Precision 5820 Tower - BIOS update does not start

Question

I am trying to update the bios on my Precision 5820 Tower, from 2.8.0 to 2.12.1. It just wont start installing. If I try from Dell Command Update, it reboots as if it is going to install the BIOS update, but after the reboot there is no sign of any BIOS update, and it simply reboots like normal, having installed nothing.

If I download the bios update file 5820T_2.12.1.exe from the dell website and run it, it does exactly the same. It reboots as if it is going to install the BIOS update, but after the reboot there is no sign of any BIOS update, and it simply reboots like normal, having installed nothing.

I have also tried copying in the 5820T_2.12.1.exe to a FAT32 USB stick. Rebooting and selecting firmware update from the F12 prompt. Then I can see the BIOS update tool. I select the 5820T_2.12.1.exe from the USB and click through the warnings. Then the same thing. It reboots as if it is going to install the BIOS update, but after the reboot there is no sign of any BIOS update, and it simply reboots like normal, having installed nothing.

I have also tried making a Dell bootable USB and tried to run 5820T_2.12.1.exe from DOS, but I get the error "This program cannot be run in DOS mode".

I can confirm that BitLocker is off for all drives.

I can also confirm that the service tag is listed correctly in the BIOS.

I can also confirm there is no other strange behavior with the machine.

I have also tried to install an older version of BIOS 5820T_2.10.0.exe, but I get exactly the same behavior.

I have also tried unplugging everything except a keyboard, a mouse, 1 screen and a USB stick. This includes removing all other USB devices, network cables, and all hard drives.

I have also tried all these settings in the BIOS:

- UEFI boot path security - disabled

- Absolute - disabled

- Intel virtualization technology - off

- Secure boot - off

- UEFI - set to legacy

None of the above, and none of the above combinations have any effect. Always the PC just reboots as normal.

Running Windows 10 Pro 21H2, fully up to date. 64BG RAM, Xeon W-2145. Some extra hard drives (but i have tried with them all out). The rest of the machine is as it was delivered.

I would much appreciate to hear if anyone else has had this issue and found a solution that is not listed above?

Thanks!

Oliver Guest · Accepted Answer

Update: Dell support said that after all the troubleshooting I have done it is clear that there is a fault with the motherboard. So I replaced the motherboard and now it behaves as expected. I managed to update the BIOS from Dell Command Update in windows. After the reboot the BIOS was installed. All good.

JOcean · Answer

I have a hunch that the download page for the 5820 is either corrupt or having server problems. I was not able to get additional information for any files including the BIOS. Therefor I would not trust downloading the BIOS or attempting an install until the files and that support page are confirmed as reliable by the moderator or support staff.

rhallmcp2 · Answer

great... im having the exact same issue with my 5820 work desktop... wont allow me to upgrade to Windows 11 either, so i assume this is the issue

mazzinia_ · Answer

How is not letting you upgrade ?

pickedaname_1 · Answer

Just upgraded mine from win10 21h2 to windows 11 via windows update today without issue. In fact, plenty of PC's getting upgraded when users go check for windows 10 updates, being shocked at reboot that the updates included an OS upgrade as well. Anyway, I am having the same BIOS issue as above, trying to update from v2.5.1. Tried Dell Command Update v4.6.0, the download from Dell support site  after entering my service tag, and from the BIOS update screen in the BIOS itself. They all just reboot and return to windows. We have Pro Support Plus / NBD, it happens.

Chino de Oro · Answer

Hello, the latest released was v.2.21.0 <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell> so you may want to download manually and doing a stepping update.

skjos · Answer

I have nearly the same system as the OP, and the same BIOS revision level (2.8.0). I tried all the same BIOS update methods listed in the OP and had the same result; the computer would boot to Windows without making the BIOS update (in my case going from 2.8.0 to 2.38.0). What finally worked for me was replacing the motherboard's CR2032 CMOS battery.

High level steps of the process:

1) Take pictures of every BIOS setup screen.

2) Remove and replace the CMOS battery.

3) Using the pictures, adjust the BIOS settings, and set the date/time

4) Exit and boot to Windows, verify all is well after battery replacement

5) Restart and update BIOS using the USB method.

Note: The replaced CMOS battery was likely the original one and it was 6+ years old, the measured voltage was 2.992V. The new battery voltage was 3.299V.

Precision Fixed Workstations

Precision 5820 Tower - BIOS update does not start

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