XPS 8930, "Unknown command" when trying to update BIOS

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@jd45 wrote:

XPS 8930 on BIOS v1.18

1. I downloaded a few versions of the BIOS to a FAT32 USB.

2. Mouse doesn't appear available in BIOS (tried with a wired mouse connected to USB 2.0 port on the back of PC), so keyboard seems only option to navigate the menu.

3. I select the BIOS and when I tab over to the Upgrade button and hit the Enter key, I get a popup: "Unknown command".

 

 

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1. Yes, do each one in order (testing after each one). This is smart (you are on the right track there).

2. This is by design (this is normal).

3. Scary.

- Get fresh downloads. Be sure to "un-block" the files after you download them. Be sure to "eject" flash drive properly each time.

- Try with a different flash-drive. Try a smaller-capacity USB-drive (maybe a 2gb or 8gb one).

- Try with the files in the root of the drive or at least in a short-named folder without spaces (like simply BIOS).

I'm sure it all sounds over-cautions but I'm not sure where the problem is. Anyway, you will be done before you know it. 

jd45,

Note, since this is out of warranty, I would be wary about installing BIOS updates. A failed BIOS update will break the CMOS and in turn the motherboard.

Good point. PC works fine, so no point in taking a risk for very marginal benefit.

@jd45  Can't see your images yet...

FWIW, I updated my XPS 8930 (purchased Nov'2019) via F12 to BIOS v1.1.22 last week and it went fine.

I guess you could try doing the update via SupportAssist, but I'd think twice about that...

If out of warranty we shouldn't update the BIOS? I have been updating the BIOS all along on my 8930 - if only to stay ahead of Windows Update doing it and messing it up. This is the first time I have heard someone say don't update the BIOS if out of warranty (why does Dell keep providing BIOS updates then?). I am on 1.1.22 now. Maybe you were just referring to jd45?

@jd45  - To simplify things, use a USB that only has the one specific BIOS update you want to install stored on it.

When that file name is highlighted in the "Files"box, as 1.1.19 is in your image, and the BIOS Upgrade Information box shows the correct info at top right, press the Tab key, not Enter, to move to the "Finish Upgrade" button. (You might have to press Tab twice, because the BIOS Upgrade File box might become active after the first press - don't remember off top of my head...)

When the Finish Upgrade button is highlighted (it's faint highlighting, at least on my XPS 8930) that's when you press Enter. You'll get a screen asking to confirm the update. Then just leave PC alone until it's safely back at your desktop, no matter how many times it reboots itself, or seems just to have stopped doing anything. That should solve your "Unknown command" error.

@dave423  - In "them good ole days" BIOS updates weren't as frequent as they are now. And most  were to fix specific performance issues on the PC. In those days, the advice was not to update BIOS unless it fixed a problem your PC was actually having, because of the risks.

Nowadays, BIOS updates mainly fix Intel security issues, rather than PC performance issues.  So you have to weigh the benefits of having the latest security updates vs the risks of a failed update. At least nowadays, we can try a BIOS Recovery, if necessary. 

BIOS Recovery from Hard Drive is enabled by default on XPS 8930, but BIOS Auto-Recovery and Always Perform Integrity Check are disabled by default (I never understood that logic!). So I'd make sure both of those are enabled before doing a BIOS update. That way, if something does go wrong, the PC should automatically fix itself without user intervention. Also make sure UEFI Capsule Updates is disabled to try to stop Windows Update from force-installing BIOS updates on your PC.

NOTE: Every BIOS update disables both of those options again, and enables Capsule Updates so you need to keep an eye on them. And these updates typically enable Boot from LAN too, even though I disable that one every time. You might want/need to boot PC from LAN, but I don't...

So far, I've updated BIOS on my XPS 8930 via the F12 menu, seven times since Nov'2019. It's always nerve-wracking until I see my desktop again, but so far -knock wood- no problems.

Bottom line, your PC, your decision when/if to install BIOS updates... 

Hi,

The error occurs, because you have spaces in the file/folder structure on the USB-drive. I had the same problem. The BIOS file was named 'XPS 8930 1.1.28' and I got the error. After removing the BIOS update, the update went file.

Regards,
Johan Pronk

@JPAbovo​  Always best to put the BIOS updates directly in the root directory on the USB stick, not in any sub-directory.

FWIW, XPS 8930 BIOS 1.1.30 is available (again)....

@JPAbovo​   Perfect.  I changed the name of the file to bios.EXE and it worked fine.  Thank you!

Pat