XPS 8930, BIOS 1.1.26 fails

I saw many posts with BIOS forced updates but I did not experience it myself.  So I tried to run checking Windows updates manually on several machines (XPS, Optiplex, Precision) and found some BIOS updates appeared in optional updates which I could use for testing.

I think that at the beginning, MS introduced the coding to update BIOS on a few targeted systems as an expansion plan to drivers updates.  But the flaw with mis-matching version numbers combined with system tweaks from users to lock out those updates have caused the firmware reports to display incorrect info.  MS however, did not abandon that plan and they are still pushing the BIOS update to the business and enterprises systems.  But it only shows up in optional updates and doesn't run until receiving user's approval.

I did some test and found the simple solution to resolve this mis-match firmware for the meantime. 

• If you receive new BIOS notification and you want to update that version, go ahead and run it in Windows environments.  After the update, firmware report will show to updated version.
• If you update BIOS via USB + F12 menu, go ahead and run it again from Windows update.  You will see the progress as being downloaded and installed but your system did not restart to apply the firmware as it usually does.  But your DM will show a new BIOS firmware version matching with the version of BIOS you ran outside Windows.

Or you can just leave it alone as the firmware version in Device Manager is somewhat meaningless.

Just to update this, today the new bios version showed up in WU under the optional updates. I selected it (even though I already installed it via USB) and it downloaded and installed it. My PC never restarted, no messages about firmware being flashed or anything like that. The install took less than 5 seconds. I suspect that since I had already installed this version WU recognized this and therefore did reinstall it. The entry in Device Manager finally Updated to the current version instead of listing the previous version.

@kras1  I think you meant "...WU recognized this and therefore didn't reinstall it."

Good info....

Yes, that is what it was supposed to say. Apparently, proof reading in not my strong point. LOL.

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@kras1 wrote:

Yes, that is what it was supposed to say. Apparently, proof reading in not my strong point. LOL.

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And that's why I'm here..! 

@Chino de Oro  When you update BIOS via F12+USB, the XPS 8930 will automatically reboot several times and eventually gets to the desktop, all by itself.

I've updated BIOS on my XPS 8930 14 times via this method (UEFI Capsule Updates disabled) and PC has always rebooted automatically while the update is being installed and finally gets back to the desktop.

Lol, not so sure if one's proof reading is better than the other but @kras1 update result seems to be inline with the second bullet I posted.  If you already update BIOS via F12 + USB but you also want the Device Manager to display the correct firmware version, you could go ahead and run BIOS update again from Windows optional update.  It would act like it download and install but no system restart (therefore, no firmware flash).  However, Device Manager displays the correct firmware version.

Can you offer clues on how to avoid "AMI BIOS Guard feature disabled" error attempting to upgrade with USB key?

Each time I've tried the USB path I get this error pop-up when click the button to perform the upgrade.

I'm attempting to upgrade to 1.1.26 from 1.1.16, and have also tried upgrade to 1.1.18, considering the warning I've seen about jumping more than a couple of release levels.

I've also looked through BIOS Setup settings that looked like something related to the BIOS Guard feature but haven't found anything that seems obviously related.

@dado22  - XPS 8930, correct?'

Are you doing the update via the F12 menu Flash Update option? Is only the new BIOS version (1.1.26) on a USB that's formatted FAT32?

Did you compare the current BIOS info in top left box with the new update info in top right box? This old XPS 8930 thread had same error message, but the current BIOS version info and new version were identical in that case, so that might cause this error...

Ok Rohe i deleted it in DM and PC works ok, no problems  thanks

Thank you very much for the response.

Yes, this is a XPS 8930.  I am doing the update via F12.  The new BIOS (1.1.26) is on a FAT32 formatted USB and is the only file in the only partition.

And yes, the info for the new update appears in the top left box and the old version in the top left.

I just tried the update again with a brand new reformatted USB (same as described above), and got the same "AMI BIOS Guard feature disabled" error.

What' should I try next?

@dado22  - Reboot and start tapping F12 when you see the Dell splash screen. When the F12 menu opens, select the option to run Diagnostics and run all of them, including RAM and full boot drive (C:) tests. Copy error message(s), if any and post here.

Thanks again.   Ran all test, including full memory test.   All tests passed.   No errors.

@dado22  - You could try clearing BIOS:

1. Reboot and start tapping F2 when you see the Dell splash screen to open BIOS setup
2. Copy down all current BIOS settings, to be safe
3. Power off, unplug
4. Press/hold power button for ~15 sec
5. Open case and remove motherboard battery (check Service Manual for details)
6. Press/hold power button for ~30 sec
7. Reinstall the battery (Time for a fresh CR2032 3-volt coin cell battery? ~$2)
8. Close up and connect mouse, monitor and keyboard
9. Reboot

After you get to your desktop, shut down normally in Windows. With power off, plug in the USB stick, power on, tap F12, etc...

Thank you once again.

Since this PC doesn't exhibit a problem that really requires a BIOS update at this point, (just non-critical warning booting Linux) I'm going to save the BIOS clear and update for another day.

Thank you.