Documentation

Hello DAOV,

Presently, such documentation is not available. However, through PowerShell scripting, settings can easily be found out. We have bundled a script Get-BiosSettings.ps1  in the zip file.   Please try out the cmdlet "Get-BiosSettings" when DellBIOSProvider is loaded.  All settings will be shown in another window.

You can modify the script to send  the output to a file using (Out-File).

Thanks for contacting us.

Vibha

Thanks for replying Vibha.

I am aware that I can search and output the BIOS property options. That is just really tiresome. I ended searching out the various needed options in WinPE, writing a ps1 script alongside the PS terminal and going that route.

As this PS module/cmdlet is an excellent idea on behalf of Dell, I strongly urge better documentation of the product. The ability to easily script such actions and skip CCTK is terrific and I thank Dell heartily nevertheless.

On another note, I was unable to find an option for 'forcepxenextboot'. Is there an option for this yet?

In addition, I believe I may have found a bug?

When setting the WakeOnLANorWLAN PowerManagement feature, the possiblevalue of "LAN or WLAN" is not being accepted despite that being listed as the possiblevalue. When entered, it returns that 'Invalid possible value LANorWLAN for the attribute WakeOnLANorWLAN.

Please advise.

Apologies, I was incorrect.

The setting of 'Enabled' will actually set 'Enabled w PXE' on a desktop, which is the setting I was needing. For a laptop or a desktop with an integrated wireless device, the LAN or WLAN setting will be applicable.

I did find another issue that I would appreciate some assistance with.

The MEBxHotkey and VTforDirectIO values are not setting appropriately. This is on an OptiPlex 9020.

Setting either item results in a 'success' but the setting does not actually change to enabled or disabled. And querying the setting's current value will return a disabled/enabled according to how it was set via the cmdlet but upon reboot and opening the BIOS Setup Options, the setting has not actually altered and remains enabled/disabled.

Thanks DAOV for sharing the feedback and using the DellBIOSProvider. Work towards the next release of DellBIOSProvider is in progress and a formal documentation would definitely be part of that.

For MEBxHotkey and VTforDirectIO issue, we will check it and get back.

Meanwhile please provide the BIOS version of your OptiPlex 9020 and result of the same operation with CCTK.

We would like to hear more about the WinPE use case where you actually used the DellBIOSProvider.

Thanks

Vibha

I'll go ahead and share. It is fantastic to have this cmdlet/module. There is no other way to put it.

We are migrating all of our scripts to PowerShell and CCTK was a major sticking point toward getting that completed. This cmdlet/module fixed that easily.

OptiPlex 9020, BIOS A11. I see that A12 just came out so I will try that as well.

With CCTK, those settings apply without issue.

I am still testing a number of items in WinPE to determine the best use of the DELLBIOSPROVIDER cmdlet and will certainly post any further successes or failures.

I am now seeing an additional false positive when setting the UEFI Network Stack to Enabled. It is not actually enabled upon reboot. CCTK sets this setting appropriately.

There are a few such issues in DellBIOSProvider. In next release, all of those will be fixed.

Thanks

Vibha

I suppose this revolves back to my original inquiry regarding documentation. Documenting such issues in other places than this forum entry is a better path forward as this module will only become more popular as time passes and PowerShell becomes more heavily used on Dell machines for purposes of setting BIOS properties. Hopefully such documentation can be posted at some point by Dell.

Apologies, this was due to the TPM not being properly cleared beforehand, which required a manual activation in the BIOS. Once that was done, the PS command worked properly.

TPM Activation appears to not be working either. Failed on XPS 13, OptiPlex 9020 and OptiPlex 9020M. Enabling and turning on appears to work without issue. And yes, a password is set and supplied during activation attempts. CCTK accomplishes the task without issue.

We need to check the functionality with TPM Activation. If the issue is found, it will be fixed in next release of DellBIOSProvider. Thanks for sharing the result with CCTK.

-Vibha