Updating EFI BIOS & EC - TUXEDO Computers

Before performing an EC/BIOS update, please consider the following: The process directly interferes with the core of your notebook. However, don’t let the warnings unsettle you. Take your time and carefully follow the instructions. In most cases, the update is completed successfully within minutes. If you are unsure at any point, please contact our Support.

Important Notes for the EC/BIOS Update:

• We assume no liability for a failed EC or BIOS update. Issues during or after the update cannot be resolved under warranty. Therefore, follow all steps precisely.
• Ensure you use the correct BIOS/EC files for your notebook. Incorrect files can permanently damage your device.
• Check the downloaded folder: Files such as README.txt or LIESMICH.txt must be considered. If these are missing, follow the instructions in this guide.
• Make sure the notebook is connected to a power source and that the battery is charged to at least 30%. A power outage during the update can damage the device.
• Reset the BIOS to its default settings before the update and ensure that the Secure Boot option is disabled. After updating the BIOS, please check whether Secure Boot is still deactivated. If you are not using Secure Boot with a signed shim, deactivate it again if it was activated during the update. Otherwise TUXEDO OS will refuse to restart.
• Note that an English keyboard layout is used during the update. Keys like Y and Z are swapped.

What is an EC Update?

The Embedded Controller (EC) is a microcontroller in notebooks responsible for basic control tasks such as keyboard input, battery charging, and fan control. At TUXEDO, we optimize the EC to ensure the best possible compatibility with our drivers and the TUXEDO Control Center.

We recommend performing an EC update if it is available for your device. You can check for updates for your model in your User Account under Downloads for your TUXEDO. More information can be found in a separate article. We also regularly inform about BIOS and EC updates in our Newsletter.

What is a BIOS Update?

The BIOS (now commonly referred to as (U)EFI) is the firmware of a notebook, launched upon startup to initialize the hardware. An update to this firmware may be necessary for hardware-related improvements or bug fixes.

Performing an EC/BIOS Update

Step 1: Download the EC/BIOS Update

The procedure for EC and BIOS/UEFI updates is almost identical. Go to your User Account, navigate to Downloads for your TUXEDO, and download the appropriate EC/BIOS package via the Download button. Extract the files onto an empty USB stick (FAT32 formatted, maximum 32 GB).

If both an EC and a BIOS/UEFI update are available, you can extract both onto the same USB stick.

Step 2: Prepare the USB Stick

Copy the contents of the extracted archives onto the FAT32-formatted USB stick. Then download the EFI Launcher Package and extract it onto the stick as well. The folder structure should look as follows:

Step 3: Boot the Computer from the USB Stick

Ensure your TUXEDO notebook is connected to the original power adapter (not a USB-C power adapter) and insert the USB stick into a free USB port. Then turn on the device.

Immediately after turning it on, press the F7 or DEL key repeatedly until the boot menu appears. Depending on your TUXEDO model, the boot menu may look slightly different.

Once the boot menu appears on the screen, navigate to your USB stick using the arrow keys and confirm your selection by pressing the Enter key.

Step 4: Execute the Update via EFI Shell

The EFI shell will now open. You need to navigate to the EC or BIOS update file and start it. Enter the command dir and press Enter. This will display the contents of the USB stick.

Next, enter cd followed by the name of the desired EC or BIOS folder. For example, the command could look like this: cd 0143_Aura_15_Gen2_BIOS_10715RTR2. This will take you to the folder on your USB stick containing the EC or BIOS update file.

Step 4a: Intermediate Step (Depending on Model)

First, check whether the file MeSet.efi is in the BIOS update folder. If not, you can skip this step. If yes, run the file by typing MeSet.efi and pressing Enter. This will disable the BIOS write protection, allowing you to install the BIOS update. After execution, the notebook will restart. If MeSet.efi was executed successfully, the fans will run at 100%. If not, run MeSet.efi again. Then return to the BIOS update folder on the USB stick.

Once in the EC/BIOS update folder, display the contents with the ls command. Depending on your notebook model, you will see various files. Look for a specific .nsh file, which may be named F.nsh, Flash.nsh, Flashme.nsh, or ECFlash.nsh. If both Flashme.nsh and Flash.nsh are present, use Flashme.nsh. Once you’ve found the correct file, type its name and press Enter.

Step 5: Congratulations!

The update process will now begin, deleting the old EC or BIOS files from your notebook and installing the new version. Afterward, your TUXEDO will restart, completing the EC or BIOS update. If the notebook doesn’t restart automatically, remove the USB stick and restart the computer manually. Congratulations!

Step 5a: Reset Boot Order (Depending on Model)

For some models, the USB stick may be prioritized at the top of the boot order after an EC/BIOS update. This means your TUXEDO computer will restart after the update and might automatically boot from the USB stick again, loading the EFI shell once more. If this happens, don’t worry!

As long as only the EFI shell is running and the EC or BIOS update process hasn’t been manually started again (as described in Step 4), you can safely turn off your device. Simply press and hold the power button for a few seconds until the notebook shuts down.

Remove the USB stick from your TUXEDO and restart the device. Immediately and repeatedly press the key to access the BIOS (depending on your model, F2 or ESC), and navigate to the Boot menu in the BIOS. Set the boot order (Boot Option or Priority) to the internal system drive and exit the BIOS with the Save Changes and Reset option (or similar).