather than think it is compromised.

Also, I keep getting an 8 char hex code on each boot, white letters on red background, left from the Dell logo. Is this expected?

Understand your concern it might be compromised.
Dell logo itself is just a standard pic in bios. It should all be the same if same bios ver. The extra letter may be due to custom mod of your bios that persists despite apparent reflash. It seems you will not be able to completely undo the custom bios using standard user tool. Some Dell product is sold to government which undergoes undisclosed modification for custom need. Since you got yours refurbished one wonders where the refurbisher got the stock? Possible government surplus lot sale?

If you are technical and really want to try, use a US made usb programmer tool to erase the CMOs bios chip, make sure post erase read back is completely null if you are successful, then reflash with Dell standard bios.rom. Usb programmer (black) made outside US may be of suboptimal quality and results may vary. If the programmer is unable to completely erase bios, then try unsolder the bios chip and replace with new one. This all sound quite technical challenging and not sure worth your effort. If it is working fine now, you might regret getting on its case.

redxps630 · Answer

Re: Everything works

if it works but you have a fake service tag in bios, it sounds like the machine code is corrupted and bios is reading wrong service tag info. probably better not to fix the system if it is not broken. the error you get is a nuisance but if it does not affect system operation and pc is fully functional, just leave it. if someone attempts to fix it it may accidentally brick the motherboard.

Mary G · Answer

It must have had the motherboard replaced--hence refurbished. Nothing to worry about. Event Viewer has all kinds of scary messages. Almost all can be ignored.

devizm · Answer

Thanks@redxps630. My concern with the corrupted BIOS was a backdoor or other compromised behavior to expect from this machine. I did re-flash the BIOS a couple of times, but still getting the same error.

Is there any way to bring it back to normal? I am fairly technical and do not mind the risk of bricking it rather than think it is compromised.

Also, I keep getting an 8 char hex code on each boot, white letters on red background, left from the Dell logo. Is this expected?

devizm · Answer

@Mary G  Agreed, but then there are some errors one can ignore and others one should not. To me, ignoring a corrupted BIOS is like ignoring a flat tire. You can sure still drive...

devizm · Answer

Great will give it a shot. Got this unit on Ebay from a trusted refrurbisher with 100% reputation. Must have come from some odd stock. I would expect the refurbisher to make it 'like new' condition, removing any mods...

pwason · Answer

I have a Optiplex 5055 that has had two motherboard swaps, and has been displaying that white-on-red hex string on the logo screen after the first swap (and the second). Both techs that did the swaps had never seen that before and had no idea what it means. No related event messages though.

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Optiplex 5055 - Trusted Device reports corrupted BIOS

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