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XPS 8930 SE, BIOS Upgrade 1.1.4 via SupportAssist
Hey,
is it safe to upgrade my BIOS through the Dell Support Assist app to version 1.1.4
This package contains the Dell system BIOS update for Dell XPS 8930 system that runs Windows operating system. BIOS is a firmware that is embedded on a small memory chip on the computer's system board. It controls the keyboard, monitor, disk drives and other devices. This update addresses security advisory INTEL-SA-00185 (CVE-2018-12188 CVE-2018-12190 CVE-2018-12191 CVE-2018-12192 CVE-2018-12199 CVE-2018-12198 CVE-2018-12200 CVE-2018-12187 CVE-2018-12196 CVE-2018-12185).
ashkan_1984
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March 22nd, 2019 11:00
thx Ron,
SupportAssist is telling me to update the BIOS, do i need to contact Dell Support first incase there is an issue to cover replacements under warranty?
RoHe
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March 22nd, 2019 11:00
I personally think it's safer to do it yourself without putting SupportAssist software in the middle.
You can download the BIOS update file onto your desktop yourself directly from the Support page. Read/follow all instructions carefully to install the update. But I'd also temporarily disable your anti-malware suite before launching the update.
And read Dell's repair policy after a failed BIOS update too. :Idea:
RoHe
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March 22nd, 2019 17:00
Tech Support is probably only going to instruct you to update BIOS if there's an existing problem that an update can fix. You're probably not having any problems so I doubt they'll "authorize" an update. And getting nagged by SupportAssist to update BIOS does not qualify as being told by Tech Support to do the update.
If you're still under warranty, the policy says they'll replace the motherboard once, and only once, after a failed BIOS update that wasn't directed by Tech Support. So you probably should be covered this time. Caveat: I don't work for Dell and only they can decide whether to replace a motherboard under warranty after a failed BIOS update, when not instructed by Tech Support to do it.
If you're concerned, read the info about what this latest BIOS update does, and then decide if you need it and are you're willing to do it.
Most of the time the update works fine, but sometimes... and it seems more likely to have a problem if/when SupportAssist is allowed to manage the process.
DocOG
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June 5th, 2019 09:00
Bricked me instantly after letting support assistant do the update to 1.1.4. Should have known better. Tech should be here soon and I will post the results. Been a loyal Dell user for more than 10 years. Already told Dell they should stop recommending this risky update. I have been using computers since 1965 (IBM mainframe) and it still surprises me when one checked box can disable a machine. Sigh.
Anonymous
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June 5th, 2019 09:00
perhaps you should do the update to bios 1.1.6 while the tech is still there
RoHe
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June 5th, 2019 11:00
Unfortunately, BIOS updates have a tendency to fail when being run under SupportAssist. Seems safer to update from a USB stick via the F12 menu at boot.
Did you try to do a BIOS Recovery or clear BIOS by removing the motherboard battery and pressing/holding the power button for ~30 sec and then reinstalling the battery?
Definitely ask the service tech to update BIOS for you to 1.1.6. BIOS on the replacement board is likely to be old.
And keep in mind there's another BIOS update planned for some time this summer to fix the latest round of Intel security issues. So do NOT let SupportAssist manage it for you. Do it manually.
DocOG
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June 5th, 2019 18:00
He swapped the motherboard; all is well again; and the BIOS is 1.1.6!
I really don't want to update again unless you can convince me that it is crazy not to. I have techie tendencies but I am not at the level of most of those on this board. I won't even pop the case unless I am adding memory, and I do that with the utmost trepidation.
RoHe
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June 6th, 2019 11:00
These BIOS updates fix Intel's oopsies that left security holes open. You don't have to update to the next version of BIOS which will probably come next month, if you don't want to. But that means the latest round of security issues won't be patched on your PC. Whether hackers can use those unpatched holes to attack your PC is an open question, so you have to weigh the risks on both sides, to update or not to update.
If you do update, do it manually from the F12 boot menu, and don't let SupportAssist do it...