*OFFICIAL* Alienware 17 R2/R3 Owner's Lounge

Evening, I posted all of this in another thread (the AGA owners/benchmark) and didn't get a reply, so I figured I might as well post it here as well and see if anyone has any input. It is mostly about the 17 R3, so it mostly applies here anyways...

A little background and then a few quick questions...

First off, I just purchased a AW 17 R3. It was listed as new and everything about it seems like it is except for the fact the guy selling it replaced the MVNe SSD with a Toshiba SATA model and the 1TB Hitachi 7200rpm HDD with a 5400rpm WD Blue. Other than that it is a i7-6700HQ with a 4GB GTX980m, 16gb RAM and a FHD (1080p) display. Great laptop. I may end up swapping out the FHD display for a 4k UHD so I can do some drone video editing in the field.

As fate would have it, I lucked out and found a Graphics Amplifier locally for a deal (guys wife bought it thinking it was audio equipment, which it obviously wasn't), so once I got the new 17R3 up and running I went and grabbed a GTX980 out of one of my kids rigs and popped it into the AGA to do some testing.

Overall it runs well, best 3dMark Time Spy test at defaults without the AGA was 3052, best with the AGA and GTX980 was 4385 or thereabouts (this is all with 388.71 nVidia drivers). This was the best I could do benchmark-wise and it was both the first runs. The OS setup was an original 102xx Win10 Home that I did the in-place upgrade to 10699 to. I then installed all the drivers, things ran well. I did notice that when I press Fn + F1 nothing happens. If I press the button on the AGA cable, I shutdown (as per the ACC AGA screen). I am on BIOS 1.3.12 (latest).

Me being somewhat concerned that I didn't do a fresh install of the OS on a laptop I bought from someone else might end up leave malware on it, I decided to play around a little driver/OS wise before I did a reset. I recovered back to 102xx OS, installed all the drivers there, then upgraded to 10699. My scores dropped to a best of 980m @ 3022 and 980 @ 4298. Now one thing I noticed is the system runs better with the power options at balanced as I get higher scores on both runs like that. On High Performance I get about a 30-40 score drop on both runs. I do notice that the AGA screen under ACC is not showing GPU statuses, it basically is acting like I don't have (or ever had) an AGA plugged in with just links to dell.

So, I take that as a sign that I should stop messing around and just set the damn thing up correctly. So I kick off a OS Reset. It fully reinstalls, I log in, I start installing all the latest drivers (basically latest Dell stuff for everything except for RST, used the latest Intel download of 15.9.x.x, and the Killer NIC/Wifi/Bluetooth, as I used the latest from the manufacturer website for those).

I did install the AGA driver before the ACC and I also made sure this time to update the Thunderbolt firmware and the TI Power Thunderbolt firmware as well, along with the latest Intel Dynamic Platform stuff.

Nice part is I have the gpu status available under the AGA section of ACC again. Everything runs smooth. But, my scores are still on the lower side compared to when I did my first runs. I can hit about 3020 on the 980m and about 4265 on the 980 in the AGA.

Now besides the small performance hit, I still get nothing happening when I press Fn+F1 at anytime (either at the desktop or even with the ACC up). Did they remove the Fn+F1 functionality in the latest BIOS or drivers/app?

Lastly, I did some stress testing. With Prime95 the CPU gets to about 78-80c. With Furmark on the 980m I get about 64c at most. With both Prime95 and with Furmark together I get a max around 90c on the CPU and 71c on the GPU. I notice that the CPU at around the time I get to 90c, XTU shows that the processor starts power throttling and drops speed from 3.1Ghz down to around 2.8-2.9Ghz. Once I kill off Furmark temps drop back down to around 80-81c with Prime95 still humming away.

Can I assume my thermal past is in good shape with temps like that?

Is there any way to really increase my 3dMark scores back to where they were maxed out on the first runs?

I do have Performance mode in the BIOS set to enabled, just not on the fans (too loud). Is this the best all-around configuration?

Lastly, did Dell shut-off Fn+F1 to initiate shutdown to disconnect the AGA?

Thanks guys, did some searching and really didn't find much on all this.

 

Hi guys,
Friend has recently picked up a 17 R2 (i7-4710HQ, 980M).

-This is with turboboost on.
With Furmark stressing only the GPU - GPU hits 76 max, CPU around 82 ish. If I also stress the CPU at the same time, the the CPU can reach 96 degrees c.
With the turboboost off, it behaves at around 75 degrees stressing both CPU + GPU). Do I need open it up and repaste?

Also this was one of the awkward unit with the 180W charger. I've got an 3rd party 240W charger I could lend them. Is it better to ask them to keep it at 180?

Thanks,

 

Ask for 240W adapter.

 

Managed to repaste it. mixture of a sense of achievement & equal measure of caution to tell the friend not to get laptops that are this hard to repaste going forward.

I think they bought it used (so ownership won't be transferred) / it's not in warranty now. Would dell still offer the 240W?

 

hello,
i'm just curious,its possible to use R3 or R4 DC Power Jack for my R2?

 

You can use it on any Dells incl. Alienwares, Precision, Inspiron and XPS. 2 in 1 PCs will be using different type of DC-IN plug.

 

If you mean the internal cable. Nope you cant.

 

he meant AC adapter's plug that power up the laptop.

 

Looks like Dell finally released that 15R2/17R3 BIOS update to address the Intel SA-00086 security vulnerability: http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/drivers/driversdetails?driverId=JCHH2

Update: For some reason the Windows installer wouldn't install the BIOS update for me. I installed it from a USB stick instead, and it updated fine.

Unfortunately the Intel detection tool says I'm still vulnerable to SA-00086...

 

They forgot to unlock MEFW local update variable in BIOS, so ME isn't programmed at all. I had sick and will never buy any laptop with locked BIOS. I'm going with Prema BIOS no matter how expensive they're.

 

Vasudev, will you just stop posting in ever thread about Prema BIOS... It is obvious you are in love with it, you obviously can't use it on your system, yet you keep posting EVERYWHERE about it.

Look at all the posts on here, at least every other post you make is about it.

Alienware is a locked BIOS subsystem. Sell yours and go buy something else that isn't. Beyond that, IT WILL NOT CHANGE, as Dell has ALWAYS had locked BIOSes.

I am asking politely now, please STOP posting about Prema BIOS is every thread you are part of. It is VERY annoying.

 

Quick question.
Running Win 10 clean install, with all Dell site's drivers.

Had to repaste the system. I wasn't sure if the power LED was working before (with AlienFX) though other lights worked just fine. Though after I repasted it, noticed that the power LED no longer lights up (the other AlienFX light works, and the power button switches the system on just fine). Just wondering the cause. Asking as I recall, that the power cable - the first you pull when you lift the palmrest up (to disconnect the palmrest section from the base) took a slight harder nudge to separate - pretty sure didn't stretch it in process, though just wondering if that might have something to do with it. Everything else is fine. Is it worth for me to replace that power cable before handing it back to the friend?

Also, is it just this unit - or when you put the R2 into sleep - it rewakes with the keypad backlights off? (have to press the FN and F12 light two times to get it back after sleep). Also after booting, it seems to wait for the AlienFX app before switching the backlights on?

Thanks.

 

In fact, officialy they ahve to regarding the rules that Intel and Microsoft force upon them. Clevo is just a too small player to abide by that and they dont sell their systems with Windows pre-installed, only the resellers do.

 

...and now Dell pulled all their recent BIOS updates before putting out a real 15R2/17R3 fix. Apparently they started trying to roll Spectre fixes in at the same time, and apparently Intel screwed that up such that people were experiencing spontaneous reboots.

The 1.4.4 BIOS I installed got pulled too, but I haven't experienced any issues with it.

Intel's & Dell's incompetence with this BIOS stuff has been pretty staggering. I almost wish I had settled for an AMD CPU based laptop.

 

What version of the BIOS do you have?

 

What version of the BIOS do you have? Because I have the same problem. Bios a00. Thinking about a09

 

Hi,
I currently have a 17R3 laptop and it seems to me like it just takes forever to boot up. Is there anyway to speed this up.

 

Take a look forum.notebookreview.com/threads/aw-17-r3-slow-boot-caused-by-kionix-free-fall-sensor

 

Enable secure boot and you might see a difference. And check @Papusan tip as well.

 

Hi all,17 R2 was working completely fine yesterday, but won't turn on at all today. Tried disconnecting the battery and holding down power then reconnecting and nothing. Tried starting with just the power cable plugged in and no battery connected and nothing. No lights turn on when it's plugged in, and the battery shouldn't be completely empty so I cannot explain this.

Anyone experienced anything similar or have any advice?

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

Has anyone downloaded and flashed the newest A10 BIOS for the R2 released last month (Feb)? How has it been running?

 

Haswell processors will get noticeably lower performance.

 

Cause of the method #2 fix?

Anyone have a 17 R2 GTX 970M benchmark from before flashing A10 so we can see how bad the performance is? I was an idiot and just flashed A10 anyway, now my Firestrike score is 6579 (Graphics: 7674)

 

Both the last Alienware models with full socket hardware and Alienware’s first BGA models use Haswell Chipset. Read the posts in Alienware 17 Owner’s Lounge as well the link I posted there from Alienware 18.

Newest Intel Processors ain’t equal affected by the performance hit. Haswell and older processors highly affected.

I won’t flash the new bios for my older Aw 17. I will most likely use and install the microcode via software (OS level and not via bios).

 

That sounds like a great idea, patching at the OS level instead... I will go ahead and see if I can downgrade back to A09; if it's as easy as just running the downloaded .exe, I'll do it and run firestrike again and see what results I get so we can somewhat quantify the impact of the A10 update

 

If you wanna try downgrade, maybe try first to disable one or the two vulnerability protections with *InSpectre tool v7 [As recommended by Intel to observe your status + able to disable Meltdown and Spectre vulnerability patches].

Test it and post the results afterwards. Use benchmarks like Futuremark 3Dmark Suite, Cinebench R15 and Wprime osv. You find several benchmarks software... info in my profile.

 

Ah I already downgraded back to A09 - for posterity, yes it was as easy as just running the executable patch for an earlier BIOS, but I don't know if there are any side effects (haven't seen any yet).

Running Firestrike in A09 gave a score of 6662, so there is a hit to performance but it seems relatively small. Though this is an extremely small sample size and Firestrike isn't a thorough stress test, any decrease in CPU performance compounded with AW's CPU throttling will make for a very bad time.

In hindsight, it would have made more sense to run CPU-intensive benchmarks (I had already downgraded before I saw your post). Also didn't know about InSpectre, I ran it on A09 and see that Meltdown is already protected in my version of Windows. Unfortunately, microcode to protect against Spectre is only available for Skylake (see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4090007/intel-microcode-updates) so my system will remain exposed for now

 

You could try applying new BIOS and use inspectre to disable spectre protection on windows.

 

If the Microcode fix from Intel is final and works for the flaws... Don't expect Dell will relase a new second bios for their EOL "Haswell" models.

 

Dell/Alienware's INTEL-SA-00086 page claims that Alienware 15R2/17R3 BIOS 1.4.4 and IMEI Driver 11.7.0.1054 addresses the issue, but Intel's scanning tool shows that I am still vulnerable.

Contacted Alienware on Twitter, and after 2 weeks of snippy replies to my queries they claimed that I'm in fact not vulnerable, and that I should ignore Intel's tool and just take their word for it. They said I should contact Intel if I don't believe them.

Contacted Intel, and after answering all their questions they shrugged and said I should contact Dell/Alienware. WTF guys?

Edit: Here's a video:

 

I mean you can find the appropriate Mei firmware/driver versions for Skylake/Kaby which is secure on Intel’s website. Post a picture of it + the link and trow it in their face.

 

Dont ever listen to Dell/cancerware! of course you are vulnerable! first patched ME FW is 11.8.0.3399. all 11.7.0 is vulnerable.
NEVER LISTEN to what ANYONE at alienware tells you!! all you are doing is being routed to a call center, with people probably from India or South America, being paid $2/hour to take your calls and read off a paper !!!!!!! Only way to get help is to reach Dell's actual main office service center in California or wherever it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thanks for the info. Intel has escalated my case. Maybe they can hit Dell/Alienware over the head for being incompetent.

 

You can use this guide to update MEI FW. http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...-17-r3-or-possibly-other-bgas-as-well.813803/

 

Vasudev, again, the guy said he was in contact with Intel. Why would you ever tell him to totally invalidate his entire system by hacking in a MEFW outside of Dell/Alienware????

If he does that, then Intel and Dell/Alienware can wash their hands of him instead of working with him and resolving his problem.

I think you just have animosity towards other users/OEMs/Manufacturers and are intentionally trying to mess their systems up. This has been outlined to you more than a few times on the forum here.

 

This is a tech forum. I expect people can read... It's even typed in RED!! And none here is forcing others to mod their own firmware/hardware. Please, Stop.

 

Also added/changed the font size to big in case someone misses the line whilst reading and thereby restricting blind flash and starting blame game war!

 

As you can see below.. None direct a finger at others even in the orginal Aliewares own forum. Yeah, I said STOP!! People can think by themself!!
https://na.alienwarearena.com/ucf/s...5-aw-17-r2-bios-available-that-addresses-fans

 

Didn't know previous Echo models were affected by botched MEI FW.

 

All of the (AW) BGA notebooks from Dell is screwed in one way or another!! You find same info even on NBR. Nothing new from that camp!!

 

My plan is to see what Dell/Alienware and/or Intel can do first. If they just keep fumbling around, I may go the DIY route.

Part of the issue is that this almost certainly doesn't affect just me, so if the issue is that they need to push out a new BIOS and/or MEI driver/firmware then I want them to do that for everyone.

 

Dell may release a new BIOS and then again the commands I posted are universal which are done on Intel, Dell, Lenovo etc.. They disabled MEFW local update that disallows MEFW updates, that's part of the reason blocked MEI part flashing or even something.
Few were able to flash it correctly, others get error 8719 Local updating of FW disabled. Contact Vendor.
Even I got the same error, somehow the cmds worked for me.

 

Well, here's the deal: They just don't give a rat's ass. If you own a product that was superseded by a new revision, 99% chance you're gonna be screwed as far as getting their help with fixes for an EOL product. The best you can hope for is that it dies under warranty and gets replaced by a new model that is not worse than what you had before.

 

This is why I contacted Intel, and is why they are the ones who are helping more. It makes them look bad when Dell/Alienware flubs deployment of fixes to Intel-created vulnerabilities, so they have a vested interest in pressuring Dell/Alienware to do the right thing.

 

does anyone know anyway to overclock my 970m?
AW 17 r2
thanks!

 

Good afternoon all. Long time fan of the notebook review forums, though I haven't posted since fixing my Alienware 17 R3 problem several months ago. My games suddenly quit running reliably, and I had to replace the power supply in my Alienware Graphics Amp.

All was well till today, upon getting home from work, I went to use the 17 R3. I was updating PUBG, and watching a video while I waited for the update to finish. The laptop blue screened, and then wouldn't boot. Doing some basic troubleshooting, the BIOS only sees one of my three hard drives now. I had the usual 1TB SATA and a 128GB SSD installed when I received the laptop on Ebay. I added a 500GB SSD that I run the OS from, and I install some software to, while I use the 1TB for many game installs, where I download to, and where my pictures, music, and videos I store local reside (most of my files are on a Synology NAS that's both in RAID5, and backed up regularly).

Running the built it diagnostic tool shows the following error:

"ePSA 4304.16 - Warning

PCIe - Training error PCI tag-0200 VendorID-10DE DeviceID-1B80 SVid-1028 SDid-068B Bus 02: Link Degraded, maxWidth x8, negWidth x4, Slot 2

Continue testing?"

Continuing finds no other errors. I'm gonna shut down the laptop, reseat the hard drives as possible, and see if that resolves the issue. Seems odd TWO different makes, models, and sizes of hard drive would have both died or gone missing at the exact same time. Any opinions or suggestions are appreciated.

I already worked over time on a user's problematic machine at work today. NOT what I was hoping to do with my spare time.

 

Try cleaning the gold contacts of SSD and RAM with microfiber cloth and try ePSA once again

 

Seems to have been a problem with my 500GB Samsung SSD. No number of Chkdsk or other tools would resolve the file system problems, so I ended up installing Windows 10 over the top of the old OS. Now I'm back here to figure out everything I'm missing driver-wise and so forth, and hopefully getting my AGA running again eventually. Currently I'm just installing gigs and gigs of Windows Updates.

 

Try wiping the SSD to get rid off worn flash cells and re-initialise them.

 

Hi guys,
On the 4th Gen AW 17 with AMD 290x - would it need 180 or 240W charger? (the current charger is a bit ... scruffy - got a spare 180w I could use - though not sure if it might throttle).

Thanks