DELL Wants To Update My System BIOS: Questions On, Please ?

Hello,

Have a Dell desktop, XPS 8900.

A pop up presumably from Dell says it wants to "update" my System BIOS.

Sounds scary.

Isn't the BIOS the complete "guts" of the OS ?
Whys should an update be necessary ?

Should I do it ?

Thanks,
Bob

The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is the chip that controls your system during boot up until it is "transferred" to the OS itself.
(That's a nutshell description, but should suffice here).

It is not the OS, but the SW "Guts" of your computer (Motherboard).

Whether or not to upgrade:

First, what does the update correct? They should list that info, or link to it.

In general, I'm the type to always update the BIOS if a new firmware is released, that said though, my mainboard has three separate BIOS's that I can switch to, so if one is borked by an update, or changes I make, I can go back to the original (I leave one on the original for that purpose).

If all is well on your system, you do not have to perform the update at all, and that may be the best advice I can give you, especially if you are questioning it to begin with, but if you are willing to do it, depending on what it may change for your system, it may be worthwhile.

I'll review it and post later, or others may chime in as they see fit.

UPDATE: I checked the Dell site for your system, but don't see an update for today, that's not to say anything malicious is going on, but can you give more details on the pop up?

What version it wants to update you to? Etc.
You could also boot into your BIOS and give us the version you are on, if you are several versions "behind" the most current one, it may also be beneficial to do it, again depending on what I outlined above.

They aren't as worrisome as they once were a long time ago. On an OEM system like a Dell, I would do it. It's a very simple process. I'm a little more hesitant on a custom-built computer because the components can be so varied. On an OEM system, Dell, for example, knows the configurations, so they are able to test the BIOS much more thoroughly before releasing it.

However, I wouldn't trust a pop-up. I'd go to Dell's support page and put in my Service Tag. Then you'll be sure you are getting the right one.

Robert11 said:

Hello,

Have a Dell desktop, XPS 8900.

A pop up presumably from Dell says it wants to "update" my System BIOS.

Sounds scary.

Isn't the BIOS the complete "guts" of the OS ?
Whys should an update be necessary ?

Should I do it ?

Thanks,
Bob

I have a XPS8900 also. I have been holding off because of fear. I went to Dells website.
It said Fixes & Enhancements
Enhancements
- Improved system stability for virtual machine environment
- Improved system stability for long Media playback.
- Updated Dell Diagnostic to 4302.15
It also said "Urgent". So I installed it. So far no problems. I was afraid that I would have a black brick setting on my desk. I was also concerned that my activation of Win 10 may get undone, but i'ts OK too. One other reason that I did it now is, that it's still under warranty.

There is really very little reason to fear any BIOS update these days, especially on an OEM system.

Hello,

Much thanks for taking all the time to respond and help me out.
Much appreciated; very nice of you, and the others.
Great Forum.

Am a Sr. (very) Citizen now, so will use that as my excuse.
I've found that it';s a great excuse for most anything.

The icon says nothing about exactly what it will do; just to update BIOS

- Where do I find the BIOS number/spec that I have ? No idea where to go on PC to get the info. ?
- The same question for my System or Service Tag (so I can perhaps try it in the Dell site)?

One of the Posters here says that he did it, I think, so perhaps I should just bit the bullet and do it also.

Would like to bang my Service or System Tag into the Dell website to see specifically what it does, but not sure how to go about it, exactly.

Sure do like W7 better which was on my old desktop.
Was much easier for me to navigate around in.

Much thanks,
Bob

RWOne said:

The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is the chip that controls your system during boot up until it is "transferred" to the OS itself.
(That's a nutshell description, but should suffice here).

It is not the OS, but the SW "Guts" of your computer (Motherboard).

Whether or not to upgrade:

First, what does the update correct? They should list that info, or link to it.

In general, I'm the type to always update the BIOS if a new firmware is released, that said though, my mainboard has three separate BIOS's that I can switch to, so if one is borked by an update, or changes I make, I can go back to the original (I leave one on the original for that purpose).

If all is well on your system, you do not have to perform the update at all, and that may be the best advice I can give you, especially if you are questioning it to begin with, but if you are willing to do it, depending on what it may change for your system, it may be worthwhile.

I'll review it and post later, or others may chime in as they see fit.

UPDATE: I checked the Dell site for your system, but don't see an update for today, that's not to say anything malicious is going on, but can you give more details on the pop up?

What version it wants to update you to? Etc.
You could also boot into your BIOS and give us the version you are on, if you are several versions "behind" the most current one, it may also be beneficial to do it, again depending on what I outlined above.