M17xR3 - BIOS A04 (Enables proper recognition of chipset rev) - Discussion

BIOS A04 Released -
04/07/2010

Changes -
1. Disabled CRID so that the PCH revision (chipset) can be displayed correctly with third party non-CRID aware applications.


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IMPORTANT NOTE:

Please be sure to see this thread -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/580844-guide-how-display-b3-sandy-bridge-m17x-r3.html

Make sure you are on BIOS A04

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Install Options -
DOS or Windows (Flashing A04 from Windows is fine if you do not want to take the time to create a bootable USB stick)


DOS Based Flash:
* Requires a bootable USB stick

1. Download DOS based BIOS update
2. Copy files to bootable USB flash stick
3. Boot to DOS bootable media and execute M17R3A04.exe. Follow instructions.


Windows based Flash:
1. Download Windows BIOS Update
2. Execute M17R3A04-W64.exe. Follow directions.


Discuss BIOS A04 here...

(For reference, BIOS A03 thread - http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/561298-m17xr3-bios-a03-released-discuss-here.html)

 

in laymans terms, what does this change do? And more to the point is it something that effects most users?

 

can you revert back to the A03? been asking this question.

 

Of course you can revert back to A03. If needed, just re-flash A03.

 

So BB, is it necessary for me to flash the bios to A04? I mean, do I really have to do it?

 

While its not required, I would still flash to A04. You can always roll back to A03 if you run into problems.

 

Ok I'll try to flash it, I'm just afraid I will brick my mb if I do something wrong as I've never done a bios upgrade before..

 

Then stick with the windows version. Straight forward and you shouldn't have any issues. When the system completes the flash and reboots, do not do anything. Wait several seconds to be sure the system has completed the flash process.

Dont worry about bricking your system - rest assured if something does go south and screw up, its covered and will be resolved with a call to support.

 

Is there a way to recover a bricked r3 mobo like the phoenix mobos?

 

Since the R3 uses Insyde, I dont know. I'm sure there is a process but why worry? Warranty FTW.

 

How will the warranty work on that? I dont want a dell tech going at home and opening my system. The last time a dell tech fixed my r3, I ended up calling them and ask for a new replacement. Still waiting for my new system.

 

Apparently on the dell support page there is nothing about what does this update do... kinda weird don't you thinik?
Drivers & Downloads

 

I was told buy a L2 tech a week ago, they are going to be offering some new graphic cards, he said one is the GTX 485, the updated bios might support it now. Also the m14x will be out when they sell out of the m15x models and the m15x models will not be sold anymore because they are being replaced by the 14inchers....

 

Correct. The chipset will now be reported correctly.

 

Is anyone with an original R3 board running any of the new BIOS revisions? Yes I'm one of those that has yet to turn in or have my original R3 board replaced.

 

I was running A03 until I returned my r3 on Monday. It worked fine, but underclocked the CPU a further 21mhz by default (BIOS reads x, actual is x-21)

 

Guess I'll stick with orig a bit longer.

 

are you saying A03 underclocked compared to A04 ?

 

compared to A01
They're all underclocked, but A01 is the least.

 

lol, I've been out all night and trying to get my head round this

so what you are saying is that with each iteration of bios that Dell releases for the R3 they are reducing it's performance by reducing cpu clock speed ?

if what I have typed above is correct I honestly cannot understand why they would do this, are you sure what you are saying is correct ? again assuming I've understood

are you refering to the adjustable 99.8 101.2 103....what ever thing that can be user set ???????????????

 

The above link has gone bad, or should I say, windows does not see the file as compatable, thus cannot be run.
Try this link, works:
Drivers & Downloads

That just great "not". I ran the A04 BIOS, and after the reboot it does by default, it started to re-detect and re-install drivers for every single hardware device in my entire laptop
Both the NIC and wireless card failed detection then after another reboot the system detect and has now labelled both there as #2

Only one good thing, HWiNFO32 now lets me know for sure that my chipset is a B3 stepping "Intel HM67 (Cougar Point) [B3]"

 

Hello guys, where can i download the A03 version? or previous versions? Thanks
Edit: I founded it. Thanks

 

is this update will delete all windows system and the program ?.
and can you give me an detail instruction to do this update.
thanks before.

edit : already do the update, but why at bios still A03 ?. i download the windows/DOS format. not application one.
what should i do next ? already execute the file and follow the instructions.

edit 2 : okay, now i already at the last point to run the bios update, i want to ask what will happen to my document, will it delete ?. or what ?.

edit 3 : done,updating bios. nothing being deleted. .

 

lol xD nice work^^ but i read somwhere ( didn,t remeber where..) that A04 has some bug, If you got some, downgrade it to A03.

 

Mine says "B2". Does that mean I don't have the updated chipset?

 

Mine also says B2, system was shipped in April, anyone confirm this ?

 

Geoffxx did you update to A04?

Just wondering if you have noticed any adverse effects.

 

well I just did it earlier and no difference, but it still says B2 so what's that all about ? can someone with knowledge on the subject perhaps explain

 

My only concern at this point is if the A04 BIOS messes anything up or makes the fans louder. I'll need to check it out tonight.

 

my replacement laptop came with A04. installing cougarpoint driver causes BSOD (irql not less or equal), running windows and trying to run 3 things at once causes BSOD (driver power state failure). I'm trying to find A03, if anyone has a link to the windows installer, I would appreciate it.

 

Please do not cross post. As for BIOS A03, its right here:

Drivers and Downloads

Notice that 'Other Versions' link, that appears on every BIOS or Driver which has been updated. Clicking it will take you to the list of previous version. This is exactly how I found the link for A03.

The problem you described in your post does not sound like its going to be resolved with a BIOS flash to A03. All A04 did was introduce a change so the chipset revision could be read/displayed correctly.

 

I was venting in the other thread about dell technical support not being there when I needed it most, I was posting here about the bios. not sure why you closed a related, but not similar thread. I don't get the "other versions" option when I go to the site the normal way, though I see it when I follow the link you gave. thanks for the link, though

 

HWiNFO32 & Aida64 says my chipset is a B2, system was shipped in May, anyone confirm this ?


http://kepfeltoltes.hu/110521/Chipset_www.kepfeltoltes.hu_.jpg

 

Mine says B2 as well.

 

Mine says B2 after the update, received it April 26th. I recall someone mentioning that you can check physically the stepping of the motherboard. If so, could someone link the thread or the steps?

 

If they turn out to be B2 for us, I will be so pissed!
My friend also has B2.

 

m sory to bee noob, but what would B3 bring vs that B2 does not have ? real benefit of B3 ?

 

B2 has faulty sata controllers
B3 does not

 

checked my M17 as well (the one with the Black-screen'ing, and faulty Optimus) still says B2...and this was shipped mid-end april

 

Just got mine tdday and its B3.

A04 Bios

 

Hey,

Im expecting my replacement M17x R3 early next month, quick few questions

What does flashing your bios to this new A04 do..?

How do you find out what version bios you have..?

 

I believe the A04 bios specifically addressed reading the Chipset properly so you know you have B2/B3 etc .

When you first turn the machine on keep hitting F2 till you get to the BIOS screen and all the info is right in there of which BIOS you have..

 

Hi Quadzilla

Other then flashing BIOS to A04, is there any other way of determining which version B2 or B3 one has (I'm taking delivery of my M17x R3, 6970, in several days). Thanks.

 

Install in windows GPU-Z and will tell you under the mainboard window which revision your motherboard is. You may google for the gpu-z and you will be able to get it. It is free...

 

thanks juliant

 

Mine came with A04-B3 stock, I ordered on 4/20.

 

Added to post# 1 - please be sure to review.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/580844-guide-how-display-b3-sandy-bridge-m17x-r3.html

 

My 17xR3 with bios A04 says B2 stepping. I sent ChrisM on the dell support forums a note about it, he basically said all the 3rd party software is reading it wrong. When I said people are getting both reading with the same software depending on how old, he said mine is probably a fixed B2 chipset....not sure what that means. Said the best he could do was get the motherboard replaced, but I really have no interest in a tech coming and replacing my mobo. Received mine on 3/09/11 by the way.

 

Follow the guide above, if it still says B2 then it is faulty. There is no "fixed" B2 revision. If they make a change, ANY change, the revision goes up.

 

Sorry, should have said I did use the guide and flashed the bios. Still says B2. Just kinda mad I waited 6 weeks to get it and they just sent the same mobo then ...