Latest Drivers Checklist for the M17x-R2 with HD5870 (September 2010) incl. VBIOS Flash Guide

This thread is for a quick reference and check for the latest Drivers and Downloads needed for your complete base windows installation, if you plan to do so. Install in the following Order after you logon to windows for the first time.

Driver Download Checklist for the M17x-R2 with HD5870:

M17x-R2 BIOS - A09 (BIOS Flash)

Intel Ibex Peak PCH Chipset - 9.1.1.1015, A00 (Chipset Driver)

IDT 92HD73C1 Audio - 6.10.0.6261, A03 (Audio Driver)

Ricoh R5U230 - 2.07.01.00, A00 (Media Card Reader Driver)

ITE IT8512 CIR Receiver - 5.1.0.1, A00 (Infrared Receiver Driver)

Synaptics TouchPad - 15.0.15.0, A04 (Touchpad Driver)

Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Minicard - 6.2.0.9603, A02-1 (Bluetooth Driver)

Dell Wireless WLAN 1520 Half MiniCard - 5.60.48.35, A04 (Wireless Dell 1520 Driver)

or

Intel WiFi Link 6300 - 13.0, A00 (Wireless Intel 6300 Driver)

Intel 825xx Gigabit Platform LAN Network Device - 11.5.10.0, A01 (Gigabit Ethernet Driver)

Intel Rapid Storage Technology - 9.6.0.1014, A00 (HDD utility)

ST Microelectronics DE351DL Free Fall Sensor - 1.06.08.33, A01 (Free Fall Sensor Driver)

AMD Mobility Radeon HD5870 - 8.763-100810a-104118C-Dell, A01 (Display Driver)

AMD Mobility Radeon HD5870 - 13B96101.104, A01 (VBIOS Flash, see additional Info)

Alienware OSD Application - 1.13, A03 (On Screen Display App)

Alienware Command Center - 2.5.54.0, A07 (Alienware Command Center App)

Install at wish:

Alienware Wallpapers - A01 (Windows Wallpapers)

Custom Desktop Themes - A-02 Alienguise Theme Combo-Win7 (Windows 7 Skin)

To change your Login Screen, use this application and one of the included wallpapers above or any you like:

Windows 7 Logon Background Changer

HD5870 VBIOS Flash Guide Step-by Step

Upon finishing downloading the VBIOS file from Dells site, open the program and use the common dell extractor and after that a Setup should start, click on create USB or CD, whatever you like better. In my example i use a 2GB ipq memory stick.

Step 1, chose Install to a USB Flash Drive.



Step 2, Select the CORRECT Memory Stick, double check in Windows Explorer for the right size and its drive letter. Then click OK. (Tip, have only a memory stick attached, no other USB device to make sure)



Step 3, After a quick progress bar, a message will show up that it finished.



Step 4, Keep the Memory Stick in the system, reboot your computer, hit F12, select option 2 USB Storage.



Step 5, the flashing utility should start, continue by pressing "B".



Step 6, VBIOS Flash will intiate and flash both cards (or only one), upon finshing you get the provided image, remove your device and hit any key to restart your laptop.



Step 7, verify after Reboot in GPU-Z, should look like this.



Good Luck and Enjoy

 

I just installed everything here lastnight.
After the A09 and vBIOS flash, my M17X is running better than ever!!!!!
Of course I did a fresh Windows 7 install on a new 80GB SSD.
Thanks a million

 

All you need on the original post is a guide on how to Calibrate the RGB Display!!

 

Is this something provided by Dell?

If not, no, this is just for the base configuration and that the system is stable and looks like it came on the first glimps.

Also i have not calibrated my screen either (my eyesight is already pretty bad, i wouldn't notice it anyway hehe)

If someone likes to do Screen Calibration he will directly refer to the specific thread. It's only a checklist, a download list and an installation list. Not more, not less

The VBIOS Guide is in here, because people tend to not understand what to do after they created the flash media or don't know how to do that already...

 

Grim, I don't have time right now, but the Intel Rapid Storage Utility does have the Intel Chipset in it, I installed it this morning and it installed the Chipset Driver too, I Downloaded it Direct from Intel which is the same version as the Dell sites, it says it in the notes, I can look later..

Ok, I was mistaken, we are talking two diffrent "chipset" drivers, the one I am talking about is part of the Hard Drive interface (Intel Rapid Storage Technology), what is the other one for ( Intel Ibex Peak PCH Chipset ) ?

 

I would not count on it, it clearly says Storage Utility and not Chipset. Unfortunatly you can almost test this only on a fresh install, and do all the installs without the Chipset, and see what unknown devices will be left over. As i said, don't count on it, and better be safe, it should not do any harm either. It's up on the Support Site for some reason.... Yeah if you can verify that, but most likely it says in the release notes it's comaptible with that chipset, but it's maybe not included... I'm up for any more info about verifying this, on the dell site additional information for the utility is: This release replaces all version of the Intel Matrix Storage Manager(IMSM).

And no, you are talking about 2 chipsets, i only talk about 1. lol

Mainboard Chipset. http://vr-zone.com/articles/intel-p55-ibex-peak-chipset-features/6124.html

 

Intel rapid storage utility is listed as a driver on Intels website. I did install it on a fresh install.

 

Thanks for putting this together Grim.

 

This is awesome, thank you.

 

LEGEND just what I needed ! just one question grim, I have already flashed my videocards with the new vbios and also installed the A09 bios......do I need to do this again after a fresh reinstall?

 

Easy answer, no, once they are flashed, no need to re flash.

 

You did a fresh reinstall of Windows after flashing Vbios or berore ?

 

That is correct, a Flash is normally a Firmware write / programming on to the hardware ROM. This is a permanent write and stays where it is

It doesn't matter, install the vbios when you are on 8.763 on your current windows install or before reinstalling windows on VGA Display Drivers or after installing windows and you are on the latest drivers again. Any option will work, aslong you are not using any older drivers prior to 8.76x. Cheers

 

Good work Grim. just a suggestion. adding the date right beside the A revision would be even more useful at filtering driver updates.

 

I think the Post clearly specifies the latest drivers for september 2010, also i think the driver revision and info included in the link is a more solid info you would provide to specify the driver. And there is not only the revision Axx, the original OEM revision is included aswell for ATI, Intel and others manufacturers, if you like to see the actual date, click on the specific driver to get more information, those are not direct download links, they lead to the overview page which provides even some additional info, if you're into it.

I only want to provide a complete and simple list, with the most releated info needed in a compact form for everyone that likes to have their M17x-R2 system performs at its best since it got released

Don't be too sad about my interpretation on things sometimes, i'm weird i guess...

 

Hi Grimfan and others. Thank you very much for your kind efforts and making it easy for us. I am going ahead with the reinstall. If i get stuck somewhere i will let you know. God bless you all

 

You guys can always write me a PM if something is unclear, i might just point you to the right direction in this forum or how you can research on your own, if i am not able to provide a solid answer directly, if that does not comfort you enough. Cheers

 

Hi,

I bought an M17x R2 with two 5870 in crossfire a few weeks ago. I didnt update many drivers but i tried updating the BIOS, the Video driver and the V Bios, then,a few days later i couldn't boot my system anymore (either freezing or BSOD). i know i probably did something wrong.. (I'm a noob with drivers ). So I used the ''roll back to previous drivers'' with windows in safe mode, and now it boots but logging in is often longer than normal.

now I'd like to update my drivers, and bring my system up-to-date, but I'm not sure what's the exact, normal way to update drivers, and if possible, I'd like to fix this without reformatting because i installed quite a few programs, although if its necessary it can be done..

also, if is necessary to put drivers on a USB when updating them?

Anyone can help?
Thanks,
Ian


Edit: I only rolled back my video drivers, not sure if it affected Vbios and bios

 

Rollback to previous driver is a pretty bad idea, if you were on 8.763. You cannot revert to the old drivers, when you have flashed the vbios. I recommend a fresh install, where you won't have any interference with the old drivers. Try to backup as many things you can, then follow the list and install those in the given order, also make sure GPU-Z shows the same as the last picture. Good Luck

 

Great post + rep...

 

haha i it seems so simple when you write it...

don't you think if i uninstalled the drivers with the device manager they would clear and wouldn't interfere? i just really wish i could do this without reformatting

also, what the main purpose of putting the vbios/bios on a flash drive? if it just the way its installed or it is to be kept?

 

The Vbios is flashed with a USB or CD, once you have completed the flash your done, until the next Vbios update if there is one.

 

Yah but do you need to keep the vbios on the drive after its done or you just delete it and use the flash disk normally afterwards?

 

After the vbios flash, you can reformat your memory stick again and use it normally, sure. The vbios flash is a rom flash and is permanent written and saved/updated.

 

The information is written to your video cards(s), like Grim said after you flash, your done use your USB drive for whatever

 

ok and one last little question before i respawn my computer.. when i update a driver do i have to manually remove the previous one?

everything is back-uped and ready to go, hopefully with your guide it'll work good

Edit: Oh and, is ''alienrespawn'' a proper way to restore to factory settings? or do i use the Resource Cd and the windoes Cd provided?

 

When you reinstall your os, you need not uninstall any drivers, you are going to be loading drivers fresh. If your system is already loaded and there is a video driver, then you would uninstall the old one first. It's mainly the Video Drivers that are picky.

 

ok and to uninstall, i just go in device manager or is there a special way, and flashing bios, is it the same as Vbios?

PS: what abotu my edit in the last post? Is alienrespawn good to restore?

 

What system do you have? I think Alien Respawn was shipped with Area 51 systems in the past. The M17X has a Win & 64bit DVD that comes with it, that's what you use. It comes with a second disk with all the drivers and programs that came with it. You should get all the drivers off Dell's site first, use Grim's list on page one. To uninstall your video drivers you use control panel, add/remove programs. Can I ask why you want to do a fresh install? If there is no magor reason, I would not do it. It seems this would be your first time doing somthing like this, I would read up alittle more first also, just to be safe.

 

yeah its my first time.. i have a M17x-R2 that i received ealier this month, i probably did something wrong trying to install some drivers and now i had to rollback to previous one just to be able to boot my system...

i wanted to restore it and do everything properly instead of waiting and then maybe be forced to do it later when i have even more programs installed.

I have alienrespawn on my computer, factory installed it seems, and it has the ability to restore my computer to ''factory setting'' as per the 2010-09-09.

 

I gotca, just go for the respawn, it will put you back to where you were before you messed things up, lol, just kidding. After the respawn, update your drivers.

 

haha well to be honest, i messed things up real bad, haha no shame in that i'm learning alot repairing it

So i respawn, then follow this guide's driver list?

And for the Bios, flashing it is it the same as Vbios?

 

I would respawn, then update only the drivers you need to, the video, and which ever after that. After you update your video driver flash you vbios. You can update your Bios now.

 

lik i can update it before the respawn? without flashing?

 

Bios and Vbios are two diffrent things. Since your going to use the respawn option (it will load the old video driver I would like), you really should wait untill you update your video driver after the respawn. As for your Bios, you can flash that now, it will have no effect.

 

my bios is already the right version anyway.. possibly it was like that on factory settings.. anyway, i'll try respawn and installing the right video drivers, plus flashing my Vbios.. then i'll see

 

Sounds good, good luck, I hope I helped.

 

lol dude you sound as unsure about all this as me....haha Im scared I'll break something

 

Actually you don't want to respawn, seriously, the factory default image for restoring should not be used anymore once you flashed your vbios. It's very outdated, i can NOT suggest a Respawn at all cost. Use a clean fresh windows install and forget about the Factory Restore Image. Cheers.

 

Grim, I would agree, but given he is very green with all of this, I figure it's easier for him this way. He just needs to update drivers, instead of trying to figure out how to get all the Alienware stuff like the os screen loaded. His laptop is a month old too, it may have more up to date drivers on it too. Once he gets up to speed, then diffently a fresh install will do the trick, with your list of course

 

Grim mate I am typing on a win7 ulti fresh reinstall thanks to you, followed your driver list and did them in sequence as you mentioned, couldn't be happier....cheers mate

 

Well.. I used the respawn, the installed the latest driver and flashed the Vbios, and everything seems to run like clockwork thanks for the help to both of you! Hopefully it'll keep running this way

+ rep to each

 

Yeah, that's ok, but now you should create another backup or go with a fresh install from now on, because when you revert with AlienRespawn to Factory Default, you would load up with A00 drivers and you would BSOD into Windows. You would have to boot up into safe mode after the respawn, uninstall drivers and see that you can load up in VGA. Your best bet, is to install the latest drivers on VGA default driver, cheers.

And yeah flynnaz, like he just did worked well, i was just overcautious, as he might have run into issues.

But glad it worked out now Ian, cheers

 

Awesome post! Thanks Grim
Edit: Darn it it won't let me rep you

 

Well i think my respawn has a latter version because i got my Laptop in earlier sept. some updates are already on

 

Yeah, if it works out, it's ok. But i'm not a big fan of it, i'm grim anyway, so i could care less. Whatever works and you feel comfy about it, i am aswell then, but you had the choice and you still have it if you run into issues.

Cheers

 

I also wouldn't advise respawn after you have updated vbios, unless you can find out what version of drivers you have in the respawn, or you are semi-techy and can figure your way out of this driver issue that Grimfan showed, as it is real.

Then again, you could simply roll the dice, post here, and someone will help if needed hehe.

 

Hehe, exactry!

Sooner or later if they are not the latter, they will show up for sure, on the other hand if you do a clean fresh install, you will follow a process that will help you understand your system much more and you should be more aware of what is exactly on the system, without worrying too much

Cheers

 

Quick chipset issue. Great guide BTW. I typically like to do a before/after when installing drivers so I don't do the same thing twice (have had BSOD issues with other systems in the past). Anyway, I used Device Manager and found the version of "Intel(R) 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 1 - 3B42" and its version to be 9.1.1.1013 6/4/2009. This seemed older than the one posted in your guide, so I did the install. The install completed, but still shows this version (and not 9.1.1.1015). Should I be concerned?

 

Hey there, all correct, i have the same on my PCI Express Root 3B42 in Device Manager and i have never installed any other chipset on this system, nothing to worry about. The 1015 is the whole driver package, that does not always mean all drivers had to be updated to the latest revision. Cheers