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    M17xR3 Bios mod released

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Raidriar, May 23, 2011.

  1. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    I asked for a bios modder (TTAV124, highly successful) over on mydigitallife to hack the M17xR3 bios (A04) for some extra features. He has it done! Check it out! (I don't have my m17xR3 yet :( )

    Insyde bios mod requests. - Page 665
    DIRECT LINK TO BIOS: http://www.mediafire.com/?5ayddd2q4peb8x1
    Mods include (copy over from TTAV124):
    All 9 menus unlocked (to be verified)
    14 Hidden options unlocked in submenus

    Menus are managed in different places, I've first removed locks at one place, can you make a test, you should have 9 menus:

    Main (1)
    Advance
    Exit
    Boot
    Security
    Main (2)
    Power
    Advanced
    Wireless

    Menus in bold are normally hidden, and something strange there is 2 Main menus.
    A "disassembly" of setup forms is included in package

    To install: Must be flashed through DOS from a floppy or USB flash drive
    Instructions (Courtesy of LVNeptune)
    The correct method is to put the USB stick in the eSATA port
    1. Have modded BIOS exe on flash drive w/dos
    2. Flash Bios

    3. Have CMOS battery removed

    4. Have laptop battery removed

    5. Hold the END key and plug power in...REFLASHED!
     
    Raidriar, May 23, 2011
    #1
  2. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Let us know how it works out...

    ----------------
    Note to all - When dealing with a modded BIOS/VBIOS, be careful. If you brick your system, you are on your own as support will more than likely not assist.
    ----------------
     
    BatBoy, May 23, 2011
    #2
  3. DeeX

    DeeX THz

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    It seems the file says it wont work with my 64bit windows. Can anyone else test this o_O
     
    DeeX, May 23, 2011
    #3
  4. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    Where did you see that?
     
    Raidriar, May 23, 2011
    #4
  5. kunekaden

    kunekaden Notebook Deity

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    Guineapigs required.
    I offered myself up for a mod by TheWiz, but I have no clue who this guy is so I'll pass for now.
     
    kunekaden, May 23, 2011
    #5
  6. inap

    inap .........................

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    Prolly has to flash in dos, that's why having off the error message.

    also would help if you provide proper flashing instructions, since this is risky business.
     
    inap, May 23, 2011
    #6
  7. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    Its always smart to make a crisdisk before flashing any bios.
     
    Raidriar, May 23, 2011
    #7
  8. Nyceis

    Nyceis Notebook Deity

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    Oh man, it looks it like it enables the HDD password which is one thing that really ticks me off about Alienware. I love my m17xr3 but I want the HDD password option. Anybody going to try this?

    N
     
    Nyceis, May 23, 2011
    #8
  9. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    I'm more interested to see if it removes the lockbit that prevents throttlestop from writing to the CPU. You can always blind flash with a crisdisk if something goes wrong :D
     
    Raidriar, May 23, 2011
    #9
  10. Plisken

    Plisken Notebook Consultant

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    I would try it but I get the same error as DeeX.
     
    Plisken, May 23, 2011
    #10
  11. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    Raidriar, May 23, 2011
    #11
  12. kunekaden

    kunekaden Notebook Deity

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    I doubt anyone will try it without detailed instructions.
     
    kunekaden, May 24, 2011
    #12
  13. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    I am trying to get a boot disk created win 98 boot disk complains about memory.
     
    LVNeptune, May 24, 2011
    #13
  14. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    LVNeptune, May 24, 2011
    #14
  15. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    Bios mod does work...however, I urge EVERYONE to be careful and DO NOT force IGP to enabled...you will probably have issues...will report back later :)

    Recovery filename: PAR00X64.fd

    testing now

    Recovery method from that page does not work on here it just keeps cycling. Maybe someone knows how to do a BIOS reset? Tried removing CMOS battery, nothing happened.
     
    LVNeptune, May 24, 2011
    #15
  16. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    HAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Did a little bit of everything. The correct method is to put the USB stick in the eSATA port

    Have CMOS battery removed

    Have laptop battery removed

    Hold the END key and plug power in...REFLASHED!

    Nothing in this BIOS really seems to be that cool though =/
     
    LVNeptune, May 24, 2011
    #16
  17. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Thanks for being the lab rat LV... look forward to your final thoughts on this.
     
    BatBoy, May 24, 2011
    #17
  18. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    :)

    There's nothing in the options that I can see that really modify much that would be worth it...There does seem to be a bunch of CPU options but might need an XM CPU to make use of them...The one change I did to the IGP and forcing it on caused the system to not boot ... so....proceed with caution, however, I posted everything needed to reflash yourself :)
     
    LVNeptune, May 24, 2011
    #18
  19. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    I'm curious since the R3 has two LCD plugs on the mobo, if using the other one with your setting will work :rolleyes:
     
    katalin_2003, May 24, 2011
    #19
  20. mfractal

    mfractal T|I

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    @ LVNeptune
    could you please post screenshots of the new bios screens ?
     
    mfractal, May 24, 2011
    #20
  21. Nyceis

    Nyceis Notebook Deity

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    Thanks for testing it!

    Does it enable the HDD password?

    N
     
    Nyceis, May 24, 2011
    #21
  22. kunekaden

    kunekaden Notebook Deity

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    I wonder if lockbit is removed
     
    kunekaden, May 24, 2011
    #22
  23. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    LVNeptune can you get in touch with unclewebb to check to see if the lockbit is removed? He works with throttlestop so he would be able to direct you.
     
    Raidriar, May 24, 2011
    #23
  24. inap

    inap .........................

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    we need someone who has an r3 and have access to an xm chip in order to fully test ts.
     
    inap, May 24, 2011
    #24
  25. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    Geoffxx (sp?)

    Has an XM chip. There is a CPU overclock thing that is disabled probably because it doesn't detect the XM CPU? I took a ton of pics will upload later.
     
    LVNeptune, May 24, 2011
    #25
  26. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    please post screens of the new unlocked features!
     
    Raidriar, May 25, 2011
    #26
  27. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    It's a real hassle to upload pictures from my phone, I have to email them to myself one at a time :(
     
    LVNeptune, Jun 4, 2011
    #27
  28. inap

    inap .........................

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    but it will be greatly appreciated. purdy please, hehehe
     
    inap, Jun 4, 2011
    #28
  29. Zukoff

    Zukoff Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is it possible to switch to internal/external vga in this bios?
     
    Zukoff, Jun 7, 2011
    #29
  30. mfractal

    mfractal T|I

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    And how about those BIOS screenshots ? :)
     
    mfractal, Jun 8, 2011
    #30
  31. Zukoff

    Zukoff Notebook Enthusiast

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    Good to go!

    use this: Insyde bios mod requests. - Page 665
    1. Create bootable usb drive with DOS (use USB Disk Storage Format Tool.zip)
    2. copy modded bios update exe to this usb drive, rename it to up.exe (easier to type later)
    3. insert usb drive to e-sata/usb port
    4. reboot, press f12, choose usb drive
    5. run bios up.exe or whatever name
    6. profit!!!

    It works, i did not need to remove battery. A lot of menus to shoot your foot ))
     
    Zukoff, Jun 8, 2011
    #31
  32. kunekaden

    kunekaden Notebook Deity

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    I still see no point in using this mod.
    Can't really change anything worth changing.
     
    kunekaden, Jun 8, 2011
    #32
  33. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    really? nothing that got unlocked has any effect on overclocking or undervolting, etc?
     
    Raidriar, Jun 8, 2011
    #33
  34. kunekaden

    kunekaden Notebook Deity

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    overclocking no
    Not as far as I can tell.

    I dont think there are any voltage mods, so also no @ undervolt...just assuming tho. haven't looked at this in a while.
     
    kunekaden, Jun 8, 2011
    #34
  35. DeeX

    DeeX THz

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    Who did this mod? Can they code firmware/bios files? If so they maybe able to help fixing two of the M17X(s) issues.

    One being the use of a 3D LCD with an GTX 485M.
    &
    Another being the use of the 120Hz 3D screen with a 6970.

    Some of this might need a vbios mod...

    Does anyone know that type of coder? Can the guy that made this mod do it?

    Just some thoughts. :)
     
    DeeX, Jun 8, 2011
    #35
  36. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    You guys can make a request here.
    The Wizz and Co. made a few projects on the Pheonix BIOS of the R2, did not continue with the R1 :( so they may be able to help with these.

    Good luck
     
    katalin_2003, Jun 8, 2011
    #36
  37. Zukoff

    Zukoff Notebook Enthusiast

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    Don't know how about you, but this mod saved my day. I did not use pc for two months, because i could not disable internal video. Now it works! Bios is worth to play with.
     
    Zukoff, Jun 8, 2011
    #37
  38. DeeX

    DeeX THz

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    What do you mean you could not use the internal video? And what option did you change?
     
    DeeX, Jun 8, 2011
    #38
  39. katalin_2003

    katalin_2003 NBR Spectre Super Moderator

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    Can you explain more?

    If this is true maybe there's a chance for the 6870/6970 in the M17x R3 3D version (120hz screen)!
     
    katalin_2003, Jun 9, 2011
    #39
  40. DeeX

    DeeX THz

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    Touche, great idea ;) Didnt even think about that for some reason and I was in this thread. ;p
     
    DeeX, Jun 9, 2011
    #40
  41. jujojujo_2003

    jujojujo_2003 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Does it allow you to select the SB IGP with the 3d screen??
     
    jujojujo_2003, Jun 14, 2011
    #41
  42. hoofhearted

    hoofhearted Notebook Evangelist

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    Does it get rid of the dependency on the proprietary power supply signal for charging the battery? What I mean is the fact that Dell chips their power bricks and designs routines into the BIOS to authenticate "official" Dell power bricks (the third conductor in the middle of the barrel connector is used for this). This results in the frequent "Plugged in, but not charging" error I get when I disconnect from the brick momentarily. The only sure way to recover from this is to shutdown, remove battery and power connector and hold power button for 20s (mileage varies on other ways). Really annoying.

    All boils down to Dell and this supidity of putting a DS2501 eeprom in their power bricks to try and stop 3rd party power bricks (extortion IMHO). This is the root cause of this blatant design flaw.
     
    hoofhearted, Jun 14, 2011
    #42
  43. peppe1

    peppe1 Notebook Evangelist

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    peppe1, Jul 4, 2011
    #43
  44. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    This modified a04 bios is the best currently since it doesn't throttle GPU...
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 15, 2011
    #44
  45. LVNeptune

    LVNeptune Notebook Virtuoso

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    Edit *snip*
     
    LVNeptune, Aug 15, 2011
    #45
  46. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    THIS ONLY APPLIES TO NVIDIA USERS!

    ATI users may use any available newer modded bios available, this is outdated for us.
     
    Raidriar, Aug 16, 2011
    #46
  47. ewitte12

    ewitte12 Notebook Evangelist

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    I'm still on A06. What is lost going back to A04?
     
    ewitte12, Aug 16, 2011
    #47
  48. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    There is no benefit for Ati users. Only for Nvidia users.
     
    widezu69, Aug 16, 2011
    #48
  49. DarioG

    DarioG Notebook Enthusiast

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    If you have a usb memory stick use this program from here http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JY0D2YQD


    Insert the memory stick
    REMEMBER BEFORE YOU START YOUR USB STICK WILL BE FORMATTED, MOVE EVERYTHING SAVED ON USB STICK TO HDD!
    Go to location of unpacked bootbios.zip file run the hp_usb_boot utility and install.
    Once installed run program and select tick box create dos startup disk and point to location where you unzips the downloaded file there should be usbdos folder and press "START"
    [​IMG]
    1. Create bootable usb drive with DOS program above
    2. copy modded bios exe to USB Stick
    3. insert usb drive to e-sata/usb port
    4. reboot, press f12, choose usb drive
    5. TYPE filename of the modded bios M17R3A04.exe press enter
     
    DarioG, Aug 16, 2011
    #49
  50. ewitte12

    ewitte12 Notebook Evangelist

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    My bad thought this was an unlocked BIOS so I coudl order an ES 2920xm :)
     
    ewitte12, Aug 16, 2011
    #50