Well.....Now I Have Done It ----- Resolved

a reply to: Shoujikina

That was true when it concerned legacy BIOS, however, it can happen with the newer UEFI ones

I actually saw it happen just ten days ago at work. I was helping setting up some new DELL laptops we're rolling out to staff. After an auto update of some VMware WS1 programs, the PC downloaded a firmware update that involved the BIOS. I had no way of blocking it. Once downloaded, the only option was to reboot the PC.

Obviously, it was nothing to do with Windows updates, so I couldn't disable updates via that route. The firmware upgrade was direct from DELL.

I'll try to take a picture when I see it happen again. I've got at least 20 more laptops to prepare for staff over the coming weeks, including one for myself. As an IT manager, somehow I'm always the last to get the new toys.

a reply to: Nyiah

Sorry to hear that, Nyiah. If we can be of assistance perhaps it's best to start a new thread, so we don't get mixed up with DTOM's issue.

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

I looked up the manual for your model and it appears the BIOS also has a legacy BIOS option. It could be worth a try switching to legacy to see if it fixes your problem.

However, the manual states that you may not see all the options available in the manual itself.

Also, it mentions pressing F12 to get into the settings. I don't know if it's a typo because in another section it states F2.

Finally, try playing around with the HD options, swithing from Raid On to AHCI like the video posted earlier shows. How to get to those settings is also in the BIOS menu.

Anyway, here's the manual online:
www.dell.com... 0d4&lang=en-us

Look for System setup - BIOS overview - Boot Menu

Or download the PDF version:
dl.dell.com...

Go to page 51.

a reply to: Nyiah

My sympathies!!!
Why is that whenever a computer issue arises, it's never one you can into before, one That you know how to handle!!!!!

a reply to: Encia22

I'll check that tomorrow whe n my brain is fresh.
Easier and cheaper than taking to a shop!!!!

a reply to: Encia22

So, isn't the legacy BIOS the older, less desirable form?
Should you switch successfully, what happens down the line?

I only tried f2.
Will try f12 tomorrow.

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

The legacy BIOS is absolutely fine... it has worked for 30+ years. If it gets your computer working I can't see other issues arising in future. Like Shoujikina said, it won't update itself unless you tinker with it. If anything breaks on your 3 year old PC, it will probably be a hardware failure or a corruption of Windows... both fixable. I still have and use an 18 year old IBM Thinkpad. Sadly, computers aren't built to last anymore...

a reply to: Encia22

So, under boot sequence, the only change in the whole thing I would make is this:

Boot List
Option Allows you to change the boot list option.
● Legacy
● UEFI

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

Yes, I think that's a good option to try initially, reverting back to UEFI if it doesn't work.

If it doesn't work, then move on to the hard drive options.

It's always best to try different setting changes one at a time, so that you can gauge how each setting works.

I wish Gothmog or network dude could chime in, they are probably better than me with this aspect of the hardware. Even if it's my profession, I'm a bit behind the times with more modern systems. I usually defer to my workplace's helpdesk for configuration problems because our systems are locked down for security reasons and I'm not allowed to tinker like I did decades ago... I don't blame them.

a reply to: Encia22

Thanks.
I hope I won't need to get that far into it. Nervous enough as it is, although right now it's just a big paperweight LOL

So, IT is sorta compartmentalized?

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

The manual that Encia22 posted says that RAID is enabled by default



This can be a problem if you only have the one HDD and/or it isn't RAID enabled

If there is only 1 internal HDD, it is possible that it was installed with SATA set to AHCI. Which would mean it stuffs up, when you update the BIOS and it reverts to its default RAID setting

Can you check and tell us what details are listed for your internal HDD (or HDDS, if there are more than one). Possibly even take a picture and post it

1) Turn on or restart your laptop.
2) When the Dell logo appears, perform the following action to enter the BIOS setup program:
3) Tap F2 until the Entering BIOS setup message appears.
4) Hard drive is listed under the system Information under the General group

originally posted by: DontTreadOnMe
a reply to: Encia22

Thanks.
I hope I won't need to get that far into it. Nervous enough as it is, although right now it's just a big paperweight LOL

So, IT is sorta compartmentalized?

Yes, very much so, also considering we have many specialists outsourced from other companies. We have about 3K staff spread between central office and worldwide. Our internal helpdesk forwards requests for assistance to the relevant departments. I often have to coordinate between the departments to get projects done, in a way that they don't see the bigger picture.

a reply to: Compendium
I can try that...thanks.

But why revert now?

I've done at least two Dell endorsed BIOS updates before this mess?


ETA
OK, do you need something specific from the BIOs, or will this do?
2.5 256GB SATA Class 20 SSD, probably a Dell brand

a reply to: Encia22

It sounds like some stuff just won't work with Legacy after 2021...from what i read.

But more importantly, it wants to do a secure change, and asks for a password.
I only know the main computer password, and according to one person online, that is not it.
And, reset/changing the BIOS looks not doable:
www.dell.com...

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

Yes, it could be that legacy BIOS may not work with newer hardware. It could even be that the option to revert to legacy may not even be available considering you have a solid state hard drive. I believe that legacy BIOSs can't handle SSD drives.

For the admin password, I'm bewildered. The Manual states that it is not enabled by default, so if it is protected it would have been setup by you; possibly when the PC was used for the first time.

In any case, it can be reset by physically removing the pswd jumper and/or CMOS coin battery on the system board.

At this point, I must apologise. I think I pointed you to the wrong manual. I hadn't realised that your model comes in two configurations, an "all-in-one" and a "small form factor".

As I'm not sure which one you have, here are the new links for the ONLINE MANUAL and the PDF VERSION.

On page 33 there's a picture of the system board with the CMOS and Password Jumpers, and where the coin battery is located. On page 54 it tells you how to reset it.

Sorry about the confusion.

By the way, if we ever get the PC working again, I found how to disable automatic UEFI BIOS updates in future. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

For the win, I agree with Compendium that the BIOS may have reverted to its default Raid setting. If this were the case, then switching back to AHCI should put things right. Perhaps earlier BIOS updates retained your original settings and that's why you never had issues in those instances.

If you end up resetting the BIOS you will have to change this manually as it will default to Raid.

originally posted by: DontTreadOnMe
Maybe not me, but something bad sure has happened.
My three year old Dell desktop may be fried.
And I have no idea why it happened.
There was a BIOS update from last month. I hate doing those thing.
But night he bullet and did it tonight.

%#&#$%#@!!!!!!!!!!
Liked nirmal, except at the end of did some weird thing about checking hardware and said all was ok.

But then it all went wrong.
Windows would not start.
Self repair didn't.
Neither did system restore.

I guess Registry is farked.
Can it get repaired???quote
Is it an now nothing more than an expensive door prop???

SIGH!!!!!!!

ETA
It appeared to be a "successful" BIOS update.
And the PC is plugged into battery back up, so no power disruptions.

Probably the update reset some settings, like UEFI or Legacy boot mode.

Try going into BIOS and loading defaults. If that doesn't work, look for the boot mode settings, if it's on UEFI, then switch to Legacy, and visa versa.

25 years experience PC tech here. Most BIOS updates are harmless, no need to fear them. always start with the simple things first. A BIOS update will not bork your Windows image.

a reply to: Encia22
I'll try to find that, then.....

a reply to: poncho1982

to switch, it has to be a security issue, with some nebulous password. Not the computercone, and AFAIK there is NO BIOS password.
I never made an admin password.

a reply to: DontTreadOnMe

Try typing Dell for the password...