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SallyBrown
6 Posts
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4509
October 8th, 2018 06:00
XPS 8920 BIOS update fails
Tried multiple times to update to XPS8920_1.0.17 bios. Windows 10 will not run the BIOS update. Putting it on a bootable USB will not work either. Are there special hoops to jump through to make this machine update the BIOS?
4049
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Posted October 8th, 2018 14:00
Good questions:
Running under Windows: the BIOS updates starts, the XPS reboots, a screen comes on saying firmware is updating. After 24 hours with same display screen, I called game-over and rebooted. It appeared that no BIOS upgrade had been attempted. No error messages. System logs oblivious to any attempt at BIOS update.
Running from USB: USB is bootable, BIOS update file copied to bootable USB, USB engaged before powering on, pressing F12 brings up UEFI screen, option to update BIOS from USB is available, system recognizes USB, system sees file on USB and permits selection of XPS8920_1.0.17.exe; when choose [Start update] option system freezes; after 1 hour called game-over
FYI: Windows is running off a Western Digital M.2 SSD chip, BUT tried same steps with a cloned HDD in place and the M.2 removed and same results.
4038
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Posted October 8th, 2018 16:00
@SallyBrown wrote:
Running from USB: USB is bootable, BIOS update file copied to bootable USB, USB engaged before powering on, pressing F12 brings up UEFI screen, option to update BIOS from USB is available, system recognizes USB, system sees file on USB and permits selection of XPS8920_1.0.17.exe; when choose [Start update] option system freezes; after 1 hour called game-over
When having problems, from this "UEFI boot-environment" is the best way.
It's starting ... but failing. So, would say corrupt download (granted your motherboard is OK).
Dell Rockstar
Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
- Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
- I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
- Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
- Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
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Posted October 8th, 2018 16:00
Be very careful about turning the power off in the middle of an attempt to update BIOS. That could turn the motherboard into a useless brick.
What version of BIOS is running now? How are you downloading the BIOS update file, using Dell SupportAssist, Dell Update or manually directly from the Support page for this model?
If you're trying to do it from USB, did you follow these instructions?
Run the BIOS update utility from DOS environment if UEFI Boot Mode (Non-Windows users)
- Download the BIOS update file directly from the Support page
- Copy the downloaded file to a bootable DOS USB key.
- Connect USB to USB2 port on PC.
- Power PC on, and open BIOS Setup by pressing F2 and go to "General > Boot Sequence > Boot List Option".
- Change "UEFI" to "Legacy" on Boot List Option.
- Click "Apply", "Exit" to save changes and reboot system.
- Immediately press F12, then Select "USB Storage Device" and Boot to DOS prompt.
- Run the file by typing copied file name where the executable is located.
- After BIOS update finishes, system will auto reboot. Go to BIOS Setup by pressing F2 and go to "General > Boot Sequence > Boot List Option".
- Change "Legacy" to "UEFI" Boot Option.
- Click "Apply", "Exit" to save changes and reboot system.
4011
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Posted October 9th, 2018 06:00
Attempted to "Run the BIOS update utility from DOS environment". ... No success, BUT more data to report.
Was able to get to boot to USB to actually run the new update file. BUT, in running the file I get this screen message:
Decompress ROM file, flash setting ... done
Get related information from Rom image file.
- Error: Problem allocating memory
run-time error R6000
- stack overflow4003
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Posted October 9th, 2018 09:00
@SallyBrown wrote:
1. Attempted to "Run the BIOS update utility from DOS environment". ...
2. - Error: Problem allocating memory
run-time error R6000
- stack overflow
1. I've never had the need to try a Rufus/Free-DOS boot on a UEFI machine. Seems unnecessary when the UEFI environment is already there and ready for use.
2. Maybe this is why conventional UEFI way doesn't work as well.
It's really looking like that file is bad. It has several safety checks to insure the firmware gets re-written properly. Remember, that if it gets re-flashed improperly somehow ... it will likely be a brick after that.
Dell Rockstar
Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
- Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
- I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
- Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
- Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
- Click "Mark as Accepted Answer" on any post that answers your question best.3994
0
Posted October 9th, 2018 11:00
Sure sounds like the file or the download is corrupted. I wouldn't risk running it again. If it ain't broke, don't break it! :Wink: And if you're getting bugged by SupportAssist or Dell Update about this BIOS update, disable those apps....
3993
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Posted October 9th, 2018 11:00
Attempted the rufus freedos USB route described earlier for Dos based install. Got past the stack overflow error using the described approach. .... Process hung though on attempting to write new ROM data. .... So, my conclusion is Dell has likely posted a corrupt update file. ... Since life must go on, I will stand down on any update efforts for now and check online periodically to see if a new file is posted. ... In meantime, I disabled ALL Dell Updating Service utilities pushing the BIOS update. It was labeled as urgent. Far as I can tell there is no urgency to doing anything but let the machine run with its 1.0.12 bios as it has been nicely doing since unboxed a few years ago.
FYI, darn lucky that my XPS8920 machine didn't brick itself (pretty resilient) with all I have attempted with it. ;-)
744
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Posted October 11th, 2018 14:00
Why are you so darned determined to brick this motherboard??
If you want a new PC, just go buy one! Don't ruin one that's working perfectly, as an excuse to replace it. :Stickouttongue:
You must be close to having risked all 9 of your PC's lives with all these attempted BIOS updates. So quit while it still has life left in it... :Angel:
3948
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Posted October 11th, 2018 14:00
Just thought I would update this post. ... For fun I tried to update BIOS to one generation older than current Dell download (it was under archived BIOS link). ... No go.
Tried it under Windows and booted to a screen that was black. Upon reboot under windows there was a report of a firmware update in progress. But, msinfo32 shows no actual firmware update. No error message either. ... Then tried under bootable USB, same dead end as noted above. ... So: a) there is no download corruption problem, or b) multiple generations of BIOS updates are corrupt, or c) something is preventing my particular machine from flashing. If it is (c) I also tried install with virtualization disabled (some other post suggested it) since this machine runs several VMs; this of course was not a solution.
Not planning to worry about this. Although when it comes time to replace this machine I certainly intend to check into competition, notwithstanding that I have owned probably 200 Dell machines over the years in business and personal capacity.
RoHe
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4048
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Posted October 8th, 2018 11:00
Be more specific...