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    Strange BIOS problem, suggestions?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by The0ne, Nov 26, 2011.

  1. The0ne

    The0ne Notebook Consultant

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    Upon Windows 7 64bit boot-up it blue screens with an error stating the BIOS does not support AHCI. Double check and it's still selected in menu. This happens when randomly when the laptop is shutdown with nothing changing. The only resolution I've found to resolve this is to swap the two drives around (C4 and 500Gig). Doing this makes everything ok until it happens again.

    Also check the boot sequence to make sure the C4 is the primary. Updated the bios to A10 and issue is still there. Only thing I can think of is that my motherboard is on the verge of dying. There are other symptoms in addition to this one that makes me think so. Firstly, once in a while when you power on the laptop it just stays lit (lights on) but doesn't actually boot anything. Pressing the power button doesn't resolve this behavior. The only resolution is to remove the battery and power cable completely, connect them back and power on. Strange why it would but with the battery on?

    Secondly and this is more rare, upon boot you are unable to enter the BIOS. This also requires a removal of the battery and power cable. Pressing F2 doesn't produce the beep that gets you into the BIOS :)

    I haven't done much to troubleshoot this issue other than the above. Wondering if any of you have experience these behaviors before? I might just have to get the warranty again and try to get the laptop replace. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
     
    The0ne, Nov 26, 2011
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  2. inzelux

    inzelux Notebook Evangelist

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    Hmm, that sounds a bit like the behaviour of mine, although i don't have any functionallity issues, it sometimes just doesent want to boot up.

    About the AHCI - Thats the advanced host controller interface, which generally just controls your SATA-connections.


    Have you done anything to the system recently? Or is this something that just started happening suddenly?

    - Scott.
     
    inzelux, Nov 26, 2011
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  3. The0ne

    The0ne Notebook Consultant

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    It all started after I put in the C4 SSD but then even with hard drives it still does it. It's random upon shutdown of the laptop with no changes to hardware or software.
     
    The0ne, Nov 27, 2011
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  4. prank1

    prank1 Notebook Evangelist

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    Try replacing the CMOS battery with a brand new one. Worth a shot
     
    prank1, Nov 27, 2011
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  5. inzelux

    inzelux Notebook Evangelist

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    Okay. I'm not 100% sure on this, but isn't there an driver update out for the C4 SSD?
    That's really the only advice i could give, if flashing your mobo and then setting them to the stock settings doesent help.. But i'm sure someone else in this forum can help you :)

    - Scott.
     
    inzelux, Nov 27, 2011
    #5