Can someone guide me installing an NUC6i5SYH BIOS Update Please?

[six-h]

I understand my NUC6i5SYH which you folks helped me to build needs an urgent BIOS Update.

I have used this machine as my daily workhorse and been well pleased with it and don't want to hurt it!

This evening, I was Googling to see if it would likely run Davinci Resolve 16 when I stumbled across a blog post on "Techsterweb.com" dated Dec 2019 alerting me to an "urgent" firmware advisory!

This is something I dread doing and really need step by step help to achieve it without doing irreparable damage!

I'm being directed to this web page 

Can anybody help me?

[LeonWaksman]

Hi @six-h 

1. Follow instructions to update BIOS, using the BIOS Recovery Method from the Power Button Menu. This is the recommended method in my opinion: 
2. Prepare USB stick fully formatted to FAT32 (disable quick format option during format). Format your USB on Windows machine (rather than Linux or MAC). Save the Bios file SY0073.bio on this stick and insert it into front USB slot with amber color (NUC shall be OFF). You may use also one of the rear USB ports (do not use front blue USB port, since sometime the USB stick is not recognized during boot process). 
3. Press and hold Power Button for about 3 seconds. Count 1001, 1002, 1003,1004. Release the Power Button. NUC should reboot into Power Button Menu. You should release the Power Button before 4-sec shut down override or when the Power Button LED changes color from blue to amber. 
4. Press F4 and the recovery shall start (it can take up to 30 seconds for messages to appear on the screen). 
5. When the recovery finishes, press on Power Button and hold it, until NUC switches OFF. Pull out the power cord. Remove the USB stick. 
6. Replace the power cord and press Power Button to switch the computer to ON. 
7. Enter Bios setting by pressing F2 during boot process. 
8. Press F9(followed by "Y"), to set Bios to default settings. Press F10 (followed by "Y"), to save the settings and exit to O.S. Let the NUC fully reboot. 
9. If before update, you have customized bios settings, you can enter again to Bios setting to change the necessary settings. 

   Leon

[six-h]

Hello Leon and thanks for your quick reply.

Since I'm not safe to be left alone with anything other than a wax crayon, I have a few questions!

Is a 4GB stick OK?

Just to be clear, the file to download is the top one on the page, "SY0073.bio".

Do I need to verify it with the checksum given? If so I'll have to download the software.

Final trap! ...since I use a BT Desk-set, I presume a USB Keyboard will be needed

Regarding previous customisations of the BIOS, I have no idea.

There's something in the back of my mind from when I assembled this machine in 2016 about UEFI and "Legacy support/software"??

I'll try and find the details from back then if they are still available and let you know.  

[LeonWaksman · Accepted solution]

Hi @six-h 

I'm answering to your questions:

1. 4 GB USB stick is more than enough - the BIOS file is less than 7 MB
2. Correct, the SY0073.bio you need to download is the first download on this page.
3. Since you are downloading from the official Intel Site, you don't need verify the checksum.
4. Yes, you are right. BT keyboard is not suitable. You need to use wired keyboard or wireless keyboard working with USB receiver. The BT is not active until boot into Windows.
5. About the previous BIOS customization. Usually the default settings working best. However you need to verify, before starting update, that the UEFI boot is enabled in BIOS (this is the default boot mode). Enter BIOS Advanced > Boot > Boot Priority and check that the UEFI Boot is enabled. If only Legacy Boot is enabled, do not reset your BIOS to Default settings, since your system is booting in Legacy Mode. If you are not sure, please download the Intel System Support Utility. Run the SSU scan, save the results and the txt file with the results, please attach to your post. 
   
   Leon

[six-h]

Sorry not to have replied this evening Leon.

Have you ever had one of those days when every conceivable thing has gone wrong, just to spite you personally Grrr!

...Well I have just lived through one such, and I'm in need of three fingers of Scotch and a darkened room.

Nothing to do with my PC, just everything else I've touched today and in large part that involves a darkening cloud over Cupertino, mentioning no names! 

Maybe tomorrow will be better, I'll check what the current BIOS says before proceeding further.

[six-h]

Hi Leon, back in the World!

That was scary but seems to have been done OK thanks to your clear instructions.

I did check the BIOS prior to doing the update and it showed the UEFI tab with a check mark in the box, so it seems it was never previously changed from default, and that state is ongoing.

I am presuming that with the default BIOS settings I will be able in the future, to boot from Linux OS's on USB/External drives.

I've not yet tried that with this machine since a Microsoft engineer messed up my almost virgin Win10 install so badly that Microsoft actually paid me £50 for the carnage caused!

Since then I have limped along with the damage as I am too scared of doing a complete reinstall to correct it, which has kinda taken the shine off my pleasure in using my NUC.

Shame really!

Thanks again for helping me.

I have to admit that I have not updated any of the drivers on this machine (unless Microsoft almighty has ridden roughshod over my instructions never to update drivers!) and wonder if I really need to.

I fear it may be a difficult process!

[LeonWaksman]

Hi @six-h 

1. I'm glad that your BIOS is now. As you can see it was not so complicated.
2. In order to update your drivers, you have to download and install the Chipset Software (if it wasn't done already in the past).
3. This is a link to Intel Download Site with the latest drivers for your NUC. You may download and install all drivers. However, easer for you will be to use the Intel Driver & Support Assistant (IDSA). After manually installing the Chipset Software Driver (para. 2 above), The IDSA will download and install all other drivers and keep your NUC updated.

Leon

[six-h]

Hi Leon,

I'm also pleased and relieved, that the BIOS Update went uncharacteristically well - for me!

 Re: 2) Chipset software, looking back through my notes on the original build, it seems I installed https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25911/Chipset-Intel-Chipset-Device-Software-for-Intel-NUC?...  Chipset: Intel® Chipset Device Software for Intel® NUC.

I presume this latest software which is only two months later will overwrite the above?

Is it just a case of unzipping and double clicking on the executable file?

Re:3) I had several questions, most of which evaporated as I read further into the links!

Some however remain, and there may be more as I read more thoroughly:

I was looking at the comprehensive list of drivers, and especially the quantity of them when you hit the "More" button at the bottom of the page!

First I noticed that the BIOS Update just applied is among them, as are drivers for stuff I don't have the hardware for i.e NFC kit.

I presume that the IDSA will sift through those which are and are not needed?

I also saw mention that Driver updates are not necessarily required if all is performing normally and there are no nasty yellow triangles in Device Manager, which would appear to be my current situation.

I thought that drivers should be kept up to date for security reasons as well as optimum performance, so is it best to install all that the IDSA flags up or not?

Thanks for advising me about this tool, it does sound as if it will be useful.

[LeonWaksman]

1. Please download and install the Chipset Software from the link in my previous post. This is Driver for your NUC6i6SYH, while the Chipset Driver linked in your post is for legacy discontinued Intel NUC Kits and Boards. Unzip the archived driver and double click on SetupChipset.exe to install it. 
2. After installing the Chipset Software Driver, install the IDSA and it will help you to download and update all the drivers. If you prefer to update drivers manually, download and install the drivers marked with word "Latest" in the Version column, but all the time that IDSA works correctly, it is not necessary. 
3. You are right, that normally if you have correct Chipset Software Driver installed, Windows update should keep your computer updated, but better use the IDSA which is updated better than Microsoft Catalog.

Leon

[six-h]

Thanks for that Leon, I've downloaded the Chipset software and the IDSA Tool.

I'll wait until morning to install them, so that I can see if the updated BIOS has any unwanted effects, and in any event, I will perform better after a night's sleep!

I will re-read the IDSA notes but can you tell me if it downloads and installs drivers selectively  rather tan each and every?

Initial impressions are that it certainly seems to be the answer to my needs and hopefully it will stop Microsoft being tempted to install any of their drivers! 

[LeonWaksman]

Hi @six-h 

1. When I install drivers using IDSA, I'm installing all drivers offered by IDSA. Usually only one or two drivers are offered, depends of you computer status and new drivers status in Intel Download Center. But do not forget to install the Chipset Driver first. It may happen that if you have installed now an old Graphics Driver (legacy driver), the IDSA will not be able to install the new DCH Graphics Driver. In this case, I'll give you instruction how to do this.
2. After installing the IDSA, the update status will be checked automatically every start and you will see in Taskbar Hidden Area a IDSA icon. 
3. The Drivers installed by IDSA are the latest drivers in Download Center. But, it was reported that some times the Microsoft with its update is overwriting Intel Drivers (which is not right). If this will happen, you may always disable Windows to update your drivers. 

Leon

[six-h]

Hi Leon,

Tried to install the chipset software and was greeted with: "A newer version already installed do you really want to downgrade?" 

I attach screenshots.

I had to check that I was trying to install the version that you linked me to, and that as can be seen is correct.

I don't know where to look to verify the version already installed, but I feel sure that long ago, I tried to stop MS updates from installing drivers. On checking, I see that it has been re-set to "allowed" (assuming that I did indeed deny permission on this machine as well).

Can I actually check which version is installed somehow? 

I might be getting confused with happenings on my Erazer machine where MS updates keeps installing a driver that deprives me of the touchpad, and some times also the Kb!

Instructions lodged to "Deny" on the Erazer, are as per the "Permissions" screenshot here, regularly ignored/re-set by "Major" updates despite having also attempted to stop this happening via another method as well which I can't recall now but it is a standard procedure, and again MS Almighty sometimes ignores that too.

That's led me to squirrel away copies of the Synaptics driver which works on the Erazer all over the place because Synaptics has since stopped hosting that driver on their website!

[LeonWaksman]

Do not hesitate and install the Chipset Software Version: 10.1.1.9 (Latest) Date: 7/14/2015. This is the latest software release for your NUC. You actually can't check the version since it is not real driver, rather definition .inf files. From the attached image of Update History I can see that your Graphics Driver is the latest driver validated for your NUC - Version: 27.20.100.8681. So, you will not have any problem with this driver.

Driver ud permission.JPG shows the correct place to stop Windows to update the drivers. Now the update is permitted. In the future if you decide to cancel this permission, check "No" 

Leon

[six-h]

Hmm! why did I expect anything different!

First problem after "downgrading" to the latest Chipset software was that the first item on the list attempted to install and came up with a message to the effect that it was not possible as the current "something or other" I can't recall the wording since I had dismissed the message incorrectly thinking the installer would automatically sort the problem.

... it didn't, it just closed and went on to the next item!

Next problem was the BT driver install process has now denied me my Kb, and is playing "hide the sausage with Bluetooth, it is switched off, and no longer shows in the Notification area, it's "tile" is gone!

I have gotten into a mess on previous occasions with BT, so don't want to go seek in Device Manager without prior wisdom!  Currently stuck with my old clunky USB Kb.

Here's one of the problem notifications, no idea why two copies show when dragged inline rather than as an attachment!:-

 

The IDSA shows all  up to date despite the above!

How do I proceed with installing the above Network connections driver?

 As I recall, the first message which I dismissed said something needed uninstalling before this could be completed.

I don't seem able to view any "history" in the IDSA to be sure which item was not installed.

[six-h]

Sorry, I notice I didn't complete the first paragraph, should have continued thus:-

First problem after "downgrading" to the latest Chipset software was that the first item on the list attempted to install and came up with a message to the effect that it was not possible as the current "something or other" Required uninstalling first I can't recall the wording since I had dismissed the message incorrectly thinking the installer would automatically sort the problem.

Not sure if that helps or not!

[six-h]

....Also I decided to be brave and rummage around in Device Manager  to poke Bt into life!

This doesn't always go well, in the past I have variously banished Bt completely, or alternatively turned off the "Tile" which invokes a merry dance through unnecessary hoops in "Settings"! a most user unfriendly feature of Windows 10 I feel!

but at last I have my Kb running again 

[LeonWaksman]

1. You may download the Network Driver Version: 25.4 and install it manually. Double click on the .exe file.
2. Then download and install the BT Driver Version: 21.120.0 
3. In the end, download and install the Wireless Driver Version: 21.120.2
4. This should fix your BT and Network connection having the correct drivers installed.

Leon

[six-h]

I'm confused now!

The first driver which the IDSA Tool listed as requiring updating ran into a problem requiring something to be uninstalled before it could install that item.

The only clue I have as to the identity of that item is in the error message I posted earlier.

So I don't understand what needs to be uninstalled in order to get that first item installed, ...the only clue is in the error message I posted.

How do these drivers you advise now relate to those which the tool installed?

Sorry for my ignorance, just trying to understand what's happening!

[six-h]

By the way, I did successfully turn on my Bluetooth, and it is "seeing" my Kb. 

[LeonWaksman]

One possible driver that need "clean" installation is the Legacy Graphics Driver, however since you got already the new DCH Driver installed (you may verify the version of this driver in the Device Manager or in the IDSA) I don't know what's happened. Any way if now, after the IDSA scan is completed and the results are that all drivers are updated, you are set.

Leon

[six-h]

Sorry for the delay, ...life interfered with what's important!

Yes, the tool says all drivers are up to date, but that is itself a contradiction, since by it's own admission, the first driver failed to install resulting in the message saying the system was not modified!

That error message was headed "Intel(R) Network connections Wizard", so evidently it wasn't a graphics driver which failed to install.

If it was one of the three you mentioned in your last post, by elimination the Bluetooth driver that the Tool selected, did install and of the two which remain, the nearest by description would be the Ethernet (LAN)  Network Connection Driver, as per attached screenshot.

...does my attempt at logical thought stack up?