m17x-R1 Bios update issue?

Hey everyone I had a question concerning bios updates for a M17x R1. The laptop is refusing to charge and is currently sitting at NO battery, so it has to stay plugged in. Anyways I decided to update the bios as it has not been updated ever, but I must be doing something wrong because I keep getting an error message.

I downloaded the A07 zip file on Dell.
I have a 32 bit computer so I clicked on the A07W32 icon in the folder after extracting everything and ran as admin.
A DOS prompt type looking thing pops up followed by a WinPhlash window.
Winphlash starts running and stops at the Save Old Bios To Backup File check box.
An error message pops up that says:
"Bios update failed! New BIOS is not compatible with current system BIOS. New BIOS part number doesn't match system BIOS part number.

Error Code: -120"

I read the help files and tried to figure things out but am just really lost!

I haven't ever done a BIOS update via .exe or flash drive so I'm not even sure if I'm on the right path! Am I using the wrong file or going about this whole thing wrong? I know for sure this was the update for the R1 not the R2 or R3. I'm definitely confused! Any help would be very appreciated.

Many Thanks!

 

Hello, anchorsaway, welcome to NBR.

Just to make sure, do you have the Dell M17x?
How come you have a 32bit OS?

Which BIOS version are you trying to flash, A07?

 

Hi Katalin

This is an Alienware M17x R1

It is 32 bit because that is what came on the computer.

I am trying to flash A07. Current BIOS is whatever stock was on this purchase. A02 or A03 maybe?

 

There's no M17x R1. You probably have the pre Dell area-51 m17x-R1

The M17x never came with a 32 bit OS.

Can you tell me what are your specs, especially GPUs?

Does the back of your laptop look like this (ignore the color):

 

Thanks for your replies and information,

Oi this is a confusing laptop. It is not mine, but a friend's and we are trying to figure it out. It says M17x-R1 on the bottom of the laptop, so I don't really know what else to call it. Nope it doesn't look like that.

I did however find this, and this is what it looks like:


And that says its the area51 thingamajigger you were speaking of. I have a plugged in not charging issue so that's why I was hoping to update the BIOS...

Now I have no clue what to do! Or if I am even in a relevant forum for that matter.

 

Ah, ok, just as i thought, that's a m17x-R1 yes and the A07 BIOS from Dell won't work.

It's actually owners that make it confusing calling the first Dell M17x as M17x R1.

I don't know which is the latest BIOS for this system but take a look HERE and see if you can find it or search this subsection using google like this.

What's the current version by the way?

 

Hi

Welcome to the Community

This is Tanmoy, i am from dell., wanted to inform you that you can check the latest verion or the version that your computer has by either going to BIOS by tapping F2 when restarting the computer or the easiest wa to check the bios verion is by pressing the Windows Button and at the Same time the "R" Button , you would get a new pop up window saying "Run" on the top and then type "msinfo32" in that box.,and hit Enter., You Would enter System Information Window., On the same window, check for BIOS Version in the main page, you would get it then., for further help, you can always reply me back to this post, i would get back to You

Thanks,
Dell-Tanmoy G

 

Hi,

I have a m17x and was told by dell support to flash the bios. It froze while flashing to A07. I left it sitting for over a day before powering down (I called dell back after about 30 min and they told me it could take up to 6 hours.) Now it won't boot/post. I have called back and been told everything from the memory needs to be replaced to the LCD screen needs to be replaced, and most recently you are out of warranty, stop calling. Searching google I saw others who had the m17x r4 & m18 were able to recover from a corrupt bios. I was wondering if there is anything I can do. The LED indicators are solid flashing and solid. Is there anyway I can flash the bios, and if so where do I get the file I need?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/693202-help-m17x-r4-bricked-after-a09-bios.html

 

Hello, geaggon, which M17x release do you have?
What's your processor model and other specs if you can provide them?