How to Update Your TUXEDO Linux Laptop BIOS & EC Firmware

Ah, those memories of wrestling with BIOS and Embedded Controller firmware (EC) updates on my laptop… It often meant resorting to Windows installations or risky workarounds, a headache for Linux users like myself. Manufacturers rarely provided tools for Linux users, leaving us in a bind.

But thankfully, recent years have seen improvements. Initiatives like fwupd and LVFS have lightened the load, offering official firmware updates. And with companies like TUXEDO Computers stepping up with Linux-optimized laptops, the process has become smoother.

In this guide, I’ll explore the official method for updating BIOS and EC firmware on TUXEDO laptops, step by step. So, let’s embark on this journey together and update your TUXEDO laptop firmware!

Preparation and Action Plan for Your TUXEDO BIOS & EC Update Journey

For this journey, gather the following equipment: your TUXEDO Linux laptop (such as the InfinityBook Pro 16 Gen8), a USB flash drive, an AC adapter, and a stable internet connection. Ready? Let’s dive in.

Downloading and Preparing Firmware

1. Access your TUXEDO account on the official website by clicking the vertical ellipsis icon⋮in the top-right corner.
2. Once logged in, navigate to the “Downloads” section using the same vertical ellipsis icon⋮.
3. Here, you’ll find BIOS updates available for your purchased devices. Download the package suitable for the device you wish to update its BIOS and EC firmware. 
4. Additionally, download the EFI Launcher package to create a bootable USB drive.
5. After downloading, insert the USB flash drive and format it to FAT32 format. If you’re using TUXEDO OS, utilize the KDE partition manager for this task.
6. Extract the contents of the downloaded packages to the formatted USB flash drive, ensuring that the structure matches the one displayed in the screenshot below.

Initiating the Update Process

1. Connect your device to the original power supply (not the USB-C charger) and reboot it to begin the BIOS and EC firmware update process.
2. Upon reboot, quickly press F7 (or Del) until the boot menu appears. Then, use the arrow keys to select the USB stick prepared earlier and press Enter.

3. After a few seconds, the EFI shell will appear. Use the dir or ls commands to display the content of the USB stick.

4. Next, navigate to the BIOS directory by using the cd command. Type the first letter of the directory name and press Tab to autocomplete, then press Enter.
5. Once in the BIOS directory, display the file content again. Locate the file with the .nsh extension (named “F” in this case) and type its name to start the update process. Press Y to confirm when prompted.

Completing the Update

1. Now, wait for the process to complete. The fans may run at maximum speed, which is normal. After completion, your laptop will reboot automatically.
2. Upon booting, you can remove the USB stick. Congratulations! You’ve successfully updated the BIOS of your TUXEDO laptop.

Addressing Post-Update Issues

After the update, your Linux system may face difficulty starting normally due to the activation of secure boot. This can cause it to struggle to proceed past the bootloader despite booting up normally.

To address this issue, simply navigate to the UEFI (BIOS) firmware setup from the bootloader (GRUB) interface.

Alternatively, restart the device and press F2 (or ESC) to enter the BIOS. From there, disable secure boot in the security section to resolve the issue.

Evaluation and Suggestions

Although the process isn’t excessively complicated, it could be made more user-friendly. I recommend that the TUXEDO team integrates the BIOS and EC firmware update feature into the TUXEDO Control Center or collaborates with fwupd and LVFS to enable direct updates through a software center like KDE Discover. 

Additionally, it would be beneficial to provide a direct link to the instruction manual for updating BIOS and EC firmware in the “Downloads” section.

💬 What’s your evaluation of the process, and do you agree with my suggestions?