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    AW 15/17 R2 BIOS A02

    Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by Game7a1, Feb 17, 2015.

  1. Game7a1

    Game7a1 ?

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    Game7a1, Feb 17, 2015
    #1
  2. scodino

    scodino Notebook Enthusiast

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    Anxious for benchmarks.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    scodino, Feb 18, 2015
    #2
  3. GodlikeRU

    GodlikeRU Notebook Deity

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    Why they just can't release non flash-secure bios and we would do all these things by our own...

    In M18xR1 im using A05 unlocked and there are even more options than I ever saw on desktop computer. I can do everything here and Im very satisfied with that even if I won't use all the options. That's sick that they lock down BIOS for machine aimed at enthusiasts. That's pointless.
     
    GodlikeRU, Feb 18, 2015
    #3
  4. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    The main issue with that is that some users aren't as techy as all enthusiasts are. Also, it's important to have a standard that we know works for sure. Anyway, there are always unlocked BIOS's that are developed by users that want to get more options.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Feb 18, 2015
    #4
    Papusan likes this.
  5. GodlikeRU

    GodlikeRU Notebook Deity

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    Just do "Show Advanced Options" switch and popup that you don't recommend changing settings there and both enthusiasts and non "techy" users will be happy. We will never have to hack bios by our own then.

    Also as far as I know there are no unlocked bioses for UEFI alienware computers like Alienware M18xR3 Viking so their users are pretty much locked down.

    If I hadn't unlocked BIOS I couldn't even turn the computer on with damaged Radeon HD6990M because it'll force me to start in PEG mode. I just changed that setting to IGFX and voila I can work while waiting for new GPU. Do you really like to make things harder for us?
     
    GodlikeRU, Feb 18, 2015
    #5
  6. Mikahakk

    Mikahakk Newbie

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    Just tried to update to BIOS A02 with windows, bricked the machine. (gtx 970m version).
     
    Mikahakk, Feb 19, 2015
    #6
  7. Papusan

    Papusan Jokebook's Sucks! Dont waste your $$$ on Filthy

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    Not with secure boot. No mod unlocked bios on Alienware 17 r1Ranger and Alienware 18 Viking :(
     
    Papusan, Feb 19, 2015
    #7
  8. AJW571

    AJW571 Newbie

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    One 17 R2 with 980M bricked as well.
     
    AJW571, Feb 19, 2015
    #8
  9. Mikahakk

    Mikahakk Newbie

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    After the battery ran out (power button would not work), the computer will restart with power plugged in. It seems I am now in BIOS A02
     
    Mikahakk, Feb 19, 2015
    #9
  10. Red Pyr4mid

    Red Pyr4mid Notebook Geek

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    Should users with AW17R2 and GTX 980M, already with a 240w, upgrade BIOS too?
     
    Red Pyr4mid, Feb 19, 2015
    #10
  11. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Mr. Fox, Feb 19, 2015
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  12. AJW571

    AJW571 Newbie

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    Tried to power mine on earlier once the battery went flat and no POST.

    Don't suppose anyone has any links on how to flash the recovery BIOS on these new models?
     
    AJW571, Feb 20, 2015
    #12
  13. Mikahakk

    Mikahakk Newbie

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    Mine was stuck in the dell bios upgrade utility, stuck on "erasing main BIOS". Was lucky it was all fine on flat battery and restart. Call Dell, they will sort you out.
     
    Mikahakk, Feb 20, 2015
    #13
  14. Nyceis

    Nyceis Notebook Deity

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    I got a 4980HQ/980M/Glossy Touch screen in yesterday and was able to upgrade to A02 without issue. I ran benches both on 180W and 240W and agree the 240W is needed for full performance. I have several 240's from my current AW17, so I am going to keep the 180W to take on the road when travelling - I don't mind a small drop in speed for the smaller AC adapter when travelling :)

    I'm actually quite happy with mine - the screen is fantastic. The size is near perfect. It gets a little hot but it doesn't bother me. You guys who think this is hot, don't ever try the Razer Blade of MSI's GS60 series - they will burn you :)

    I have a Samsung 1TB 850 EVO and 16GB of Kingston HyperX to put in tonight and play some games this weekend!

    One question - those who have asked for a 240W, do they require you to send back the 180W? If not and it is a free 240W, may as well do that I guess?

    N
     
    Nyceis, Feb 20, 2015
    #14
  15. neinet

    neinet Newbie

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    yesterday, i've tried to upgrade my aw 17R2 ( gtx980m ) to bios A02 via the official windows tool, and the upgrade failed. Now my bios is corrupt and the AW won't boot any more ... any ideas how to recover the bios ?

    called dell support and they told me that a technician will arrive on tuesday ... long time 'till then :(

    ideas welcome !
     
    neinet, Feb 20, 2015
    #15
  16. Nyceis

    Nyceis Notebook Deity

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    Have you tried disconnecting battery to completely clear power? Not saying it will absolutely work, but might be worth a shot.

    Dell - if you're still here, there are an awful lot of failed bios updates popping up - you might want to double check the update tool....

    N


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
     
    Nyceis, Feb 21, 2015
    #16
  17. neinet

    neinet Newbie

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    no chance to plug off the bios battery, you have to remove almost everything ( backplate, hdds, ram, palm-rest, etc. ) to be able to do this :(

    nevertheless, the DELL technician was here yesterday and changed to whole logic-board including cpu, gpu and bios. he told me NOT TO UPDATE to bios A02, but to wait until A03 will be shipped. he also said, there is ( as far as he knows ) no chance, to recover a fully crashed bios on the alienware 17 R2 :(
     
    neinet, Feb 24, 2015
    #17
  18. Cyberkada

    Cyberkada Newbie

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    Bricked mine. Froze on bios upgrade. Dell technican replaced main board. Went from an 4710 to a 4720.
     
    Cyberkada, Jul 1, 2015
    #18