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    Guide: How to display B3 Sandy Bridge for M17x R3

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by FallenwingsMiku, May 23, 2011.

  1. FallenwingsMiku

    FallenwingsMiku Notebook Consultant

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    There are a bunch threads talking about M17x R3 showing their motherboards as B2(faulty sandy bridge chips) instead of B3 in software like CPUZ or HWINFO32:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/569546-m17xr3-bios-a04-discussion.html
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/560916-dell-send-me-chipset-rev-b2.html
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/580365-my-new-laptop-intel-sandy-bridge-issue.html

    After some headache and research, I finally found a solution to this problem:

    Notice: Flashing bios incorrectly or changing settings in bios may cause problems/errors. DO IT AT YOUR OWN RISK

    1. First you need to flash your M17x R3 bios to A04. Follow the instruction here:
    http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/569546-m17xr3-bios-a04-discussion.html

    2.Restart your computer and Press F2 to access BIOS SETTINGS

    3.Load Optimal Settings

    4. Save changes and exit

    5. Your computer should detect and configure all hardware again on windows startup

    6. Check CPUZ and HWINFO32

    7. You should see B3 displayed

    Now you guys can finally release like me :)

    AGAIN DO THIS AT YOUR OWN RISK, I DON'T TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITIES

    **** For People still have B2 after following this guide****

    Make sure your computer does STEP 5. You WILL NOT see any changes until your computer re-configure all your hardware(You laptop will detect hardware /install drivers etc).
    If it DOES STEP 5 and still displays B2, I suggest you call DELL.
     

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    FallenwingsMiku, May 23, 2011
    #1
  2. Rickards12

    Rickards12 Notebook Geek

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    Thanks for the guide! Worked for me!
     
    Rickards12, May 23, 2011
    #2
  3. paradigm

    paradigm Notebook Deity

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    hasn't for me
     
    paradigm, May 24, 2011
    #3
  4. biobak

    biobak Notebook Enthusiast

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    Worked for me too. Thank you.
     
    biobak, May 25, 2011
    #4
  5. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    Worked for me, thanks!

    I think this topic should be stickied, this is VERY important information.
     
    LVNeptune, May 27, 2011
    #5
  6. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Added notes (w/link to this thread) to BIOS A04 sticky post#1 & FAQ sticky, A04 thread title changed.
     
    BatBoy, May 27, 2011
    #6
  7. shadowyani

    shadowyani Notebook Deity

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    Worked just fine for me. Had to do some regedits to get my sound and network adapters to show up without the #'s attached at the end (it annoys me to see Atheros Adapter #2, Bluetooth #3, etc haha).
     
    shadowyani, May 27, 2011
    #7
  8. carthikv12

    carthikv12 Notebook Evangelist

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    Worked for me! I did change RAID back to AHCI though... just out of curiosity, if i hadn't would that cause any issues? Cos when i tried to change to ata, it warned me saying, it would cause issues with booting in to windows...
     
    carthikv12, May 30, 2011
    #8
  9. FallenwingsMiku

    FallenwingsMiku Notebook Consultant

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    I am always using RAID in bios setting although I only have one hard drive. I never had any problem.
     
    FallenwingsMiku, May 30, 2011
    #9
  10. imraan13

    imraan13 Notebook Guru

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    thanks worked for me

    __________
    M17xR3 Nebula Red | i7-2630QM | Nvidia GTX460m 1.5GB OC | 8GB DDR3 1333 | 320GB 7200RPM | CM Storm inferno Gaming Mouse | CM Notepal Infinite Black Cooling pad | Nvidia 3D Vision
     
    imraan13, Jul 5, 2011
    #10
  11. ronit_mit

    ronit_mit Notebook Enthusiast

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    ronit_mit, Dec 16, 2011
    #11