Siemens SIMATIC Field PG M5 BIOS Update: Resolving Black Internal LCD

1. Problem Statement

The SIMATIC Field PG M5 is Siemens' rugged industrial programming device used to commission, program, and diagnose SIMATIC controllers (S7-300/S7-400, TIA Portal, STEP 7). A documented failure mode shows the internal TFT LCD blanking immediately after the Windows animated boot logo, while a secondary DisplayPort monitor continues to render the Windows desktop correctly. The Field PG hardware does not flag a POST beep or a BIOS error code on the diagnostic LEDs - the symptom appears strictly between the Windows boot-loader handover and the graphics driver initialization.

The failure pattern points to a GPU/EFI display-hand-off issue that Siemens has addressed in newer Field PG M5 BIOS revisions (V22.01.05 -> V22.01.11 and later). Updating the BIOS is the documented remediation.

2. Affected Hardware and BIOS Revisions

2.1 Hardware Identification

Confirm the unit is a Field PG M5 (not M4 or M6) before proceeding. The model designation is printed on the system label under the keyboard, on the BIOS Setup main screen, and in the Siemens support documentation under Entry ID 109738122.

2.2 BIOS Revision History

Siemens publishes Field PG M5 BIOS updates as export-restricted downloads under Entry ID 109763408. The latest confirmed revision at the time of writing is V22.01.11.

Always record your existing BIOS Setup configuration before flashing; the update may reset custom Boot, Security, and TPM parameters. The Siemens Field PG M5 operating instructions (FieldPGM5_Operating_Instructions_EN_en-US.pdf) include a printable setup-snapshot table in section "BIOS update preparation".

3. Root Cause Analysis

3.1 UEFI Graphics Output Protocol Handover

On UEFI-based Siemens IPCs and Field PGs, the BIOS initializes the integrated Intel graphics through the Graphics Output Protocol (GOP). The Windows boot manager then re-initializes the GPU via the iGPU driver (typically igdkmd64.sys / igd10iumd32.dll). In Field PG M5 BIOS revisions before V22.01.07 the GOP did not preserve the internal LVDS/eDP panel descriptor block when the Windows loader handed control to the kernel graphics miniport. The internal panel therefore lost its active display path while the DisplayPort output continued.

3.2 Why an External Display Still Works

The DisplayPort output is enumerated separately in the GOP and is re-acquired cleanly by the Windows graphics driver. The internal panel, sharing the same iGPU but routed through a different display pipe, loses synchronization when its descriptor block is cleared. The BIOS update restores the descriptor-block retention across the boot phase.

3.3 Symptoms Distinct From Hardware Failure

If the LCD is already black at BIOS Setup, the fault is hardware (LVDS cable, inverter, or panel) and a BIOS update will not help. The user-observed "BIOS / boot logo visible -> black in Windows" timeline is the unambiguous signature of the GOP handover defect.

4. Resolving the Export-Restricted Download

4.1 Why the BIOS is Export Restricted

Field PG M5 BIOS bundles include Intel microcode updates, cryptographic modules, and TPM firmware components that fall under U.S. EAR ECCN 5D992 and EU dual-use export lists. Siemens therefore gates the download behind an export-control registration form. PG M6 BIOS files cannot be used on a Field PG M5; the chipset microcode and EC firmware are different.

4.2 Step-by-Step Download Procedure

1. Navigate to Entry ID 109763408.
2. Click "Display entry / Request download". Siemens routes you to the Online Support Registration portal.
3. Log in with a Siemens Industry Online Support account. If you do not have one, create a free account; you must use a corporate email address that matches your registered company profile.
4. Complete the export-restriction declaration (end-use, end-user, country). Fields include:
   • End-use category (select "Industrial automation / programming device")
   • Country of end-use (must match your account profile)
   • Confirmation that you are the legal end-user
5. Submit. Siemens processes the request manually - allow 1 to 5 business days. You will receive an email with a one-time download link.
6. Download the ZIP archive and verify the SHA-256 checksum against the value published in the entry's release notes.

4.3 Working With a Siemens Distributor

If the self-service export form repeatedly rejects the request, contact your regional Siemens Industry distributor with the unit's serial number (S VP...) and MLFB (article number). Distributors can request the file on the customer's behalf and ship a pre-formatted USB stick with the BIOS update.

5. BIOS Update Procedure

5.1 Prerequisites

• USB removable drive: 128 MB minimum, 8 GB maximum. Larger drives may not enumerate on the Field PG M5 EFI shell. Avoid USB 3.0-only sticks - use a USB 2.0 stick when possible.
• File system: FAT32. Do not use exFAT, NTFS, or ext4 - the EFI shell will not parse them.
• Partitioning: MBR with a single primary partition. GPT-partitioned sticks have been observed to fail on early Field PG M5 BIOS revisions.
• AC mains connected. Do not run on battery - a power-loss during BIOS flash bricks the EC firmware.
• Disable BitLocker / TPM PCR sealing before flashing, or suspend protection from manage-bde -protectors -disable C:.

5.2 Creating the Bootable Update Stick

1. Insert the USB stick into any Windows PC.
2. Open Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc). Delete all partitions on the USB stick.
3. Create a single primary partition, format as FAT32, allocation unit size default.
4. Extract the BIOS ZIP archive to the root of the USB stick. The expected directory layout is:

   \EFI\BOOT\BOOTX64.EFI
   \EFI\SIEMENS\FWUPDATE.EFI
   \FLASH\PGM5_V22.01.11.BIN
   \README.TXT
   \RELEASE.TXT

5. Run the included Windows tool MakeBootable.exe if present - this writes the proper UEFI boot entry to the stick's ESP. (The legacy tool referenced in some discussions as "Meidant program" is the older Field PG M3/M4 tool; the M5 uses the new FWUPDATE.EFI shell.)
6. Safely eject the stick.

5.3 Flashing From the EFI Shell

1. Power off the Field PG M5. Connect AC mains. Insert the USB stick.
2. Power on and press F7 (or F12 then select the EFI shell) to enter the BIOS flash environment.
3. At the EFI shell prompt, navigate to the stick:

   Shell> map -r
   Shell> fs0:
   FS0:\> dir

4. Launch the firmware updater:

   FS0:\> EFI\SIEMENS\FWUPDATE.EFI

5. Select "Update BIOS" and confirm. The flash takes 3 to 6 minutes. Do not interrupt power.
6. On completion, the utility reboots automatically.

5.4 Post-Flash Configuration

After the reboot, press F2 to enter BIOS Setup and reapply any custom settings (boot order, TPM, virtualisation, AMT). The Operating Instructions PDF (link above) includes the printable setup-snapshot table - consult it before flashing so values can be restored.

6. Why the USB Stick is Not Detected

A second common Field PG M5 update failure is "USB stick not detected in BIOS Update menu." This is distinct from the LCD issue and usually has one of the following causes:

7. Verification

1. Power on the Field PG M5 without an external DisplayPort monitor connected.
2. Confirm Windows boot animation appears on the internal LCD and remains visible after boot.
3. Once at the Windows desktop, press Win + P and select "PC screen only". The internal LCD should now be the active primary display.
4. Open Device Manager, expand Display adapters, and verify the Intel HD Graphics device reports "This device is working properly".
5. Reboot and re-enter BIOS Setup (F2). Confirm the BIOS version string now reads V22.01.11 (or whatever revision you flashed).
6. Connect an external DisplayPort monitor. Verify extended-desktop operation - the internal LCD should no longer be flagged as "primary" automatically.

If the internal LCD still goes black after the BIOS update, the fault is hardware (LVDS/eDP cable, inverter, or panel) and the unit should be returned for repair under Siemens warranty / SMP service.

8. Alternative Workarounds if BIOS Cannot Be Updated

8.1 Force Internal LCD as Primary via Windows

If the BIOS update is blocked by export restrictions, the LCD can be forced to mirror or extend the DisplayPort output by editing the Intel graphics registry:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Intel\Display\igfxcui]
"DisplayConfig"=dword:00000001
"InternalDualMode"=dword:00000001

This is a workaround only; the GOP handover defect remains and the LCD may still blank at certain boot transitions.

8.2 External Monitor as Permanent Solution

Many Field PG M5 users in production plants operate the unit closed-lid with a DisplayPort monitor and external keyboard/mouse. This is supported by Siemens for cabinet-mount deployments and avoids the LCD issue entirely.

8.3 Returning the Unit for Repair

If the unit is still under Siemens warranty or an SMP (Siemens Maintenance Program) contract, request a repair. The depot will reflash the BIOS at the board level and replace the LVDS cable / panel if necessary.

9. Troubleshooting Matrix

10. Related Documentation

• SIMATIC Field PG M5 - Operating Instructions (PDF) - BIOS Setup snapshot table, hardware service procedures.
• SIMATIC Field PG M5 - latest BIOS version (Entry 109738122) - canonical pointer to the current BIOS download.
• BIOS/firmware downloads for SIMATIC IPCs, SIMATIC Tablet PCs, SIMATIC Field PGs, SINUMERIK PCU and SIMOTION P320 (Entry 109763408) - the export-restricted download portal.
• General instructions for BIOS updating (Entry 109757305) - shared BIOS-update procedure across the SIMATIC IPC family.

FAQ