Optiplex 5055 RyzenBIOS Faulty (not upgradable) 1.5 version upgrade

[LaszloE]

I have a Optiplex 5055 SFF Ryzen. I would like to upgrade my 1.5.0 BIOS to the latest (in this case 1.15.0).

What I think is the problem, that there was critical bug (issue) in version 1.5.0 and it cannot be upgraded or downgraded anymore.
Side Note: Dell "retracted" version 1.5.0. You cannot downloaded from the old versions.

When one wants to upgrade (or downgrade (downgrade enabled from BIOS)) the 1.5.0 the following erroneous or misleading error message is displayed:

• BIOS Updated blocked due to unsupported downgrade
  

Like I said, the current 1.5.0 version does not allow itself to be replaced and give this misleading error message.

I also tried the Linux command:

Code:

fwupdmgr get-updates

But for the Bios I get this error message:

Code:

├─System Firmware:
│ │   Device ID:          86916062c3d836787e2824f9935d5f8cfafb473d
│ │   Summary:            UEFI System Resource Table device (updated via NVRAM)
│ │   Current version:    1.5.0
│ │   Minimum Version:    1.5.0
│ │   Vendor:             Dell (DMI:Dell Inc.)
│ │   Update State:       Failed
│ │   Update Error:       failed to update to 0: error-unsuccessful
│ │   GUID:               1615a963-8806-490d-aaa3-a9ed02c6c6b6
│ │   Device Flags:       • Internal device
│ │                       • Updatable
│ │                       • System requires external power source
│ │                       • Supported on remote server
│ │                       • Needs a reboot after installation
│ │                       • Cryptographic hash verification is available
│ │                       • Device is usable for the duration of the update
│ │   Device Requests:    • Message

Update failed when I tried to continue with fwupdmg (fwupdmgr update).  

I also tried flashrom, the command:

Code:

sudo flashrom -p internal

Leads me to this:

Code:

...
Using clock_gettime for delay loops (clk_id: 1, resolution: 1ns).
No DMI table found.
Found chipset "AMD FP4".
Enabling flash write... Disabling write protection of flash addresses from 0xff122000 to 0xff162fff failed.
Disabling read protection of flash addresses from 0xff130000 to 0xff18dbff failed.
FCH device found but SMBus revision 0x61 does not match known values.
...

Similar issue: #292
I was able to extract the bios.bin from the Dell OptiPlex 5055 System BIOS.
Is there any way on how I can update the firmware from the running computer or CH341A BIOS Flash is my only hope?

[LaszloE]

Came back to express my sorrows.

Since then I have learned that one can do a BIOS Upgrade from the BIOS itself.

By pressing F12 at boot time and getting into the "One-Time boot menu".
I cannot attach images to show how did it did, so I will describe it.

When first I tried it wrote me out that "OptiPlex_5055_A_Series_1.15.0" bios is not compatible with my "OptiPlex_5055_Ryzen_APU_BIOS" bios.
Eventually I have located my correct model with the Service Tag.

Apparently there are multiple Optiplex 5055 Products Out there:

• OptiPlex_5055_Ryzen_CPU_1.15.0.exe
  
• OptiPlex_5055_A_Series_1.15.0
  
• OptiPlex_5055_Ryzen_APU_BIOS_1.15.0
  

Ryzen APU Bios is for me.

Even when I gave the bios the right Bios Driver (OptiPlex_5055_Ryzen_APU_BIOS_1.15.0) and allowed me to go ahead with the upgrade got to the same error message:

• BIOS Updated blocked due to unsupported downgrade
  

Next post will be about CH341A BIOS Flash dead end.

[LaszloE]

I got myself a  CH341A Programmer (Black edition).

Located the BIOS Chip (Or I think located it). Markings on the chip were:

Winbond
25Q128JVSQ
1847

Looking into the Winbond manufacturing, the product number: W25Q128JVSIQ

Proceeded with numerous drivers and Programmer software, but just could not read the chip.

Here is how far I got:

Case 1:
- Plug in the CH341A. 
- System recognize it and adds a device "USB UART-LPT". 
- When I connect the cables to the chip, the "CH341A Programmer hardware" is getting dropped from the System.
    - "USB UART-LPT" disappears from "Bluetooth and other device settings".
    - The yellow "Run" led on the  "CH341A Programmer hardware" lights on, but all the programmer software's (NeoProgrammer V2.2.0.10, Colibri, CH341A Mini Programmer (Black Edition)) cannot read the chip.

Case 2:
- Connect the cable to the BIOS Chip ahead.
- I plug in the "CH341A Programmer hardware" the yellow "Run" led also turns on (not just the red "Power" led), but system cannot recognize the hardware.

Case 3:
- Deliberately connect the cable to the BIOS Chip ahead, badly (reversed).
- Plug in the CH341A. 
- System recognize it and adds a device "USB UART-LPT". 
- No reading can be done by the programmers.

Case 4:
- Connecting the cable, in I do not know what state (good or bad).
- Plug in the CH341A. 
- System recognize it and adds a device "USB UART-LPT". 
- Programmer software can see the hardware (programmer), but as I move the cable on the chip, hardware programmer gets dropped or disconnected.

It seems that this Chip: 25Q128JVSQ (W25Q128JVSIQ) might not be supported.

The closest Chips that NeoProgrammer V2.2.0.10 lists are:

• W25Q128JV; 
  
• W25Q128JV-xM;
  

This is a BIOS that just does not wants to be upgraded.

On the forums, there is a lot of information on how to make your "CH341A Programmer hardware" 3.3 V compatible. I do not think that is the issue. I have the v1.8, that can adjust voltage automatically.