The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Clearing the BIOS Alienware M14X

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by f.debrouwer, Oct 19, 2011.

  1. f.debrouwer

    f.debrouwer Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I need to clear the BIOS from the Alienware M14X to get the new firmware 2.15 for my SSD (OCZ Vertex 3) working. Who knows how to do that without disassemble the whole laptop. To get the BIOS battery you have to disassemble the whole laptop.
    Who knows a solution or tool to clear the BIOS?
    A the moment I'm working with firmware 2.13 with SATA III speeds as told by c69k on this form. But to operate on firmware it is necessary to clear the BIOS. Who knows howtodo???
     
    f.debrouwer, Oct 19, 2011
    #1
  2. c69k

    c69k Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,118
    Messages:
    1,301
    Likes Received:
    1,032
    Trophy Points:
    181
    Frankya??? Check OCZ forum (link is under) I run on 2.15 now, but I advise that you wait with flashing to 2.15 a few days I will test it first.

    Support Question I need to flash to 2.13. Is it possible?
     

    Attached Files:

    c69k, Oct 19, 2011
    #2
  3. f.debrouwer

    f.debrouwer Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    5
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
     
    f.debrouwer, Oct 19, 2011
    #3
  4. c69k

    c69k Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,118
    Messages:
    1,301
    Likes Received:
    1,032
    Trophy Points:
    181
    Day 1. So, it seems that my SSD works at good speeds again. I have read (OCZ forums) that it is normal to get smaller speeds right after reflashing, which seems to be true. I tried to start up the laptop, it hangs, but second time it re-booted smooth (I have experienced this with about every Firmware, so nothing surprising here). I attach my ATTO results, I have no freezes or BSOD while in Win7, and never had. Now the system runs similar to 2.13 Firmware.
     

    Attached Files:

    c69k, Oct 19, 2011
    #4
  5. c69k

    c69k Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,118
    Messages:
    1,301
    Likes Received:
    1,032
    Trophy Points:
    181
    Day 2. Got home, tried to start up my laptop from being turned off. 15 times freeze on start before Win7 animation. So, I disabled c states in Bios, and it started right away 2x in a row. I went back to Bios (as I want turbo boost ON) and re-enabled c states, laptop booted after one unsuccessful start. 30 min fun.
     
    c69k, Oct 20, 2011
    #5
  6. c69k

    c69k Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    1,118
    Messages:
    1,301
    Likes Received:
    1,032
    Trophy Points:
    181
    Day 3. One hour trying to start the laptop, no way. Flashed back to FW 2.09, started at first try. So I have 2 choices. Stay on 2.09 (very easy decision) or stay on 2.13 and put laptop all the time to sleep when not using it, basically not turning him off. EVER lol

    Frankya here is my 3 day experience.

    p.s. However, I will still try 2.15 and some bios settings/CMOS hard clean, will let you know if any success. Sure 2.09 is the last resort.

    For cmos reset: see link

    http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/M14x/en/SM/coinbatt.htm#wp1179886

    Latest news for 1. Frankya: Clearing CMOS (disconnecting CMOS battery) does not help with 2.15 (10 unsuccessful Win7 starts), flashed to 2.09, and Win7 started immediately. lol
    I hate to say this but it IS Firmware 2.15 prob in general, or M14X incompatibility with 2.15. I NEED 2.13.
     
    c69k, Oct 21, 2011
    #6