M17xR2 Bios A10 ('Plugged in, not charging' Fix) Discussion Thread

In case anyone is interested, looks like there is an A10 BIOS that was made available today.
Possibly just an update for battery problems, and not sure what the PSID is, but no major changes otherwise.

Release notes state:

BIOS Release Notes
:================================================================
: BIOS File name : W851A10.ROM
: File size : 4,509,942 bytes
: BIOS Version : A10
: EC Version : 15.34
: CheckSum : 2CB7 A8B3
: Release Date : 01/17/2011
:================================================================
BIOS:
None.(Just change the revision)

EC:
1. Modify EC code to get PSID delay 1 second.
2. Modify the bad battery stop charge reason ID code for debug.

It can be found on the Dell ftp site here or,

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...dateid=-1&formatid=-1&source=-1&fileid=439869

 

good find will wait until ChrisM says something to dell alienware community forum

 

Any fix is welcomed!
Thanks for the good news.

 

Just installed it, now to see how it does.

D.

 

Installed using Windows, no problems.

 

when i click on the link you provided the page doesn`t work, can someone upload that please or check the link? Thank you

 

PSID stands for Power Supply ID. It's a Dell patented circuit/protocol for the brick to ID itself to the pc via the center pin on the connector.

 

Nice find - stickied. FYI - link to A09 discussion in case its needed is:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/519400-m17xr2-bios-a09-discussion-thread.html

I've edited post#1 of this thread to the actual BIOS download page on support.dell.com -

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...dateid=-1&formatid=-1&source=-1&fileid=439869

 

I see they've now updated the M17xR2 drivers page. Previous, it only listed A09, so the ftp link was necessary.

If anyone who has installed it can give feedback on whether it fixes the battery charging, please let us know ASAP!

Thanks.

 

I installed the BIOS and upon reboot my battery shows (plugged in, charging) which it was not before I did the BIOS. I have re-flashed 09 and it worked the for a couple reboots and then stopped charging again so my fingers are crossed with this update....it's been a PITA.

 

they mind to release something new for R2 after some months Hope there are no hidden side effects

 

^^
Yeah, that wouldn't be the first time

 

EC:
1. Modify EC code to get PSID delay 1 second.
2. Modify the bad battery stop charge reason ID code for debug.

This says it isnt a fix, its just a way to collect debug info.

 

Debug info for who? I don't see any instructions for submitting the debug info to Dell, and why would Dell release diagnostic BIOSes to the general public.

My guess is, the modifications DO affect (fix) the problem, and there may be another BIOS with more changes later, depending on response from this BIOS.

 

Well, my alienware head changed to orange after I flashed this bios (means charging the battery) until it hit 100% (battery was at around 98% when I flashed it) so it seems to be working for me.

Only time will tell if this is just random or permanent.

I do have a questions about the powersupply (PSID) info.
Just before I flashed this bios I got the "power adapter not connected" error even with the PS plugged in.

So, I did the remove bios battery hold down power routine for 3min and it booted into windows showing the AC adapter connected, then I got an OSD message saying .... .power connector not connected running on battery then it went back to AC.

I then flashed this bios and other than every once in a while the alienware head turning orange (charging/running on battery?) while plugged it... it seems to be fine.

Maybe my PS is going out... not sure

D.

 

My guess would be its actually fixed - you know how somtimes these BIOS notes have grammar issues...

 

so far so good. no power drain with it. run benchmark to confirm

 

I installed the A10, but the problem is I am unable to reproduce not charging bug, so can't really say whether it works or not. So far, so good. Thanks for the link!

 

Only thing I want to know is if the bios atually fixes anything, and if it doesn't mess with our multipliers (XM CPU's) like A08 did.

 

BIOS flashed, 24hrs now. everything seems to be fine. multiplier, as reported in throttlestop is still on 25

 

whaht i really wanted is for us r2 owners to be able to take full advantage of our ssds... not just half of it ... ohwell guess the battery charging fix is better than nothing (and not sure a bios update can fix the slow ssd probelm with the pm55 chipset anyways so)

updating now

 

BIOS flashed. So far so good. 27x in TS.

 

Updated, no problems here!

 

It worked fine for me and it seems most everyone else. Here is another link: Drivers and Downloads

If this update does not work for you, it might be best to call tech support at 1-800-ALIENWARE as you may have a problem the BIOS update cannot address.

All good here, too.

 

I dont know if anyone else is having this problem but after flashing my BIOS with A10, I can't reboot my laptop with the power outlet and battery attached to my laptop.

However, I can reboot my laptop with only the battery or only the power outlet.

This happened about 24 hours after flashing, during which my laptop was shutdown for around 6 hours.

When I started up my laptop when I came back, my fan went nuts, then tt slows down and my lights came up but the screen stayed blank. Power drain doesn't seem to work as well when this happens as when i hold the power button, the lights on the keyboard turn off and the fans go crazy.

When I startup with only one power input, it seems to take longer to startup as well. I'm not sure if this is happening to anyone else or my laptop is screwed up, but the only thing I did since it worked fine was flash the BIOS.

 

Guys, it seems that my alienware is stuck in battery mode. It is getting charged but it says power adapter not recognized. Anyone have any ideas how to correct this? Flashed the bios to the latest version

 

Don't know if anyone else has had this problem. But after I updated the bios to A10 my battery symbol in the system tray disappeared. I had to do the battery removal power button drain thing to get it back. After that everything seems to be working fine.

 

Double check you have the 240W power brick (I am sure you do since it was working before) then remove battery, unplug bios battery, hold down power button for ~3min, plug back in bios battery, plug back in normal battery, plug in AC then reboot (go into bios and reset everything) and you SHOULD be good.

If not, you power brick might be going out

(the above method seemed to work for me when I got the same error)

D.

 

Add one more item that is still not fixed: 5% OC in in BIOS is still lost when computer went to sleep and woke up.

 

What do you mean by that? are SSD's hampered in R2's, and if so, how???

never mind, found out why, guess intel needs some revised drivers, found some kind of fix for it though

 

I called dell and they made me reset CMOS battery and also power drain. After that, windows shows when the laptop is plugged in (without the battery). I will have to keep testing to see if he problem is recurring. IF it does, I will call them again.

FWIW, I have the 210 W adapter.

 

What are your M17xR2 specs? Crossfire? Extreme CPU? 210W may not be enough. I think Dell was replacing the 210's for 240's, weren't they?

 

Alienware M17x R2 Laptop
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
Processor: Intel Core i5-520M Processor (2.4GHz, 4 Threads,3M cache, turbo Boost up to 2.93GHz)
17 inch UltraSharp WUXGA (1920x1200) RGB LED Display
Space Black
500 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
500 GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM) 2nd Drive
Intel 6300 Wireless-N (2x2) Half Mini-Card
Crossfire 1GB ATI Radeon Mobility HD 5870
9 Cell Primary Battery
Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Module
8 GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1333MHz (2 DIMMs)
8X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability
RAID 0

 

How long have you had it? If it were me, I'd push for a 240W...those 210's were trouble.

 

I just got it last week. Let me call Dell once again.

 

From the Outlet or brand new?

 

Outlet, looks like Dell is notorious for sending out 210W power supply with outlet laptops.

 

Guys, I bought this laptop outlet alienware m17x r2 and came on friday.
It worked until its battery ran out and I plugged it in.
1st I realized that the power cord that they sent does not match with the power supply. I found a regular power cord and that fit.
also, the driver recovery disk is missing. anyways,
i called dell, i said that the charger is not working, i was wrong, and they said they cannot do anything until my warranty is activated on monday, that was the weirdest thing i can imagine, i do have the computer and i do own it but it will be activated on monday, anyways, i will call back on monday...
then i started trying stuff myself.
i have a 130w spare for my xps, i tried that same thing, but still computer works fine.
I plugged it in, it says non-dells' adapter.
it never charged the battery. but the battery worked fine until it ran out of juice.
i read every single comment on the two threads on this here, tried basically everything. power drains and etc.
when i remove battery, everything works perfect except it says non-dells charger, it still functions normally.
i put the battery back in in windows, nothing happens, and turns off the computer since it is low power.
the charger is d846d same with m6400 model i guess as i searched over google.
the charger does work since i tried it with a xps model as well.
i tried updating bios to a10,it was a09, nothing changed.
i will call dell on monday, probably by tuesday i will let you guys know about the process. i am guessing it is the charger not the battery.
also, i realize that the charger does not have multiple connectors like the motherboard power jack has...
weird really.

any idea is appreciated. all i am left is a non-battery m17x r2 monster with i5 and 5870.

 

wierd with this update if you are in stealth mode battery stops charging (plugged in not charging) turn off stealth and it starts charging?????
battery was at 29%

Can someone else test this

 

i wonder what is really causing the no charge issue. on my r2 i've never had that problem. always charges perfectly.

 

Same boat as you. My power supply is not recognized as opposed to not fitting in. Also, I am not sure whether trying out different power supplies is a good idea, might damage the laptop.

Tried upgrading my waranty as well to NBD by calling in and they are like your warranty will be activated on Monday so then only it can be extended

 

it won't hurt to try and i already tried, same thing happens, they will probably send a new charger 240w i hope and iam hoping that fixes it, if it doesn't this is going back.

 

Any "extension" in the charger consumption capability is welcomed,30W can do wonders! try that first,call them!

 

I was playing company of heroes on my laptop yesterday and there is quite a lot of lag in the game and it keeps telling me that your settings are too high. This is even when I am running on low settings on a non resolution like 1200x800. I am wondering whether this is due to the low power availability or defective vid card or something else. Would a 210W power supply be the reason for the issues?

 

Yes because at least with me, the system didn't recognize the charger and kept saying I was running on battery.

 

I undestand you guys face a lot of problems with you system. However, is good if we focus on the bios update...

I had problems installing it from windows. The best way to update your bios is to create a bootable usb flash drive with command prompt and run (Please do a search for windows 98 bootable files and USB bootable software; there are lots available), the bios update from there. Do a power drain (remove battery and hold the power button for about 3 minutes).

After all those steps, my system works just fine with no power issues or lack of other matters.

However, dell clearly states, if you system works just fine with the bios installed from manufacture, there is no need to update, specially that there may be a situation when it will mess up your system.

Best of luck...

 

OK, let me say it again.
You NEED the 240W adapter as the 210W adapter will ALWAYS give you the "incorrect adapter" warning.

You need to call dell again 1800 ALIENWARE and let them know this.
Sometimes you get unlucky with a person who doesn't know what end is up.... but just be firm and specific..... "this is an R2 system and it NEEDS a 240W adapter but you guys accidently shipped it with a 210W adapter which will NOT work. You need to send me a 240W adapter now since my battery is almost gone and then I can't use the system anymore"

Good luck

D.

 

I installed the A10 today, all seems to be fine, has anyone seen any changes regarding the PM55 chipset - ssd 4k read issues?

 

i am literally on the phone with the dell rep right now, he did tell me to do exactly the same things I did nothing changes the computer does not charge the battery and the alienware osd keeps saying connect supported ac adapter and blinks every 5 seconds and drives me crazy, dell rep is registering my computer right now, which i find odd... It should have been already registered...
He is probably going to to offer a new charger, and I hope it leaves warehouse today!
I will update the progress from here.

 

I can say for sure that Company of Heroes runs flawlessly @ 1920x1200 with max graphics settings on CFX 5870Ms. This points to there being some sort of system issue.

The "unsupported" adapter is most likely the problem here. You'll probably find that the BIOS is putting the system into battery mode, which will mean that the secondary graphics card is being shut off and the processor is being put into a lower-power state.

Definitely get Dell to send you out the correct power supply. There are only 2 official AC adapters for the M17x: 150W and 240W. Any CFX systems should come with the 240W adapter. If you've got anything else then you've been sent the wrong thing (outlet or new) and Dell need to replace it with the right thing.