Inspiron 16 7640 2-in-1, BIOS update breaks Linux installs

If the system is in IRST mode (Intel RAID), that could be one issue -- but Linux is not supported on this model, so you likely will need to consult the Fedora or Mint communities for specific advice.   Dell isn't going to test compatibility of a firmware update with an OS it doesn't support.

How can this be an accepted solution? The recent update is just bad, leading to repeated blue screens in Windows and failure to boot Linux at all. How can alleged security fix cause such issues? Official support or not, it is not normal for Linux to not be bootable on a modern computer.

16 Plus 7640 not-2-in-1 here. Version 1.13.0.

Downgrade to 1.12.0 was successful immediately.

I have exactly the same jin of issue after upgrading my XPS 16 9640 to version 1.12.0. My fedora was borken, no way to install any version, only Ubuntu or Manjaro were able to but. Not sure I can downgrade to 1.11.0 =/ 

See this thread on the Ask Fedora forums for some relevant discussion.

Same here on Alienware m16 R2. I upgraded version 1.1.10+. I cannot downgrade back to 1.9.0 which is the last version that worked. I cannot boot openSUSE TW, Linux Mint or any Fedora ISO via Fedora USB Installer or Ventoy.

Not much of a solution is it?

Same here. A temporary solution may be Ubuntu or openSUSE kernels, since they just boot fine.

@cpatrick08​ No Debian ISO either...

Please let me know which Debian version. 
Intel core ultras require kernel version which are not available in kernel versions supported by Debian 12. 

Linux is not shown as supported by Dell on this Inspiron 16 7640 2-in-1. All can see from the Drivers & Downloads page that Dell only supported Windows 11, Windows 11 S-Mode.

@rrrgeee​ Debian 13 Trixie RC1

For the XPS 16 9640 I got this from my Dell contacts:

[Issue] Related to SB.UBTC.RUCC was fixed in BIOS version 1.14.2.
They can try to use BIOS v1.14.2(already WPCO) to solve the SB.UBTC.RUCC issue.

 

Since XPS 16 9460 supports Windows only, the URL provided below directs to support.dell.com.

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=kkk3x&oscode=w2021&productcode=xps-16-9640-laptop

My Alienware m16 R2 is now able to launch Fedora 42, Debian 12 (Bookworm) and Debian 13 (Trixie RC1) installations, after BIOS update 1.12.0 (June 13)... It may also exist a similar recent update to XPS and Inspiron devices.

Same here with a brand new Inspiron 16 7640. Could not boot Fedora USB until I've downgraded BIOS to 1.12.0.

Update: Inspiron 16 7640 non 2-in-1 BIOS 1.15.2 is now working on Fedora 42 with kernel 6.15.7-200.fc42.x86_64