Dell Update Package Command Line Reference and Exit Codes

Dell

Newer Dell models distribute BIOS update packages using the Dell Update Package (DUP) format.

How to update the system BIOS video link: https://players.brightcove.net/6057277730001/9kEtm2zEI_default/index.html?videoId=1691797622627434301

Options

The options can be invoked with the / character.

OptionNameDescriptionSyntax
/? Or /hHelpDisplays command line options and help information.

Determines if the update can be applied to the target system.
package.exe /? or package.exe /h
/cCheckWhen you click Install in the graphical user interface (GUI) mode, the same checking process is performed.

The /s option is required with this option.
Options /f, /e, and /r are not valid with this option.
package.exe /s /c /l=c:\pkg.log
/e=<path>ExtractExtracts all files contained in the DUP to the path you specify. If the directory specified in the path does not exist, it is created.
If the path contains spaces, use quotation marks around the <path> value.

The /s option is required with this option.
Options /f, /c, and /r are not valid with this option.
package.exe /s /e=c:\update
package.exe /s /e=”c:\update files”
/fForceAllows downgrade of the software to a previous (older) version.

The /s option is required with this option.
Options /e and /c are not valid with this option.

NOTE: Before downgrading the software to a previous version, see the documentation for the previous version.
package.exe /s /f /l=c:\pkg.log
/l=<filename>LogAppends logged messages to a specified ASCII file; creates a new file if one does not exist. If the file name contains spaces, use quotation marks around the <filename> value.

The /s option is required with this option.
package.exe /s /l=c:\pkg.log
package.exe /s /l=”c:\Update Log\pkg.log”
/rRebootReboots the system, if required, after performing the update. The reboot does not occur:
– If the DUP fails or is not applicable to the target system
– If the DUP does not require a reboot

The /s option is required with this option.
Options /e and /c are not valid with this option.
package.exe /s /r /l=c:\pkg.log
/sSilentExecutes the update silently without user intervention.When /s is not specified, the DUP is launched in GUI (interactive) mode.

The /s option is required when using the /e, /f, /c, /l, and /u options.
 
NOTE: Using the /s option causes all output to be written to log files.
package.exe /s /l=c:\pkg.log
/u=<filename>Unicode Log Appends logged messages to a specified Unicode file; creates a new file if one does not exist. If the file name contains spaces, use quotation marks around the <filename> value.

The /s option is required with this option.
package.exe /s /u=c:\pkg.log
package.exe /s /u=”c:\Update Log\pkg.log”
Table 1: DUP format

Examples

To silently update a system and prevent an automatic reboot:

  • package.exe /s

To silently update a system and allow an automatic reboot:

  • package.exe /s /r

Passwords

If a BIOS password is set, then the update executable will prompt the user for a password. If running the update executable from the command line, then use the /p parameter to specify the password. Example:

  • package.exe /s /p=password

Exit Codes

The most common exit code values when performing BIOS updates are 2 (REBOOT_REQUIRED) and 6 (REBOOTING_SYSTEM). Other values are below.

CodeMessage NameDisplay NameDescription
-1?CancelUser manually canceled the update when using the GUI.
0SUCCESSFULSuccessfulThe update was successful. This value isn’t returned for BIOS updates because they always require a reboot. 0 would be returned from a DUP that doesn’t require a reboot.
1UNSUCCESSFUL (FAILURE)General failureAn error occurred during the update process; the update was not successful. There are probably many cases when this value is returned. One case when this value is returned is when the hard dependency BIOS version was not already installed on the system. Another common case is when incompatible command line options are used together.
2REBOOT_REQUIREDReboot requiredYou must restart the system to apply the updates. This value is returned when a successful update happens and just the /s option is used.
3DEP_SOFT_ERRORSoft dependency errorSome possible explanations are:​​​​​
– You attempted to update to the same version of the software.
– You tried to downgrade to a previous version of the software.
To avoid receiving this error, provide the /f option.
4DEP_HARD_ERRORHard dependency errorThe required prerequisite software was not found on your system. The update was unsuccessful because the system did not meet BIOS, driver, or firmware prerequisites for the update to be applied, or because no supported device was found on the target system. The DUP enforces this check and blocks an update from being applied if the prerequisite is not met, preventing the system from reaching an invalid configuration state. The prerequisite can be met by applying another DUP, if available. In this case, the other package should be applied before the current one so that both updates can succeed. A DEP_HARD_ERROR cannot be suppressed by using the /f switch.

The DUP is not applicable to the system. Some possible explanations are:
– The operating system is not supported by the DUP.
– The system is not supported by the DUP.

Try running the update again with the log option (/l=”C:\mylog.txt”) to get more detailed failure information.
5QUAL_HARD_ERRORQualification errorThe update doesn’t apply to the system (OS not supported, model not supported, etc). A QUAL_HARD_ERROR cannot be suppressed by using the /f switch.
6REBOOTING_SYSTEMRebooting systemThe system is being rebooted. This value is returned when a successful update happens and both the /s and /r options are used.
7?Invalid password or password validation failureThis value is returned when there is a password error. If an administrator uses the /s option and forgets to supply a password, then a password prompt will not be displayed. If an administrator supplies the wrong password, then a prompt is displayed though.
8?? 
9RPM_VERIFY_FAILEDRPM verification failedThis value does not apply to Windows operating systems. The Linux DUP framework uses RPM verification to ensure the security of all DUP dependent Linux utilities. If security is compromised, the framework displays a message and an RPM Verify Legend, and then exits with exit code 9.
Table 2: BIOS updates

References

  • DUP log message reference <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>
  • DUP FAQ
  • DUP documentation index

Original article: https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000148745/dup-bios-updates

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