Alienware 15 R2 and 17 R3 System BIOS 1.7.0

New BIOS 1.7.0 for Alienware 15 R2 and 17 R3 System BIOS.

Fixes:
- Firmware updates to address security advisory INTEL-SA-00185 (CVE-2018-12188 CVE-2018-12190 CVE-2018-12191 CVE-2018-12192 CVE-2018-12199 CVE-2018-12198 CVE-2018-12200 CVE-2018-12187 CVE-2018-12196 CVE-2018-12185).

Enhancements:
- Not Applicable.
Versjon
Versjon 1.7.0, 1.7.0
Kategori
BIOS

Link

I have done the flash and haven't had any problems. Fast flash and initial startup. Seems like a good bios so far.
Comparison between 1.6.1 and 1.7.0

 

Got any idea if all these security advisory can be download via windows update as well? LIke OS level security? If so is OS level good enough? @Papusan can you chime in? Thanks.

 

As far as I know, yes in some degree. But I think the safest is a BIOS that contains these security fixes.
The stand alone download for 1903 security advisory can be downloaded HERE (download the one for your systems CPU)

 

ok cool. at least i have a option to not really update the bios. im out of warranty and i cant trust dell anymore since the last headache they did with previous bios. might update bios after a year. dont want to be gp. good thing we have you as gp. hahahahah

 

Stil on old Microcode

Probably not everything that's needed. Newest chips will also contain security fixes on hardware level.

 

I understand that very well. I am one of the lucky one I guess since the much hated 1.4.4 did not ruin my AW. But that said I always make sure to flash bios versions step by step, with only the AC connected and no running programs. Its seems to work so far.

 

Yes still the old microcode, but that is as expected I guess judging by the description provided by Dell.

On the topic of flashing the BIOS, here is a clip from when I did the flash

 

Its old BIOS because CC uCode is bricking my PC even USB recovery fails to work, CMOS battery short is also not working. It needs full SPI dump 16.8MB to restore it. I'm on latest MEI FW 37xx.

 

The bios date is 1.18.2019 so it's not old judging by the date. No bricking to report here. But again I haven't done any modifications to my bios or settings in relation to that.
Sorry if I misunderstood your comment.

 

It is the old BIOS 1.6.x with C2 microcode and only new MEI FW which can patched easily by end users w/o Dell needing to update it.

 

Good to know.
I guess this shows that 1.6.1 was and still is a stable bios, since dell use it to give out 1.7.0. Then I am more comfortable to be on this bios since I was that on previous version.

 

I'm on 1.3.12 because 1.6.1 blocked me from writing to flash chip.

 

I remember that from a previous topic.

 

Hmm, I was of the impression that the 1.7.0 BIOS was the final release, but Dell has changed the date and it now says there will be a 1.8.0 BIOS in Aug 2019... Whats up with that? Something strange this and the BIOS numbers dont add up on multiple systems (I have compared the newly released BIOS's on all the Alienware models and most dont mach the number provided on that page. Like AW 15R2/R3 got 1.7.0, dont 1.8.0 same as with 17R4/15R3.. so I dont trust it)

You know @VICKYGAMEBOY ?

 

Do keep in mind that early 15r3 did have skylake so ours and our successor share same uCode and Meifw.

 

Yes, that is true so the 1.7,0 bios number is the same for these models, but the BIOS file is different in size, so it is not the exact same. See comparison:

15R2/17R3

15R3/17R4


15R4/17R5

But it dont make sense to me why they just released 1.7.0 may 27 and later 1.8.0 in Aug?

 

15r3 has to use two MEI FW 11.8.x skylake and maybe kabylake can take 11.11.x or something.

 

Sounds logical. But that dosent explain why Dell released new BIOS in May and supposedly again in July/Aug? That's what I dont understand.

 

I don't know.

 

I guess it's a waiting game (and not end game...)

Time will tell if there is a new bios coming. Regardless I am expanding my support for two years.

 

Do keep in mind they will give you m15 rev1/2 or even m17 if 15r2 is dead. TBH you should invest in new laptop and not pay for dell warranty.

 

Yes, but only if I am under warranty. So I have no plans to upgrade within 2 years time. Correct me if I am wrong.

 

There's nothing to correct. Skylake will last for another 3-4 years maturing enough for Linux.

 

i already know that on day1, but dint bother since ucode was same, only the ME firmware was updated to some hotfix, to be honest, after all those crippling from intel now my system feel so choppy, even after i installed 970PRO and 970 EVO plus NVMe ssd.. HDD after certain houurs of load runs slow as hell, may be its just my system.. i tried formating many times with official and dell drivers.. nothing seems to fix..

s

 

So that slow down is not because my SSD is boiling at 80C? Anyway, its a garbage in the end. They have disabled TB3 aka Type C w/o user consent. I checked it was because incorrect voltage was supplied and out-of-spec so Dell disabled it silently.
You should see PD FW in thunderbolt software. Without PD, internal power will not be delivered and external supply is needed.
I downgraded to 1809 because on 1903 I couldn't install any updates at all.

 

thats not only on TB3, how about ur USB 3.1 ports ?? mine always heatsup if im using USB 3 drive, my NVME drives have heatsink, so it hardly crossed 68c, i never got TB3 power delivey update, the one i got is PD firmware update from older driver dump link.. GST in india killing us.. seriously.. i saw razer blade 17, with 4 fans, looks cool.. and i liked the design overall.. clean internal layout and heatsink, and the NEW m15 and m17 looks like joke.. hybrid of Area51M and some local dell G series bottom base + keyboard..

 

Strange, I haven't had these problems so I can't give input on that area.

But do you know/think @VICKYGAMEBOY if there is likely to come another bios anytime soon (1.8.0)

 

I am done with so called Jokebooks. I'm going for Business grade Thinkpads with TB3 dock and once Tr3 pops up I'll go for it. I won't bother with making any mods for EOL products ever again.
I did flashback to 1.3.6 BIOS and still its the same.

 

Your ambient temp is similar to @Papusan correct? We have ~35-48C ambient temps so the machine is at its limits and only ~10% people would notice it.

 

Sounds accurate.

 

offcourse newbios will come by july mid or august start with new Ucodes.. So Yeah there will be one more BIOS

atlesat now in bangalore temps are fine, 2019 is the year where i havnt opened my laptop and repasted, and do some thing.. im done with this, but still im testing 20H1 builds, Intel New Control panel looks cool, Nvidia DCH last update was 419 series, not sure why they have stopped it, and sloppy kionix freefall sensor driver.. its causing the lag after few hours of use..

 

Last month when I came to Bengaluru temps were nothing whilst compared to my home with 88% humidity and 35c.
I'm on dell driver and on v1809. Intel DCH is great.

 

Thanks for the clarification. Then 1.7.0 is like a steppingstone before 1.8.0 is released. Guess the extended warranty will come in handy if anything happens from 1.7.0 to 1.8.0. But you would think Dell would have give out some information regarding the 1.7.0 also. Cant find any....

 

Your using Intel DCH? Is there a way to get Intel Graphic Control Panel without enabling windows 10 update?

Thanks for keeping us up to date.. Will be keeping an eye on Bios update for ALienware 17 r3. Thanks

 

Just my pleasure!
I hope for as smooth bios flash that I had from 1.6.1 up to 1.7.0. But good to have extended HW support as a backup if somethings fails. Always a little sketchy with bios and Dell....
And for god sake, lets skip this pulling and re-adding bios. That messes with the system in both people and computers

 

Yes I download Intel Command center using Store app and then disable win update afterwards.

 

Confirmed a good flash for me up from 1.6.1. Seems ok

 

Confirmed a good flash as well from 1.6.1. All good. Thanks for being a GP @ThomasAAT

 

It only upgrades to older MEI FW but newer one is 3590.

 

to be honest i updated it last night while drinking sake with my cousin after repasting his alienware 15 r3. he wanted to see what a bios update looks like which is why i updated. lol. his alienware 15 r3 bios is still on bios 1.1.8. its not even on dell download page anymore. he scared of updating and rsiking a brick. hahaha

 

Great to hear that!
Lets hope the same is the case with the 1.8.0 that is expected in Aug...

Think the newer one is in 1.8.0 along with new Ucode etc

 

I apply the new bios to my 17r3. I was hoping it would fix this weird problem mine has had since I got it last year. Intel turbo boost monitor never goes to idle. The blue bar always stays in the middle when it's not showing boost. The cpu definitely goes to idle but the app isnt showing it.
I have the same cpu in a Asus laptop and it works correctly on it. Otherwise the laptop works great. Never overheats or does anything else stupid. It occasionally will stop responding if it sits for days unused. It requires a hard restart. I am thinking it's some app like the keyboard lighting causing it.

 

I think turbo boost monitor is discontinued! Use Throttlestop aka TS to track CPU speed.

 

Does anyone else use the intel turbo boost monitor on a 17r3 with 6700hq and confirm it works correctly? I dont know why it bugs me but it does.

 

Is it this one https://www.techspot.com/downloads/4947-intel-turbo-boost-technology-monitor.html ?

 

Mine is the version 2.6
I am using a metered cell account right now so I cant confirm if the link you gave is the same or newer.

 

I have been on 1.4.4 for about a year and I had done a hack to upgrade to win 10 pro instead of home but I was getting weary of that so I did the factory USB restore on Dell site and got original home and updated the bios to 1.6.1 and then 1.7.1 I have a question in the bios the performance is default to CPU and fan off. Do y'all turn either of these on in the bios?

 

CPU performance is changed to disabled if enabled!

 

So I should leave it disabled in bios to get most performance?!

 

I enable it to get faster fan speed. If you want near silent gaming PC with peak temps 90C+ then disable it.