M17xR3 - BIOS A03 Released - Discuss Here

BIOS A03 was released a couple of days ago. Lets discuss here.

Alienware M17xR3 A03 System BIOS

Linky:
Drivers and Downloads

Fixes and Enhancements
1. Added support for B3 PCH.
2. Updated cpu micro-code.

Additional Information
1. System may reset several times after the initial flash as updates are applied.

NOTE from BB: WATCH FOR THIS -- When the system restarts, dont do anything - wait for it to proceed. If after several moments nothing happens, then remove your USB stick (if flashed via USB) and power up.

2. It is always a good idea to go into system setup after the flash and hit F9 to restore defaults. Note - This will reset any custom modifications you have made to setup.

Installation Instructions
Windows 7 - Double Click M18R1A03-W64.exe and follow instructions.

DOS - Boot to DOS and execute M17R3A03.exe. Follow directions.

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For those of you who want to go the DOS flash route - this is the file to grab:
Drivers and Downloads

If you need a walk-through on creating a bootable USB flash stick, see this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...sh-drive-flash-aw-bios-updates-under-dos.html

Once you have your USB boot stick ready, copy the BIOS flash over to your USB Boot stick, Boot using the stick (F12 @ BIOS for one time boot menu). Select USB and proceed with boot.

Once at the dos prompt, execute the flash (M17R3A03.exe)

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Post any issues or questions... if posting an issue, please include the route you used to flash A03 (from within windows or under DOS).

BTW, a windows flash is fine. Regardless how you flash, keep in mind the red text above from the release notes... If you interrupt it, this might lead to issues.

 

Here's a backup of my A01 in case anyone is interested.
(Do not unless you got your r3 before March 2011)

 

BB I understand where you're coming from and no I don't think you're calling me out just exploring all opportunities before putting the crosshairs on something and pulling the trigger

Now unless I'm wrong bad bios flashes end up with systems fully bricked that won't post or at least won't post correctly right? The bios flashed just fine as it would post and read 100% fine in the bios itself so that makes me believe there is either a hardware or software conflict here. Like I questioned before this may be something as simple as BIOS A03 not agreeing with the B2 chipset. Also an FYI I think most people will find out on their own but you have to run the Windows BIOS flashing file as Administrator or it won't run.

 

lol Dane - of course I wasn't calling you out. Actually, bad BIOS flashes can have other results other than just a bricked system. We've seen this before in other threads (and no, I wish I could link to them but I cant recall specifics - after 5 years here on NBR, you pickup all kinds of details).

The one item I noticed in this release (Additional information notes),

System may reset several times after the initial flash as updates are applied

There was another recent BIOS update which did this and I know there were a few who had issues. Again, I'd love to link to them for example but cant recall which system it was on. Regardless, if someone were to not notice this immediately and just hit the power button after the system initially powered off for a restart, this could present an issue.

So, with that said - anyone flashing A03, please do watch for this. When the system restarts, dont do anything - wait for it to proceed. If after several moments nothing happens, then remove your USB stick (if flashed via USB) and power up.

 

Did anyone's R3 already come with A03 cuz mine did.

 

I should probably make note that using A01 with B3 chipset will likely cause nuclear holocaust

 

This may cause a major problem then BB, I have to wonder if the "multiple resets" may have cause corruption to my HDD or install because I had mine set to AHCI and the factory preset for the bios is RAID. So anybody that's not still set to RAID may have the same issue I had due to multiple resets. I wasn't watching the full BIOS flash as I was standing about 10 feet from it, do you think the going into the bios to reset the settings every time would cause issues with the flash?

 

I dont know Dane. What I would suggest in your case (set to AHCI vs default of RAID), when flashing your BIOS 9future flashes) do the following:

1. BIOS flash
2. System power up after Flash - enter BIOS
3. Reset to default values and save exit, system restarts
4. Enter BIOS immediately as system restarts - change your setting to AHCI, save and exit. System restarts - proceed on to the desktop.

This is the process I use on the R1 if I have a RAID 0 config running.

As for the multiple resets potentially not knowing what to do with a setting of AHCI vs the default of RAID - I dont know. Possible. The only way to find out is to reflash and check to see if you run into issues again. Would be a good test. I dont believe it would cause any physical HDD issues but then again, not sure.

 

I guess I'll volunteer to be a test subject. I'm rmaing my ssd tomorrow anyway. What file system for USB keys over 4gb (for bootable usb)?

@Dane, did you get bsod as the quad-colored windows balls came together? That's where I always bsod from controller issues.

 

Use this one for 4GB or higher USB sticks -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/7177976-post17.html

 

Here we go!
Let's hope this isn't amusing for everyone except me.

 

That was anticlimactic...in a good way!
Flash (holy fans!), automatically reboots, F2!, ahci, F10, boot success

Now to see whether or not I notice the slowness Dane is experiencing.

 

You watched for any additional automatic restarts? Beyond the first restart after the BIOS flash concluded - right?

 

Yes.

For me, it forced windows shutdown, then restarted once before even posting. Then the raid screen showed up -> bios (F2), loaded windows....was online for a good few minutes and nothing happened. Just restarted to check BIOS again.

AHCI stuck, didn't need to reset.
BIOS now lists CPU bclk @100mhz by default (A01 lists it at 99.80), but AIDA64 and CPU-Z are still showing 99.8 and my ram is running at 798*2

EDIT: And there's an audible buzzing whenever the screen updates (typing, scrolling in firefox, etc...)
EDIT2: Nevermind, that buzzing was from using a 140W power brick.

 

So I now have to set the bclk to desired value + 0.19mhz to get the frequency I'm really trying to set (100.19mhz in bios = real 100mhz)

According to benchmarks, my memory L1 L2 L3 caches are all slower (higher latency) than with A01

 

Can you post the benchmark results so others can compare? If you have your A01 results handy, be good to include those as well.

Did you change your XMP memory profile in the BIOS? If I recall from other posts this was being discussed - perhaps the BIOS update reset this setting as well?

 

EDIT: fail observations!

latency is actually lower lol

 

So I would just like to know. For nubs like myself, do I need to update the BIOS? What are benefits of updating the bios? I remember when I first updated the BIOS in my dinolaptop, the fan would then remain constantly on, instead of how it used to be intermittent as necessary (HP's site said it's to ensure that the cpu doesn't overheat, which is a disappointment to begin with anyways).

 

If you don't already have your system, aka still being built post "Intel fiasco", then you should get your system with A03 already on it. Just check the bios version when you get it but I'd be willing to bet it will come preloaded.

 

Ah. Thx bud!

 

I really hope mine isn't set to RAID... God knows why it would be in the first place...

 

r3 default is RAID. Always.
Intel suggests using RAID for optimal performance with rapid storage technology 10.x, which is probably the basis for Dell's decision.

 

Anyone have or expect any trouble with this or future bios revisions as they relate to the original sandybridge chipset? Cannot bring myself to send these perfect R3s back for a port we will never use....

 

don't send them back, have the technician come to you and rip them apart in front of your very eyes. why send them away? don't you want to be there for them when it happens?

 

No need to repair or return was my point in addition to the query regarding potential bios revision effecting original Sandybridge. Thanks for the heads up in any case.

 

I dont believe there will be an issue with A03 and future BIOS revs used on the few original systems where owners opted to not send back due to the recall. The reason why I say this is what was included in the release notes of A03 -

Fixes and Enhancements
1. Added support for B3 PCH.
2. Updated cpu micro-code.

Should be fine...

 

A04 BIOS has been added to the Dell support site

 

Will we be following A04 issues in this thread?

 

Too much tech savvy. I'm lost haha! Soo is it really needed for the bios to be updated? Or you can just leave it as it is? Total newb here

 

No clue. I just updated it because its the latest version

 

Do we need to update? What's the benefits?