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    M17xR3 A08 BIOS Released!

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by CaveBear, Aug 8, 2011.

  1. CleanSweep

    CleanSweep Notebook Geek

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    Looking at your sig, your system is wayy too crazy LVN. Wish I had waited for the 580m... What did the different BIOS updates fix anyways? I know A08 was just CPU support, right?
     
    CleanSweep, Aug 11, 2011
    #51
  2. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    Brabostaan, Aug 11, 2011
    #52
  3. ryandolph25

    ryandolph25 Notebook Consultant

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    Excuse me,
    I'm a greenhorn when it comes to the field of BIOS.
    My processor is Intelcore i7-2820QM, should i update to BIOS A08?
    Is it safe? And what are the changes?

    Hello,
    I'm a greenhorn when it comes to BIOS.
    I am using an Alienware M17x-R3 and my processor is Intelcore i7-2820QM,
    should i update my BIOS to A08? Is it safe and what are the changes?
    I need detailed information about this, because i'm not really knowledgeable in BIOS. Please help.
     
    ryandolph25, Aug 11, 2011
    #53
  4. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    If the system is running fine I wont update to A08.
     
    Brabostaan, Aug 11, 2011
    #54
  5. ryandolph25

    ryandolph25 Notebook Consultant

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    As far as i can see my system is running fine, i haven't got any problems with my M17x R3. I won't update my BIOS A04 then.
     
    ryandolph25, Aug 11, 2011
    #55
  6. Saarg

    Saarg Notebook Enthusiast

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    I had tha same problem on a new R3. After a phone call to dell they changed the motherboard. Shutdown and sleep is working as it should now :)
     
    Saarg, Aug 11, 2011
    #56
  7. biobak

    biobak Notebook Enthusiast

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    Flashed my laptop too. At first i had an unknow device, but after setting setup defaults in the bios it went away. After that everything is okay. Nice to have brightness control back.
     
    biobak, Aug 11, 2011
    #57
  8. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    That was basically it...I haven't noticed any differences.
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 11, 2011
    #58
  9. Bagongolo

    Bagongolo Notebook Enthusiast

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    Flashed from A06 to A08, apparently no differences, FN brightness control doesn't work yet.
    2630qm, hd6970m, 1920x1080 (original dell drivers (vga not updated)
     
    Bagongolo, Aug 13, 2011
    #59
  10. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    Upgrade ATI drivers, that should fix brightness.
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 13, 2011
    #60
  11. Bagongolo

    Bagongolo Notebook Enthusiast

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    3 days ago I installed the new dell ati drivers, got immediately a BSOD, then my 6970 was so slow (20 fps on black ops) tried everything with no result. I had to format through alienrespawn. I installed the new drivers over the old ones, and now I'm a little scared to try them again...
    Maybe tomorrow
    Tks anyway
     
    Bagongolo, Aug 13, 2011
    #61
  12. CaveBear

    CaveBear Notebook Enthusiast

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    Are you using 1866 HyperX memory by chance??
     
    CaveBear, Aug 13, 2011
    #62
  13. panzer06

    panzer06 His Imperial Majesty

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    I have not had an issue with the FN brightness on the original A06 or the updated A08 on this 2 week old R3. My May R3 is running A04 w/6970 and the brightness function works fine. Both using the latest Dell ATI drivers.

    Cheers,
     
    panzer06, Aug 13, 2011
    #63
  14. Bagongolo

    Bagongolo Notebook Enthusiast

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    Bagongolo, Aug 14, 2011
    #64
  15. ryandolph25

    ryandolph25 Notebook Consultant

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    My brightness control isn't working yet, i even have the latest driver for my ATI. Please help me fix my brightness.
     
    ryandolph25, Aug 15, 2011
    #65
  16. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    Unfortunately I don't have ATI I was just reading other people's experience :(

    Have you tried resetting the BIOS to factory defaults?
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 15, 2011
    #66
  17. Bagongolo

    Bagongolo Notebook Enthusiast

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    Fn brightness key fixed without problem this time: I updated bios from A06 to A08 and the fn problem wasn't fixed, I solve it in this way: don't follow dell's instructions about drivers update;don't install the new drivers over the old ones! You have to uninstall completely all ATI drivers first, reboot, install the last Dell ati drivers. It worked for me and framerare with games are ok
     
    Bagongolo, Aug 17, 2011
    #67
  18. hteng

    hteng Notebook Consultant

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    been using a08 for a week+ now, seems very stable.
     
    hteng, Aug 18, 2011
    #68
  19. Lundon44

    Lundon44 Notebook Consultant

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    Same here.. Installed on day 1 and no noticeable issues.
     
    Lundon44, Aug 18, 2011
    #69
  20. paradigm

    paradigm Notebook Deity

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    ditto......
     
    paradigm, Aug 20, 2011
    #70
  21. TostitoBandito

    TostitoBandito Notebook Evangelist

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    No issues with A08 here.
     
    TostitoBandito, Aug 20, 2011
    #71
  22. N4TUR3

    N4TUR3 Notebook Guru

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    aahh!!!! hdmi in audio isn't working ):
     
    N4TUR3, Aug 21, 2011
    #72
  23. T2050

    T2050 Notebook Deity

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    Brightness function was working since day one for me. I went from A04 to A08 and now it does not work at all :(
     
    T2050, Aug 23, 2011
    #73
  24. hieu1004

    hieu1004 Notebook Enthusiast

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    No issues with A08 for me, everything works perfectly.
     
    hieu1004, Aug 23, 2011
    #74
  25. Special_K

    Special_K Notebook Guru

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    I have an interesting issue, when I load the A08 modified bios my cpu will not turbo boost beyond 3.1Ghz, yet when I had the OEM A08 Bios my cpu would turbo boost up to 3.4Ghz. Oh yea I have the 2820Qm, So any ideas?
     
    Special_K, Aug 26, 2011
    #75
  26. livid

    livid Notebook Consultant

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    The BIOS might have been modified to Turbo Boost 4 cores instead of 1? Just a theory....
     
    livid, Aug 26, 2011
    #76
  27. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    3.4 is 1 core turbo where as 3.1 is 4 core turbo. What program are you using to test this?
     
    widezu69, Aug 26, 2011
    #77
  28. Special_K

    Special_K Notebook Guru

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    AIDA64 extreme
     
    Special_K, Aug 26, 2011
    #78
  29. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    AIDA64 recognizes the 2820qm as a quadcore CPU (see Parameters on the Menu Bar - 4 CPU/HT-On) so it runs the built in benchmarks using all 4 cores, causing the 2820 to run at 31x/3100MHz, as designed. Pretty impressive results.
     
    The Revelator, Aug 28, 2011
    #79
  30. B4n6k3

    B4n6k3 Notebook Evangelist

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    uhm...guys...

    I just bought this system 2 days ago..... where I can check the current bios version that I used...??
     
    B4n6k3, Aug 28, 2011
    #80
  31. devillucifer

    devillucifer Notebook Consultant

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    @B4n6k3 :
    Power up > Press F2 to enter bios > you should see your bios version inside.

    Just flash mine to A08 !
    :) now i can use Fn + F4/F5 with Catalyst 11.8
     
    devillucifer, Aug 28, 2011
    #81
  32. ECKS

    ECKS Notebook Prophet

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    Hey all,

    I've had zero issues with my R3 lately. I think I'm on the stock bios. Should I update?
     
    ECKS, Aug 30, 2011
    #82
  33. B4n6k3

    B4n6k3 Notebook Evangelist

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    Thanks mate, +1 Rep

    same question here. After read from the first page until now, still find some people with some issue. Mine currently using A06. No brightness button or HDMI in issue whatsoever.......
     
    B4n6k3, Aug 31, 2011
    #83
  34. ECKS

    ECKS Notebook Prophet

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    Know if the BIOS update fixes any HDMI-In issues?
     
    ECKS, Aug 31, 2011
    #84
  35. B4n6k3

    B4n6k3 Notebook Evangelist

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    This one have a problem.....

    mine no problem..... try it by run the PS3..... it worked in A06.

    if there's no significantly difference between A06 & A08, then I will stick to it....

    eniwei, flashing bios will not void my warranty doesn't it....???
     
    B4n6k3, Aug 31, 2011
    #85
  36. almostinsane

    almostinsane Notebook Consultant

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    Why not. You can always flash back to A06.
     
    almostinsane, Aug 31, 2011
    #86
  37. Zeggy

    Zeggy Notebook Geek

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    Unsure if i should update also..
     
    Zeggy, Sep 2, 2011
    #87
  38. Scottyboy99

    Scottyboy99 Notebook Consultant

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    Zeggy,

    I updated the BIOS to A08. My system spec is almost exactly the same as yours except I have less memory. Have had no problems since the update. To be honest I don't know if half these BIOS updates are worth it. Mine ran fine on A04 and I think I had A06, now A08. All have been fine, system is no better and no worse. Like you I do get stressed prior to flashing the BIOS in case something goes belly up. Although I stress out over updates in general which is why I always system image before doing a set of windows updates, or change of graphic driver. I kind of feel compelled to update all the time but wish there were not so frequent BIOS updates. My big pet hate also being ATI constantly updating drivers every month. That is another update that worries me greatly!!!!
     
    Scottyboy99, Sep 6, 2011
    #88
  39. ECKS

    ECKS Notebook Prophet

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    Welp, according to HWinfo32, I'm on bios version A03. No problems here either. :) Don't think I'll be updating until something relevant comes out.
     
    ECKS, Sep 6, 2011
    #89
  40. niai

    niai Notebook Enthusiast

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    any one have a link to a modified A08 bios?
    and dose any one know if the brightness will work with the integrated graphics off?
     
    niai, Sep 6, 2011
    #90
  41. sancimax

    sancimax Notebook Enthusiast

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    A08 flashed everything ok today upgraded to 2960 xm
     
    sancimax, Sep 15, 2011
    #91
  42. DarthPierce

    DarthPierce Notebook Consultant

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    wow. a 2960? who is selling those already?
    are you able to take advantage of it's being an unlocked chip with the a08 bios?
     
    DarthPierce, Sep 15, 2011
    #92
  43. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    Dell, you an also find some ES samples on e.bay but the prices are very high, also look here:

    IdeaStorm | Bios support for the 2920XM on the M17x R3.
     
    katalin_2003, Sep 19, 2011
    #93
  44. Geoffxx

    Geoffxx Notebook Evangelist

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    short answer - no - not in the m17x unless you are willing to load the m18x bios but it seems to be unstable, perhaps if someone would modify the A08 M17x bios it would be helpfull as it doesn't look like Dell are going to do it officially
     
    Geoffxx, Sep 19, 2011
    #94
  45. worldedit

    worldedit Notebook Consultant

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    A08 work well to me... i manage to clock up to 4.5ghz
     
    worldedit, Sep 28, 2011
    #95
  46. Geoffxx

    Geoffxx Notebook Evangelist

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    and of course you are going to tell us all - how
     
    Geoffxx, Sep 28, 2011
    #96
  47. worldedit

    worldedit Notebook Consultant

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    oh.. i use Intel Extreme Tuning Utility

    [​IMG]
     
    worldedit, Sep 28, 2011
    #97
  48. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    Hm...interesting. I may just have to get me one to try :)
     
    widezu69, Sep 28, 2011
    #98
  49. worldedit

    worldedit Notebook Consultant

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    4.6ghz on the run

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    worldedit, Sep 28, 2011
    #99
  50. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    This is a joke right. Are you telling me NOONE else attempted to run this utility?!

    I mentioned this A LONG time ago.
     
    LVNeptune, Oct 2, 2011
    #100
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