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    Need help: m18x r2 bad bios usb blind flash :(

    Discussion in 'Alienware 18 and M18x' started by woshi02191, Sep 17, 2015.

  1. woshi02191

    woshi02191 Notebook Guru

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    today I tried the usb recovery bios flash method for my m18x r2, as I wanted to downgrade my bios from dell a09 to a03 in order to flash the unlocked a09 bios, and I did the following steps:

    - turn off the computer and remove everything connected;
    - remove the battery and power cord;
    - insert the usb drive(fat32) with M18R2.hdr in root directory;
    - connect the power cord with end key pressed;
    - release the end key once the keyboard light goes on/fan spins;

    but about 10-15 mins later, nothing happens nor beeps, the machine seemd stuck in this usb flashing mode, so I decided to unplug the power cord to reboot...

    and now I think I have bricked my motherboard, because I can never power on the machine again after that, I tried to clear CMOS but it doesn't work.

    the machince just won't react to the power-on button with/without battery installled, no beeps, no keyboard lights, no fan spins...

    It would be really appreciated if somebody can point me to any last resort I can do before I order a new motherboard...

    many thanks!
     
    woshi02191, Sep 17, 2015
    #1
  2. Tulius

    Tulius Notebook Consultant

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    To flash dell a09 to a09 unlocked all you need is flash the [FPT] labeled version of the unlocked BIOS. Blind flash to a03 was worthless in this case.
     
    Tulius, Sep 17, 2015
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  3. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    If you can't repeat the blind flash procedure (battery removed, ac adapter plugged in while pressing END key), you have a brick. I've had it happen on my M17x R4 and it is quite an unfortunate thing to happen.
     
    Raidriar, Sep 17, 2015
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  4. woshi02191

    woshi02191 Notebook Guru

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    yes I saw this FPT version of the unlocked bios, but I read it somewhare that if you want to flash the non FPT version of the unlocked a09 bios, you must downgrade to a03 first, that's why I did the USB flash method.

    last night, I disassembled my machine, and removed my two 680m GPUs, I then tried to power on my machine but it still doesn't boot, I guess the only thing I can do is to buy a new motherboard :((
     
    woshi02191, Sep 17, 2015
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  5. woshi02191

    woshi02191 Notebook Guru

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    no I can't, I tried to repeat the blind flash procedure, but the motherboard seems bricked, only the subwoofer pumps like 1 sec when I try to power on the machine.
     
    woshi02191, Sep 17, 2015
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  6. Raidriar

    Raidriar ლ(ಠ益ಠლ)

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    Exact symptoms when I bricked my M17x R4. Sorry mate, that board is toast unless you can order some sort of pre-programmed BIOS chip on eBay and solder it in yourself. That might work if the EC is not corrupt, which is unfixable.
     
    Raidriar, Sep 17, 2015
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  7. ht_addict

    ht_addict Notebook Evangelist

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    Did you insert USB into Esata port? Are you under warranty? If you need a motherboard shot me a PM. i have a spare in am selling as i just sold of my M18x R2
     
    ht_addict, Sep 19, 2015
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  8. woshi02191

    woshi02191 Notebook Guru

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    thx mate, after every possible ways I tried, my mobo looks indeed dead to me, so I've ordered a new mobo.
     
    woshi02191, Sep 19, 2015
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  9. woshi02191

    woshi02191 Notebook Guru

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    yes i'm pretty sure it was Esata port, and I also tried it in usb ports, but ever since the bad bios flash, the usb recovery method never works, and no, I'm out of warranty, but I've already managed to get a replacement, so thx anyway.
     
    woshi02191, Sep 19, 2015
    #9