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    Alienware 17 R1 BIOS rant

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Raidriar, Jan 15, 2015.

  1. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    I was under the impression that the Alienware 17 had a functionally similar BIOS to that of the R4 and R3....boy was a wrong. Apparently (news to me), Alienware decided to adopt NVRAM in the Alienware 17. Not only that, but they failed to provide a keystroke combination to RESET the NVRAM. Thats freaking WONDERFUL. At least Apple knows better than that. I apparently undervolted too much, and voila...no more posting. I combed through the various methods of trying to clear the CMOS, but its pointless because NVRAM is there. I can't believe I have to warranty the system because of a BAD OVERCLOCK SETTING!!!!!! Not only that, but they get the grand idea to stuff the CMOS battery so far into the system, getting to it is a royal pain.

    Screw you Alienware. Really.
     
    Raidriar, Jan 15, 2015
    #1
  2. thegh0sts

    thegh0sts Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Mr. Fox has done it before and all you do is take out the CMOS battery and all the RAM sticks to start the clearing process.
     
    thegh0sts, Jan 15, 2015
    #2
  3. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    Did that, still couldn't get it to come back. Dissembling and getting to the CMOS battery is a chore enough. It's under warranty, I'm just going to have to jump though the CS hoops and send it for repair.
     
    Raidriar, Jan 15, 2015
    #3
  4. DaveFromGameaVision

    DaveFromGameaVision Notebook Consultant

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    Mr. Fox's method worked for me, might wanna try it again if you don't want to send it in. The R1 is pretty messed up between the NVRAM, fan tables and locked down Secure flash BIOS. :mad:
     
    DaveFromGameaVision, Jan 15, 2015
    #4
  5. Branzy1987

    Branzy1987 Notebook Evangelist

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    It happened to me 3 times...2 motherbord change and 1 time I could do it my self, unplug the laptop, remove battery hold down 1 min start button
    remove cmos battery (veryy hard to remove it)
    take all the ram memory out and then start the laptop
    it will bip bip bip bip bip put 1 memory ram back and it will start normaly...but this bios suchs....so bad
    I broke out my cmos battery holder...and now when i move the laptop the battery rings inside and when I start the laptop it resets the bios...nice?
     
    Branzy1987, Jan 16, 2015
    #5
  6. Hackintoshihope

    Hackintoshihope AlienMeetsApple

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    Switching in a a different cpu from the one that is currently installed in the system will allow the machine to boot into bios. This is time consuming and redundant but allows you to save the machine.
     
    Hackintoshihope, Jan 17, 2015
    #6