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    M17x R3 unlocked bios

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by brave758, Mar 19, 2012.

  1. brave758

    brave758 Notebook Guru

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    Hey guys i've seen links to a unlocked bios in a few of the thread i was hoping some one could shed some more light on it :)

    ie what it does and improvements over the stock 08 does it improve stability etc etc thanks
     
    brave758, Mar 19, 2012
    #1
  2. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    Hey Brave. The unlocked A08 is the same inSyde bios that dell offers, except that dell locks out many features and options. The unlocked one has everything available for tweaking.

    For example, many people who have had issues with optimus have shut off the integrated video card using the unlocked bios. You can't do this with the stock dell bios because the option is just not available.

    The unlocked is also better if you are overclocking

    Just be careful not to tweak things you aren't aware of because you can also brick your laptop if you aren't careful (which requires a blind bios flash to reset it)
     
    SlickDude80, Mar 19, 2012
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  3. Brither

    Brither Notebook Geek

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    I recently did this to disable the integrated graphics. It was really easy. Only bad thing is there are many new options :). I really don't know what I'm doing so I'm restraining myself from looking. I'll wait for these guys to tinker around first.
     
    Brither, Mar 19, 2012
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  4. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    A guide on things you can do with the Modded Bios is in my sig :)
     
    widezu69, Mar 19, 2012
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  5. brave758

    brave758 Notebook Guru

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    Thanks guys i think ill have to give it a blast,
    does it just install using a exe or do i have to flash in dos thanks
     
    brave758, Mar 19, 2012
    #5
  6. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    Simply run the exe :)
     
    widezu69, Mar 19, 2012
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  7. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    The Revelator, Mar 19, 2012
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  8. ADegtyarev

    ADegtyarev Notebook Guru

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    Hello I am new to the forum, though not to notebooks, and would like to know does having this unlocked version of the Ao8 bios void dells warranty? Also is this necessary to replace my video card (6990m) with the 7970M?
     
    ADegtyarev, Jun 29, 2012
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  9. GERVER

    GERVER Newbie

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    what kind of "exe" do i run? the"FWUpdLcl.exe" or the"InsydeFlashx64.exe"
     
    GERVER, Aug 7, 2012
    #9
  10. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    Yes...you'll need this if you want to run a 7970m. If you don't disable the integrated graphics, you're heading for some real headaches

    run the Flash
     
    SlickDude80, Aug 7, 2012
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  11. FrozenSolid

    FrozenSolid Notebook Evangelist

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    widezu69..... you don't have a sig anymore :) or am I missing something :confused:
     
    FrozenSolid, Aug 7, 2012
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  12. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    Check sig for BIOS recovery ;)
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 8, 2012
    #12
  13. NuckinFutz

    NuckinFutz Notebook Enthusiast

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    First off, just want to thank whoever made this UNLOCKED BIOS available :) I was hesitant to install it for awhile. But then I kept reading that it is the same as the Original Dell version, but with all the features unlocked. I finally installed it today and noticed a world of difference right away.

    #1 My boot time increased about 7 seconds from 22 to 15 seconds. (Crucial M4 SSD 6gbs)
    #2 The response time for my folders loading all the Icons was instant, no more lagging for a few seconds to fill the screen.
    #3 Intel rapid storage technology reports 6gbs for me SSD everytime now. (It usually switches between 3gbs and 6gbs at random upon each reboot)
    #4 WEI went from 7.4 to 7.5 for the CPU. Total score now is 7.5
    7.5 Processor (CPU i7-2630QM)
    7.9 Memory (16GB HyperX 1600)
    7.8 Graphics (AMD 6990)
    7.8 Gaming (AMD 6990)
    7.9 Hard Disk (Crucial M4 256GB SSD)
    #5 Frames rates and load time increased for games like Crysis2 and MW3. Seemed more fluid.

    I did no tweaking at all with the new unlocked bios. I only disabled the Sandy Bridge Graphics, made PEG Graphics the Primary and installed Catalyst 12.7 suite.
    I will never go back to the locked bios and see no need to do any tweaking with the new. Everything is working great so far.
     
    NuckinFutz, Aug 9, 2012
    #13
  14. Sekmeth

    Sekmeth Notebook Guru

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    Why?
    I think you will not need the power of an AMD card for browsing internet/watch youtube/listen music/....
    just only for games.
     
    Sekmeth, Aug 18, 2012
    #14
  15. Jeniczek

    Jeniczek Notebook Enthusiast

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    Wow, really thanks for posting A10 BIOS.

    Now lookin at Vertex 3 SATAIII all the time mode and am really happy ;)
     
    Jeniczek, Oct 4, 2012
    #15