BIOS update wont complete - Dell Latitude 7420

[Julian Bailey]

Hi all

Anyone come across this issue where a BIOS flash will only part complete?

It will update the system BIOS and Primary EC BIOS fine but fails to update the Intel TBT Retimer, Intel TBT Retimer 2 and ME Firmware.

NVMe m.2 drive isnt detected in the BIOS, but you can get into the BIOS fine and it all works in there as intended.

The drive works fine in another laptop.

Link to a video I made of what its doing here: https://1drv.ms/v/c/70274ed59325811e...z5AtQ?e=24XkY7

Any ideas on how to overcome this?

Cheers

[Sephir0th]

NVMe not detected and ME region update failed points to a Chipset issue. TBT firmware update failed points to a issue with the Thunderbolt related ICs. Strong rabbit hole alert...

[Julian Bailey]

NVMe not detected and ME region update failed points to a Chipset issue. TBT firmware update failed points to a issue with the Thunderbolt related ICs. Strong rabbit hole alert...

So motherboard isnt repairable I take it? Shame as the laptop is in as new condition.

Cheers

[SMDFlea]

So motherboard isnt repairable I take it? Shame as the laptop is in as new condition.

Cheers

Try fixing the bios.

[Julian Bailey]

Try fixing the bios.

The BIOS file is the latest rcv file from Dell website, so not sure how else the BIOS can be fixed.

Cheers

[SMDFlea]

The BIOS file is the latest rcv file from Dell website, so not sure how else the BIOS can be fixed.

Cheers

It could very well be a chipset issue as Sepiroth said, but it`s worth having a look at the bios. The ME failing to update could possibly be due to the ME firmware being corrupt, making the install bork. Also the m.2 drive not being detected could possibly be due to the ME settings, flex/IO . Thunderbolt, again could be ME related. What`s the history of the laptop, has the bios been messed with before. Does the service tag in the bios screen match with the one on the base cover.

[Julian Bailey]

It could very well be a chipset issue as Sepiroth said, but it`s worth having a look at the bios. The ME failing to update could possibly be due to the ME firmware being corrupt, making the install bork. Also the m.2 drive not being detected could possibly be due to the ME settings, flex/IO . Thunderbolt, again could be ME related. What`s the history of the laptop, has the bios been messed with before. Does the service tag in the bios screen match with the one on the base cover.

The laptop came in with an Admin password, so we updated the bios with a programmer to a bios with manufacturing mode activated.

This is when issues started and it took a few different BIOS files to get the laptop to boot again, so I do think it's a corrupt firmware some where. But how to force it to do the firmware update that it's failing on I don't know.

Maybe trying a newly programmed BIOS chip?

The only 2x BIIS files I can find for this model of motherboard is on Telegram BIOS Archive, so I have a feeling those files may be corrupt in some way?

Cheers

[SMDFlea]

The laptop came in with an Admin password, so we updated the bios with a programmer to a bios with manufacturing mode activated.
This is when issues started and it took a few different BIOS files to get the laptop to boot again, so I do think it's a corrupt firmware some where. But how to force it to do the firmware update that it's failing on I don't know.
Maybe trying a newly programmed BIOS chip?
The only 2x BIIS files I can find for this model of motherboard is on Telegram BIOS Archive, so I have a feeling those files may be corrupt in some way?
Cheers

Is the service tag 28SH0F3 ,you asked for a bios back in october 2024 - https://www.badcaps.net/forum/troubl...51#post3490151

[Julian Bailey]

Is the service tag 28SH0F3 ,you asked for a bios back in october 2024 - https://www.badcaps.net/forum/troubl...51#post3490151

This is for a different laptop with ST: C91L2F3

Cheera

[SMDFlea]

This is for a different laptop with ST: C91L2F3
Cheera

ok.

The laptop came in with an Admin password, so we updated the bios with a programmer to a bios with manufacturing mode activated.

This is when issues started and it took a few different BIOS files to get the laptop to boot again, so I do think it's a corrupt firmware some where.

Right, so if you post your original bios backups, thunderbolt FW backup and service tag in the bios requests forum we`ll see what`s what.

[Julian Bailey]

ok.



Right, so if you post your original bios backups, thunderbolt FW backup and service tag in the bios requests forum we`ll see what`s what.

I did take a backup of the old BIOS but wasn't aware of the Thunderbolt FW? Is there a separate BIOS chip for that?

Cheers

[SMDFlea]

I did take a backup of the old BIOS but wasn't aware of the Thunderbolt FW? Is there a separate BIOS chip for that?

Cheers

Leave that for now and just post your bios backup

[SMDFlea]

Bios request moved -> https://www.badcaps.net/forum/troubl...pt-me-firmware