XPS 8940, BIOS 2.14.0

@RoHe​ 

Perhaps Microsoft is behind.  It is true they are not recommending 2.14 yet.   I am disappointed that bios 2.14 was ever installed on my machine, whether it was done by Microsoft or Dell.  Since reverting back to 2.13.1 it has been very stable again.  I am seeing some fairly old comments about how 2.14 causes freezes back towards the beginning of the year.  So why 7-8 months later they would throw it on my machine makes no sense.  It caused me the pain all those other people experienced back then.    bleh!

@jello909​

@RoHe​ 

I am seeing some fairly old comments about how 2.14 causes freezes back towards the beginning of the year.  So why 7-8 months later they would throw it on my machine makes no sense.

That BIOS version, V2.14 is BRAND new... you might have read in it a SUBJECT started 7 or 8 months ago. Need to read the date of the post, not the start of a subject. If I am wrong, post the link please?

As for this part:

@RoHe​ 

Perhaps Microsoft is behind.  It is true they are not recommending 2.14 yet.   I am disappointed that bios 2.14 was ever installed on my machine, whether it was done by Microsoft or Dell. 

Dell IS recommending it, but only if you signed up for email about NEW files for your specific PC. Recommended in terms that it is NEW, and it really is up to you to look at the Support Download page and see the 'rating' and decide IF you want it.

Done by MS, then you have ON Capsule Update in BIOS... Dell, no, you have to OK it, either in Support Assist or Dell Update, don't just blindly update any suggested update, check it out first.

Good that reverting back restored stability. Now watch those V2.14 threads and see what happens or wait for a BIOS update or new one. Before leaping, check this forum for comments on either... safest way to proceed.

@jello909​

Perhaps Microsoft is behind.  It is true they are not recommending 2.14 yet.   I am disappointed that bios 2.14 was ever installed on my machine, whether it was done by Microsoft or Dell.  Since reverting back to 2.13.1 it has been very stable again.  I am seeing some fairly old comments about how 2.14 causes freezes back towards the beginning of the year.  So why 7-8 months later they would throw it on my machine makes no sense.  It caused me the pain all those other people experienced back then.    bleh!

Sorry, but that's not correct. BIOS 2.14.0 was only released for XPS 8940 on 11 Sep 2023. So it's brand new, and not old like you said.

For XPS 8940, Dell only released BIOS versions 2.11, 2.12 and 2.13 in all of 2023, before 2.14 was released.

If you have SupportAssist/Dell Update running on your system, that's how you could have gotten the 2.14 update, since Windows Update is still offering 2.13.1. 

I'd disable (or uninstall) SupportAssist/Dell Update so they can't try to install BIOS 2.14 again. I'd also disable UEFI Capsule Updates in BIOS setup so Windows Update can't install it, if/when Microsoft offers 2.14...

@RoHe​ 

If you have SupportAssist/Dell Update running on your system, that's how you could have gotten the 2.14 update, since Windows Update is still offering 2.13.1. 

I am not sure about how those work on an 8930 I think you have, but on the 8940, those, at least for me, never do a 'blind' install. That is update any file  without your knowledge.

SA when it does a scan says it found file(s):

x

If you hover your mouse over that section, you'd see this:

If you click on the blue lines, you get info on the update too and its Importance. The BIOS says "urgent" no less.

Similar for Dell Update:

Neither that I know of will do any of these without you allowing it? Does it work differently for you on your XPS or am I missing something?

Good advices Rohe and ispalten.  I will be watching bios updates a bit closer in the future.  I don't think I have ever had a new bios update break anything.  Maybe I have just been lucky.  Thankfully Dell provides older bios to be downloaded.

@jello909​ 

I guess you got your 8940 after Jan. 2022? After V2.4.0 came out then? That broke users with Nvidia cards, but back leveling to V2.3.0 cured it. Later BIOS versions had varying degree of the problem though, some might have even had it fixed. Dell never commented on it nor are known to have fixed the problem, and it still does happen randomly.

For those that have Nvidia card it is a never ending problem.

I downgraded to 2.13.1 and 2.12 and still have the problem
It looks like it is happening only when the screen saver is activating
Maybec something else was shipped with the Bios (power management ?)

2.14.0 causes the computer to randomly freeze.  Don't upgrade.

​@Mordalak​ 

The Intel Management Engine was also updated in the 2.14 Dell bios package. But apparently that component apparently can not be downgraded to a previous version. This is why one will see the Intel ME update failed message while trying to downgrade the Dell bios package to an earlier version. And it's likely a issue within the Intel ME firmware that is contributing to the freezing issues.

Just an FYI, using the Dell Studio drivers 8/14 with firmware 2.14.0 doesn't have lockup issues. Using the latest Nvidia drivers with that firmware does. So if you can't revert at least using the Dell drivers prevents the lockup on Nvidia systems.  Here is to hoping that 14.0.1 fixes it 

Exactly the test I did yesterday

Reinstall Bios 2.14.0
Downgrade GeForce drivers from 537.34 to 537.13
So far, no more freezing

@JamieLinux​ @Mordalak 

Good to know!!!

So Nvidia appears to be the culprit or part of the problem?

I'm not so sure though, if Nvidia was part of the problem, those drivers would fail on all versions of the BIOS, no?

Is it just switching to the Nvideo Studio version or the Dell version? Doesn't appear that Dell releases Game Ready drivers though?

I'm not on V2.14 but V2.13 running the Game Ready latest.

So I assume then if one had the Studio drivers being use, they'd not have the problem, even if the driver was from Nvidia? Could explain why not so many complaints showing up? Either not updating the BIOS or using only Dell drivers?

@ispalten​ 

I was freezing with Bios 2.14, 2.13.1 and 2.12

Now I'm running Bios 2.14
So far, no freezing with the previous version of the GeForce Game Ready drivers (version 537.13)

Looks like the problem is in the latest GeForce drivers

@Mordalak​ 

Wow, guess someone had to figure out how Nvidia Driver just swapping out the BIOS to the newest is the problem, but not with the prior one? I think Dell should PULL V2.14.0 until they can figure that out?

@ispalten​ Funny fact the studio drivers actually are an fps boost in most games LOL over the GRE drivers. (there are actual YT benchmarks proving it.) I assume the normal studio drivers or GRE drivers from the same date would work the same as the Dell-provided ones. 

100% agree Dell needs to pull the firmware update.  Honestly wish Dell would work with Nvidia to solve the problem, especially since Dell also has their own Nvidia GPUs.