Latitude 7420 BIOS stuck at 1.37

In Windows you can also run the bios.exe in the File Explorer with right -click (as an administrator).

Otherwise if it doesn't work in Windows, you can also have the bios.exe flash with a USB stick via the bootmenue.

In the BIOS log (in the tree at the bottom) there is whether and when a firmware update took place and whether it was successful or rejected.

Gives a certain reason why you want the latest BIOS version, or does something do not run with these bios what you absolutely need now?
If the current BIOS can do everything you need, an update is not necessary?

The risk of functions that existed beforehand, just because it was no longer allowed to be.

Yes, we have tried running the .exe file as admin, running the Dell Command app as admin, running the .exe file from command prompt (as admin) with the "forceit" switch, and using a USB stick with BIOS flash. None of them worked. The only log event is in Dell Command app, and it shows "success" for the status. And yet, once I check the system information, it shows the BIOS version to still be 1.37.

For security reasons, I would rather have the latest updated BIOS.

Actually, it would have to work perfectly from Windows.

Have done that many times with my 5400 and 7490.

Ok, but with a USB stick (must be Fat 32 formatted, ...exe present in the root) via the start menu when switching on the computer (F12) it must definitely work.

Look at whether there is a lock set for a flash in the current BIOS.

And if already in the BIOS, look into the log data whether a BIOS update has run there and whether successful or not (everything is there with the date and time).

Edit.

Dare to ask me this ... you had made a restart (the actual flash process only takes place on the lowest level)

You know, I have worked on various Dell laptop models for almost 15 years and had never run into any issues flashing the BIOS. I mean, it is not exactly rocket science. 

I have not found any logs within the BIOS, but I will take another look this week.  

Try today's (Critical) update.

Sorry i can't know what level of knowledge you have.

You did not write (or I didn't read it) whether the actual flash process after introducing it in Windows and after driving down then took place in the BIOS.

There you should have already been reported whether the flash process was successful or rejected.

No worries. Not saying I'm an expert, but I have done some BIOS updates before. 

I am not in front of the computer right now, but had my coworker go through the logs in BIOS and the event in the log says, "BIOS updated". You know it's the end of the world when simple computers start lying...

Latitude 5410, Win10

@LDanaii​ Apparently your Model among others had this go-no-further than v. 1.37 due to some conflicts possibly with Intel. Why they continue to put out BIOS updates for the 7420 and what 'workaround' may have been involved in the updating is known, I believe, to Dell alone.

That said, your current BIOS version is solid as far as it goes. Whether your latest attempts are securing you from more recent vulnerabilities is another question.

If you can afford to potentially sacrifice one of your 7420s I would set a restore point and add/update the most recent version of the Dell Trusted Device driver/firmware. If it completes successfully try the June, 2025 BIOS update.

Of course you should speak to someone who knows, ie Dell Support, via the Community forum initially. 

So you know, I am just a Rookie who likes to investigate issues. 

Yes, I am coming to the conclusion that the specific 7420s that are locked in BIOS version 1.37 cannot be fixed. It would have been nice if Dell actually mentioned something about this on their site, rather than just add a link to Intel's site. BIOS version 1.37 is not even listed among the older versions for 7420, which makes me think they came up with this particular version specifically for these computers. This problem does not apply to all 7420s. I have 19 7420s that all have been updated to 1.42. The problematic units were purchased in a separate group.

The issue I have is when I call Dell, they start talking about how to apply BIOS update and are not interested in hearing the actual problem. Now I guess that is because they don't have a fix for it.

@LDanaii 

use this link to download the latest BIOS (1.43.1) from DELL site.
Open a command prompt with admin previleges and navigate the folder where you stored the downloaded .exe file.
Type "Latitude_7X20_1.43.1.exe /forceit" w/o the quotation marks and press enter.

Pls post results!

HTH

Peter

Sorry about the late reply. All of the steps listed were tried and none of them worked. Given up on the devices and added them to the decomm pile. 

@LDanaii​ Isn't it a pity. I hope you hold them for a while before you write them off. Too bad.