This post is for IT owners and system administrators who run Dell Precision 7960 Rack or 7960 XL Rack workstations, such as studios, labs, design offices and small server rooms. These are rack workstations, not laptops. You will learn how to read the installed BIOS version, how to compare it with Dell's two advisories, and how to plan the update so users and data stay safe.
How do I check my Dell Precision 7960 Rack against Dell advisories?
Short answer: Read the BIOS version installed on the machine, then compare it with Dell's advisories. DSA-2026-351 says Precision 7960 Rack and 7960 XL Rack are fixed in BIOS 2.10.1 or later. DSA-2026-128 lists BIOS 2.9.5 or later. If your version is lower, plan an update in a maintenance window, with a backup.
What do the two Dell advisories say?
Both name the Precision 7960 Rack and the 7960 XL Rack. A CVE is a public ID for a known security flaw. TDX is Intel's feature for protecting virtual machines, and UEFI is the modern form of the BIOS (the small program that starts the machine before the operating system loads). Read both pages on Dell's site for the full detail, because Dell can revise them.
How do I read the installed BIOS version?
Option 1: BIOS setup screen
Restart the workstation and press F2 as the Dell logo appears. The version is shown on the System Information page (the layout can differ between BIOS releases). Exit without saving changes.
Option 2: From the operating system
On Windows, press the Windows key, type System Information, and read BIOS Version/Date. On Linux, the command sudo dmidecode -s bios-version prints it.
Option 3: iDRAC or Dell's support page
If your rack workstation has remote management enabled, its inventory page may show the BIOS version. You can also enter your service tag (the short code on the pull-out label) on Dell's support site. The menu names can differ slightly between versions.
How to compare the version
- Write down the version exactly, such as digits separated by dots.
- Compare it with 2.10.1. If yours is the same or higher, DSA-2026-351 is met.
- Check DSA-2026-128 for 2.9.5 the same way.
- If it is lower, download the update only from Dell's page for your exact system.
Do not guess from a version that merely looks similar. If Dell has issued a newer BIOS since these advisories, today's support page is the right place to read it.
Planning the maintenance window
- Choose a quiet period when no render, simulation or long job is running.
- Tell users and note the start and end times.
- Take a full backup of data and settings. See our BIOS update backup checklist.
- Export the current BIOS settings or take photographs of custom ones.
- If drives use encryption such as BitLocker (Windows' built-in drive lock), save the recovery keys first.
Do not interrupt the BIOS update or power the workstation off while it is running. Never start an update without a tested backup, because a failed update can leave the machine unable to start.
Why should an IT owner check at all?
Dell rates both advisories as Impact High, and the flaws sit in firmware, which runs below the operating system. An antivirus cannot fix that layer. A BIOS update from Dell is the remedy, so a short version check is worth doing for every rack workstation in the office or lab, including spares in storage.
Power cuts and rack workstation updates
Voltage dips and short power cuts are a real risk during a firmware update. Run the update on a UPS (a battery backup unit) sized for the rack workstation, and confirm the UPS is healthy before you start. Dust and heat in small server rooms are a separate concern, so check the fans and room temperature while the machine is open for the change.
When to get help
- The workstation does not restart after the update.
- You cannot confirm that a file matches your exact system.
- You have no spare time window and no tested backup.
- Fan noise, error codes or lost settings appear afterwards.
See our Dell Precision repair page and the Dell repair hub. A system under Dell warranty or a support contract should go to Dell's authorised service first. We help when the equipment is out of warranty or when the owner chooses independent repair, and accept equipment by courier from anywhere in India. Doorstep visits in Hyderabad are available through our Dell service page for Secunderabad. ₹149 doorstep visit fee, waived when you approve laptop repair with us.
A note from the LRW Engineer Team
For a rack workstation, the safest habit is a written record: model, service tag, installed BIOS, date of change, and who did it. It makes the next advisory a five-minute check instead of a hunt. Test the backup by restoring one file before you start the update.