BIOS A04 for M17xR1 now available from Dell

All,

I need some data sent to my email, [email protected] -
* Service Tag number
* Is the adapter being reported correctly in the Bios?
* Did you complete the A04 Bios update via the ISO image successfully?
* If not, what happened?

 

I honestly doubt they game on them.

 

okay Chris I just sent you my info. Hopefully it helps. Cheers.

 

Chris,
I will send the data you requested.
I guess we are the uncompensated Beta Testers

 

If you guys can also send the AC Adapter part number and PPID, this would be very helpful.

 

erawneila, just so the newcomers are not confused - can you define PPID for them?

Thanks.

 

BatBoy - FYI, just happened again this morning. I'll have this thing for at least a couple more weeks if there are things you want me to try out, be it BIOS/touchpad/whatever-related.

And yeah, it's been fun helping everyone with working on this R1 and its problems/fixes. At least I'll be able to stay in the same forum as you guys with the R2, hopefully not diagnosing problems on a daily basis though!

 

Nope. Usually happens when I come in to work and the system is off for about 45 minutes. Rarely happens when I go home, in fact only a couple of times there. Probably a coincidence with that. Both places I have it plugged into a surge protector, so it's not that.

 

Thanks for the update Elkay. Please forward your info to Chris if you haven't already done so (see his post at the top of the page - post#251). The more data they receive, the sooner they can track this down and in the long run it helps us, the end users. This issue is tough to reproduce so the more data the better.

I'll PM you if I need additional info.

Thanks again!

 

I think he means he wants both the adapter model number and the Dell Part Piece ID (part number), in my case being GA240PE1-00 and J211H.

EDIT:

Info also forwarded to Chris.

 

Yep - just wanted him to explain for any newcomers who may not be familar with locating the information. Thanks.

 

Chris I sent data as well.


Joe

 

My adapter is GA240PE1-00 and J938H

 

To be clear, the warning is randomly at boot time (had it 2 times since I reflashed using the CD version of A04) and the warning in OS follows only when I had the warning at boot time and followed the following procedure (I'm lazy and enable BIOS hybrid graphic setting without power cylcing the system ).

Sequence is as follows:

1. warning at boot time appears
2. F2 to enter BIOS
3. In graphics detail, enable hybrid graphics again
4. Save and exit from BIOS
-> due to save the system continues(?) boot process and this time there's no warning message. Windows boots and after login there's the message in a popup (sorry, didn't wrote down the exact error message, will do next time it happens).

Anyhow, when I click 'OK' to the message, unplug the power cord from the computer and plug it back in, all's well again.

Will try to do procedure with reboot you suggested and keep you informed, but as said, it happened only twice on 10 to 15 startups of the computer.

Will send info to mail address as per request too:

All stock settings (no OC)

power supply GA240PE01-00 DP/N CN-0J211H-48661-972-0CJ7-A01

 

I have been trying to reproduce this 193W PSU and not charging behavior - no luck.

Your config is very similar to StamtisX's however I still don't buy the config being the cause as others with similar config to my system (QX9300) also encounter this.

One thought looking over your post... so how do you normally have your system setup in terms of HybridSLI and Integrated Graphics? Do you typically have both set to disabled in the BIOS (resulting in only running on the discrete GPUs)?

On my system I have both set to enabled. Will look at these two settings next. Just to be clear, if you have your system set to Disabled for both Integrated Graphics and HybridSLI, booting up without AC Power connected will produce a warning message. Only mention this in the rare case you were not aware of it...

 

DOH - sorry. I shouldn't have assumed. PPID is piece part identification. It is normally on a sticker on the part and would look like this:

CN-0J938J-73245-02S-1014-A01

PPID allows us to identify all sorts of information about your part, including vendor, date produced, revision, etc.

Thanks.

 

Well, on that note -

DELTA PSU

Model: GA240PE1-00
DP/N: J211H

PPID: CN-0J211H-48661-973-0CZZ-A01

Not seeing any issues at all (under original A04 release or A04 ISO release).

 

Good point, I'm always running on power supply and have hybrid always enabled in BIOS. I'm not suer wether the integrated is enabled then or not (thought it is greyed out when hybrid is on, only don't want to reboot now ).
Maybe some other thought. I used the Fn-F7 button and noticed that a reboot isn't anymore required to switch between hybrid and integrated graphics (that how I noticed the strange fan sounds). I assume behind the scenes the BIOS settings are changed too when doing so? I'm just guessing, but might there be a relation?

Updated DP/N number in previous post btw

 

the FN+F7 is a result of the NV Display Driver. Some driver versions will support this switching while others will not. At least that has been my experience thus far. The 257 driver supports it. Not sure about 197.31.

The message you are seeing in Windows is normal I believe belien... resulting from the HybridSLI/Integrated Graphics settings you are using. The warning in windows will look kind of plain (dialog box). See if you can screencap it next time it happens and post back so we can verify.

 

I'm joining the fray. Sent my info to Chris too. Net is that I get the AC adaptor warnings & go through the same sequence as Belien above.

HOWEVER, the twist I'll add (and included in my email to Chris) is:
The reason I went looking for a new bios in the 1st place is because for the last couple of weeks, whenever I cold started my system (power had been off & it had been disconnected from then reconnected to AC power before starting), at the point at which Windows (Pro 7) was truly starting I would get all sorts of crap (horizontal bars, flashing stuff) on the laptop screen (1920 x 1200) but the external monitor would look okay. After several minutes (5 to 10) the Laptop screen would slowly stabilize & then be okay.

I had heard that bios A03 was supposed to fix a problem that sounded like what I was having so I had downloaded that a month or so ago - but it didn't fix the problem. When I installed the "1st " bios A04 - that did not fix the problem either. BUT when I installed the ISO version of bios A04 - the crappy laptop display startup problem went away (for three different cold starts now spread out over 2 days. So I don't know what that means - but ISO version of A04 seems to have fixed my initial problem but has introduced this new AC adaptor warning problem.

Also FYI - this system has gone through 3 mother boards, 2 replacements of the nvidia 260m's & a new display screen - all since getting it in December.

 

Tried all of that.

The only thing it fixed was the plugged in/not charging message.

Other issues are the ame thing and actually just now booting up I got the adapter warning message. The only thing about that is my wife unplugged the adapter from the wall this morning so it has been sitting unplugged for about 10 hours.

Still cannot overclock(gets disk check everytime and freezes) and still getting adapter warning message.

SPECS:

T9600
8 GB RAM
260m SLI

PSU:
Flextronics DP/N 0J938H

 

When it was unplugged from the wall outlet, was the system in sleep/hibernation or shutdown? just trying to get all the details

Thanks.

 

Reponses to different questions I've been Asked:

System is formally "shutdown" - I don't use hibernation nor sleep
My Specs:
T9600 mem=4GB Dual GTX 260M Raid 0 1 TB (2 x 500GB) WUXGA (1920 x 1200) - No over clocking - do run Hybrid

I've tried the reset process (unplugged, battery removed, hold power button down for 20 secs) before & again just now. Still get the AC adaptor warning then I go to bios (F2) it does say 193 watts - I unplug then reconnect the AC adaptor it (the bios) then acknowledges it's 240 then I re-enable Hybrid then restart & it comes up okay.

The power adaptor here at the office is a Flextronics DP/N J938H. I don't know off-hand if it's the same at the house & will check tonight.

 

Thanks for the follow up. Be sure to email Chris with that info on the PSU.

 

Normally I set my power options to shut down on power press or lid close, nothing on sleep but I just checked and all power options were set to sleep so I have to assume it was in sleep mode.

 

Thanks turbo... I wonder how many others we have here on NBR who have no issues with A04. Tried all of the steps which have been posted and have failed to reproduce.

 

Batboy - I always have hybrid/integrated disabled and running only off dedicated. I also have the same PSU model as you. Definitely not either of those settings.

I always have the summary screen enabled so I can see POST. I don't tweak much else other than O/C which we've also determined is unrelated.

 

Elkay, do you remember if you flashed with Hybrid and Integrated disabled?

 

Yep, both were disabled.

 

If it helps any, I had the 4870s in when I tried the initial A04 (so integrated was disabled) and had the problems that I have already described. The problem existed when running on either the 9400m or the 4870s

DP/N J938H
PPID CN-0J938H-73245-96C-1655-A00

 

Model : GA240PE1-00
CN: 0J938H-73245-993-1486-A00

 

Well, I think we've established that it's not related to any specific adapter lol.

 

Regarding the AC Power Adapter warning, I called the technical support. I have installed the A04 ISO version. They asked me to load BIOS defaults once again. I did that, reconfigured my RAID settings and the adapter problem seems to have gone for the moment. I'll verify the settings for a day and post again.

 

Results of my AC adaptor tests (versus Adaptor warning after installing A04):
My Flextronics DP/N J938H ALWAYS (each morning and during several tests over the last week - probably a couple of dozen cold starts) fails (the adaptor type could not be determined 193 W in the bios failure).

During this time period I installed the "1st" A04 update & then the "other" (ISO version) when it became available

My Delta DP/N 0J211H has intermittently failed (maybe 3/4's of the time during this same period - probably less than a dozen cold starts during this period)

My other Delta has NOT failed in the three times I've tried it.

 

i was about to ask something about AC Adapter, but then i just saw the recent posts
did also tried "A04 BIOS" (hoping that my alienFX gets fixed) just today, after a few shutdowns, (also did hold Powerbutton without the AC and battery for 45sec).. Got the warning that my AC Adapter isn't recognized.

my system is M17x-R1

 

Thanks for all of the replies - I have copied all to engineering who is investigating.

 

Batboy. System power options were set to power off for every option. Still getting adapter messages and no OC at all.

One thing I really absolutely hate about this laptop is the fact when this happens it loads the 9400 and I have to reboot and hope I dont get adapter messages to get the 260's working.

It needs to allow e to save the dedicated graphics opton, regardless of if I am on battery or not. If it lowers my battery time, oh well, but that should be my choice. It shouldn't default to it.


EDIT: I wonder if I am having another problem as well as the PSU problem. Today, I get the power warning message, system went to check disk and froze but this tie, the scroll lock and num lock were solid and the caps lock was flashing. Any ideas there? I get the consitency check/lockup about 80% of the turn ons now.

 

Is anyone that is having this problem near Austin or Miami? If so, could you please send me a PM?

Does anyone have multiple adapters where one always works fine and the other always fails?

We need to get some captured units (or AC adapters) in to look at if possible.

Thanks in advance!

 

Hi erawneila,

I'm not in Austin or Miami - but I do have multiple AC adaptors - one of which always fails, one has failed intermittently and another that has NOT failed (but this one is the one I've tested the least).

Here's the data:

Current Office AC Adaptor (Always gets the error & it is the one I use every day - have not switched it out yet because I'm waiting to see if you folks come up with a fix):

Flextronics PA-9E Family
DP/N J938H
Model GA 240P1 - 00 Rev 00
CN 0 J 9 3 8 H - 73245 - 985 - 0352 - A00

Current Home Den AC Adaptor (Got the error regularly then used ISO version of A04 & then got the error the 2nd time - but not the 1st time I used it): :

Delta PA-9E Family
DP/N 0J211H
Model GA 240PE1-00
CN 0 J 2 1 1 H - 48661-9C8 - 0M3Q - A01

Current Briefcase AC Adaptor (have now used 4 times without failure):
Delta PA-9E Family
DP/N 0J211H
Model GA 240PE1-00
CN 0 J 2 1 1 H - 48661-9C8 - 0M3P - A01

 

Just got the power adapter at boot again.

Went into BIOS, AC adapter listed as 193W. Did reset to BIOS defaults and enabled RAID settings again. Now boot OK, when in Win7, the following 'Notify' popup appears

"The AC Adapter currently connected is not supported. System will continue to operate on battery Press any key to continue."

Unplugged adapter from laptop, when plugged back in, battery charges again.

 

A am back on A03, and went back to 196.86 nvidia driver. After tree weeks with A04 and the latest nvidia driver, A had big problems with my Alienware
But now its all back to normal agen No stuttering, plays all of my games flawless.

 

Did some testing this weekend on my home Adaptor. Failed once out of 5 different cold starts.

The IMPORTANT difference is that the one time it failed is was NOT the 193 W indication in the bios. After getting the could not determine adaptor type warning message - when I did the F2 check the bios sequence - it indicated that the adaptor was 250 W (NOT 240 nor 193).
I diconnected & reconnected the adaptor - it then went to 240 W and & reenabled Hybrid and everything worked correctly The Adaptor in question is:
Delta PA-9E Family
DP/N 0J211H
Model GA 240PE1-00
CN 0 J 2 1 1 H - 48661-9C8 - 0M3Q - A01

Note: When cold starting at the office this morning. I did get the "usual" warning and the bios indicated the adaptor was 193 W. This adaptor always fails

The office adaptor is:

Flextronics PA-9E Family
DP/N J938H
Model GA 240P1 - 00 Rev 00
CN 0 J 9 3 8 H - 73245 - 985 - 0352 - A00

 

I had the same issue - upgraded to A04 and then got the power adapter messages and it showed as 193 watt in the BIOS.

I re-flashed back to A03 and loaded defaults in the BIOS and everything is back to normal and the AC adapter is showing 240W in the BIOS again.

This has got to be the worst laptop I've ever used and/or owned bar none. I would never buy another Dell product again based on the experience I've had. I wish I had my money back.

 

I tried to flash back to A03 and had the same problems, so not sure what else to do at this point.

 

I had to flash back to A03 and then do the usual remove battery and hold the power button down for a few seconds. Then I booted, went into BIOS and restored factory defaults in there and then shutdown and removed battery again and then it finally came back to 240W power adapter in the BIOS and then it was back to normal.

 

The winphlash file for A03 is broken.....use the winphlash from any other bios version and point it to the A03.rom.....

this has been said so many times....

 

Hi Everyone - has anyone heard from our Dell support friends? Way back on page 26 there was the request for emails to Chris (I sent one - although it was never acknowledged) and then the request for multi PSU info that I also responded to.

I've held-off calling support on this issue because last week there seemed to be Dell folks actively engaged on this thread and I don't care for the phone "hold time". And my other fear is that they'll decide to send yet another motherboard (They've replaced it three times in five months) - Although based on my sample size of three AC Adaptors - I might need to get the Flextronics one replaced if that can't get the Bios to read it correctly.

I do NOT want to go back to A03 because the A04 update (after flashing from CD) actually fixed the problem I was having with the Laptop Screen during startup (even though it was A03 that was supposed to fix that particular issue).

 

That isn't it. The flash works, and BIOS reports as A03 but I still get the adapter errors.

 

I've seen posts here in the forum on the bios and other bugs, I'm using the A03, do not feel secure to update, but now I wonder I installed the A03 by winplash, my I / D GFX and sometimes does not work my media not turns on the lights so I have to reboot and everything returns to normal .... Could it be the bios winplash A03, someone could send me the link to. iso A03. Tanks


**I bought my model r1 in the U.S., but I live in Brazil.

 

I'm having the AC Adapter warning after flashing to A04 as well. I hit F2 when it gives me the option to hit F1 to continue or F2 to enter setup. At the bottom of the main page in the BIOS it shows 193W. If i unplug the AC adapter from the computer, and plug it back in, the 193W goes blank, then comes back showing 240W. Then i re-enable hybrid and integrated in the graphics settings, hit F10, and it boots up normal running on AC power like nothing ever happened. Every time i boot it up from being completely shut down, i have to do this all over again.

** EDIT: I did the steps Batboy posted by removing the AC and battery, holding the power button for 20 seconds, then putting the battery, then the AC back. Still get the same message.