Using BIOSConnect to Boot to SupportAssist OS Recovery

Affected Products:

• SupportAssist OS Recovery

What is Dell BIOSConnect?

BIOSConnect provides a foundation platform allowing BIOS to connect to a Dell HTTPs backend and load an image using https method. This foundation expands the Serviceability feature set to enhance the on-box reliability experience by adding cloud-based Service OS (SOS) support.

BIOSConnect feature offers a network-based SOS boot recovery capability by performing HTTPs download from the cloud to a local RAMDisk and transfers control to the downloaded Service OS image to perform the necessary corrective action. This enables the user to recover when the local hard drive image is corrupted, replaced, or absent.

BIOSConnect Setup Options

The SupportAssist setup menu offers the user to option of controlling the boot flow for the SupportAssist OS Recovery tool. With BIOSConnect, a new setup option is offered in the menu pictured below. Different computers may have different setup look-and-feel, but the setting is similar unless indicated.

The user may choose to enable both Support OS Recovery (local SOS) and BIOSConnect (cloud SOS). In either manner of initiating recovery (Launchpad or F12 Menu or Diagnostics), if both are enabled and available, the local SOS option is attempted first. However, if the local SOS fails, BIOSConnect can be used to remediate the main operating system without the having to repair the local SOS.

Running BIOSConnect

1. When a computer fails to boot into the operating system and the local recovery operating system, BIOSConnect helps in the recovery process by connecting to the Dell server over the Internet and downloading the SupportAssist OS Recovery image.
2. A BIOSConnect enabled computer launches BIOSConnect automatically after identifying the pre-defined times of boot failure.
3. You can also launch BIOSConnect by pressing F12 and selecting the SupportAssist OS Recovery option in the BIOS launchpad.
4. When your computer is unable to boot to the operating system even after repeated attempts, the pre-boot computer performance check is initiated.
5. If no hardware issue is detected during the performance check and your computer is unable to start SupportAssist OS Recovery from the hard drive, you are prompted to restart your computer and download the SupportAssist OS Recovery image from Dell.com.
6. The computer restarts, and BIOSConnect is launched.

SupportAssist OS Recovery with BIOSConnect

1. Turn the computer on.
2. Start tapping the F12 key.
3. Click or select SupportAssist OS Recovery
   Note: BIOSConnect should be enabled in the BIOS for this feature to work.
   • Access the BIOS
     • Repeat steps 1 and 2 above and select System Setup or BIOS Setup
   • Browse to SupportAssist
   • Turn on BIOSConnect
     Note: BIOS screenshots and feature names are for reference only. Customer's BIOS may vary depending on model and BIOS version.
   • Apply the changes and Exit the BIOS
     
4. BIOSConnect scans for an internet connection.
   
5. Click the wireless network that you want to use. If the network has the security, you are prompted for the password. Wired connections display the network's IP information.
   
6. Once connected click Start Recovery
   >
7. A progress bar shows you the time remaining.
   
8. Once the download is completed, the computer reboots into the Dell SupportAssist OS Recovery environment, reference Repair and Restore your Computer Using SupportAssist OS Recovery for details on how to complete the process.
   

See these Dell Knowledge Base articles for related information:

• SupportAssist OS Recovery Tools Fail to Install Using SupportAssist
• How to Download and Use the Dell Operating System Recovery Image
• How to Download and Use the Dell Operating System Recovery Image in Ubuntu or Linux