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teicher

12 Posts

1701

February 5th, 2021 07:00

BIOS updates aren't working from USB or Remote

I'm not having any luck applying the latest BIOS update to my Inspiron 5400 (ubuntu 20.04, not that it matters) with either the boot from USB mode or the remote update option in the F12 menu.

I was successful in updating once before, using the usb method, but now I am unable to see the USB stick in the list of boot devices despite having turned secure boot off.

No problem right, just use the remote process and do it over the network right?  When I try that, it says it cannot find an updated version on the dell servers, even though one exists and is marked urgent when I search for updated by my service tag.

Any tips are appreciated, seems like most of the docs I ran across are quite old and haven't helped at all.

teicher

12 Posts

February 9th, 2021 05:00

I finally got this to work using the USB stick, I tried a variety of steps but I think the solution was this:

Format the USB stick using a Windows 10 laptop and let it select the default filesystem and allocation

Make sure boot from USB was enabled

Make sure secure boot was off

Once I was able to see the .exe file in the BIOS update screen, I was able to update the firmware.

I'd still like to know how to use the remote update, that would be the easiest, but for whatever reason it never sees an updated image on the Dell servers to use.

speedstep

9 Legend

 • 

47K Posts

February 5th, 2021 08:00

BIOS recovery requires 16 gig or 32 gig USB2 fat32 Device.

they are not expensive but they are often counterfeited.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sandisk-cruzer-32gb-usb-2-0-flash-drive-black/9288807.p?skuId=9288807

EXFAT USB3 devices DO NOT WORK.

https://www.dell.com/support/contents/en-us/videos/videoplayer/how-to-recover-from-booting-issues-using-the-bios-recovery-tool/6079779755001

 

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000132453/

 

While BIOS recovery 2 and 3 is supported on Dell desktops, all-in-one computers, laptops, convertible and detachable computers like Dell XPS 12 and Dell tablets. There are different methods to initiate a BIOS recovery on these devices. Methods to start off BIOS recovery includes:

  • Key sequence
  • Button sequence

BIOS recovery 2:

  • Supports recovery from your systems primary hard drive and from an external USB key
  • Recovery from your systems primary hard drive is enabled by default within the BIOS Setup. (It can be disabled if you choose, but this is not recommended.)
  • Recovery from the external USB key cannot be disabled in the BIOS Setup. (Its default enabled.)
  • The default search location for the BIOS Recovery image is the external USB key, should a key be present. If an image is not found on the key or the key is absent, the BIOS then searches your primary hard drive for the recovery image. The search terminates if no image is found, see the FAQ section.
  • The FAQ section answers questions regarding issues that you may encounter during an unsuccessful BIOS recovery.
 Notes:
  • BIOS recovery 2 can be initialized using an embedded keyboard on laptops and does not support external keyboard for laptops.
  • BIOS recovery 2 can be initialized on desktops using the standard USB keyboard. Bluetooth keyboard works if BIOS has POST support for system-specific Bluetooth keyboards. (However Bluetooth keyboards are not recommended for use when attempting BIOS recovery.)
  • BIOS recovery can be initialized on tablets using the physical buttons available on the tablet.
  • BIOS recovery can be initialized on convertible or detachable computers from both external keyboard or physical buttons available on the computer.
  • BIOS recovery cannot be initialized using the touchscreen of the device.

BIOS recovery 3:

  • BIOS recovery 3 is an improvement on BIOS recovery 2. It has all the same features, but we have added a feature that allows for auto-recovery to start during boot if an integrity check that has to be enabled in the BIOS (Default is Disabled) fails and there is a recovery image on the HDD. (Auto-recovery is not possible from other media now.)
BIOS Recovery via HDD BIOS Auto-Recovery on Boot Result
Enabled Enabled BR2 from HDD or USB and BR3 on Boot
Enabled Disabled BR2 from HDD or USB only
Disabled N/A BR2 from USB only
Disabled N/A BR2 from USB only

 

 

 

teicher

12 Posts

February 6th, 2021 17:00

Appreciate all of the info, but I'm not looking to recover the BIOS, I just want to update it to the latest release.

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