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Go to SolutionOptiplex 9020 System BIOS
I use the 'Dell Support Assist'. I've just purchased a 2nd hand Optiplex9020 and the support assist has suggested the urgent update of system bios Version A25 dated 30/5/2019 to a release, dated 19/7/2019.
(update package for windows, file name O902OA25.exe)
I keyed OK, ' support assist' went thru the motions and asked for "restart" to complete .I keyed OK and
ended up with a 'frozen blank screen' I had to turn of/unplugged power cord to enable a recommence.
The update did not occur , system page still shows version A25 19/7/2019.
My question to anyone who can is, Do I need this ?? if so , how to overcome the restart hiccup.
thank you in advance, JohnPeak.
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Posted July 4th, 2021 22:00
Antivirus programs will prevent the bios update from working OR worse it will brick the machine.
The way to get this working is to use USB2.0 ports and a USB2.0 FAT32 flash drive either 16 or 32 gigs and do bios recovery instead of trying to flash within windows.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sandisk-cruzer-32gb-usb-2-0-flash-drive-black/9288807.p?skuId=9288807
Other issue is that there is more than one kind of 9020
Do you have 9020 AIO or 9020 MT or 9020 Micro etc.
The bios files ARE NOT the same across all sizes.
https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000132453
Creating the USB drive:
- Plug the USB drive into the computer.
- Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer (also known as Windows Explorer).
- Right-click the USB drive and click Format.
- Change the File computer to FAT32.
- Check the box next to Quick Format.
- Click Start to being formatting the USB drive.
- Copy the BIOS file to the USB drive.
- Open Command prompt in administrator mode.
- In Windows 10, Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 - Press the Windows key + X on the keyboard to open a power user menu and select Command Prompt (Admin)
- In Windows 7 or Windows Vista - Click the Start button and type command prompt in the search box. Right-click cmd in the search results and select Run as administrator.
- In the command prompt window, type cd x: and press the Enter key, where x is the drive letter of the USB drive. You can find the drive letter of the USB drive in File Explorer (also known as Windows Explorer).
- Type dir and press the Enter key on the keyboard. You should see the name of the downloaded BIOS file.
- Type ren xxxxx.exe BIOS_IMG.rcv and press the Enter key. Replace the xxxxx with the name of the downloaded BIOS file.
NOTE: Please include the space between xxxxx.exe and BIOS_IMG.rcv.
How do I initiate BIOS Recovery on a Dell desktop or all-in-one computer?
- Restart the computer.
- Press and hold the CTRL + ESC key on the
- keyboard until the BIOS Recovery page appears.
- On the BIOS Recovery screen, select Reset NVRAM (if available) and press the Enter key. Select
- Disabled and press the Enter key to save the current BIOS settings.
- Select Recover BIOS and press the Enter key to start the recovery process.
NOTE: Your Dell computer may restart a few times during the process of BIOS recovery.
The CTRL + ESC key combination can be used to
trigger BIOS recovery on computers where an external keyboard is the primary input. This applies to Dell desktops, all-in-one computers, and laptops. The supported keyboard types on these devices are WIRED
- PS/2 keyboard
- USB keyboard
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Posted July 5th, 2021 16:00
thank you for your response. Looks complex to me..a 'new chum' to the computer world. I was looking for an easy way to do it. If necessary ..... I have read where there should be no need to change BIOS in a computer ?? " Not broke why fix ". You say security will prevent completion of the update, why don't I just disable windows defender and then process the Dell Assist Update to BIOS.
my model is a Optiplex 9020 MT i5-4th Gen 4590
JohnPeak.
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Posted July 5th, 2021 16:00
Point being XP or Freedos or some other method may be the only way to get this working.
In 8 and 10 you must run bios updates as administrator.
HOWEVER if you have antivirus software installed it will stop the update just after the flash rom is erased killing the board forever.
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Posted July 6th, 2021 15:00
"Version A25 dated 30/5/2019 to a release, dated 19/7/2019." "...system page still shows version A25 19/7/2019."
By "system page".do you mean BIOS? As far as I can tell, A25 is the latest BIOS for it. By your first sentence quoted above, did you mean it has 30/5/2019 BIOS? or... What version of BIOS do you have?
https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=cf8tx
And it's true, BIOS can be a case of if it isn't broke, don't fix it. Has to be done carefully so MB doesn't brick. Imperative power goes uninterrupted during update. Some things can also be Googled, like "how to create bootable flash drive."
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Posted July 10th, 2021 20:00
thanks for your reply bradthetechnut,
Yes I've given the wrong info. ( date) here. should've been 30/05/2019.
So after running Dell Assist to update BIOS I find it was not successful ,My system information report I have just printed shows version A25, 30/05/2019
My questions were
do I need to Update to the version recommended ? " not broke why fix"
if security (windows defender ) is blocking completion could I disable and try dell assist again
get an expert to fix
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Posted July 10th, 2021 21:00
Are you in the U.S. or another country? I ask because I couldn't find a 30/5/2019 A25 BIOS. And A24 is well before it.
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Posted July 10th, 2021 21:00
I won't suggest turning off Windows Defender while online. But with Windows Defender on, you can still create a bootable flash drive and download the latest BIOS to it. With the PC offline, then turn off Windows Defender and update BIOS from the bootable USB. (Keep in mind this is just a brief version of what speedstep said and any instructions linked.)
However, if you're not comfortable with that method, I get it, then it's probably best to leave it.
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Posted July 11th, 2021 16:00
I am in Australia. relevant info is
System name. DESKTOP-LT22TO0
model Optiplex 9020
processor i5-4590
bios version Dell Inc. A25, 30/05/2019
bios mode Legacy
embedded controller version. 255.255
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Posted July 11th, 2021 18:00
Also, thanks for pointing out it's in Legacy mode. Secure Boot in BIOS can't be used in Legacy mode. If you want to use Secure Boot, Win10 would have to reloaded with BIOS in UEFI mode, Secure Boot off. Once it's loaded, turn Secure Boot on. Secure Boot is meant to protect the system from attack while the OS is loading.
bradthetechnut
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Posted July 11th, 2021 18:00
Thanks for the info. I don't know if you saw it, but there's 3 different sets of instructions for updating to the 19/7/2019 A25 BIOS if you scroll down: https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-au/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=cf8tx
I have no idea what, if any, differences there are between the two A25 BIOS' because I couldn't find the 30/5/2019 version. Double checked using Dell-Australia and couldn't find. I'm thinking there's a very chance it can be left.
A few Win10 security tips:
1. I found Ransomware protection off by default. But at least it stays on thru the updates.
2. I didn't think to check when updating to 1809, but checked once it got to 20H2. System Protection was off for both drives (SSD + HDD) and Data Execution Prevention. On a side note, one of those 2 could be the reason, I think more likely the latter, I have to turn off Windows Defender to scan from my Canon TR4522 printer.