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    M11xR3 A05 BIOS released - 10/25/12

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by EaglePoLaNd, Oct 25, 2012.

  1. EaglePoLaNd

    EaglePoLaNd Newbie

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    Guess what guys? Bios password... at last, working the way it's supposed to xD Thank you, thank you, thank you Dell :*

    Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

    --------------------

    Fixes & Enhancements:
    Modify SCU resolution to 1024 x 768 for meet Windows 8 requirement.
    Security Issue - Once user password option enabled, system request the Password to enter the boot device


    --------------------

    Post any issues.
     
    EaglePoLaNd, Oct 25, 2012
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  2. bouddha

    bouddha Notebook Geek

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    WARNING!!! I just tried to flash the BIOS and it FAILED!
    Just after I aknowledged the update, the fan then went crazy and the screen went black, the laptop was just stuck in that state and I couldn't switch it off with the power button.
    In the end I had to remove the battery to make it stop!

    The laptop now doesn't boot and makes single beeps with a long pause between them, guess what? BIOS corruption code...

    Yay.

    What would you do now?
     
    bouddha, Oct 26, 2012
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  3. Yiddo

    Yiddo Believe, Achieve, Receive

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    That sadly sounds like a bad flash :( you will need to attempt to blind flash it or RMA it.

    A couple of things to try first are to remove the battery and AC power and hold the power button for 30 seconds. Wait 2 minutes and then reassemble and see if it starts. Otherwise you can disassemble down to the motherboard and disconnect the CMOS battery wait 10 mins reattach and then reassemble. Both are only minor fixes and rarely work.

    Personally I am going to bypass this. I just use GPS software instead, someone tries to nick mine I will find them and kill them. ;)
     
    Yiddo, Oct 26, 2012
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  4. bouddha

    bouddha Notebook Geek

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    I hope no one else will have this issue, it sucks so much!
    Well, I'll contact Dell support and see what happens.
     
    bouddha, Oct 26, 2012
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  5. Moriarty

    Moriarty Notebook Consultant

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    This is probably a bit of a dumb question but what does this bios update actually do? Is it anything significant?
     
    Moriarty, Oct 26, 2012
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  6. EaglePoLaNd

    EaglePoLaNd Newbie

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    @bouddha

    I'm very sorry to hear that, my update process went fine :/

    @Moriarty
    Yup, bios password after power on - now works just great :) I've wanted this one feature so badly... :D
     
    EaglePoLaNd, Oct 27, 2012
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  7. bouddha

    bouddha Notebook Geek

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    Happy it went well Eagle, I hope I am an exception, I've been working on computer hardware for many years knowing this was a critical update if it failed, always went well since now.
    I guess statistics won in the end.
     
    bouddha, Oct 27, 2012
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  8. EaglePoLaNd

    EaglePoLaNd Newbie

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    I had my own company called EagleIT, doing that kind of things - and always praying at the moment of bios upgrade... so I know, what you mean :( Maybe you had password protection turned on? Had almost the same thing updating my M11x R2 - but luckily after few boot ups it started to working, removed the password and flashed it again - no problems since then ;)
     
    EaglePoLaNd, Oct 27, 2012
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  9. bouddha

    bouddha Notebook Geek

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    no, no password active, but I think I'll just start another thread to try and solve that issue.
    Thanks for your imputs people, feel free to help me on the new thread :)
     
    bouddha, Oct 27, 2012
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  10. cyrusza

    cyrusza Notebook Enthusiast

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    Bios password? If that is the enhancement, it's a shame :D
    I hope this bios carries out a not-bugged new EC Firmware...
     
    cyrusza, Oct 28, 2012
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  11. cyrusza

    cyrusza Notebook Enthusiast

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    For sure I can say that they improved the fan profile. Now it's not going mad toggling between OFF & 3800 RPM like before. It seems more harmonic and I think they implemented some kind of hysteresis because the fan starts between 52-56 C and shuts down when the temp cools down around 45-44 C.

    Good job.
     
    cyrusza, Oct 28, 2012
    #11
  12. Moriarty

    Moriarty Notebook Consultant

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    Do we have any concrete proof of this though or is it just a placebo effect from installing the shiny new Bios software? :p
     
    Moriarty, Oct 28, 2012
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  13. MassiveOverkill

    MassiveOverkill Notebook Consultant

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    Dell's website says one of the improvements is 1024x768 compatibility for Win 8. Flashed mine without issue.
     
    MassiveOverkill, Oct 28, 2012
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  14. cyrusza

    cyrusza Notebook Enthusiast

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    No concrete proof sorry. Anyway maybe I'm wrong, we need more info...
     
    cyrusza, Oct 29, 2012
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  15. rspwn

    rspwn Notebook Enthusiast

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    Anyone care for unlock with optimus switch and cpu power tools? So far I've only seen A03 and "talks" about "existing" A04 unlock...
     
    rspwn, Nov 6, 2012
    #15
  16. GBomb

    GBomb Notebook Enthusiast

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    No problems patching to new BIOS on my R3. Good luck getting yours back up!
     
    GBomb, Nov 18, 2012
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  17. jusalilpanda

    jusalilpanda Notebook Enthusiast

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    jusalilpanda, Feb 25, 2013
    #17