Dell Bios Recovery Menu Loop

Details

dell-bios-recovery-menu

Not matter what option chosen, the bios operation fails. Upon closer inspection, you might notice a that the ME updated failed with error 0x000001B9.

Dell has an office KB doc here:
https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000133018/me-firmware-upgrade-failure-with-error-code-0x000001b9-during-bios-update

But it is not obvious how to end the loop.

Here is how to get out of the Dell Bios Recovery Menu loop on a Dell Precision (7550/7750):

  • -get service tag.
  • -go to https://dell.com/support (on another system).
  • -get newest bios (it will be an exe file).
  • -put the file on USB drive (does not have to be a bootable USB).
  • -power off system.
  • -unplug power source.
  • -hold CTRL+ESC buttons.
  • -plug power source in (you will not need to press the power button).
  • -BIOS RECOVERY MENU eventually shows with 3 options (as shown in pic above):
    • 1-RECOVER BIOS
    • 2-SET BIOS SETTINGS TO DEFAULT
    • 3-ROLLBACK BIOS
  • -press CTRL+ALT+DELETE (sometimes CTRL+ALT+END)
  • -system will reboot.
  • -press F12 for one-time boot menu.
  • -select FLASH BIOS UPDATE.
  • -plug in USB DRIVE.
  • -select the BIOS exe file.

The BIOS update will start and should go all the way through and reboot on its own.

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