Learn Every Aspect of Dell Bios Update

BIOS, which is also known as the Basic Input/Output System, works as a system setup. It is firmware, which is placed on a small memory chip on the PC’s system board or the motherboard. It works as an interface between the hardware of a PC and the Operating System. It also contains some instructions with the help of which the PC performs some basic works such as whether to boot from the network or hard disk drive. Due to several reasons, you need to perform Dell BIOS Update after a short period of time. Here, you will be able to get comprehensive instructions to perform this action quickly.

Why Should you Perform Dell BIOS Update?

If you are using a Dell system, then you have to perform an update process with it as part of your scheduled update cycle. This update contains feature enhancements or changes which will keep your system updated and compatible with other modules which you are using like: hardware, firmware, drivers and software and it will also increase the stability of your computer. In that case, take note that, you won’t be able to perform BIOS update automatically. You have to perform it manually. On that note, Dell provides an easy package with the help of which you can perform this task easily.

Update System BIOS Using Windows

Once you notice that, your device requires a BIOS update, then you can download a newer version of it from the official Dell support page. In that case, take note that, when you are trying to update BIOS on a laptop, then, in the whole process you have to plug in the AC adaptor. To complete this process, you need to follow these steps:

  1. First of all, you need to navigate to a web browser like Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome etc and go to the www.dell.com/support/drivers
  2. In case, if you are prompted to “Identify your product”, then either you have to enter your service tag, or you need to select “Browse for a product” in order to select it manually.
  3. Now, if you notice the system which is shown on your system is incorrect, then you need to tap on the “View a different product” option, again, you have to either enter your service tag or browse it manually.
  4. After completing all of the previous steps, you need to be sure that, you have chosen the correct system. Now, you have to click on the “Find it Myself” tab. After that, you have to look into further down the page, where it will say, “Refine your results:”.
  5. Here in the Pulldown category menu, you need to select the BIOS. Once you complete this step, you will be able to refine the results, and it will only show you BIOS category results.

If there is more than one file listed, Click on “View details” on the most recent version of the BIOS. Then click on “Important Information”.

Note:

On some occasions, you might have to install an intermediate BIOS version before you update the latest version. This process is called BIOS dependency. This situation generally occurs when an intermediate update is required before you install the latest version. You can get this information in the “Important Information” section. If you want to find other BIOS versions which you have tried to download, then you can go through the links from https://downloads.dell.com

  1. Now, you have to click on the Download File to start the downloading process.
  2. Once you complete these steps, you have to save it on your desktop.
  3. After completing the downloading process, you have to double-click on the icon on your desktop.
  4. Now, you have to complete the on-screen instructions in order to complete the installation process. It will reboot your device and will perform a BIOS update process.

Update System BIOS Using USB Flash Drive

In case, if you don’t want to update Dell BIOS using Windows, then you can update it using the USB flash drive, in such circumstances, try to follow these steps:

  1. At first, you need to download the BIOS update.EXE file to another system.
  2. Now, you need to copy the file into the bootable USB Flash drive.
  3. Insert the USB flash drive in the system which requires the BIOS update.
  4. Now, you have to restart the system as well as you have to press F12. You will be able to see Dell Splash logo will appear to display the One time Boot Menu.
  5. Using the arrow keys, you need to choose the USB storage Device and tap on the Return button.
  6. After performing all of these steps, your system will boot into the Diag C:\> prompt
  7. Now, you have to run the file by tapping in the name of the full file name and tap on the return button.
  8. After completing all of these steps, the BIOS Update Utility will start downloading and you have to follow the on-screen instructions.

How to Update BIOS Dell System Before 2015

In case, if you are using the Dell system which is manufactured before 2015, then you have to follow these steps:

  1. After you copy the BIOS flash file, you have to reboot the system. Now, you have to press the F12 at the Dell logo, in order to pop up, “One-time boot menu”
  2. Now, you have to choose  USB Storage Device, in order to boot from the  USB stick.
  3. Once your device, reaches the boot menu, you need to choose the fdos option as well as you have to choose the safe mode
  4. Now, do not choose the Load FreeDOS to the hard drive, it will damage the operating system.
  5. After completing the booting process, you will be able to see an  A: prompt.
  6. Choose the drive letter to B: or C:
  7. Type the filename of the BIOS flash file, in order to begin the update process. Now, hit the Enter button to continue.
  8. After completing the update process, your device will reboot automatically.

Check the BIOS Version

After completing all of the previous steps, you need to check the version of the BIOS that you are using. So, try out the steps mentioned below:

Identify BIOS Version Using Microsoft Windows:

In order to identify the BIOS version using the Microsoft versions, try out these:

  1. At first, you need to tap and hold the Windows logo key + R key on the keyboard at the same time to launch the Run dialogue box.
  2. In this Dialogue box, you have to type msinfo32 and tap the Enter key to confirm.
  3. In the system information window, you need to look for the  BIOS Version/Date.
  4. Now, you need to identify the BIOS Version using System Information in Microsoft Windows.

Identifying BIOS version using Command Prompt in Microsoft Windows:

You can also identify your BIOS version using the Command prompt. So, follow these steps:

  1. At first, you need to tap on the Windows key and the “R” at the same time to launch the Run dialogue box.
  2. In the Run dialogue box, you have to type cmd and press the Enter key to continue.
  3. After that, in the Command prompt window, you have to search for the BIos version.

Identifying BIOS version in the BIOS interface:

In order to identify the BIOS version in the BIOS interface try out these steps:

  1. First of all, restart your PC.
  2. Again, you need to Press F2 key in the Dell logo screen while your device performs the startup process.
  3. Under the Main or System Information tab, look for BIOS Version.

After completing all of these steps, you will be able to see if you are able to complete the troubleshooting process or not.

Wrapping it up

This article will be useful for you if you want to perform Dell bios update. Try out the steps provided in a useful manner. In case, if you won’t be able to perform this action, or if you have any further queries, then you can drop a comment to provide your valuable feedback. On that note, let’s conclude here, and stay tuned with us to get further posts.

Nathaniel Villa
Nathaniel Villa