Update bios from usb dell: How To Update BIOS On Dell

How To Update BIOS On Dell

Updating the BIOS not only fixes bugs and errors in the system but also makes the motherboard compatible with newer hardware devices. So everyone should update their BIOS right?

Well, updating the BIOS on any motherboard or laptop is risky if you do not know the exact steps, especially if you are doing it for the first time. 

Any errors/interruptions during a BIOS update could render the entire motherboard useless. The same goes for Dell laptops and motherboards. You need to follow each step carefully.

Warning: Ensure that the system does not suffer from power interruption during the BIOS update.

Suspend BitLocker Drive Encryption

If you are running Windows 10 or 11 with Windows edition Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you need to suspend BitLocker. Bitlocker encrypts files on a hard disk and decrypts them when the system starts.

BitLocker uses TPM (Trusted Platform Module) that is integrated into the motherboard to store its encryption keys. When you update BIOS, your system will not accept the BitLocker key. If this happens, you will not be able to Boot into your Windows after a BIOS update. 

To avoid such a situation, we recommend you suspend BitLocker Drive Encryption before you start the BIOS update process.

  1. Press Windows + I key to open Settings.
  2. Navigate to Privacy & Security > Windows Security.
  3. Click on Open Windows Security.
  4. On the left panel, click on Device Security.
  5. Under Data Encryption, select Manage BitLocker Drive Encryption.
  6. Select Turn off BitLocker on all your drives.
  7. Again click Turn off BitLocker.
  8. Wait for the system to suspend BitLocker.

Once you turn off BitLocker on all your drivers, you can now start updating the BIOS.

Warning: After the BIOS update is complete, the system may automatically turn on BitLocker. If you are gradually upgrading each version of BIOS, you will need to turn off BitLocker after every update. 

Updating BIOS on Dell

To update your BIOS, you first need to download the BIOS update executable file from Dell’s official support page. Once you have the required executable file, simply run the file to start the BIOS update process.

Before updating your BIOS make sure you know the current version of your motherboard’s BIOS.

Check the Current BIOS version on a Dell 

System Information contains information about all hardware components connected to your system. And this includes the data about the motherboard’s manufacturer, BIOS version, etc.

  1. Press Windows + R key to open Run.
  2. Type msinfo32 and press Enter to open System Information.
  3. On the left panel, click on System Summary.
  4. Now, on the right panel, search for BIOS Version/date. The value corresponding to BIOS Version/date is your current BIOS version.
  5. Also, note the BaseBoard Product and Version. You need this to compare to the latest available BIOS version

Download the Latest Available BIOS version

Once you have the current BIOS version, you need to search for the latest BIOS version released for your Dell laptop/motherboard. 

  1. Open your web browser.
  2. Go to Dell’s official support page.
  3. Under Identify your product, type in the name of your Dell laptop/motherboard model.
  4. Click on Drivers and Downloads.
  5. Click on Find Drivers and set the Operating system, Download type, and category.
  6. Scroll down and search for BIOS in the Category section.
  7. Click on the drop-down menu.
  8. In the version, you can see the latest BIOS version.

Compare your system’s BIOS version and the latest BIOS version on Dell’s support page. If the latest BIOS version on Dell’s support page matches the BIOS version from System Information, it means that you already have the latest BIOS installed.

Note: If your current BIOS version is more than two versions behind the latest available BIOS update, we highly recommend that you update the BIOS version gradually without skipping over any other BIOS version. By doing this, you will avoid possible compatibility issues in your motherboard.

  1. Click on the Older version to check the previously released BIOS update.
  2. Click on the version you want to download. This will take you to a different browser tab.
  3. Under Available formats, click on Download to download the BIOS update file.

Install BIOS Update

Once the download process completes, it is now time to install the BIOS update

  1. Go to your download location and run the downloaded BIOS update file.
  2. Click on Yes if the system asks for any confirmation.
  3. Click on Update. 
  4. Once the firmware data loads, the system should restart automatically.
  5. Wait for the system to update the BIOS.

Again, if you are gradually updating the BIOS through different versions make sure you suspend BitLocker each time you complete the BIOS update.

Updating BIOS on Dell Using USB drive

You cannot perform a BIOS update using the above method if you cannot access the Operating System. In such a case, you need to update the BIOS using a bootable BIOS update USB flash drive. 

Note: Since you cannot enter your OS, you need another PC to create a BIOS update bootable USB.

Install DDDP

To create a bootable USB that contains a BIOS update file, you need Dell’s official Dell Diagnostic Distribution Package (DDDP) Application.

  1. Download DDDP from Dell’s official download website.
  2. Run the downloaded file to start the install the application.
  3. Once the installation completes, press Ctrl + E to open File Explorer.
  4. Navigate to C:\Dell\Drivers\R174621\DIAGS.
  5. Here, delete all files except,
  • COMMAND.COM
  • DELLBIO.BIN
  • DELLRMK.BIN
  • AUTOEXEC.BAT
  • CONFIG.SYS
  1. If you do not have the extension enabled, click View, select Show, and check File Name Extension.

Install the Diagnostic Package to a USB drive

Once you have deleted said files, plug in a blank USB drive in your computer and follow the steps below.

  1. Navigate to C:\Dell\Drivers\R174621 in File Explorer.
  2. Run DDDP.exe and click Yes if it asks for any confirmation.
  3. Select Install to a USB Flash Drive.
  4. Now, select the blank USB drive and click OK.
  5. Click on Yes if it asks for confirmation.
  6. Once the process completes, click on OK.

Download and Copy the BIOS Update File

Once you install the Diagnostic package to a USB drive, the USB drive size should sink to around 2GB. 

  1. Download the latest available BIOS and note the filename of the BIOS update file.
  2. Copy the BIOS update file to the bootable USB drive.

Install BIOS Update

Now that you have a bootable USB that contains the BIOS update file, you can install the update by booting the system using said USB drive. To boot the system using a USB drive, you need to select the boot device on your computer.

  1. Repeatedly press the F12 key to enter the Boot menu in Dell systems. 
  2. Under Legacy Boot, select USB Storage Device.
  3. If you cannot find this option, select BIOS Flash Update under Other Options.
  4. Now, type the BIOS update filename and press Enter.
  5. The system may display several confirmation messages. If it does, press Y and press Enter.

[SOLVED] How to re-flash the corrupted BIOS of a Dell Lapto

This article (How to re-flash the corrupted BIOS of a Dell Laptop using only a USB drive, by Roland Ihasz) is free of known copyright restrictions.

Roland Ihasz

Roland Ihasz

Systems Analyst Senior Advisor

Published Dec 9, 2016

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There is absolutely no guarantee that the following method will work for you, as reading this sentence you agree that I take no responsibility of any kinds of any damage caused by the following this procedure. There are also more info on my personal blog at https://lnrsoft.com

  • CORRUPTED BIOS AND HOW TO FLASH IT?
  • How to Recover from a disastrous BIOS update?
  • How to Re-Flash a Corrupted Dell Inspiron Laptop BIOS?

This is the latest version of the How re-flash the corrupted BIOS of a Dell Inspiron Laptop article.

Simply follow this procedure to re-flash failed BIOS update on a Dell Inspiron (n5010 model in my case) laptop. Presumably the following method also works on almost all other Dell models.

Phase 1.

  • First of all you have to download the correct firmware from Dell Official Website:[ http://downloads.dell.com/bios/N5010A15.EXE or Download N5010A15.EXE ]
  • Use Windows Command Prompt (run as administrator) to extract the required firmware files.
  • C:\>cd /Downloads
  • C:\>N5010A15.EXE /writehdrfile
  • C:\>N5010A15.EXE /writeromfile
  • Rename the newly created N5010A15. HDR and N5010A15.ROM files to N5010.HDR and N5010.ROM.
  • Format an USB thumb-drive to FAT and copy the N5010.HDR, N5010.ROM files on it. You do not need to create bootable USB drive. *UPDATE: most of the time I hear feedback about this method people add a comment that they formatted their USB thumb-drive to FAT16 as the FAT32 file system did NOT work.

Phase 2.

  • Shutdown your faulty laptop if is is still running with the black screen.
  • Remove the battery
  • Remove the CMOS battery
  • Disconnect the power supply.
  • Insert the USB drive in the USB port. *UPDATE: According to the feedback on this method most people use the left USB socket, as the rest of the USB sockets might not functioning at this state.

*Note: There are few cases reported about not active USB ports. Simply try to use other USB port if you notice or suspect that the system cannot read the USB drive from the port you plugged it. Use USB drive with activity LED if you have one, the blinking LED will confirm that the system reads data from your USB drive.

Phase 3.

  • Press and keep hold the END key on the keyboard for your faulty laptop.
  • Plug the DC power connectors (power plug) into the laptop.
  • After a few seconds your faulty laptop will start itself and will re-flash its corrupted BIOS and automatically reboot.
  • You can release the END key after the flashing process started. A USB drive with an activity LED can confirm that the BIOS flashing process started. The complete re-flashing process will take no longer than 60 maximum 90 seconds.

Your comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

WARNING! I am taking no responsibility of any damage caused by the following NOT TESTED procedure. Try this PhoenixTool method when the /writeromfile and /writehdrfile commands are not give you any result.

This procedure never been tested by myself, however quite a few people were asked me about how to extract ROM files from other system BIOS files without the /writeromfile and /writehdrfile commands mentioned above in my step by step guide.  

Let’s take an example of Inspiron N7010 BIOS. In this case the usual /writeromfile and /writehdrfile commands will not work.

You’ll need 7-Zip or Universal Extractor [Download the latest portable version] and PhoenixTool to extract/create rom files from the R301250.exe System BIOS file.

Phase 1.

  • Download the R301250.exe (2969 KB) file from the official source ( http://www.dell.com/support/home/uk/en/ukbsdt1/drivers/driversdetails?driverId=R301250 )

Phase 2.

  • Extracting the 7010_A11.EXE (7944 KB) file from the original R301250.exe (2969 KB) file using Universal Extractor (latest portable version: uniextract161_noinst.rar ). In numerous cases 7-Zip able extract exe files as well.

Phase 3.

  • Extracting *.rom , *.bin files using PhoenixTool 2.73 (Phoenix/Dell/EFI SLIC Mod v2.73 , source: https://forums.mydigitallife.net ) If the previous link is not available please give a last try on : https://lnrsoft.com/download/
  • In the PhoenixTool select and add your 7010_A11. EXE file as the Original BIOS, then set Manufacturer to Dell and add the DELL.BIN SLIC file (this can be found in PhoenixTool273/SLIC21 folder)
  • Note! In order to extract rom files, you’ll need to tick/select from Advanced options under control options “Extract modules when verifying” then press done and verify. It will then create a DUMP folder next to your 7010_A11.EXE file.  Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 required for PhoenixTool 2.73.

Useful resources:

  1. AT24C01A EEPROM datasheet
  2. DELL EMC System Update for Windows and Linux
  3. Flashrom or Qflashrom
  4. Superiotool – Detect which Super I/O you have on your mainboard
  5. Official Dell BIOS Recovery options
  6. Dell: What is BIOS and How to Download and Install the latest BIOS?
  7. Dell: 64-bit BIOS Installation Utility
  8. RW-Everything
  9. Dell Client Configuration Utility
  10. LnRSoft.com Downloads
  11. PhoenixTool 2.73
  12. https://www.bios-mods. com/tools/index.php

The reason behind writing this BIOS recovery article is some helpful info/advice/starting point to everyone facing with the same problem.

(How to re-flash the corrupted BIOS of a Dell Laptop using only a USB drive) written by Roland Ihasz is free of known copyright restrictions.

There are also more info on my personal blog at https://lnrsoft.com

https://lnrsoft.com

See all

How to update the BIOS on Dell laptops from a USB flash drive

Author Alexander Dudkin

As you know, all major vendors make BIOS update packages that run from Windows. But what if there is no OS or it does not boot?

Dell makes it easy to update the BIOS from a USB flash drive without using the OS. To do this, you need:

  • prepare a bootable flash drive
  • boot from it
  • Run the flash driver file under DOS.

Dell’s BIOS update packages can be run under both Windows and DOS. Therefore, you do not need to download any other BIOS firmware file. You just need to put the same file on a bootable flash drive. The flash drive itself can be created using Dell Diagnostic Deployment Package (DDDP) .

Here is the sequence of steps:

  1. Download the BIOS update .EXE file on another computer.
  2. Download the DDDP package from https://downloads.dell.com/diags/CW1322A1.exe and run it (also download available from the Dell A1322A1 package page https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/ drivers/driversdetails?driverid=v608j).
  3. DDDP will unpack to C:\Dell\Drivers\R174621 . No installation is required.
  4. Go to subfolder C:\Dell\Drivers\R174621\DIAGS
  5. Delete all files in the DIAGS folder except (some files are hidden):
    AUTOEXEC. BAT
    CONFIG.SYS
    COMMAND.COM
    DELLBIO.BIN
    DELLRMK.BIN
  6. Insert a USB stick.
  7. Run C:\Dell\Drivers\R174621\ DDDP.EXE
  8. Select the option ” Install to a USB flash drive”
    This will format the flash drive in the FAT16 file system, the volume size will be 2 GB. Don’t be alarmed if your flash drive was larger. You can later format it with system tools again in the FAT32 or NTFS file system to get the same volume of the flash drive.
    After completing this step, the above 5 files will appear on the flash drive, and it will become bootable.
  9. Alternatively, you can make the flash drive bootable and format it using the system utility diskpart . How to do this is described here.
  10. Copy the BIOS firmware file (for example, O9010A12.exe) to a bootable USB flash drive. The file must be for DOS (not available for all models)!

  11. Connect a USB flash drive to a system requiring a BIOS update.

  12. Restart your PC and when the Dell logo appears, press F12 . The screen will display the One Time Boot menu.
  13. Use the arrow keys to navigate to USB Storage Device and press Enter. If there is no such item, check if the option is enabled in the BIOS settings “USB Bootable device”
  14. When starting the system from a flash drive, a prompt window will be displayed Diag C:\>
  15. Enter the file name of the firmware you copied (for example: O9010A12.exe) and press Enter
  16. The BIOS update utility will be loaded. Then follow the instructions on the screen.

If your firmware utility doesn’t start or says “Test”, then it’s not designed to run under DOS. Try booting into Windows PE and run from there.

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Dell laptops and PCs become “bricks” after BIOS update

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    Some Dell laptops and desktops who rush to the latest BIOS update are unable to turn on their machines. Devices either cool coolers without showing any other “signs of life”, or “fall out” in BSoD. Dell has tacitly removed links to the firmware from its official website, but those who have already updated will have to solve the problem on their own.

    Firmware threw problems

    A recent BIOS update has given Dell personal computer owners serious trouble, writes Bleeping Computer.

    According to the publication, several models of desktop and laptop computers of the American brand work incorrectly at once after installing a recent firmware update for the Basic Input-Output System (BIOS) chip. Among them are Latitude laptops (5320 and 5520), as well as Inspiron 5680 and Alienware Aurora R8 desktops.

    Users experiencing the issue report difficulty booting the device. In some cases, devices “start up” (the sound of the cooling system is heard), however, various indicator lights, keyboard backlight, if any, and the computer display do not turn on. In a situation where the machine still starts to boot and displays related information on the screen, the procedure does not reach its logical conclusion due to the unexpected appearance of the Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) Windows. Then the computer crashes.

    Owners of Dell computers, who hastened to install the latest BIOS firmware, paid with the performance of devices

    Dell owners are complaining massively about the effects of a BIOS update on social media, the Dell User Community Portal, and the popular Reddit forum, Bleeping Computer notes. Problematic, judging by user feedback, are BIOS versions 1.14.3 for Latitude laptops, as well as 1.0.18 and 2.8.0 for Aurora and Inspiron desktops, respectively.

    “After updating the BIOS of my [Dell Latitude] 5320 to the new version 1.13.4, the laptop refuses to boot. The power button glows for about 10 seconds after pressing it, and then stops, ”notes one of the visitors to the Dell forum.

    What is BIOS

    The BIOS chip is located on the motherboard of an IBM-compatible computer and contains a set of system programs that are used to initialize and test equipment with further transfer of control to the operating system. In recent years, the BIOS has been supplanted by UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), but many manufacturers and users continue to call the UEFI BIOS the old fashioned way.

    Flashing or replacing the BIOS software is performed using specialized tools, such as a utility supplied by the motherboard manufacturer.

    KEDO: instructions for use

    CNews Analytics

    A firmware update may be required, in particular, to expand the range of processors supported by the motherboard, which are mechanically and electrically compatible with it.

    Updating the motherboard firmware is a risky procedure, especially when performed by a beginner. In some cases, it may render the device inoperable. To eliminate the consequences of an incorrect BIOS flashing, the user may need to contact a service center.

    The extent of the problem is unknown

    It is difficult to estimate the scale of the problem at the time of publication of this material. Dell did not comment on the situation, but removed links to download some of the problematic firmware from the official site.

    The topics discovered by Bleeping Computer on the aforementioned Internet resources have collected about a hundred comments.

    Collective Intelligence found a solution

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    While no official solution has been provided, Dell owners have worked together to find a way to get their computers back up and running. It involves downgrading the BIOS, that is, installing the previous stable version of the firmware. However, for this you need, at a minimum, to get into the BIOS setup menu (Setup), which, as a rule, is called by pressing the Delete or F2 keys before the operating system starts loading.

    Some users claim to have been able to “roll back” a firmware update using the proprietary SupportAssist OS Recovery tool, which is available to owners of some Dell PCs preinstalled with the Microsoft Windows operating system.