DO NOT UPDATE TO BIOS 1.2.14+!!! (NO DIMM PROFILES)

This may not matter if you are using officially supported RAM, but if you plan on using anything higher than 2400MHz (2666MHz may be okay...), DO NOT UPDATE YOUR BIOS if you are still below 1.2.14!

I had updated my BIOS and been unable to find the DIMM settings, however bigger problems arose and I had to send my laptop in for repairs. When it came back it was supposedly a new motherboard with the latest BIOS. Again, I could not find the DIMM profile options, which are needed to set my RAM to XMP1 in order to get my G.Skill to hit its rated 2800MHz. As of right now, my RAM is pulled down to 2400MHz...

I called Dell support, which is a nightmare, and at first they suggested downgrading the BIOS. Already having done that, they asked if I saw it in the CPU overclocking settings--where it should be--which it wasn't. Eventually, they decided to state that they were unsure how I had this setting, despite having told me where it should be, and then changed to the tune that it was not officially supported. Later, I was told that this was due to instability issues.

I can understand that this can cause instability, but screwing around with the CPU OC settings can do the same thing if you don't know what you are doing!?! I have never not had the ability to adjust my profiles and timings in any of my past Alienware laptops.

Anyways, if you want to keep the ability to change DIMM profiles and timings, DO NOT UPGRADE YOUR BIOS!

 

What version BIOS did you downgrade to from 1.2.14? I could of sworn these options disappeared on 1.2.12

 

DIMM options disappeared a few versions back, I reported it. AW in their wisdom has decided to take those options away over the last 3-4 bios updates.

 

I actually only tried 1.2.12 and 1.2.13... The odd thing is that when I got the laptop and had the DIMM options I know I was on 1.2.13 as I wanted to make sure I was on the latest BIOS version at the time.

If I try 1.2.8 (the earliest available on the Dell website) will that bring them back? Thanks.

 

BOOO! BOOOO! Not good. Wonder why they would go and do something retarded like that?

 

I remember after A09 on the R4, they removed the additional Info page from the BIOS, and more importantly they screwed fan profiles very bad. Pre-09 Bios the computer ran/idled much cooler. I'm using a custom profile in HWinfo.
They added additional restrictions to the AW17 R1/AW18 , even more on the R2 & 3. Not to mentions the filth that is being imposed by Microsh*t and Nvi$ia.

 

Just to answer my own question in case someone needs this, downgrading to BIOS 1.2.8 will give you back the DIMM profile settings.

 

I swear Alienware gets more retarded by the hour

 

But what if there is significant updates in next bios from Dell further forward? Then you are stuck!! You can't have your prefered ram speed if you need next bios version...

 

All they seem to do is take away not enhance, so I'll take the risk...

 

Yeah..., You have no other choices than to accept Dell's new direction. Re flash back and forward is a badly solution for those who want faster ram later down the road and already use newest bios.

 

It is a bad solution, I wish there was a better one.

 

1.2.2 and 1.2.8 is pretty solid...
As of now there are not many reasons why anyone would need any other BIOS besides one of these two.

 

Latest bios has fixes like <Enhance Win 10 4k display requirement>. So this is a unnecessary update?

 

1.2.2 already had 0 issues with 4K. I have no clue what they even ment with that. Alienware did screw up the past 3 bios versions.

 

Yep, 1.2.2 is the decent one out there, latest 1.2.14 fan curves are pretty good, but the annoying nvme issues still there, BTW why there is no UEFI vbios firmware for both intel and GTX 980M on my alienware 15 R2, both were unticked on GPUZ.. and wth is TI thunderbolt firmware delivery..