XPS 8960, BIOS update 2.12.0

The BIOS version 2.11.0 was important as it fixed the widely known issue with Intel 13th, 14th gen processors.

The BIOS version 2.12.0 is a security update, listed as critical.  You may choose to update it since your system is brand new and within the return window. 

@Tedco ,

I always do my BIOS updates via the Flash Update method.  It is the safest for both of my Dell computers (Dell XPS 8930 SE and Dell XPS 15 7590).  I am grateful to @RoHe for putting me on that path.

Have a great day.

Regards,

Phil

Thanks for your help.

When I did setup Windows and started for the first time, it automatically did a Windows Update, downloaded and installed "Dell Inc. - Firmware - 0.2.11.0".

I assume it would be BIOS Version 2.11.0.

Think I will refrain from updating BIOS as I have not experienced any problems with my new system.

Thanks again for all your help.

I think you should not have any concern with updating BIOS while the system is under warranty.  Only when it's out of warranty.  Newer systems are recoverable from a bad BIOS update anyhow.

Also, don't be the first one to update when it being released as it could be with issue.  Just wait for a cycle or two (one month or two) then run update if it's still there (not being pulled).

Further to my BIOS question, yesterday as I was restarting my XPS 8960 after completing all setups, the screen went black.
I first thought Windows had updated BIOS from 2.11.0 to 2.12.0, but that wasn't the case.

I removed the button battery for five minutes and the pc booted into BIOS settings.
There I corrected time and date, and my pc restarted into Windows - everything was fine, for a few minutes.
The screen went black again, I did the same procedure, but screen stayed black.
Pressing F12 a number of times the pc booted up into Windows.

I then assumed it was the BIOS 2.11.0 I needed to update to 2.12.0.
Following Rohe's previous instruction with flash BIOS from a USB stick worked fine, although I was nervous.
Windows booted up and has been stable ever since.

Looking at msinfo32 it shows my BIOS version is now 2.12.0 - but dated from 18/09/2024 - how can that be?
Dell BIOS Version 2.11.0 is from 26/09/2024.
Looking at Dell's web-site version 2.12.0 is dated as of 22/10/2024.

Something is not making sense here.....

Thanking you all for help and suppor

Somehow, my second message about BIOS merged with my first, and never got an answer.
I suppose I should have changed the subject, but learned something new....

Here is my original message - appreciate any comments:

Further to my BIOS question, yesterday as I was restarting my XPS 8960 after completing all setups, the screen went black.
I first thought Windows had updated BIOS from 2.11.0 to 2.12.0, but that wasn't the case.

I removed the button battery for five minutes and the pc booted into BIOS settings.
There I corrected time and date, and my pc restarted into Windows - everything was fine, for a few minutes.
The screen went black again, I did the same procedure, but screen stayed black.
Pressing F12 a number of times the pc booted up into Windows.

I then assumed it was the BIOS 2.11.0 I needed to update to 2.12.0.
Following Rohe's previous instruction with flash BIOS from a USB stick worked fine, although I was nervous.
Windows booted up and has been stable ever since.

Looking at msinfo32 it shows my BIOS version is now 2.12.0 - but dated from 18/09/2024 - how can that be?
Dell BIOS Version 2.11.0 is from 26/09/2024.
Looking at Dell's web-site version 2.12.0 is dated as of 22/10/2024.

Something is not making sense here.....

Thanking you all for help and support.

I see that your post got merged again.  To clear up any confusion, is your new XPS 8960 having any issue currently?  With black screen?  Or, with updating BIOS?

Thanks for your quick reply - no, I did update BIOS to 2.12.0 on Nov 19 and have had no problems with the pc ever since.

I was just confused as to why the msinfo32.exe would show BIOS Version dated 18/09/2024 and not as 22 OCT 2024 as in Dell Driver Download page.

Looking at the downloaded XPS8960_2.12.0_x64.exe Digital Signature Information, the Signing Time is shown as Wednesday, 18 September 2024 11:23:20AM.

Also, why would my Post's merge - seems a bit strange.

Thanks for all your help and support

About the firmware date, Windows does not keep or display the correct information if you update BIOS outside of Windows.  As long as the BIOS was updated and system is working well, I would not worry about it.

About your threads being merged, I guess you were/are posting the same topic on multiple threads.  Just like the last thread, although you tried to make the title as a different topic (black screen issue), your question was still about BIOS, which you already created this thread for your system BIOS questions.

As for the reason why your question did not receive any answer, am guessing from my own perspective, if a user did not bother to acknowledge and accept answer as solution after received proper answers or advises, that would discourage me from continuing to provide assistance.  I would help anyone with any questions, but when I recognize the users whom did not value my help and leaving all their threads unsolved, I would stop providing answer too.  

Thanks for your reply - yes, my pc is working flawlessly and am very happy with the new 8960.

For the past five years or so, I have been using an 8930, which was also working fine.

I won't worry about the BIOS.

I can only wholeheartedly agree with you that any help should be acknowledged.

It such a small gesture to reply to a message for which help have been provided.

Thanks again.

I am having the same BIOS issues with 3 computers, 2 out of 3 of them are bricked right now and have already been sent back to the factory for repair but had the same problem again. Please do not have an attitude about helping people here...I think this system is extremely confusing and I am having problems trying to communicate but it's not the fact that I am not acknowledging helpful support, I just don't really understand how this works.