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    Alienware 15r2 BIOS update 1.1 to 1.2.8 safe

    Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by avkdm, May 21, 2018.

  1. avkdm

    avkdm Newbie

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    Just after some advice, I recently purchased an 15R2 laptop with an old BIOS (1.1)
    Was wondering if its safe to go to 1.2.8 BIOS as that is the oldest BIOS listed on Dells website?
    With all the brouhaha surrounding the latest BIOS (1.4.4) I dont want to mess it up.
    I see Dells website mentions about not upgrading BIOS more than 2 versions old. I am sure there was quite a few versions between 1.1 and 1.2.8 that have probably been deleted from Dells website. (I have seen other versions mentioned in threads that are not even listed)
     
    avkdm, May 21, 2018
    #1
  2. GhostWorks

    GhostWorks Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is there a supplied firmware release notes that may say if you can jump from 1.1 to that firmware 1.2.8 ?

    Also try see if dell has a ftp sure for legacy devices and older files not list on support site


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    GhostWorks, May 21, 2018
    #2
  3. avkdm

    avkdm Newbie

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    Last edited: May 21, 2018
    avkdm, May 21, 2018
    #3
  4. rinneh

    rinneh Notebook Prophet

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    Everything from 1.3 and up.

    The lower bios versions can pull too much power from the adapter and fry the internal DC cable.
     
    rinneh, May 22, 2018
    #4
    Vasudev likes this.
  5. avkdm

    avkdm Newbie

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    OK, finally got the kahunas to upgrade the BIOS from the F12 menu at boot.
    It can see the bios files but when I tab across to select and hit enter to flash the BIOS with the selected file nothing happens. Should I do it from Windows? Not that that is my preferred choice by a long shot. I am thinking the old original BIOS (1.1) may be preventing me from flashing. Everything is setup as it should be to upgrade in the BIOS. I am not using a bootable flash drive as Dell website mentions this is not necessary from f12 menu option.
     
    avkdm, May 22, 2018
    #5
  6. Vasudev

    Vasudev Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Place the EXE file on root of your usb drive formatted as fat32.
    Use tab key after you've selected the file and select flash option.
     
    Vasudev, May 23, 2018
    #6
  7. avkdm

    avkdm Newbie

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    Win 10 Pro Creators update with latest updates, Battery at 98%, charger plugged in and on, BIOS set to Legacy Boot Mode, Secure Boot Off, select exe file on fat 32 formatted flash drive, tab down to flash upgrade, hit ENTER and nothing happens, screen flashes when I hit enter and thats it. Any ideas?
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2018
    avkdm, May 23, 2018
    #7
  8. avkdm

    avkdm Newbie

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    Its OK guys, thanks for your help, I incrementally updated all BIOS up to 1.3.12 through Windows 10 running exe files as Administrator.... :)
     
    avkdm, May 24, 2018
    #8
    Vasudev likes this.