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    A05 BIOS for m17xR3

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Smooth_J, Aug 1, 2011.

  1. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

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    Well, I saw a few people asking for it, and I figured why not post it before maybe sending this unit back - again.

    It was extracted via BIOS_Backup_TooKitV2.0 which is included in the rar via the default (2560K).

    EDIT 8/3/2011:
    New dump/share using InsydeFlashx64:

    Both are the same version, however I uploaded both to one RAR - just in case.

    MEGAUPLOAD - The leading online storage and file delivery service

    A05.fd
    A05_01.fd

    xxx.xxx = Current BIOS image (A05)
    xxx_01.xxx = Previous BIOS image (A05)
     
    Smooth_J, Aug 1, 2011
    #1
  2. nastynate69

    nastynate69 Notebook Geek

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    Ok thanks but now the question is how do you flash it? :)

    There is really no use with this file if it cannot be flashed.
     
    nastynate69, Aug 1, 2011
    #2
  3. zoolian982

    zoolian982 Notebook Deity

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    Probably requires a boot disk if its not an executable file like the Dell ones.

    nastynate69, you should have the A05 bios already if you ordered the 580m with the laptop together.
     
    zoolian982, Aug 2, 2011
    #3
  4. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    Just FYI, my R3, delivered July 29, has an A06 Bios, so it appears that A05 is already obsolete.
     
    The Revelator, Aug 2, 2011
    #4
  5. zoolian982

    zoolian982 Notebook Deity

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    Let's hope the A06 doesn't downclock even more.
     
    zoolian982, Aug 2, 2011
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  6. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    Please back your BIOS up and post it. I will need it for testing when I get my 580M in. I have a hunch that the 580M will work in A04 but the 3D will not, and if it doesn't I will need new(er) BIOSes to test. Thanks!
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 2, 2011
    #6
  7. livid

    livid Notebook Consultant

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    I'm wondering if A05/A06 will cause the 460M to not work properly.
     
    livid, Aug 2, 2011
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  8. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    More stuff I can test. Just need to make sure I can flash these :)
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 2, 2011
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  9. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

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    I have, will be "had" soon, a 460 with the A05 BIOS - so I don't think you need to worry.
     
    Smooth_J, Aug 2, 2011
    #9
  10. livid

    livid Notebook Consultant

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    We may need to make sure that the appropriate BIOS is used. I don't know if there is a difference between Optimus and non-Optimus R3's.
     
    livid, Aug 2, 2011
    #10
  11. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    It's the same BIOS.
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 2, 2011
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  12. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

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    +1

    IMHO it would have to be since it doesn't ask anything else for the BIOS/driver downloads.
     
    Smooth_J, Aug 2, 2011
    #12
  13. nastynate69

    nastynate69 Notebook Geek

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    Can you please tell us if you know how to flash the a05 or a06 dumped bios?
     
    nastynate69, Aug 2, 2011
    #13
  14. livid

    livid Notebook Consultant

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    I think you need the InsydeFlashx64 program that comes with the Dell BIOS download. The discrepancy here is that the backup ROM is 2MB while the Dell A04 ROM is 4MB. Something doesn't add up.
     
    livid, Aug 2, 2011
    #14
  15. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

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    The program in the kit allows you to make a 4MB file via custom instead of a default. I can dump that if needed.

    Just let me know...
     
    Smooth_J, Aug 2, 2011
    #15
  16. nastynate69

    nastynate69 Notebook Geek

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    Can you please tell me how properly dump the A06 bios and how to flash it? Thanks!!!!
     
    nastynate69, Aug 2, 2011
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  17. livid

    livid Notebook Consultant

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    The platform.ini file inside the Dell download executable mentions something about a backup option. I'd prefer using the InsydeFlashx64 program if possible to back it up as it is specific to our notebooks.

    I'll have to research it some more once I get my hands on an x64 system here at work.
     
    livid, Aug 2, 2011
    #17
  18. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

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    I will be home in around an hour or so. I will see if I can dump it that way too.
     
    Smooth_J, Aug 2, 2011
    #18
  19. livid

    livid Notebook Consultant

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    Yeah, inside the platform.ini file, look for this section:

    Code: 
    [BackupROM]
Flag=0
FilePath=c:
FileName=
;Flag              default : 0.
;                        0 : No backup BIOS.
;                        1 : Backup current BIOS and new BIOS binary.
;FilePath          default : empty.
;                    empty : Use current directory.
;                   String : Directory for backup BIOS.
;FileName          default : empty.
;                    empty : Use platform ID as file name.
;                   String : File name for backup BIOS.
;xxx.xxx = Current BIOS image
;xxx_01.xxx = Previous BIOS image
;xxx_new.xxx = New BIOS image
    Change Flag=0 to Flag=1, then rename the 'FilePath=' section to where InsydeFlashx64 is located eg: FilePath=c:\InsydeFlash. Rename the 'FileName=' section to FileName=A05.FD . The .FD extension is needed for InsydeFlash.

    Once A06 has been dumped, someone can then modify it for the Optimus owners so that they may disable GPU switching.
     
    livid, Aug 2, 2011
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  20. nastynate69

    nastynate69 Notebook Geek

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    I have a system with the A06 bios installed how do I use this program to dump the bios. :confused:
     
    nastynate69, Aug 2, 2011
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  21. livid

    livid Notebook Consultant

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    If you have the A06 BIOS, it will be backed up automatically once those changes have been made in the platform.ini file. Just click on Start and it will backup the ROM.
     
    livid, Aug 2, 2011
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  22. nastynate69

    nastynate69 Notebook Geek

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    LOL you need to give more instructions before someone running this program downgrades their bios by accident. I plugged in all the information you gave and it want to flash the bios not backup the bios. There is no option to backup bios even with modifying the ini file.
     
    nastynate69, Aug 2, 2011
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  23. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

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    +1 :p

    My system froze twice while getting the A05 BIOS, however it was dumped before the freeze.

    Both are the same version, however I uploaded both to one RAR - just in case.

    MEGAUPLOAD - The leading online storage and file delivery service

    A05.fd
    A05_01.fd

    xxx.xxx = Current BIOS image (A05)
    xxx_01.xxx = Previous BIOS image (A05)
     
    Smooth_J, Aug 2, 2011
    #23
  24. livid

    livid Notebook Consultant

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    I'm not really going to give out more detail as I don't want to be responsible for killing someone's notebook.

    Seeing that we are "hacking" our notebooks, I don't think Dell/Alienware would be happy about hearing no-POST problems due to this.
     
    livid, Aug 2, 2011
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  25. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    Exclude yourself from this thread then. I already posted a bios recovery method about 2 months ago
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 2, 2011
    #25
  26. nastynate69

    nastynate69 Notebook Geek

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    Ok got the A06 bios dumped :). Ended up with 2 files A06.fd and A06_new.fd not sure which one is the right one both are 4mb each.
     
    nastynate69, Aug 2, 2011
    #26
  27. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

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    :)

    Same with me, but mine are A05.
     
    Smooth_J, Aug 2, 2011
    #27
  28. nastynate69

    nastynate69 Notebook Geek

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    How do we flash these dumped bios? I have a couple of alienware m17x r3 that have A04 and I want to upgrade the bios incase these new cards require the new bios to run them. :)
     
    nastynate69, Aug 2, 2011
    #28
  29. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

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    You should just need to download the A04 BIOS from the driver page, extract the EXE to a directory, say c:\flash. Then delete the PAR00MEC.fd file and replace it with the A05 or the A06 fd. From there just double click and it will reflash. Verify before the reflash though that it will upgrade to A05 or A06.

    http://support.dell.com/support/dow...erviceTag=&SystemID=ALW_M17XR3&os=W764&osl=EN

    However, I cannot be responsible for anything that happens - good or bad :/
     
    Smooth_J, Aug 2, 2011
    #29
  30. nastynate69

    nastynate69 Notebook Geek

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    I wonder which file I should use the A06.fd or the A06_new.fd? Any thoughts on this?

    Nvm i tried using the file you uploaded but I keep getting file may not have ec rom message :(
     
    nastynate69, Aug 2, 2011
    #30
  31. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

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    According to the ini file:

    xxx.xxx = Current BIOS image
    xxx_01.xxx = Previous BIOS image
    xxx_new.xxx = New BIOS image

    I would use A06.fd since A06_new.fd could be A04 (the one from the Dell site) used to dump the image/start the program up.
     
    Smooth_J, Aug 2, 2011
    #31
  32. ligithin

    ligithin Notebook Consultant

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    I've taken and modified the Alienware / Dell Bios flash package to include the A05 revision files, I've tested it on my M17X R3 that shipped back in April with A04 on board and it seems to work ok.

    I haven't noticed any clear cut differences between A04 and A05 just yet, of course I have the AMD 6970m and not an nVidia board in my M17x so could be different for nVidia folks.

    Switchable GFX still works on AMD, not sure about optimus since I don't have an nVidia board, all the other onboard stuff works like RAID, I was concerned over the EC warning that came up, but I surpressed it in the ini file and flashed ahead, my EC version is 1.04.

    I'd be curious if someone running A05 on a stock board could F2 into setup and see what their EC version is..

    One note of caution if you flash your bios to A05 your system will reboot as normal after the flash but when it does it will HANG and LOCK solid. You will need to remove the AC power and Battery and then power back on, good as new. Just wanted to put that out there so in case someone grabs my file and finds their PC locked up tighter than Fort Knox so that way they don't blow a fuse like I almost did.

    I reflashed again and it locked up the same way but once its powered off it works just fine..

    TL-DR: heres the flash archive be careful not responsible for total annihilation of your device
    /disclaimer

    http://www.themicrosoftbob.com/m17xr3/UNOFFICIAL-M17R3A05-W64.exe

    Also has anyone archived the A06 bios yet? If so has it been uploaded anywhere I'd like to flash to it as well.. Glutton for punishment I guess I got an extra motherboard just in case lol.
     
    ligithin, Aug 3, 2011
    #32
  33. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

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    Nice...

    I copied your package and put it on my webserver as well:

    http://mirror.jmckee.net/AW BIOS/UNOFFICIAL-M17R3A05-W64.exe

    This way you won't get hammered :)

    I already packed mine up to go back :/ Oh well...
     
    Smooth_J, Aug 3, 2011
    #33
  34. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    LVNeptune, Aug 3, 2011
    #34
  35. james_2k

    james_2k Notebook Evangelist

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    im wanting to try a05 to see if the throttling is something that has been recently introduced..

    but im also worried the system wont boot with the 580 with the a05. anyone got any ideas about that?
     
    james_2k, Aug 4, 2011
    #35
  36. james_2k

    james_2k Notebook Evangelist

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    lo all, was going to try and flash either of these bioses to my m17 to see if it solves the throttling..
    but as the 580 wasnt out at the time those bioses were made, would this screw the pc? i dont mind as long as i can flash back if needed.

    ta
     
    james_2k, Aug 4, 2011
    #36
  37. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    You will be fine. Worst case you will lose 3D suppoprt on the lower bioses.
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 4, 2011
    #37
  38. james_2k

    james_2k Notebook Evangelist

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    cool thanks. may have to try this
     
    james_2k, Aug 4, 2011
    #38
  39. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    You will be fine.
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 4, 2011
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  40. pcgeek

    pcgeek Notebook Consultant

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    So I notice that Dell Support now provides an A07 bios download, and then the A04, and then the A03. No sign of the A05 and A06...?
     
    pcgeek, Aug 4, 2011
    #40
  41. pcgeek

    pcgeek Notebook Consultant

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    FYI: I downloaded your A05 for future effort and Norton screamed about it and automatically deleted it from my computer. I did try to download it to my desktop for storage for use when mine arrives. I did not try to download this to an M17XR3. I had no problem downloading A07 from Dell to my desktop hard drive.
     
    pcgeek, Aug 4, 2011
    #41
  42. ligithin

    ligithin Notebook Consultant

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    Well guess theres no reason for the A06 files now then, lol. Maybe Dell just needed a kick in the rear from the likes of us to get off these new bios files.

    And about the norton carrying on about the bios package I'm not sure what that was about since I use ESET 4.2 and scanned all my files. Could be they were using some kinda check sum and since I modified it it may have been angry over that, although can't see them doing that, reason we left norton in the dirt a long time ago.

    I'll keep the A05 files up however incase anyone for what ever reason needs them.
     
    ligithin, Aug 4, 2011
    #42