-
Optiplex 5060 BIOS update info from the Dell website.
– This release contains security updates as disclosed in the Dell Security Advisory DSA-2024-243
DSA-2024-243 summary below from the Dell website with many CVE numbers listed.
Summary: Dell Client Platform BIOS remediation is available for multiple vulnerabilities addressed in Intel® Platform Update 2024.3 Advisories that could be exploited by malicious users to compromise the affected system.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
No need for an OS, just copy the .exe file to a USB thumb drive and follow the instructions below (from the Dell website, bottom of the page, expand Installation Instructions). I’ve updated the BIOS this way on two Inspiron 3670’s without issue.
Updating the BIOS from BIOS Boot Menu (independent of operating system)
Note 1: Before updating the BIOS, ensure that you suspend BitLocker encryption on a BitLocker-enabled system. If BitLocker is not enabled on your system, you can ignore this step. For information about how to disable BitLocker, see How to Enable or Disable BitLocker with TPM in Windows at support.dell.com.
Note 2: Do not turn off power or interrupt the BIOS update process during the update.
Note 3: Your system requires a restart after installing the BIOS. The restart can be deferred but must be completed to ensure that the update is installed.Installation
1. Copy the downloaded file to a USB drive. You do not need a bootable USB drive.
2. Insert the USB drive into any USB port.
3. Power on the system.
4. At the DELL logo screen, press F12 to access the one-time boot menu.
5. Select BIOS Flash Update in the Other Options section.
6. Click the … button to browse the USB drive to locate the downloaded file.
7. Select the file and click OK.
8. Verify the existing system BIOS information and the BIOS update information.
9. Click Begin Flash Update.
10. Review the Warning message and click Yes to proceed with the update.
The system restarts and displays a Flash Progress bar at the Dell logo screen. The system restarts again when the Flash update is complete2 users thanked author for this post.
-
It has “una” listed at the end as the Firefox package (and many other packages) use the name of the last release of the series (20.x is Ulyana, Uma and Una). Same for the other release versions, where 21.x uses Virginia (first two names were Vera and Victoria) and 22.x currently uses Xia.
However at this point, another option would be to wait for Firefox 136 that Mozilla officially releases tomorrow (it’s already on their FTP site) and then Linux Mint will package it and publish it to their repository usually a few days later where it will then be available in Update Manager.
-
The rebuild did not come from Mozilla, but from Linux Mint due to their decision to send 135.0.1 as an emergency update to discontinued releases (see my post above). This caused all Firefox 135.0.1 packages to be updated in the Linux Mint repository which is then picked up and displayed in Update Manager when it queries the repository for updates.
Note: on the repository webpage, click the “Last modified” at the top to sort by most recent date and see all the Firefox 135.0.1 packages that have been updated (rebuilt) Feb. 28.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
In your screenshot it says “It will stop receiving support and updates in 88 days”. So that appears to be the end of May 2025.
To stop seeing that notice, go to Startup Applications, then click the slider to the right of System Reports to disable it from starting when you boot up or log into the computer. Or at the top, try right clicking on “Your version of Linux Mint will soon reach End-of-Life (EOL)” and see if there is an option to ignore or dismiss it.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
The “rebuild” part for 135.0.1 is most likely due to it being repackaged as an emergency update to include older discontinued releases per the Linux Mint blog
Important Firefox Update
On March 14, 2025, a root certificate used by Firefox will expire.
When this happen, Firefox version 128 (and lower) will suffer significant issues related to:
- configuration
- add-ons
- signed content
- DRM-protected media playback
To avoid these problems, make sure you’re up to date in your Update Manager. Press Refresh and apply all updates.
This is important for security reasons, and in this case it’s also important to avoid regressions.
Firefox 135.0.1 is available on all supported Linux Mint releases.
Firefox 135.0.1 was also sent as an emergency update to the following discontinued releases:
- Linux Mint 19.3, 19.2, 19.1 and 19
- LMDE 5
- LMDE 4
If you are using a discontinued version of Linux Mint (20 or older) or LMDE (5 or older) please upgrade or reinstall Linux Mint.
-
Daisy chaining UPS units is not recommended. See the two links below for more info.
https://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/FA157424/
https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/support/eaton-answers/daisy-chain-ups.html
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
This was originally published Dec 9, 2024 and updated Feb. 17 (see below).
Also it’s only rated “High” (not critical) as it requires local access to the computer.
Dell Client Platform BIOS contains a Weak Authentication vulnerability. A high privileged attacker with local access could potentially exploit this vulnerability, leading to Elevation of Privileges.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
USB Image Writer will take care of formatting. Also another option to launch USB Image Writer is to just right click on a ISO file while in the Files application, then choose “Make bootable USB Stick”. This will pre-populate the “ISO Image” part in USB Image Writer with the name of the ISO file (image below). Then in the drop down for “USB stick” select your USB drive to be used (insert it first before starting the whole process). Then click the “Write” button and it will prompt you to enter your password and state “This will destroy all data on the USB stick. Are you sure you want to proceed”.
-
Great news! I can continue using ESR 115.x as my primary browser (along with ESR 128.x as a second browser) on my two Linux Mint desktop systems. 115 still works very well no different than 128, perhaps in part because I do not use any browser extensions (that may no longer work on 115) or any newer features of 128. Also both are configured exactly the same using various Arkenfox settings.
I like/prefer using ESR versions as they only receive security updates each month and thus are much more stable. Whereas the regular Rapid Release version receives new features (that I don’t want/need) along with security updates, so they tend to not be as stable and require more point releases within the month to fix things.
2 users thanked author for this post.
-
No change with battery life or any issues after the January Android security patch update on two Verizon Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra’s.
Something I’ve found that can help after updates or as a general practice once a week, is to wipe the cache partition which the Android OS and applications use to store temporary files. Sometimes these files can cause issues and it helps to clear them.
To wipe the cache partition (for S22 models, may also apply to other current Samsung devices):
1. Turn off the device
2. Press and hold the volume up button AND the power button until the Android Recovery screen appears
3. Press the volume down button to go to and highlight “Wipe cache partition”
4. Press the power button
5. Press the volume down button to go to and highlight “Yes” then press the power button
6. “Reboot system now” will be highlighted, press the power button to reboot and load the OS
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
I decided a while ago not to use any AI as it’s mostly garbage in/garbage out, so I do not trust the results. Instead, I would rather do my own research using multiple sources to confirm the information is correct.
3 users thanked author for this post.
-
I only use Custom in two separate installs of Firefox ESR (128.x and 115.x) to block “All cross-site cookies” as I don’t really like to rely on just web browser settings or extensions for protection. Instead I use Steven Black’s hosts file (adware+malware) to block ad networks, trackers and malware sites.
I’ve also curated my own list of domains to add to the hosts file from checking: about:networking#dns in Firefox (always have it open in a tab), including many for Mozilla that Firefox normally connects/uses for various purposes but of which I either do not use or do not want to allow.
Also since the hosts file works at the network level it applies to all applications such as my backup web browser Ungoogled Chromium, that like Chrome does not have much for blocking.
Occasionally a website complains about an ad blocker, but there is often an option to dismiss it to get to the site. If the site doesn’t have that option or refuses to work, I just close that tab or window and look elsewhere.
-
Late yesterday afternoon, I had problems trying to download the update numerous times on two different Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra’s via Verizon’s 5G network (using: Settings, Software Update, Check for new updates). The download would fail with different error codes. It wasn’t until later in the evening the download was successful (although was slower than usual) and installed without issue. Since then both devices have been working normally.
Suspect that Verizon’s update server(s) were overloaded and/or had problems as everything else was working well on both devices via a 5G connection.
1 user thanked author for this post.
-
I have observed the same thing personally as well as in my IT career. I used to enjoy using and working on Windows systems. Now I only endure the bloated platform at work as part of the job.
Personally I’m free of Microsoft after switching to Linux Mint two years ago. It’s been such peace of mind and a joy to use a system/platform that shares my exact sentiment regarding my computer and what I expect from an operating system (from their website):
Home rule
It’s your computer, your rules. This is a key principle at Linux Mint. We don’t collect data, we don’t work against you. You’re the boss. Your operating system is designed to do what you want without getting in your way.
2 users thanked author for this post.
Author
