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

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by BatBoy, Apr 11, 2011.

  1. Geoffxx

    Geoffxx Notebook Evangelist

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    mine says B2 so amidst all the confusing information here and with the the greatest respect to all that have commented on this thread and others


    WHAT IS THE REAL DEAL HERE

    some have said B2 is fine with a different rrelease or whatever


    can someone that knows 100% without doubt the following - considering we all have bios A04

    1.what software should be used to confirm the intel chip version
    2.what should it be ? and I mean 100% that you know what you're on about

    seriously guys I have read so many opinions and views on this issue it's just confusing, and I don't want to have to start researching it myself


    also, I have also seen mentioned the actual location of the chip that was replaced and the picture of it seemed like it was part of the CPU assemebly

    there just seems to be so much spurious inaccurate info about this


    can I ask that only people that actually know 100% what they are on about continue to post here

    thx
     
    Geoffxx, May 30, 2011
    #51
  2. FallenwingsMiku

    FallenwingsMiku Notebook Consultant

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    It will only display B2 if Windows re-configure all hardware on startup. If it doesnt, try reset bios again. Hope it helps!
    Having an actual B2 motherboard is def some serious issue. The reason is that M17x R3 uses SATA port 2 for DVD/BD drive. But if it says B2 in CPUZ or HWINFO32, it DOESNT mean you actually have a B2 motherboard. It's most likely a software bug. But by doing what I post in the guide, I can confirm that B3 is displayed correctly. You can see my screen shots.
     
    FallenwingsMiku, May 30, 2011
    #52
  3. kunekaden

    kunekaden Notebook Deity

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    That's your specific case.
    If anyone installs the latest version of CPU-Z and is using BIOS A04 you will be shown the correct revision.

    If your A04 r3 shows as B2 on CPU-Z (again, latest version), you have a non-fixed motherboard.
     
    kunekaden, May 30, 2011
    #53
  4. Geoffxx

    Geoffxx Notebook Evangelist

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    I have cpuz version 1.57.1 and on the motherboard tab it doesn't even show the B2/3

    reinstalled and it hows B2, I honestly cannot believe Dell shipped these systems with the faulty chipset, I guess the only way to confirm this is a visual inspection, what am I looking for ?
     
    Geoffxx, May 31, 2011
    #54
  5. Basilownzyou

    Basilownzyou Notebook Consultant

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    hwinfo32 will tell you.

    You edited your post! haha

    Yeah that's strange, I was lucky. Mine is b3, order info. in my sig.
     
    Basilownzyou, May 31, 2011
    #55
  6. Dr. J

    Dr. J Notebook Deity

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    I understand that it is better to have the B3 chipset with one less thing to worry about but there is little need to be so frantic.

    Per the wiki:

    Cougar Point chipset flaw

    On January 31, 2011, Intel issued a recall on all 67-series motherboards due to a flaw in the Cougar Point Chipset.[23] A hardware issue, in which the chipset's SATA-II ports may fail over time, cause failure of connection to SATA-II devices, though data is not at risk.[24] Intel claims that this problem will only affect 5% of users over 3 years. However, heavier I/O workloads can exacerbate the problem.


    We have two R3's with the B2 chipset since January without any problems and chose to do nothing except switch the DVD to SATA port 1 if a reading flaw is evident in the future. 5% over 3 year chance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I bet there is a 5% chance of a DELL inhome tech doing more damage to your system over the next 3 years. :(
     
    Dr. J, May 31, 2011
    #56
  7. Efadia

    Efadia Newbie

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    I agree its unlikely I will have a problem. I am not really worried at the moment I will, nor am I in a huge rush to get it resolved. But it is more a principle thing, I waited an extended period to get the correct not recalled part only to get the recalled part anyway. And the solution will be to have a tech come take my computer apart, not interested in that at all.
     
    Efadia, May 31, 2011
    #57
  8. Dimes

    Dimes Newbie

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    Mine was showing as B2 - then I loaded defaults in BIOS - and now it shows as B3...
     
    Dimes, May 31, 2011
    #58
  9. FallenwingsMiku

    FallenwingsMiku Notebook Consultant

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    If your R3 has latest CPUZ and A04 + reset bios settings and still displays B2, the only way to make sure is open it up and check or give DELL a call.
     
    FallenwingsMiku, May 31, 2011
    #59
  10. Geoffxx

    Geoffxx Notebook Evangelist

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    must be some weird interaction between the OS and the bios, after resetting to defaults in the bios mine now reads B3
     
    Geoffxx, Jun 4, 2011
    #60
  11. steve1ddd

    steve1ddd Notebook Evangelist

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    this is expected.....you have to reset the bios to read properly...dont know why, but the systems redetect like half the system hardware after a bios reset.
     
    steve1ddd, Jun 4, 2011
    #61
  12. Le0Heart

    Le0Heart Notebook Enthusiast

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    Just curious :eek: ur 3dmark results show 22k + score and i have exactly same hardware (slightly more ram 16gb hyperx running at xmp2) but slightly less cpu (2720 running at 3.0 - 3.3 ghz during benchmarks) and i get to around 19.5k only

    something else i need to know ? :D
     
    Le0Heart, Jun 13, 2011
    #62
  13. imraan13

    imraan13 Notebook Guru

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    Thanks alot worked for me

    __________
    M17xR3 Nebula Red | i7-2630QM | Nvidia GTX460m 1.5GB OC | 8GB DDR3 1333 | 320GB 7200RPM | CM Storm inferno Gaming Mouse | CM Notepal Infinite Black Cooling pad | Nvidia 3D Vision
     
    imraan13, Jul 5, 2011
    #63
  14. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    Where is A05? It is needed for the 580M card :(
     
    LVNeptune, Jul 22, 2011
    #64
  15. livid

    livid Notebook Consultant

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    One guy said that it was factory loaded on his new M17xR3 w/ the 580M, but I've yet to see a download for it.
     
    livid, Jul 22, 2011
    #65
  16. ewitte12

    ewitte12 Notebook Evangelist

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    I think the chance is higher for power users that upgrade hardware frequently ;)
     
    ewitte12, Jul 28, 2011
    #66
  17. nastynate69

    nastynate69 Notebook Geek

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    Actually mine came with A06 bios pre installed.
     
    nastynate69, Jul 28, 2011
    #67
  18. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    Can you call them and see if they will give you the installer for it? They shouldn't be shipping new BIOS revisions without releasing it online...
     
    LVNeptune, Jul 31, 2011
    #68
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