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Recent Windows 11 update bricked my Dell Precision T7920 computer (BIOS 2.37.0).
Just prior to my Windows 11 update (23H2) yesterday, my Dell T7920 system [Dual Intel(R) Xeon(R) Gold 6258R CPU @ 2.70GHz, 512 GB Nemix DDR4-3200 PC4-25600 ECC RDIMM, 2TB Samsung SSD 980] was working flawlessly without problems. A week earlier, I successfully updated the latest Dell T7920 system firmware 2.37.0 without problems. I then proceeded to do a Windows 11 update yesterday. The update failed with a large sad face
:(
on a blue screen with large orange blog in the right lower hand corner.
Your device ran into a problem and needs to restart. We're just collecting some error info, and then we'll restart for you.
0% complete (system however remained frozen)
For more information about this issue and possible fixes, visit https://www.windows.com/stopcode
If you call a support person, give them this info:
Stop code: DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE
Sadly, the Windows stopcode support measures above assume access to a functioning bios.
The system then went into endless "reboots" with no post. No Dell logo or video display or keyboard lights. The disks would light up, ethernet cable leds light up, and then the system would begin a endless cycle of "reboots". The power button light turns amber for a second or two and then turns a solid white.
I tried the following without success:
- disconnect power cable and hold power button for 30 sec.
- reconnect power, power off and hold power button for 30 sec.
- move jumper from 2-pin PSWD to 2-pin CMOS for 5 seconds, and then back to PSWD.
- removed all peripherals including keyboard and mouse.
- removed all cards except video card.
- removed multiple sticks of ram.
- removed and replaced CMOS battery CR2023 with new battery.
- verified all cables are intact and properly seated.
- checked power supply, which green led still illuminates
- tried different power outlet
- swapped video card, display port cable, and monitor
- Pressed F2 and F12 on keyboard (without lights) multiple times
- Allowing adequate time for computer to fully cool down by disconnecting power cable.
At this time, I have no access to bios settings, video output, or keyboard control. I am unable to roll back bios. Maybe access system via console port or ethernet? Probably not since system continues to "reboot" every minute. I am not aware of any way to reflash bios in this current state.
Any other thoughts? Fortunately, replacement Dell 7920 motherboards on ebay are reasonably priced, about $179 US. However, this has been a big waste of time.
In the meantime, I have disabled automatic driver and bios updates via gpedit Local Group Policy Editor on my other dell systems running Windows 10 or 11:
Computer Configuration - Administrative Templates - Window Components - Window Update - Manage updates offered from Windows Update.
Knowledge Base Article 000194492
Some people say, a Windows update can't hurt your hardware. It can if it fails to install firmware properly or alters bios settings making system inaccessible.
I just updated my Dell Optiplex 5000 with Windows 11 and noted multiple firmware updates in the process. Yikes. I prefer to do my own firmware updates given how easy it is to brick a computer if the firmware update goes bad.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Rich
Chino de Oro
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January 11th, 2024 04:42
It seems like you had attempted most processes for system rescue. If you can, cross combine some of those to give it a few more try. Example, remove all peripherals except mouse and (wired) keyboard. Remove the system boot drive and try to perform BIOS recovery with a USB stick (formatted FAT32).
Don't know the reason (and will never know) but Dell had removed all recent BIOS firmware from support site. The latest release was from August 2023.
rxs0
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January 11th, 2024 04:55
@Chino de Oro Thanks Chino de Oro,
I will try the USB recovery stick next.
Unfortunately, I did update my system to the latest bios firmware, no longer available on Dell site. In the past, I always waited to update firmware due to early buggy firmware. However, with all the malware and hacking, I have been updating as soon as firmware was made available for security purposes. Guess waiting a bit is probably the better way to go.
Thanks again,
Rich
rxs0
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January 11th, 2024 07:17
I just discovered that my Precision T7920 (manufactured 10-14-2021) bought off ebay, does not have Dell support for Windows USB recovery disk creation when I entered my Service Tag number. Rats. I ended using my only option, making a recovery disk from my Dell Optiplex 5000 which does show support under its Service Tag number. I wasn't sure if this was going to work but tried it anyways as I was running out of options.
Through a combination of inserting the recovery usb drive and hitting F2, I was able to boot off the drive and access BIOS Setup when a blue light intermittently appeared on my keyboard. I did not have to actually use the Windows recover disk program as the internal drives remained intact. From here, I looked at my BIOS Events and found several entries stating "Invalid configuration information - please run SETUP program. I made sure "BIOS recovery from Hard Drive" was selected. I also instructed BIOS under POST BEHAVIOR - Warnings and Errors - Continue on Warnings and Errors - to ignore warnings and errors and continue to boot rather than prompt user. I then changed drive boot order back to my internal drive first, then the recovery usb drive. From here, the interrupted Windows 11 update continued from 32% to 100% successfully. Lastly, I rolled back my BIOS from 2.37.0 to 2.35.0. Under BIOS setting "UEFI Capsule Firmware Update", I disabled "Enable UEFI Capsule Firmware Updates" which will block BIOS updates from services such as Microsoft Windows Update and Linux Vendor Firmware Service (LVFS). So far the system seems to be running fine. As Chino de Oro stated, the 2.37.0 BIOS is no longer available on the Dell support site. In all fairness, I'm not sure if the problem was related to the Dell 2.37.0 bios or Windows 11 update or a combination of the two. I think I am going to go back to waiting a few weeks to months before I update my BIOS again.
In the meantime, prior to fixing this system which I thought was dead, I bought an extra bare bones Dell T7920 with motherboard (no CPU, memory, or drive) off ebay and well as a spare backup motherboard. Oh well, now I have two of these systems and a backup motherboard.
Thanks Chino de Oro for your help.
Rich
(edited)
Chino de Oro
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January 11th, 2024 08:08
Glad to hear a good result. There is not much one could do to prevent botched updates from bricking your system. Good thing about newer systems (after 2015) is mostly firmware recoverable.