Alienware 17 R5 (R1) BIOS Unlocked!

Just flashed the svl7 vbios, UEFI mode the laptop boots fine, but whatever I try every game crashes on start. This wasn't happening with previous rom. Any suggestions?

 

Thanks for this!
I have a question... How do you updated the Intel RST EFI?, does this also affect AHCI or only RAID?

Im asking you because I'm preparing a custom BIOS for my Alienware, and I want to update it...

 

Hi Striker,

I believe it should only affect raid as the ahci module is different. I got the files and guide from winraid https://www.win-raid.com/t19f13-Int...uot-and-quot-GopDriver-quot-BIOS-Modules.html

According to them v13.x of Intel RST will probably work in the AW17 but I just updated to the latest v12 as was unsure if changing major version might upset existing raid volumes (I use 2x 1tb hdd's with an 80gb ssd accelerator)

Javers

 

Hi all,

Amazing job guys!! excuse me if this is not the right place to do this question, its my first message in the board:

Iam the happy owner of a Alienware 17r1 until the problem with the ac adapter detected as "unknow" and "connected but not charging" appear time ago, in the beginning just disconect and connect the psu, unistall acpi drivers and other methods works for me, now its necessary for me plug and unplug hundreds of times to repair it.

More info here: http://www.laptop-junction.com/toast/content/inside-dell-ac-power-adapter-mystery-revealed

My questions is, iam thinking flash with the custom bios but don see anywhere his capabilities, with this custom bios its possible to bypass the ac adapter identification???

The ac adapter works well, and i dont know if the problem its te psu, the jack connector in laptop or the motherboard, i dont want waste 150€ in a new psu and dont resolve my problem. every time the ac adapter is not correctly detected the performance decrease and is impossible use for gaming.

Sorry for my bad english guys, english is not my native language, i expect not broke any board rule with this post.

 

You can customize it to avoid AC warnings...
I do not know how this will affect real performance...

 

Thanks Javers! I'm definitely trying this soon!

 

Is it possible to know wich tag id has it? or anyone could tell me in wich point is it? thanks people

 

Yes its the same service tag as the original release - BVMLLX1

 

My Aw17 r1 ranger had a 4700MQ an a GTX 770m it. My screen is the horrible 1900x900 as well. I am very much planning to upgrade to the extreme i7 and upgrade to a gtx1070. My Question is it safe me to to flash to the A14+ unlocked in the mean time? As for the Microcode v22, is that included in the A14+ unlocked version? in any case if it is not a problem up grading to A14+ would i need to the install the micocode v22 before the A14+? Last thing is I need to make sure I edit the bios.bin with my current server tag right? I am sorry for all the FAQ...lol I just want to confirm the these answers to the these question before I go ahead an start.

Thanks guys let me know!

 

Hi VoodooBane,

Yes shouldn't be any risk in flashing A14+, I've not had any reports of it not working for people (you can always flash back to stock A14 using strikers recovery method if something did go wrong). Microcode v22 is included and yes just make sure you inject your own service tag to the bios.bin before flashing.

Javers

 

Hi Luiselric,

Sadly no the unlocked bios wont help with this problem as all you can do is say ignore the warnings. Problem will either be the identity chip in the psu, cable of the psu, motherboard dc jack or motherboard itself. Easiest way to start eliminating would be to borrow another psu (even the small dell ones will do, doesn't have to be alienware), go into the bios and see if its correctly reporting the wattage. If that works cosistently with the spare psu then your motherboard and jack are fine, but if not you can just replace the dc jack on its own as they are not soldered to the motherboard on the R1 and only cost around £6.

Javers

 

We can modify this value in future releases to avoid use my ST by mistake, maybe a series of Xs instead would be useful for users as well...

 

Well I could install the unlocked 14+ with the updated microcode.. but I couldn't find a way how to introduce my own "service tag", it's that really necessary? If so which Hex Editor did you use?

Anyways I've followed the instructions and this is what appears in my console. I highlight PDR and GBE in red color. It's that an issue? Or just a bad install?

C:\>fptw64 -f bios.bin -bios
Intel (R) Flash Programming Tool. Version: 10.0.30.1054
Copyright (c) 2007 - 2014, Intel Corporation. All rights reserved.
Platform: Intel(R) HM87 Express Chipset
Reading HSFSTS register... Flash Descriptor: Valid
--- Flash Devices Found ---
W25Q64BV ID:0xEF4017 Size: 8192KB (65536Kb)
PDR Region does not exist.
GBE Region does not exist.
- Reading Flash [0x800000] 4096KB of 4096KB - 100% complete.
- Erasing Flash Block [0x5F3000] - 100% complete.
- Programming Flash [0x5F3000] 1988KB of 1988KB - 100% complete.
- Erasing Flash Block [0x6BD000] - 100% complete.
- Programming Flash [0x6BD000] 108KB of 108KB - 100% complete.
- Erasing Flash Block [0x6C8000] - 100% complete.
- Programming Flash [0x6C8000] 4KB of 4KB - 100% complete.
- Erasing Flash Block [0x6E0000] - 100% complete.
- Programming Flash [0x6E0000] 76KB of 76KB - 100% complete.
- Erasing Flash Block [0x6E5000] - 100% complete.
- Programming Flash [0x6E5000] 4KB of 4KB - 100% complete.
- Erasing Flash Block [0x708000] - 100% complete.
- Programming Flash [0x708000] 8KB of 8KB - 100% complete.
- Verifying Flash [0x800000] 4096KB of 4096KB - 100% complete.
RESULT: The data is identical.
FPT Operation Passed

 

Awesome! Thanks for the quick response Javers!

 

For the Service tag fix. Follow this post, It's actually in the #2 post of this thread.

 

Found it thanks!

 

Would anyone here be willing to try this exploit on another machine?

Sorry if it's kinda off-topic.

 

What Exploit???

 

The flash method used to flash the bios

 

You MUST use your own Service Tag, found yours and replace it.

 

Hi,

Sent you a PM.

 

Guys just a heads up - at the request of Striker have changed the service tag in my release to "CHANGE1", file link remains the same just make sure you don't flash without injecting your own tag.

Javers

 

Hey Javers can you post the new MD4 and SHA-1?

 

Well spotted! Have updated original post with the new values.

Javers

 

Can you provide link to the original a14 unlock software that you mentioned in here?

Thanks so much!

 

Sure...

https://mega.nz/#!elgyxTzb

Remember to copy the file 3 times and rename them each as:

VAS00X64.F
VAS00X64.FD
VAS00X64.HDR

Best Regards!

Note: This is the ORIGINAL A14, no Unlock.

 

Hi , is there a tools to flash this unlock a14+ bios to my alienware 17 r5 laptop ? thanks

 

no, its literally one line in command line for the flash process itself.

 

any beginner step ? i cannot find anywhere in this forum . thanks for the fast reply

 

....You need to read more then. Its all in the OP and corresponding post.

 

I'll be honest I was really thinking way to hard. Recently I have Board level repairs, TV repair, EMMC-Nand/ISP/SVOD Programing as a side gig. Sp i cam say I was REALLY thinking to hard..lol Ill start a conversation with you and show you what to do. Flashing the bios with this method is a literal joke, it is so easy.

 

[/QUOTE]

I would like to use this BIOS mod since I think it might help me to run the GeForce 980M on my Alienware 17 R1. Is there a step by step instruction? What do I do with the BIOS.BIN? Where do I change my service tag? When is the point where I do the NVRAM reset? I am totally unsure what I am tinkering with, so donation would not be a problem.

 

Hey dude, I think I missed some important things that I wonder how could I flash into motherboard. By the way, I find the bios chip of 17 R5 is an 8 MB size eeprom, but the file I download of #update 5 is 4MB.

 

4MB is fine, when you dump the BIOS from Linux, it gave you a 8MB file...

 

hello, that bios is still avalible? i bought aw17 and i want put some modifications, any1 can help me with it? of course i read all thread 2times so know what to do

 

link is in post #2

 

oh my god... how silly i am, yeah ure right thanks

 

A15 is out.
i was helping someone with A14unlocked BIOS, i wasnt able to find the tools provided by pythonic, was it deleted?

 

Hi everyone, I'm happy to know that we can overcome the limitations of upgrades imposed on our Alienware 17 R1 laptops. Although I am no expert but reading the tips here in the forum I am almost able to install the A14 + BIOS shared by our friend "Javers" but I have not yet found a more detailed explanation of how to install the MOD BIOS in Alienware 17 R1 could someone please help me do this? I used the HxD Editor and I already changed the Service Tag of bios.bin A14 + from "Javers" to the same original service tag of my laptop and according to what I read here in the forum would be what it is necessary to do before flashing the BIOS but I am already about 4 hours looking for some step by step how to do this and I not find .. I will be very grateful if anyone can help me .. currently my laptop is with i7 4930MX //GTX 880m and the Original A14 BIOS provided by DELL and my desire is to upgrade it to a GTX 980m or GTX1070

 

Hi everyone, I'm happy to know that we can overcome the limitations of upgrades imposed on our Alienware 17 R1 laptops. Although I am no expert but reading the tips here in the forum I am almost able to install the A14 + BIOS shared by our friend "Javers" but I have not yet found a more detailed explanation of how to install the MOD BIOS in Alienware 17 R1 could someone please help me do this? I used the HxD Editor and I already changed the Service Tag of bios.bin A14 + from "Javers" to the same original service tag of my laptop and according to what I read here in the forum would be what it is necessary to do before flashing the BIOS but I am already about 4 hours looking for some step by step how to do this and I not find .. I will be very grateful if anyone can help me .. currently my laptop is with i7 4930MX //GTX 880m and the Original A14 BIOS provided by DELL and my desire is to upgrade it to a GTX 980m or GTX1070

 

It is there a specific reason with these unlocked 14 and 14+ version the default SATA config is set to AHCI and NOT to RAID?

For what I can remember Dell/Alienware official BIOS 14 was set to RAID as default and always used that config. Now I have to do a fresh Windows reinstall and don't know which one to choose.

 

From what I remember RAID is the better option. Mr. Fox always used to recommend that setting only. I'm using RAID from day 1 no issues.

Plus there are a slew of new Spectre flaws with CVEs to be disclosed soon, It's not worth to install the current Spectre / Meltdown patched BIOS A15 as it significantly reduces the performance of the Haswell processors, Just a heads up.

 

True. Please the CMD and sleeping bug instructions are missing in the new Unlocked A14+ BIOS and as the original Unlocked A14 was deleted this is an issue to be solved for newcomers.

There go the Flashing Instructions:

Use the Sleep Bug !
Unpack the archive and copy the into C: HD root place!
Then open Comand Promt with Admin Rights (CLI window C:\), put your laptop
into Sleep Mode and then Wake-Up It, after this execute these commands from
CLI window :

fptw64 -f bios.bin -bios

 

Mmm something went wrong wrong now...

1- I've installed Unlocked A14+ and then installed Dell A14 stock version.
2-Still with stock A14 and with a wrong service tag, made the proper changes with the HxD tool and edited the Unlocked A14+ with my own service tag.
3-I can't make it work to install the 'new' edited Unlocked A14+ version now.

Any ideas?

 

Solved... obviously you also have to install a flashing files into C:\
Maybe would be nice to have them included into the bios rar files? Just as an idea.
Now I could reinstall the unlocked BIOS but this showed up in my CMD window:

Would be safe to reinstall or could I face brick?

 

Brother @Striker1234 should know more on this.

On my machine after changing the Text of CHANGE1 from A14+ to the Service Tag of our own the file size should remain the same. 4096 kilobytes total. In your screenshot it is showing 1 byte extra. Did you use the HxD program x64 (Jan 2018 updated RC version) correctly ? and not include any spaces of any sort ? @Nomad.

Also I updated the OP #2 with instructions and files for the flashing as Update #5.1

Sorry for the late reply @RYUZAKI L

 

@Ashtrix Thanks man you're a legend! Thanks for update the update 5.1 step but now I see this when I try to update. (True I re-replace CHANGE1 as had space at the end)

@Striker1234 To the other legend here... any ideas?

Edit: Finally retried and now I can enjoy the Unlocked 14+ version with my proper Service Tag. Thanks everyone!

 

Has anyone been able to push more than 230w with this laptop on the unlocked BIOS?

 

Sorry for my late answer, I was on Cuba last two weeks!

I recommend you NOT FLASH if you have 1 byte difference!

The BIOS file size should always be the same even if you change the ST!!!

You can BRICK your computer, you can always recover it, but sometimes is a pain in the ass!!!