Scary install on Dell Tower Plus EBT2250 of BIOS 1.19.0

OK, I found the power button codes --> https://www.dell.com/support/manuals/en-ca/dell-ebt2250-desktop/dell-tower-plus-ebt2250-owners-manual/system-diagnostic-lights?guid=guid-721ce835-530a-410e-a82c-5677585c5207&lang=en-us

Only thing is it was changing, and I think it was 5 green/white and 2 orange?

Doesn't explain how it 'cured' itself over time though?

@DELL-Chris M 

Today booting, go a quick flash message on the monitor, something about 'recovery'. So I rebooted again and this time went into the BIOS and looked at logging. Saw these 2:

OK, yes, that WAS the message... Although posted today, I assume it was due to the problem yesterday? Some data is out of date order though???

Looking at that page further I see this:

For the 23rd, today, 7:43 and a 7:44, with that ASF2 Force Off and ACPI Power Management logging? 

Here is what Google AI says about ACPI Power Management:

===============

ACPI power management is a standard that allows the operating system (OS) to control the power state of computer hardware, moving away from older BIOS-centric methods. It provides a framework for the OS to manage power more efficiently by placing individual devices in low-power states (like D0 to D3) or putting the entire system to sleep (S1 to S5) when inactive. This enables demand-based power management, where components receive power only when needed

===============

It could be normal maybe on Shutdown possibly, the log doesn't seem to be updated each day though? Maybe only on reboots?

Howver, the ASF2 Force Off??? Never saw that before... That was AFTER I installed the New 1.19.0 BiOS... and looking back, at 8/29, I suspect this happens on ALL BIOS installations?

Searching the forum, mostly happens (the ASF2) on Laptop? Didn't see a 'real' solution for that?

Is this anything to worry about? I really think somehow the new BIOS caused this?

I ran Support Assist and let it do a full scan, no errors, well, only the SSD file. It keeps trying to tell me it is for the SSD in the Tower, but it is for a different vendor. I did try to install it once and it said it couldn't find the h/w. 

I have not installed this BIOS Update yet.

Is there any other EBT2250 owners here that have updated to this BIOS, and if so, how did it go for you?

Thanks...

@neldoggie​ 

Yeah, that is why I posted here, to see how others fared with the update?

I've not seen any Tower problems before the update, and now after it.

I did look through ALL the BIOS settings and they seemed to be correct and run a few diagnostics including the Dell ones and Support Assist, never found an issue?

I had hoped Chris would check this to see if Support got calls on this and reply here, but that has not happened nor a PM to me?

I guess not a lot of Tower owners visit here either? Maybe there are not that many owners that frequent here?

If you DO install it, please come back and share how it went for you.

From my perspective, I think the new BIOS either didn't pick up all the installed h/w or located new ones (could be because it reads the VRAM differently) and went into Recovery Mode? Main suspect was the C: drive couldn't be located and it took some time finding it and other 'missing' h/w. Would be nice to have that displayed.

I should add, since that BIOS was posted, a NEW file for OS Recovery was posted. 

I sort of think that that file might be the FIX for my Tower taking so long to Recover?

I suggest you INSTALL that file first at least.

@ispalten​ 

Okay, will do. I think, after reading your post, that I may wait and hope some others will respond here. Hopefully that person, Chris will see this post.

I hope you get this, (your install) all worked out.

I have been waiting for this BIOS because it is supposed to update the Secure Boot Certificates. But I don't feel good about updating now after reading your post.

I did see that a new for OS Recovery update was released and I was wondering if I should wait until I installed that, until after the BIOS was installed, so I would install them in the order they were released. Not sure if it matters... just trying to play it safe.

I wish others would get on this thread.

@neldoggie​

I did see that a new for OS Recovery update was released and I was wondering if I should wait until I installed that, until after the BIOS was installed, so I would install them in the order they were released. Not sure if it matters... just trying to play it safe.

I wish others would get on this thread.

From my years of experience, when I see a NEW file so quick after I had a problem with the prior one, and my problem was a combo of the BIOS and OS Recovery, I'd surely think those 2 are RELATED....

Here is what I would do if I was in the situation you are in:

• First I'd open my BIOS and look at the LOG.
• Do I also see the ASF2 Force Off entry? Note I had 2 of them, and did have a prior problem when I went to change RAID to AHCI change. I'd think you'd NOT see them.
• If I were still unsure, I'd call Dell (since you are still in Warranty) and inquire about the problem you saw here and is the BIOS file OK?
• If you are OK and are willing to GAMBLE and feel comfortable I'd install the new OS Recovery file and go for it.
• NOT willing to call Dell (I suspect the usual 're-install the OS' would be the answer) or gamble, keep waiting for someone else to reply here.

The choice is yours, but also take into account, I DID recover, but NOT SURE why or how as I did power off before it finally did recover.

Good luck, but me, if I read this, I'd install the new file and then the BIOS and hope for the best. Assuming it is possible in some circumstances it might not install (the BIOS) correctly, but the new OS Recovery file handle the problem it created easily.

Still not comfortable, I'd call Dell and 'hope' I get a good response, not some canned response when you call in and say you can't boot.

@neldoggie​ 

I should add I was also thinking that new file states "Dell Update". That was depricated as it went out of service at the end of 2024. The code was rolled into Support Assist now.

I assume, with no evidence, this is just a file naming/description issue left over from before which is what it worked with or was for? That is if Dell Update discovered an issue installing it would run OS Recovery (or run it automatically to check for errors before installing an update).

Okay, thanks for the information.

Good to see that you were completely recovered. Do you think you should install that BIOS again anew to make sure it is installed correctly or are confident that your installation is good and best not to try again.

I also am thinking that they are connected, because of this below. I think it may be because that this BIOS update installs the updated 2023 Secure Boot Certificates.

@neldoggie​ 

I did think about doing that, but also putting back the prior BIOS too. Then waiting to see if there was more fallout here on the new BIOS (which has not happened)?

I had 2 boots happen, the install and the recovery that did require a few re-boots and the one the next day that corrected a configuration error (see the log above).

Only issue I had (mentally) is I don't know what 'issue' was corrected on 10/23? If I knew what the issue was I could 'explore' that? A memory card, maybe loose (no, the tower was not moved), or something like the SSD not firmly in the socket? I did open the case in March to install a 2nd hard drive, but maybe some part shifted the socket to it due to banging into the case at some point, but why would it just happen to occur just before installing the BIOS?

Only thing I can think of IS that the BIOS install had the problem? Bad D/L or something like that, but I suspect the files is checked on unpacking before installing. Another reason I was asking Chris so if he knew where to look for a file he could tell me.

Like I said, I'd install the OS Recovery file first. If you DO NOT have another PC to d/l files what I'd do is:

1. Make SURE the BIOS is set to boot from the USB port FIRST (is not by default).
2. Get a USB Flash Drive.
3. Copy onto it 2 files:

• BIOS V19 new file
• BIOS V18 latest version

Run into trouble, boot into the USB drive with the Windows OS on it (the RE version or the one used to install an MS Win 11 ISO file (Microsoft's official Media Creation Tool) which I recall does allow you to get to a CMD prompt and then pick the BIOS you want (changing drives). Also a program like RUFUS will do the same (and you can copy the BIOS files on it).

All that is extra work, but does sort of ensure you can recover, assuming you'd be able to like I did.

However, I feel there is only 2 choices, go for it or call Dell for assurance my problem was/is unique.

@neldoggie​ 

No, that is not the case. This is on the 18.1.1 BIOS info (released 9/8/25) that I installed on that date of release just before 7PM my time:

----------------------------------

- Do not power off the system until the process of updating the BIOS is completed.
- This BIOS contains the new 2023 Secure Boot Certificates.
- Once the BIOS is upgraded, you cannot downgrade the BIOS to versions earlier than 1.5.0. BIOS downgrades are restricted when there are security updates and important fixes with earlier versions that impact the functionality of the system.
- BIOS updates take no more than 5 minutes to be installed on your system. You can install the updates in the background while using the system.

-----------------------------------

Of course, IF the Boot Certificate was changed then is it possible to be the problem, but I doubt it.

I did not check that version.  If so, yes, it would not change. But I was looking at this new version.