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XPS 8950, SA and DU incompatible
SA (SupportAssist) vs DU (Dell Update) incompatible
I have a Dell XPS 8950 desktop, running Windows 11 64-bit 22H2.
It has a PC SN810 NVMe WDC 512GB SSD, running Firmware Version: 61912523.
Support Assist "recommends" that I install this storage firmware for this SSD:
Western Digital SN810 Solid State Drive Firmware Update
Version: 6191.2524
If I go to the Dell website and enter my Service Tag number, Dell gives me a different storage firmware update:
Samsung-PM9A1-Solid-State-Drive-Firmware-Update_58WKD_WIN64_3631.0229_A00.EXE
If I click "Full driver details", "Compatible Systems", my Dell XPS 8950 is listed.
But, as you can see, the above firmware update is for a Samsung SSD, while I have a Western Digital SSD.
And again, what Support Assist tells me I need is not the same as what the Dell Support site tells me I need, even when I enter my Service Tag. Perhaps Dell began installing Samsung-PM9A1 SSDs at some point, but I would think that a Service Tag uniquiely identify a particular build with all parts.
This is not the first time this has happened, where Support Assist gives me one list of updates, and the Dell Support site gives me another list of updates...for instance, Bluetooth updates, BIOS updates.
Can anyone explain this? Am I missing something? If any of you are running Support Assist, see if entering your Service Tag gives the same list of updates.
I wonder what would have happened if I tried to flash the Samsung firmware update to my machine which has a Western Digital SSD. Would it have said, "No,not compatible", or would I have bricked my machine.
RoHe
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January 15th, 2024 03:52
@52e25005df3043d - Did you buy this PC directly from Dell or from a 3rd party seller? Is it a refurbished system from the Dell Outlet store or from somewhere else?
After you enter your Service Tag on the Support site (Don't post it here.) and your PC is correctly identified, look on the right side of the screen under Quick Links for a link to the factory specs.
See exactly which SSD is listed in the specs. I wonder if the factory specs don't match the hardware that is installed in your PC, for whatever reason...
Chino de Oro
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January 14th, 2024 03:35
Dell support site does have update driver for WD SN810 listed. You can find a comprehensive list here https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-vi/product-support/product/xps-8950-desktop/drivers
Certainly, do not install Samsung firmware to your WD drive. While the installation would not allowed, you do not want to put too much garbage into your operating system.
MastiffX
2 Intern
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214 Posts
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January 14th, 2024 17:23
This is my story:
(I removed SmartAssist, and instead) I receive an email from Dell saying that there is an available update for the Intel UHD graphics chip in my XPS 8960. Looking at the Dell Support page that shows drivers for my PC, I notice that no such update appears! I'm getting ready to ask the Dell Community about this ...
... and then I realize that the list of drivers on Dell's web page is sorted by "Importance" rather than by "Release Date." I resort the list by "Release Date" and there's my UHD driver!
Just saying.
(edited)
52e25005df3043d
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January 15th, 2024 23:07
@RoHe
You are right.
I bought the machine directly from Dell, as a new machine (not a refurb or an outlet machine), and I have not changed anything within.
Western Digital's Dashboard tells me the SSD is:
PC SN810 NVMe WDC 512GB SSD, running Firmware Version: 61912523.
Crystal Disk Info gives:
PC SN810 NVMe WDC 512GB 512.1 GB
Speccy gives:
PC SN810 NVMe WDC 512GB (SSD)
Dell System Configuration gives this for my Service Tag:
PC SN810 NVMe WDC 512GB (SSD)
Looks like the SSD installed in my machine is not the one listed on the configuration for my machines's Service Tag. I think this is really sloppy and makes me leery of trusting Dell Update.
I know a previous reply said that trying to install the incorrect SSD firmware wouldn't brick my machine because the WD SSD wouldn't allow the install to complete, but...who knows?
I suspect if I reported this to Dell, I get "Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused".
(edited)
RoHe
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January 16th, 2024 01:59
@52e25005df3043d Sorry, but I'm totally confused...
From what I see in your post above, every way you looked gave you the exact same result for the SSD: PC SN810 NVMe WDC 512GB.
So exactly how is "Dell System Configuration" different than "...listed on the configuration for my machines's Service Tag"? And what exactly SSD does "configuration for my machine's Service Tag" list, if it's incorrect...?
(edited)
52e25005df3043d
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January 16th, 2024 03:06
@RoHe
My huge apologies. I made a mistake when copying/pasting what was shown on Dell System Configuration for my Service Tag. Here's what I meant to copy/paste, which was shown on for my Service Tag:
SSDR, 512GB, G44, 80S3, SMSNG, PM9A1
As you can see, that indicates a Samsung SSD, which is incorrect, since the SSD in my machine was shipped with a Western Digital SSD drive.
RoHe
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January 17th, 2024 02:13
No problems... Now contact Dell Tech Support and explain the SSD situation.
Be curious to hear what they have to say, and how to fix it...
RoHe
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January 17th, 2024 02:24
@52e25005df3043d - One more thingy...
How many SSDs does your PC actually have installed? The XPS 8950 has two M.2 slots for NVME SSDs.
So is the Samsung PM9A1 the boot (C:) drive and the WDC SN810 is a data (D:) drive, or vice versa?
And do you also have a SATA 3.5" HDD installed?
Did Dell (or you) accidentally install the OS on the "wrong" SSD, if you have two of them?
52e25005df3043d
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January 19th, 2024 23:14
Yes, it does have two M.2 slots, but there is only one drive in this machine. It's the one that Dell installed. It's the PC SN810 NVMe WDC 512GB (SSD). There are no other drives, SSD or hard, in the machine.
I did think about calling Dell and telling them of the of the discrepancy, but I've been a Dell customer for 20 years, and I've not found telephone help, helpful. Too many times, against my better judgement, I've trusted Dell technicians, who don't think outside of their scripts. It's caused me to have to reinstall an OS, and reformat a hard drive.
(The profile shown for me says "Rookie". When Dell 'improved' their website, it lost all of my earlier posts...hundreds, and reset my Profile to Rookie.)
RoHe
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January 20th, 2024 00:47
I pinged my Dell contacts...
FWIW, everyone reverted to Rookie (including me) when the platform was updated. And lots of old posts seem to have been lost.
Dell promises to fix the problems with this last update, but there's been no official ETA for the fixes. And I don't know if they'll be able to upgrade users back to their former level, but don't let that stop you from contributing around here...
And Ye Shall Find
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January 21st, 2024 14:01
IMO, Dell is lazy and sloppy and unprofessional. Data listed in the web-portal is apparently for a "standard build". Dell will liberally and arbitrarily swap components at time of shipment based upon availability, cost, and other factors - all WITHOUT BOTHERING TO UPDATE DATA SHOWN FOR THE SERVICE TAG. I found this out after countless hours going back and forth with Premiere Support. It's a big secret!
I use both sources and carefully check the details page before installing anything!