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jorge.arce.mx
9 Posts
2
5566
September 18th, 2021 20:00
m15 R6, BIOS 1.5.1 broke Thunderbolt 4.0 port
Hi all,
I bought the computer two weeks ago. Yesterday, after a BIOS firmware 1.5.1 update (run by Windows), the Thunderbolt port is unusable. Whenever I connect a USB memory (using a Type-C hub) or a screen (using a Type-C to VGA adapter) it appears for a few seconds, (in Windows, I can hear the new device plugged-in sound effect), but after a few seconds, the device disappears (I can hear the disconnect sound effect).
I tried to reinstall the BIOS firmware (I tested the 1.5.1 and 1.4.3 versions) and the drivers (video and thunderbolt drivers), but it did not fix the issue. Before the problem, my PC had firmware version 1.3.3. and all works fine.
How can I downgrade the firmware version because once BIOS is upgraded to version 1.4.3 or later, you cannot downgrade the BIOS to earlier versions?
Any idea?
Thanks for helping me
2548
0
Posted September 18th, 2021 21:00
https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000130652/downgrading-the-system-bios-on-a-dell-system
try this guide but instead of downloading the windows variant of the bios just download the BIOS file on a usb drive so you can install it via bios reflash.
*NOTE: I am NOT a Dell employee, But I am a Community Rockstar*Quick Tip: If your laptop has voltage / charging issues, try shutting it down, unplugging power from laptop, hold power button down for 30 seconds to do a full reset!
2620
1
Posted September 19th, 2021 10:00
Hi,
Thanks for your help. I tried to download the BIOS image on a USB drive, but the main problem is that once BIOS is upgraded to version 1.4.3 or later, you cannot downgrade the BIOS to earlier versions.
And I selected the BIOS downgrade option but it also doesn't work.
2601
0
Posted September 20th, 2021 07:00
*NOTE: I am NOT a Dell employee, But I am a Community Rockstar*Quick Tip: If your laptop has voltage / charging issues, try shutting it down, unplugging power from laptop, hold power button down for 30 seconds to do a full reset!
2599
1
Posted September 20th, 2021 10:00
Hi,
Thanks for this suggestion, but it does not solve the issue. The downgrade process start but suddenly I received the same message (BIOS update blocked due to unsupported downgrade).
I can downgrade from 1.5.1 to 1.4.3, but not 1.3.3 or 1.2.0. I searched information on Dell's community Web. I found this link (https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron/BIOS-update-blocked-due-to-unsupported-downgrade-Inspiron/m-p/7492094#M74206) in which it mentions that "Once you install a BIOS that addresses any Intel Security Advisory, you cannot go back to the previous BIOS".
In order to solve the issue with the type-C (thunderbolt) port. I tried two operating systems (Windows and Linux live) and the same happens on both, so it is not an OS problem. I have used different adapters (Type-C to VGA, Type-C to HDMI, Type-C to USB hub) so it is not an adapter problem. The only thing I have not been able to do is to reinstall the factory version 1.3.3 which indicates that it is a BIOS problem.
2597
0
Posted September 20th, 2021 10:00
So you can't factory reset the laptop? You even did ctrl + esc right? I think there is an option in the bios which allows factory settings.
*NOTE: I am NOT a Dell employee, But I am a Community Rockstar*Quick Tip: If your laptop has voltage / charging issues, try shutting it down, unplugging power from laptop, hold power button down for 30 seconds to do a full reset!
2596
1
Posted September 20th, 2021 11:00
Hi,
Yes, I pressed CTRL+ESC when the PC is running the boot process.
Then the Boot Utility starts then I select the option to LOAD a BIOS from USB.
The process starts and It looks that everything is working...
But Jajaja, suddenly the warning message appears and the process is stopped.
So, it's impossible to downgrade the BIOS using firmware previous to the 1.4.3 version.
2593
0
Posted September 20th, 2021 14:00
download this one as it’s the oldest version.
*NOTE: I am NOT a Dell employee, But I am a Community Rockstar*Quick Tip: If your laptop has voltage / charging issues, try shutting it down, unplugging power from laptop, hold power button down for 30 seconds to do a full reset!
2590
0
Posted September 20th, 2021 15:00
Thank you for all these details, we really appreciate the information provided.
I understand your suspicion about the BIOS update being the cause of the problem, but we need to collect more information in order to asset this. There are a few steps I would like you to try in order to move towards a resolution. Please follow these steps:
- Check if your monitor and other devices that you use on the USB-C port work fine on another computer- Try to restore BIOS default settings:
1. Go to BIOS
2. Pres F9 to Load BIOS optimized default settings of BIOS and select "Yes"
3. Press F10 to save and Exit.
- Check the USB and thunderbolt settings on BIOS under the Advanced tab and let me know what you have there.
I will wait for your reply.
#IWork4Dell
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Dell Partner GEM Program, Out of Warranty Support options, No free goodwill repair, Get a copy of your Dell invoice2574
0
Posted September 20th, 2021 20:00
Hi,
I answer in blue.You: I understand your suspicion about the BIOS update being the cause of the problem, but we need to collect more information in order to asset this.
Me: The suspicion is due to the fact that before the port will stop working the system performed a BIOS update, however I have not been able to modify the BIOS to the factory version (1.3.3) to discard this cause.
You: Check if your monitor and other devices that you use on the USB-C port work fine on another computer
Me: I would be surprised if something so simple solved the problem, wouldn't it? Of course, I have tested the devices on another PC.
You: Try to restore BIOS default settings:
1. Go to BIOS
2. Pres F9 to Load BIOS optimized default settings of BIOS and select "Yes"
3. Press F10 to save and Exit.
Me: I've just tried to follow your instructions but it seems that they are incorrect for my Alienware. In my case during the boot process, I have to press the F2 Key and the BIOS screen is the next.
Me: If I press F9 nothing happens, but instead I can select the option "Load Defaults" (at the bottom of the screen) and there are 3 options. Before I had tried all the options and none solved the problem.
You: Check the USB and thunderbolt settings on BIOS under the Advanced tab and let me know what you have there
Me: In my case, there is no option called "Advanced tab". There is an option called "Integrated Devices" and there are the USB and Thunderbolt settings.
Monderred
4 Posts
3353
2
Posted September 29th, 2021 07:00
Hey, i had the same issue, an amazing Dell Rep gave me this instructions and now i have output through usb c, hope they can help you to, and everyone else facing this issue.
- Install the vBIOS for your computer. You can download the installation file here. Once done, restart your computer.
- Go to Device Manager and under Display Adapter make sure that both GPUs, the Nvidia and the Intel, are enabled.
- Go to Control Panel > Uninstall a program, and uninstall NVIDIA Graphics Driver, NVIDIA HD Audio Driver, NVIDIA PhysX System Driver, and NVIDIA USBC Driver. Restart the computer as needed.
- Once back in Windows, reinstall the Nvidia graphics driver using GeForce Experience and test the external monitor again.