M17x to 17 R4 - Legacy Support Possible, but TESTERS NEEDED!

To All m17r1 to m17r4 owners:

I have put out a bios mod to give legacy support (and also update SEVERAL MODULES) for the m18xr2! I can also POSSIBLY give out support for the m17xr1 to m17xR4, but I need people willing to test the mods. They are generally safe and have actually NOT had an issue while working on these type of mods, EVER! That doesn't mean there isn't any risk, but the risk is truly minimal! And, if someone DOES have an m17xr1, m17xr2, m17xr3, OR m17xr4, and is willing to test, please PM me or let me know in some way, shape, or form... As I'd LOVE to give this support to ya'll, as I've had MANY PEOPLE ask me to provide this support for them. BUT, no one is willing to test, so I cant do anything until I have someone that can test since I dont have the laptop!

IF you'd like me to do this, I'D BE HAPPY TO, but I need people willing to test.

I hope to hear from you soon!

 

i am willing to test the bios for a m17x r4
but i don't run a raid set up so i would be unable to test the trim support

 

Great...
When works for u (time wise)? Wanna do tmmrw or tonight? Lmk...
Also, testing is gonna be on a LOCKED bios. HOWEVER, i have a program thatll work in windows, by intel, thatll allow u to mod setting in bios through windows!
So an unlocked bios isnt really needed with this tool, heh!
Also, youll need to be on STOCK inte me firmware, as im using a12 & a13 bios for the 17r4!

 

I got my R4 today. I am willing to test. Already has a 980M in it too.

Sent from my overpriced Galaxy S6 Edge +

 

I'm glad you're both going to help with this. A lot of folks will be very grateful. Those that are not don't deserve to benefit from it.

 

Well, the good part is i can use a LOCKED / STOCK bios and with the bios enablement tool be able to give people the ability to get the latest update AND still get the potential Legacy Support!

The RAID OpRom is already in the bios that you are running. If you dont use raid, then no worries, just set to whatever setting you have in the bios. ATA setup or AHCI, just dont select raid...Easily solved! This way the update is still there for others that may want to use it!

@deadsmiley
I sent you a PM. LMK when you want to test so I can get the file ready for you.
I have all the updates that I can add to the a12 or a13 bios, BUT... The reason I'm not doing that is because I want to see that the Legacy Support works, first. Then I'll do ALL the updates and with the Bios Enablement tool that runs in windows from intel, you'll be set, as that tool gives you FULL control of your bios weather it's locked or unlocked - but through windows! You won't lose any "real" access. You'll just have to mod the bios settins via windows is all...

 

i know, i just meant that i am not willing to reformat my drives in a raid setup to check that trim works

 

That's not a problem at all...
The raid mod will still be there, but you dont need to test that. Maybe someone else can. And the raid mod that I do generally works and hasn't caused ANY issues for people not running raid, so you should be in good shape!
Anyway, LMK when ya'll want to start testing! Would be great to get another MOD out with legacy support and bring these laptops back to being relevant!

Sorry for yet a nother post, but the more I lok at the structure changes from a11 bios to a12 OR a13, there is a really good chance we can actually get legacy supporet to work. MUCH better chance than getting it to work on A11. And like I said, with my bios enablement utility through intel (it has a graphical user interface), it will LITERALLY be as if the bios was unlocked, AND you're able to make changes in windows, so that's a nice thing, too! (At least I think so). I've also tested it and can confirm it works without ANY issues!

I hope to hear from ya'll, AND OTHERS, cause I really think we can get legacy support for all the machines - IF we have luck on our side, too. LoL
My goal is to have legacy support for the M17xR1, m17xr2,m17xr3,m17xr4, AND m18xR1!
So, fingers crossed we get more ppl willing to test, cause things look good from what I'm seeing, heh!

 

I have two Samsung 830 drives so we can test whatever you want in regards to RAID and SSD. I don't care about formating because the machine has Win 10 on it right now.

 

Anyone test this and figure out the status of it?

 

Not yet. Swick1981 has been afk for a few days.

Sent from my overpriced Galaxy S6 Edge +

 

hopefully his laptop is in working order.

 

He has some life happen so might be out for a bit. No details available but I am sure he is fine.

Sent from my overpriced Galaxy S6 Edge +

 

Hello, not posted for quite some time. I do look in now and again. I have some internal engineering BIOS files for m17xr2. I was part of the testing team on the modded A10 m17xr2 on the forum. Pm me if you want these files. Included bios notes for each bios update. Might make things easier for you.

Regards

Ant

Can't test as I have traded it in for Alienware 17 r1 ranger.

Willing to test if you do the above model in future.

 

How is the testing going? M17x R4

 

@Swick1981 hasn't been here for over a week.

Sent from my overpriced Galaxy S6 Edge +

 

I have my m17x r2 and m18x r2 lock and loaded to test.
May be this is the fix for GTX 900 series graphics cards in m17x r2.

 

I have the the M17x R1 and R2. I would like to participate in the testing.

 

We await the return of the king.

 

Deadsmiley,
I guess I've returned... LoL!!!
I'm no king, I'm just a really LUCKY BASTARD that got things to work! LoL
(With a kick ass testers)
I'm back, FINALLY! Sorry for the delay! I was really sick and out of country. Long story, but took a whiel to get back into USA due to infection. Then picked up Pneumonia once I got back.
ANYWAY, I apologize for the delay, but I am back and DYING to get started, again!
If ya'll are still willing to test, I will start up again tomorrow. I THINK I have all my files in the same place, too. But, to those that have tested a bios for me, for the m17x series's, can you tell me where we left off?
Thanks!!!
Swick

 

Nice to see you back, and sorry to hear you got so sick .

As far as I know legacy support was tested with your latest bios mod but it didn't worked yet (al other modifications and updates did however

 

sorry to hear that.. i hope you will get well soon ^^

and i want to participate in this great innovative testing,

However, i have a question, now my m17x r4 is in the hell 8 beeps mode,,

and it is 3d model which doesnt have the integrated intel gpu....

how can i flash the bios in this situtation??

if it will work under this circumstances, i am willing to sacrifice (?!) my Alien!!!

 

Thanks for the kind words all! Appreciate it.
I'm finally back, yet again. Back from the dead, twice, lol!

@Alucardoo
That's a good question... I do not have the m17xR4... HOWEVER, @j95 MIGHT know the solution to your problem (THOUGH I MAY BE WRONG!)!
(Fingers crossed)

I'm still working on the m17xR4 to see if a STOCK bios, later version, will work. It looks like the files required to give support for the 900 series are not there. Therefore, on the newer bios versions from DELL they are, and that MAY solve the problem! AT least I AM HOPING!

So, now that I'm finally back... I'm working on the m17xR4 as I type. I've got 2 options, and I'm going with the faster option, but I need testers that are experienced at testing and can recover from a brick. I've only had 2 bricks, and @Raidriar is good enough to be able to fix my errors, THANKFULLY! LoL
I DOUBT this will brick, but I just want people to know the potential risks... In any case, let me know if anyone wants to test? If so, I'm porting a few modules and modding them, too. Shoulud have done in a few hours! (Taking longer than I thought! heh)

Let me know...!!

 

I am ready. Should very home in a couple of hours.

Sent from my overpriced Galaxy S6 Edge +

 

Okay, sounds good!
I'll try to have something ready ASAP!! Took longer because I'm porting and modding the modules to TRY and get this damn thing to work on first try! heh
Unlikely, but you never know....

Anyway, I'll talk to you soon! Shoot me a PM when you are available. IF it's too late, I'll PM you tomorrow in the AM, k?
Thanks! Talk to you soon Deadsmiley
Swick

 

so what i can do with this bios mod that i can't do with stock/factory bios?

 

Use windows 7 with a maxwell card

 

in peg mode, already can do with optimus

 

But who want's to use optimus?

 

Sup all...
looks like I'm finally done with the mods for the m17xr4. Not sure what the outcome will be, and I think I'll need experienced testers. j95 said he will test, but he's waiting for a battery. IF I'm able to send him one of my m18xr2 batteries (assuming they are compatible) then I will to get him to test. HOWEVER, I really need people that are experienced to test for me. These mods are exactly the same as the mods I did for the m18xr2, but for the m17xR4, obviously. Anyway, does anyone out there want to test? Please note, this SHOULDN'T brick, but I really dont know if they're will be a problem. The first mod I've done can be flashed with fparts. So, send me a PM if you're able annd willing to test. AGAIN, it MIGHT work but might not and testers are needed. Plus, I can't be responsible for any trouble you may have! Not trying to scare you away from testing, just letting you know there COULD be an issue, thought it might work too... so, it is finished and I just need to hear from someone that's willing, able, and somewhat experienced at testing.
Thanks,
Swick

 

I have a spare battery I works be willing to send to @j95. All I need is an address.

Sent from my overpriced Galaxy S6 Edge +

 

I figure after he gets battery, he can test and then others, since he can walk them through the testing since I do not have the m17xr4, sadly. If I had it, I would DEF test for ya'll... FIRST. But I dont, sorry!
Anyway, lets hope j95 responds soon!
Deadsmiley, what state are you in? I ask cause of shipping time that we have...
LMK

 

I am in Tennessee.

Sent from my overpriced Galaxy S6 Edge +

 

So I just picked up a M17x R2...probably paid too much, but I have to experience that RGBLED screen at least once in my life, and it doesn't look like 16:10 or RGBLED is coming back so why not now, before they become collectibles and outrageously priced.

I think you need to make SPI programming a requirement lol, hope they won't need that option though!

M18x battery is too big, won't fit in the M17x (9cell vs 12 cell..it is bigger/chunkier)

 

I have an extra M17x R4 battery. Willing to donate it for the cause.

 

Will have to wait for J95 to respond. I can, if needed, give you a fedex label (prepaid) and have it shipped via OVERNIGHT AM delivery so he gets right away on tuesday.
IF anyone out there has the m17xr4 AND has LOTS of experience flashing, flashing with recovery, etc... shoot me a msg. the mod is finally done for the 17r4. Assuming it works, that is... heh
otherwise, I'll wait for j95 to get battery. Would sincerely appreciate the donation to help get legacy support for the m17r4!!!
Thanks Deadsmiley!

 

Good luck guys! I wish I still had my M17x R3.

 

Has there been any progress with this. I just found this thread. I have a m17xr2 in raid 0 would likely be willing to test however I don't have much time available . Let me know

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

 

When reading this over again just to see status (I would test but I do meet the "experience" qualifications, after all I can't a 680m to work from an aftermarket purchase to replace my 7970m), I saw the battery issue again (had seen it before) and I came up with.......

*Warning partial topic hijacking in progress*

a joke in regards to the battery issue for @j95

What we need are battery modifiers who can modify batteries so we can have a "UNIVERSAL" laptop battery, 3,6,9, cell or whatever, small, extra thin, beefy. So I guess mine is a 9 Cell, so I want a Beefy 9 Cell hold the static (but serious about universal design)

 

G'day!

I have an M17x R3 that I would love to test modded BIOS on.

FYI I have what appears to be a FULLY unlocked A12 BIOS for this laptop which seems to work OK except that when I cold boot it freezes at random points of Windows 10 loading about 7 or 8 times before it completely boots to Windows. If you would like to check it out I am more than happy to send it to you.

BTW I went back to the standard A12 but I'd love to test any of your modded BIOSs. Looking forward to hearing from you Swick1981.

Oh, in case you'd like to know my M17's hardware it's:-

Intel i7-2760QM 2.4GHz
Intel HD Graphics 3000
NVIDIA Quadro K4000M 3GB
32GB RAM
480GB SSD
2TB SATA

 

Sorry my ignorance but.. could this project also include Alienware 17-R1 (from 2013)?

 

Nope, with the AW17 R1 you cannot flash a BIOS unless it's signed by DELL/AW. This might be possible if you use a BIOS programmer to write into the chip directly.

 

Thanks for the clarification.

 

Hi guys. I need help. I change settings in unlocked BIOS A11 and the notebook M17X R4 was brick. the laptop is turned on. but it turns off after 3 seconds. there is no picture or beeping sound. Restore bios method does not work. I need a full dump BIOS A11 or A12 to flash chip on the programmer. Maybe someone has a available in the dump? or I get my bios dump and help me to edit my dump bios for restore default settings.
I change in bios- Internal graphic settings - video shared memory config from 64mb to 1024, and change UMA memory from 256 mb to 512. restart and brick. No beep. No picture. Video card remove - no effects. Ram remove - no restart, have two beeps. Power off, cmos remove and button power on 60 sec - no effects.

Help me please. Thanks.

 

I have a m17xr1 and willing to test.