Do not turn off your computer or disconnect from the power source while updating the BIOS as this could harm your computer. During the update, your computer will restart and you may briefly see a black screen.
Before updating, please read the installation instructions and important information noted below.
Dell Server PowerEdge BIOS R840/R940xa Version 2.18.1
Restart required AUTO INSTALLED This file was automatically installed as part of a recent update. If you are experiencing any issues, you can manually download and reinstall.This release highlights the Intel Purley Refresh IPU 2023.2 Reference Code version 627P11. For more information about specific items added and resolved in this BIOS version, see the Fixes and New and enhanced features sections.
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Fixes & Enhancements
Fixes:
- Issue: Fixed an issue where the system stops unexpectedly (at a black screen that says, "Booting from Virtual Optical Drive.") while using a virtual optical drive to install Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) version 8.7 or version 9.1.
Enhancements:
- Updated the following:
* Processor and Memory Reference Code for the second-generation Intel Xeon Processor Scalable Family to IPU 2023.2.
* The Integrate Intel Purley Refresh PV Candidate Reference Code Version to 627P11.
* Processor Microcode to version 0x3501 for the second-generation Intel Xeon Processor Scalable Family.
* Processor Microcode to version 0x6F05 for Intel Xeon Processor Scalable Family.
* S140 Software RAID firmware to version 5.9.0-0000.
* Added option for enabling/disabling if prompt on iSCSI connection error in iSCSI Device Setting (Default is enabled).
* This product release may contain security updates. Any security fix information will be accessible on the Dell Security Advisories and Notices website.
Read More- Issue: Fixed an issue where the system stops unexpectedly (at a black screen that says, "Booting from Virtual Optical Drive.") while using a virtual optical drive to install Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) version 8.7 or version 9.1.
Enhancements:
- Updated the following:
* Processor and Memory Reference Code for the second-generation Intel Xeon Processor Scalable Family to IPU 2023.2.
* The Integrate Intel Purley Refresh PV Candidate Reference Code Version to 627P11.
* Processor Microcode to version 0x3501 for the second-generation Intel Xeon Processor Scalable Family.
* Processor Microcode to version 0x6F05 for Intel Xeon Processor Scalable Family.
* S140 Software RAID firmware to version 5.9.0-0000.
* Added option for enabling/disabling if prompt on iSCSI connection error in iSCSI Device Setting (Default is enabled).
* This product release may contain security updates. Any security fix information will be accessible on the Dell Security Advisories and Notices website.
Version
2.18.1, 2.18.1
Release date
09 May 2023
Download Type
System BIOS
Category
BIOS
Importance
UrgentDell Technologies highly recommends applying this important update as soon as possible. The update contains critical bug fixes and changes to improve functionality, reliability, and stability of your Dell system. It may also include security fixes and other feature enhancements.
Available formats View Important Information
File Format: Update Package for MS Windows 64-Bit.
File Name: BIOS_PF39N_WN64_2.18.1.EXE
File Size: 28.66 MB
This is a large file. Depending on your connection speed, it may take some time to download.
Format Description:
Dell Update Packages in native Microsoft Windows 64-bit format do not require that Microsoft WOW64 be installed on the Microsoft Windows Server.
To ensure the integrity of your download, please verify the checksum value.
MD5:
b88f1f711b4ed6e73d2b00103a531156
SHA1:
98aa6fa384439c2236888aa9a2b8bc55fc6badb9
SHA-256:
7ce6bb694aab0c16cd1be205de6b3e7ccbaa5a86a46e79e3e2cd165dd2f31a05
File Format: A GnuPG file which contains a cryptographic signature
File Name: BIOS_PF39N_LN64_2.18.1.BIN.sign
File Size: 226 Bytes
This is a large file. Depending on your connection speed, it may take some time to download.
Format Description:
The GnuPG signature for Red Hat Linux Update Package can be used to authenticate Dell's identity in the correlated Red Hat Linux Update Package.
To ensure the integrity of your download, please verify the checksum value.
MD5:
676dbd9d65042cfe350443a8e5a24d35
SHA1:
93d175ecbc03f1af8dae46b53c46e7473e209731
SHA-256:
36cf99f35b2ac25b9293ce1a9233b6d7ae015d81214ea9a33936f0c28e4b16d1
File Format: A self-extracting file for use in 64-bit machines
File Name: BIOS_PF39N_EFI_2.18.1.efi
File Size: 19.6 MB
This is a large file. Depending on your connection speed, it may take some time to download.
Format Description:
This file contains compressed content that can be executed from the EFI Shell or EFI Boot Manager. Download the file to the EFI partition on a removable media device. Insert the removable media, then reboot the system and run the program from the EFI Shell or EFI Boot Manager.
To ensure the integrity of your download, please verify the checksum value.
MD5:
c3adbef0b7309d3b6716f5a603a00c92
SHA1:
8b329feba1cff29cb3ad93613ec058cce125e13f
SHA-256:
e6743f1b895f5efa3f6d80a230c2ad2973af997c02c71774548eed1a92812906
File Format: An archive of PDF files to provide help and procedural information to the customers
File Name: R840_R940xa_BIOS.2.18.1_RN.pdf
File Size: 261.69 KB
This is a large file. Depending on your connection speed, it may take some time to download.
Format Description:
This format consists of an archive of PDF files used to provide help and procedural information to the customer. It is necessary to install the Adobe Acrobat Reader first to view the files in this archive.
To ensure the integrity of your download, please verify the checksum value.
MD5:
610cb2f0635251a8621682cad24ca1cc
SHA1:
349a825bb87847ee22f4fdbca35e66eeffd1661d
SHA-256:
41200fea3ae471c479de52184149c76c579b4f587b2d4486fbf8a973ce213bea
File Format: Update Package for Red Hat Linux
File Name: BIOS_PF39N_LN64_2.18.1.BIN
File Size: 23.72 MB
This is a large file. Depending on your connection speed, it may take some time to download.
Format Description:
Dell Update Packages for Linux can be used as stand-alone applications that ensure that specific validation criteria are met, then apply an update.
Note: Update Packages for Linux are open source. See the Dell Update Packages for Linux Readme for details.
Note: Update Packages for Linux are open source. See the Dell Update Packages for Linux Readme for details.
To ensure the integrity of your download, please verify the checksum value.
MD5:
5a4852d446d33352447b884f1f20fee9
SHA1:
cda02c50c119d63e8843f497fbf5543e20e04b63
SHA-256:
bac15933c966dc46b68d0dd00a6eed0ffa5d9904e3bfe6e0ed1b0a317731c5ff
By downloading, you accept the terms of the Dell Software License Agreement.
Important Information
Rolling back to a previous BIOS from 2.14.2 will cause a TXT trusted boot failure with TXT enabled. Since the Intel ACM's SVN (Security Version Number) was increased in BIOS 2.14.2 to address the Security Vulnerabilities CVE-2021-0559, CVE-2021-33123, CVE-2021-33124. The purpose of incrementing the SVN is to prevent executing an older ACM with the vulnerabilities.
- The INTEL ACM's SVN was also increased in the BIOS 2.9.4 since the 1st BIOS revision of this platform as well.
When using an Update Package (DUP) file or the UEFI Shell command (an EFI file) to update the BIOS version, the process takes longer duration. To resolve this issue, do one of the following:
- Update the BIOS version using an Out-of-Band (OoB) tool such as iDRAC--use GUI or run the RACADM command. See the iDRAC User's Guide or RACADM CLI Reference Guide available on the support site.
- Reduce the system memory capacity by physically removing the memory modules and perform the BIOS update and retry the operation.
When one or more PCIe devices are installed on the system and if the cards require more of limited legacy I/O resources, the system might modify the I/O resources causing it to restart automatically. The UEFI0256 error message is logged, and the system does not allocate the PCIe resources required. To resolve this issue, do one of the following:
- Remove the PCIe cards from the system that are not used to free up the legacy I/O allocation and provide more I/O allocation space.
- From the System Setup menu, disable to PCIe cards that are not used to free up the legacy I/O allocation.
When one or more PCIe devices are installed on the system and if the cards require more of Memory-Mapped I/O (MMIO) resources, the system might modify the MMIO resources causing it to restart automatically. The UEFI0256 error message is logged, and the system does not allocate the required PCIe resources required. To resolve this issue, do one of the following:
- Remove the PCIe cards from the system that are not used to free up the MMIO allocation.
- From the System Setup menu, enable the Memory Mapped I/O above 4GB option to free up the MMIO allocation.
NOTE: Before working inside your system, follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety Instructions topic in the Installation and Services Manual of your respective server model available on the support site.
- The INTEL ACM's SVN was also increased in the BIOS 2.9.4 since the 1st BIOS revision of this platform as well.
When using an Update Package (DUP) file or the UEFI Shell command (an EFI file) to update the BIOS version, the process takes longer duration. To resolve this issue, do one of the following:
- Update the BIOS version using an Out-of-Band (OoB) tool such as iDRAC--use GUI or run the RACADM command. See the iDRAC User's Guide or RACADM CLI Reference Guide available on the support site.
- Reduce the system memory capacity by physically removing the memory modules and perform the BIOS update and retry the operation.
When one or more PCIe devices are installed on the system and if the cards require more of limited legacy I/O resources, the system might modify the I/O resources causing it to restart automatically. The UEFI0256 error message is logged, and the system does not allocate the PCIe resources required. To resolve this issue, do one of the following:
- Remove the PCIe cards from the system that are not used to free up the legacy I/O allocation and provide more I/O allocation space.
- From the System Setup menu, disable to PCIe cards that are not used to free up the legacy I/O allocation.
When one or more PCIe devices are installed on the system and if the cards require more of Memory-Mapped I/O (MMIO) resources, the system might modify the MMIO resources causing it to restart automatically. The UEFI0256 error message is logged, and the system does not allocate the required PCIe resources required. To resolve this issue, do one of the following:
- Remove the PCIe cards from the system that are not used to free up the MMIO allocation.
- From the System Setup menu, enable the Memory Mapped I/O above 4GB option to free up the MMIO allocation.
NOTE: Before working inside your system, follow the safety guidelines listed in the Safety Instructions topic in the Installation and Services Manual of your respective server model available on the support site.
Supported Operating Systems
Not Applicable
Applies to
PowerEdge BIOS
Installation instructions
Dell Update Package Instructions for DRMK
Download
1. Click the "Download" link to download the file.
2. If the Export Compliance Disclaimer window appears, click the "I agree" link if you accept the agreement.
3. When the File Download window appears, click "Save" to save the file to your hard drive.
Installation
NOTE: You must provide a DOS bootable media, such as a USB key. This executable file does not create the DOS system files.
1. Browse to the location where you downloaded the file.
2. Update the name of the file to DOS recognizable format (8.3). If you do not update the filename to 8.3 format, the filename will be truncated to 8.3 format.
3. Copy the file to the bootable device.
4. Boot the system to DOS by using the bootable device.
5. Run the executable under DOS. Follow the instructions provided by the flash utility.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dell Update Package Instructions for EFI
Download
1. Click the "Download" link to download the file.
2. If the Export Compliance Disclaimer window appears, click the "I agree" link if you accept the agreement.
3. When the File Download window appears, click "Save" to save the file to your hard drive.
Installation
You can update the BIOS using a UEFI shell bootable media, such as a USB key.
1. Copy the file to the bootable device with UEFI shell.
2. Boot the system to UEFI shell by using the bootable device.
3. Run the executable (.efi) under the UEFI shell. Follow the instructions provided by the flash utility.
You can also load this executable directly from BIOS Boot Manager without a UEFI shell bootable media.
1. Copy the file to a USB device
2. Plug in the USB device and press F11 during POST to enter BIOS Boot Manager
3. Navigate to the System Utilities menu and select BIOS Update File Explorer
4. Select the USB device and navigate through the directory contents to find the executable (.efi)
5. Launch the executable and follow the instructions provided by the flash utility.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dell Update Package Instructions for Linux DUP:
Download
1. Click the "Download" link to download the file.
2. When the File Download window appears, click "Save" to save the file to your hard drive.
Installation
1. Read over the release information presented by executing the "./[model]_BIOS_LX_[revision].BIN --version" command from the shell.
2. Download and install any prerequisites identified in the above step before proceeding.
3. Install any necessary Embedded Systems Management firmware prior to this BIOS update.
4. Run the update by executing "./[model]_BIOS_LX_[version].BIN" from the shell.
5. Follow the remaining prompts to perform the update.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dell Update Package Instructions for Windows Dup:
Download
1. Click the "Download" link to download the file.
2. When the File Download window appears, click "Save" to save the file to your hard drive.
Installation
1. Browse to the location where you downloaded the file and double-click the new file.
2. Read over the release information presented in the dialog window.
3. Download and install any prerequisites identified in the dialog window before proceeding.
4. Install any necessary Embedded Systems Management firmware prior to this BIOS update.
5. Click the Install button.
6. Follow the remaining prompts to perform the update.
---------------------------------------------
GnuPG Signature of Dell Update Package Instructions:
Download
1. Click the "Download" link to download the file.
2. When the "File Download" window appears, click "Save" to save the file to your hard drive.
Installation
1. Import the Dell public key. (You only need to do once on your system.)
2.Verify the Dell Update Package by using its signature file, [model]_BIOS_LX_[version].BIN.sign
Download
1. Click the "Download" link to download the file.
2. If the Export Compliance Disclaimer window appears, click the "I agree" link if you accept the agreement.
3. When the File Download window appears, click "Save" to save the file to your hard drive.
Installation
NOTE: You must provide a DOS bootable media, such as a USB key. This executable file does not create the DOS system files.
1. Browse to the location where you downloaded the file.
2. Update the name of the file to DOS recognizable format (8.3). If you do not update the filename to 8.3 format, the filename will be truncated to 8.3 format.
3. Copy the file to the bootable device.
4. Boot the system to DOS by using the bootable device.
5. Run the executable under DOS. Follow the instructions provided by the flash utility.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dell Update Package Instructions for EFI
Download
1. Click the "Download" link to download the file.
2. If the Export Compliance Disclaimer window appears, click the "I agree" link if you accept the agreement.
3. When the File Download window appears, click "Save" to save the file to your hard drive.
Installation
You can update the BIOS using a UEFI shell bootable media, such as a USB key.
1. Copy the file to the bootable device with UEFI shell.
2. Boot the system to UEFI shell by using the bootable device.
3. Run the executable (.efi) under the UEFI shell. Follow the instructions provided by the flash utility.
You can also load this executable directly from BIOS Boot Manager without a UEFI shell bootable media.
1. Copy the file to a USB device
2. Plug in the USB device and press F11 during POST to enter BIOS Boot Manager
3. Navigate to the System Utilities menu and select BIOS Update File Explorer
4. Select the USB device and navigate through the directory contents to find the executable (.efi)
5. Launch the executable and follow the instructions provided by the flash utility.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dell Update Package Instructions for Linux DUP:
Download
1. Click the "Download" link to download the file.
2. When the File Download window appears, click "Save" to save the file to your hard drive.
Installation
1. Read over the release information presented by executing the "./[model]_BIOS_LX_[revision].BIN --version" command from the shell.
2. Download and install any prerequisites identified in the above step before proceeding.
3. Install any necessary Embedded Systems Management firmware prior to this BIOS update.
4. Run the update by executing "./[model]_BIOS_LX_[version].BIN" from the shell.
5. Follow the remaining prompts to perform the update.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dell Update Package Instructions for Windows Dup:
Download
1. Click the "Download" link to download the file.
2. When the File Download window appears, click "Save" to save the file to your hard drive.
Installation
1. Browse to the location where you downloaded the file and double-click the new file.
2. Read over the release information presented in the dialog window.
3. Download and install any prerequisites identified in the dialog window before proceeding.
4. Install any necessary Embedded Systems Management firmware prior to this BIOS update.
5. Click the Install button.
6. Follow the remaining prompts to perform the update.
---------------------------------------------
GnuPG Signature of Dell Update Package Instructions:
Download
1. Click the "Download" link to download the file.
2. When the "File Download" window appears, click "Save" to save the file to your hard drive.
Installation
1. Import the Dell public key. (You only need to do once on your system.)
2.Verify the Dell Update Package by using its signature file, [model]_BIOS_LX_[version].BIN.sign
Need help with BIOS issues?
Find a solution in Dell's BIOS troubleshooting and usage guide.Drivers help and tutorials
For more downloads go to the Drivers and downloads. For help on using the information on this page, please visit Driver Help and Tutorials.