Do not turn off your computer or disconnect from the power source while updating the BIOS as this could harm your computer. During the update, your computer will restart and you may briefly see a black screen.

Before updating, please read the installation instructions and important information noted below.

Dell EMC Server PowerEdge BIOS R740/R740xd/R640/R940/7920R Version 2.8.1

Restart required Installed This file was automatically installed as part of a recent update. If you are experiencing any issues, you can manually download and reinstall.
Fixed issue with "CPU Domain Power Limiting" not capping to target values. Added an option in "DRAM Refresh Delay" in Memory Settings, to disable refresh postponement.
For more information about specific items added and resolved in this BIOS version, see the Fixes and New and enhanced features sections.
Recommended

Check compatibility

Enter your Dell Service Tag or model

Want to look up your product? Enter a product identifier. Show me how

This driver is not compatible

This driver is not applicable for the selected product. Choose another product to re-enter your product details for this driver or visit the Product Support page to view all drivers for a different product.

Find more updates. Use SupportAssist to find all the latest driver updates for your device.

Fixes & Enhancements

Fixes:
- Issue with the "Monitor/MWait" option in System Profile Settings on 2-socket servers, remaining enabled after selecting disable.
- Issue with "CPU Domain Power Limiting" not capping to target values.

Enhancements:
- Added an option in "DRAM Refresh Delay" in Memory Settings, to disable refresh postponement.
Read More

Version

2.8.1, 2.8.1

Release date

14 Jul 2020

Download Type

System BIOS

Category

BIOS

Importance

Recommended
Dell Technologies recommends applying this update during your next scheduled update cycle. The update contains changes to maintain overall system health. It ensures that the system software remains current and compatible with other system modules (firmware, BIOS, drivers, and software) and may include other new features.
Available formats View Important Information

File Format: Update Package for MS Windows 64-Bit.
File Name: BIOS_RTWM9_WN64_2.8.1.EXE
File Size: 27.5 MB
This is a large file. Depending on your connection speed, it may take some time to download.
Format Description:
Dell Update Packages in native Microsoft Windows 64-bit format do not require that Microsoft WOW64 be installed on the Microsoft Windows Server.
To ensure the integrity of your download, please verify the checksum value.
MD5:
55afc94204b71d3eabb95a7955273897
SHA1:
cb4c1b8ecdf18f2d68020e969eaee7e5320d6d93
SHA-256:
bdf858706f64edfc96201bc8dc397ffd91a9cd07df7b50ad728ae65c99c3185f

File Format: A GnuPG file which contains a cryptographic signature
File Name: BIOS_RTWM9_LN_2.8.1.BIN.sign
File Size: 226 Bytes
This is a large file. Depending on your connection speed, it may take some time to download.
Format Description:
The GnuPG signature for Red Hat Linux Update Package can be used to authenticate Dell's identity in the correlated Red Hat Linux Update Package.
To ensure the integrity of your download, please verify the checksum value.
MD5:
9c3216c1599b2cd306e4c745d3d94bb2
SHA1:
0d43c2f164a46dc816d82ead9d35b94b1d24fdbe
SHA-256:
97d126becdcc5d878929e4752b06b3f82c55e25c365005f2f9de26e3e310a8fe

File Format: A self-extracting file for use in 64-bit machines
File Name: R740-020801.efi
File Size: 19.47 MB
This is a large file. Depending on your connection speed, it may take some time to download.
Format Description:
This file contains compressed content that can be executed from the EFI Shell or EFI Boot Manager. Download the file to the EFI partition on a removable media device. Insert the removable media, then reboot the system and run the program from the EFI Shell or EFI Boot Manager.
To ensure the integrity of your download, please verify the checksum value.
MD5:
768c497519d7a04290a041058d4522d5
SHA1:
2c584e9751430e548d19a95536433540dd9affb0
SHA-256:
df901f9c849b2f99cde977f722b0d0c361acbb606505b8bf884a6faab4db6290

File Format: An archive of PDF files to provide help and procedural information to the customers
File Name: R740_R740XD_R640_R940_Perc7920_BIOS.2.8.1.pdf
File Size: 189.66 KB
This is a large file. Depending on your connection speed, it may take some time to download.
Format Description:
This format consists of an archive of PDF files used to provide help and procedural information to the customer. It is necessary to install the Adobe Acrobat Reader first to view the files in this archive.
To ensure the integrity of your download, please verify the checksum value.
MD5:
09ba4d837a0b9890b659d928c6e98491
SHA1:
35215c4386f3f7c1f4bd968c3d2e08bdf27dc9f2
SHA-256:
2c51d0f9c3f8d09446eeba1f04f72d983278be5208ad2d6feb05960ed252bdc4

File Format: Update Package for Red Hat Linux
File Name: BIOS_RTWM9_LN_2.8.1.BIN
File Size: 28.85 MB
This is a large file. Depending on your connection speed, it may take some time to download.
Format Description:
Dell Update Packages for Linux can be used as stand-alone applications that ensure that specific validation criteria are met, then apply an update.
Note: Update Packages for Linux are open source. See the Dell Update Packages for Linux Readme for details.
To ensure the integrity of your download, please verify the checksum value.
MD5:
1a2f8670bbac2760d553ade30583d00d
SHA1:
2b1864f71cce2b771f4384cc32e221ee33f5621c
SHA-256:
482ae62681239ab4f41c4f6186474f2e8bd4d5227f290994eabb41e6da63e181

By downloading, you accept the terms of the Dell Software License Agreement.

Additional details

Show All | Hide All
When you try updating a BIOS version either under OS (by using an Update Package (DUP)) or under UEFI Shell (a .efi file), the system may take more time to complete the BIOS update process (in case of a system that has 14 TB memory, it takes around 30 minutes to complete the BIOS update process under Windows Server 2016). There are two ways to work around this issue:
- Use an out-of-band BIOS update method--IDRAC Graphical User Interface (GUI) or RACADM Command Line Interface (CLI) command.
- Physically reduce the memory capacity by removing a few memory modules (improve the speed of the BIOS update process), and then try again.

When you try installing one or more PCIe devices on the system and if the cards require more limited legacy I/O resources, then the system may adjust the legacy I/O resources between the stack and the reboot system automatically. If the system fails during the allocation of PCI resources, then a UEFI0256 error message is logged. You can perform one of the following actions and retry the operation:
- Remove unused PCIe card to free up legacy I/O space.
- Go to System Setup and disable unused PCIe card to free up legacy I/O space.
PowerEdge BIOS
Dell EMC Update Package Instructions for EFI
Download
1. Click the "Download Now" link to download the file.
2. If the Export Compliance Disclaimer window appears, click the "I agree" link if you accept the agreement.
3. When the File Download window appears, click "Save" to save the file to your hard drive.
Installation
You can update the BIOS using a UEFI shell bootable media, such as a USB key.
1. Copy the file to the bootable device with UEFI shell.
2. Boot the system to UEFI shell by using the bootable device.
3. Run the executable (.efi) under the UEFI shell. Follow the instructions provided by the flash utility.

You can also load this executable directly from BIOS Boot Manager without a UEFI shell bootable media.
1. Copy the file to a USB device
2. Plug in the USB device and press F11 during POST to enter BIOS Boot Manager
3. Navigate to the System Utilities menu and select BIOS Update File Explorer
4. Select the USB device and navigate through the directory contents to find the executable (.efi)
5. Launch the executable and follow the instructions provided by the flash utility.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dell EMC Update Package Instructions for Linux DUP:
Download
1. Click the "Download Now" link to download the file.
2. When the File Download window appears, click "Save" to save the file to your hard drive.
Installation
1. Read over the release information presented by executing the "./[model]_BIOS_LX_[revision].BIN --version" command from the shell.
2. Download and install any prerequisites identified in the above step before proceeding.
3. Install any necessary Embedded Systems Management firmware prior to this BIOS update.
4. Run the update by executing "./[model]_BIOS_LX_[version].BIN" from the shell.
5. Follow the remaining prompts to perform the update.
-----------------------------------------------------
Dell EMC Update Package Instructions for Windows Dup:
Download
1. Click the "Download Now" link to download the file.
2. When the File Download window appears, click "Save" to save the file to your hard drive.
Installation
1. Browse to the location where you downloaded the file and double-click the new file.
2. Read over the release information presented in the dialog window.
3. Download and install any prerequisites identified in the dialog window before proceeding.
4. Install any necessary Embedded Systems Management firmware prior to this BIOS update.
5. Click the Install button.
6. Follow the remaining prompts to perform the update.
-----------------------------------------------------
GnuPG Signature of Dell EMC Update Package Instructions:
Download
1. Click the "Download Now" link to download the file.
2. When the "File Download" window appears, click "Save" to save the file to your hard drive.
Installation
1. Import the Dell EMC public key. (You only need to do once on your system.)
2. Verify the Dell EMC Update Package by using its signature file, [model]_BIOS_LX_[version].BIN.sign

Need help with BIOS issues?

Find a solution in Dell's BIOS troubleshooting guide

Drivers help and tutorials