XPS 15 9550 dead after BIOS 1.5 update, doesn't POST or show BIOS

The previous thread link seems to be broken above, but the text of the URL looks correct.  I'll attempt to link it again, here: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/20013272

Hi dhoulton,

Thanks for posting.

Apologies that your system is not operating as you expected.

Here is some information from the Dell knowledge base you may find helpful:  www.dell.com/.../bios---what-it-is-and-how-to-download-or-update-your-bios

The XPS 9550 does support BIOS recovery.  If you haven't done so, unplug the system, remove the base cover and hold the power button for 30  sec.  Then reconnect the battery, plug in the system and try powering up again.

Thanks for responding, Robert.

My 9550 is from Nov '15, apparently a month before Dell started adding the BIOS recovery partition on the SSD. I did try the USB stick version of BIOS recovery, several times, but with no effect. The USB does blink a few times, but does not seem to be actually reading the BIOS image (based on the time required to write the BIOS to the USB stick, 10-15 sec, vs only a 1-2 sec blink when trying to recover on the 9550). This failure to recover the BIOS is what I was referring to when I said the Ctrl-Esc-PowerPlug recovery method fails.

I didn't realize it at the time, but it is significant that I was trying to reboot into safe mode at the time, by tapping the F8 key during boot (I've since realized that Win10 no longer supports this method). In searching this forum I've now learned that this is a common failure with these systems, e.g. this thread (http:///en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3518/t/19666394) has a long chain of responses from 9550 owners who bricked their laptops by touching F8 during boot.It seems like the resolution for most of those is to replace the motherboard, but unfortunately I'm beyond warranty and I'm looking for less expensive solution to recovering the BIOS than a motherboard swap. (Although I'll argue that this is such a massive latent defect, that simply touching one of the keys at the wrong time can brick your machine, that an after-warranty free replacement is warranted!)

Do you have any suggestions for a more aggressive DIY BIOS recovery method to try, or any avenue I might pursue for a covered replacement?

Thanks, unplugging the battery was the first thing I tried.  And yes, the 9550 does have BIOS recovery from a hidden SSD partition, but that started with models produced in Dec 2015.  Mine is from November and does not have a copy of the BIOS on the SSD.  It is supposed to recover BIOS from a FAT32 USB stick with a BIOS_IMG.rcv file on it, when you hold Ctrl and Esc while inserting the power plug, but that has not worked for mine.

I was hoping someone might have a suggestion on why the BIOS recovery doesn't work as it's supposed to, or another recovery method to try. I don't want to have to purchase an entire new motherboard just to correct a corrupt BIOS firmware.

After update Bios 1.5.1 I have the same problem.

After updating to BIOS 1.5.1, my XPS 15 9550 has become very slow in loading almost every program and shutting down the system.  I just downgraded to v1.4.0, and see that the issues seem to go away.  Another weird thing that I noted from previous BIOS versions that I cannot install BIOS from Windows 10 first time.  First time when I run BIOS install, the system does not upgrade the BIOS.  But, when I re-run it second time from Windows 10, it upgrades after reboot.  Anyone has the same experience?

I've been through several calls with Dell technical support. They don't dispute that a failed BIOS update bricked my system, but they steadfastly refuse to repair it as my system was 6 months out of warranty. They only offer to take it in for diagnosis (at a fee that has ranged from $39 to $160), after which I'm certain they will 'diagnose' a new motherboard for many $hundreds more.

The last technician told me repeatedly that "Dell does not recommend updating BIOS unless it is to fix a specific problem", and that this advice could be found on their website.  As if it was my fault for agreeing to the update from the Dell Update software without first scouring their website to see if it was really a good idea.  Furthermore, the Dell Update software does not allow you to decline the update - the only choices are 'Accept' or 'Postpone'. Selecting 'Postpone' only leads to a never-ending Clippy-nightmare of update reminders.

When the technician could not explain to me how I could have declined the BIOS update (had I even known the risk of accepting it), I asked for a supervisor. The supervisor eventually came on, but just repeated the same mantra, that Dell doesn't recommend updating BIOS proactively. When I asked him to explain how that policy can be true given that the Dell Update software pre-loaded on the system does exactly that, and that it offers no option to decline an update. I wasn't able to catch his explanation as my call was abruptly disconnected at that point. :emotion-39:

TLDR version: "Thanks for buying our super-premium-priced laptop, but 12 months from now forget you know us. Oh, and at some point later we're going to reach in to your system from afar and kill it, but that's really on you for not preventing us from doing it."

I'm not going to throw good money after bad with a Dell 'repair', but I did order a replacement BIOS chip on ebay and I'm going to try a rescue with my amateur surface-mount soldering skills.  Nothing to lose. 

This is why I have disabled Dell Update and why I most likely will never buy another Dell in the future. The updates being released by Dell have been a disaster. Almost every day someone is posting here issues with BIOS updates that brick their systems.

It took them a long time to finally recognize the swelling battery issue they had with the XPS 15 9550 (as well as now other computers which are exhibiting the same problem).

My condolences to you. I hope you can get your system back up and running.

JohnD