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    Guide for nVidia 460m users experiencing bsod

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by zoolian982, Nov 30, 2011.

  1. zoolian982

    zoolian982 Notebook Deity

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    *Standard Warning*
    BIOS Modifications, VBIOS Modifications and other system level tweaks can potentially cause damage to your system. Be aware of this before blindly flashing. If you brick your system or cause damage, chances are very high that your warranty will be useless. Know what you are doing, you are responsible for your actions.
    ------------
    (borrowed from widezu69's post)

    THIS IS ONLY FOR PEOPLE WITH NON 3D SYSTEMS

    You will need a usb stick for this process, any size will do, but we will be formatting it, deleting all files on it, so save any files you have on it elsewhere before usage.
    I would also recommend you download the latest nvidia driver you would like to update to.
    You will also want to download "Driver Sweeper" beforehand.
    Phyxion.net - Driver Sweeper

    Myself, and many other R3 owners who have had the Nvidia 460m gpu may have experienced one of these two issues. Blue screens of death, or an inability to update to the newer drivers without a modified inf file, or waiting a long time for Dell to release a supported driver, which can take a long time.
    By using this method, it will remove Optimus and the Intel Integrated gpu, and allow you to run primarily off of the Nvidia card. This will allow you to update to any newer drivers without a modified inf file.
    Here is how to remove Optimus.
    First you would use the unlocked A08 bios. Download it here.
    ALIENWARE 17XR3 UNLOCKED A08 BIOS.rar
    Keep this file somewhere you can easily access.
    Once it is downloaded, this is where things become a bit tricky for some users.
    You need a to create a bootable usb drive. I used the HP USB Disk Storage Tool available here. HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool - v2.1.8 Download - EXTREME Overclocking
    Format the drive, and once it is done, insert just the mod A08 bios into the flash drive.

    Now follow these steps very carefully.

    Insert your usb drive into the e-sata port on the right side of the R3. To be safe, have no other usb items plugged in.
    Then restart your computer, and to be safe, keep pressing F12. This will bring you to a screen with options on what to start boot with. Choose the usb drive, and let it run from there.

    It should say it is running Insydeflash A08 bios. Once that bios is done flashing, the computer should restart. When the computer restarts, immediately go bios configuration, and it should look like this.
    http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/7044/imag0959.jpg

    Go to the Advanced tab, go to Video Configuration, and change the display setting from igfx to "PEG." After that, save your bios settings and restart once more.

    After this is over, boot up in safe mode. Run Driver Sweeper and remove any traces of the previous nvidia drivers.
    You should now be able to update to any driver of your choice. If there is anything I missed, or any errors while doing this, let me know on this thread, and I'll try to help out.

    If by any odd chance you brick your bios, follow this guide by LVNeptune to hopefully recover the bios.
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...y-case-you-brick-your-m17xr3.html#post7791370

    If there is anything I missed, let me know, and I will fix it.

    Please give rep to LVNeptune, DARCODER, and if you see him around somewhere, peppe1 reputation for indirectly helping me gather the knowledge to make this guide.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    zoolian982, Nov 30, 2011
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  2. Jim_AW1982

    Jim_AW1982 Notebook Enthusiast

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    That's what I don't get and it's also on LVNeptune's guide to un-brick the BIOS. How do you put the USB into the e-sata port?!?! Maybe you mean the USB 3.0 which is next to the e-sata?

    I have an e-sata external 1.5 TB drive that I could use for the update but I'd have to move lots of data and it would be inconvenient. Thanks again! I wanted to give you a rep point again but couldn't! I already did on my thread!! :D

    I propose to sticky this! It can be really useful!
     
    Jim_AW1982, Nov 30, 2011
    #2
  3. zoolian982

    zoolian982 Notebook Deity

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    It's between the HDMI In and the 2 usb 2.0 on the right side. Just plug a usb w/ a bios in it.
     
    zoolian982, Nov 30, 2011
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  4. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    No the esata port is a USB port as well. It is a USB/esata combo.
     
    widezu69, Nov 30, 2011
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  5. Jim_AW1982

    Jim_AW1982 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Thank you guys! Of course I'm so dumb that I never saw that the e-sata also has the symbol of the USB right next to e-sata...What can I say? :eek: I'm waiting for a few more days and then I'm going for the BIOS update. Thanks again.
     
    Jim_AW1982, Nov 30, 2011
    #5