M15x BIOS A09 Discussion Thread

Here it is guys and gals

1. Fixed LFM state issue.
2. Fixing Wrong key behavior. (Fix media board OSD scancode incorrectly report problem. - It produces "w" or "7" when stealth or wireless key is pressed.)
3. Fix media board OSD scancode incorrectly reported problem.

http://ftp.us.dell.com/bios/M15xA09.iso

+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Note form AW MOD:

Direct link to actual BIOS download page (vs. FTP):
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...dateid=-1&formatid=-1&source=-1&fileid=438667


NOTE: Be sure to allow the BIOS flash to complete. If flashing from Optical Media (CD), you'll see a prompt after the ROM is flashed. The prompt is asking for confirmation to flash the EC portion of the update. Select 'y' to continue. (no, its not case sensitive).

You also have the option (choose 'other formats' on the download page), to download the hard drive version. This version is not a windows executable and must be flashed using a USB Boot Stick. Create the USB Boot Stick (if you need guidance see this link). Once done, copy the files from the hard drive version to the boot stick. Boot the system using the USB stick and then at the dos prompt, enter: FA.BAT. This will launch the BIOS ROM FLASH - Note, you will still need to ok the EC FLASH update.

My advice, stick with the Optical CD flash option and burn the .ISO.

-BB
+++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

Thanks, Mr. P. +rep.

 

Whats LFM issue?

 

Darn, was going to post this right away but wanted to install it first haha.

 

The A09 doesn't include the M17x A09 fix for the "plugged in, not charging" issue ??

 

I dunno, I assume it has something to do with Super LFM, but not sure.. Sluggish latency fix perhaps?

Are others having that issue? it sounds like a faulty battery to me.. I think I have the same system and no problem here! (so far)

 

Hm...I wonder, any 470m support...

 

I think the TDP is too high. 65-75W although would probably work with the lower power CPUs.. - i5?

 

Well technically the 285m is rated at 75w and that works fine...

 

Oh, cool! Thanks for the news!

And technically the 470m is rated 75W... at least according to the eurocom site.


Edit: Wanted to create a bootable flash drive, but the included file to do so gives me an error... ??
I think I have to look for a CD...

 

Can anyone tell me how to install the new bios? Should i do it?

 

i updated, this thing was way more hokey than previous bios updates. it didnt automatically reboot the computer, which made me terrified to even think about rebooting it. i got it installed but still, the quality could have been better.

 

@ Indiran: Download the iso version, unzip the file, and right click on the extracted .iso file. Select "Burn disc image." Insert a CD and burn. Load the newly burned CD and reboot (if CD drive not ahead of HDD in boot order, press F12 and select boot from CD). The CD will execute automatically and will flash the BIOS. There is an awkward moment. After flashing the BIOS, it asked if you want to flash EC, but if you type Y, it says bad command and nothing happens. Ignore, restart and the new BIOS (A09) is active.

 

thats the thing that scared me to death lol. i thought that it didnt complete so i flashed it again to be sure. seems to be working fine for now, knock on wood.

 

Yeah, Dell needs to clean that up, but I wouldn't count on it. Sloppy.

 

Shouldnt this be a sticky like the A08 bios?

 

looks like it's already been stickied.

anyways i was scared when it ask to flash again too. restarted and everything was fine

 

Just flashed my M15x to A09. Ran perfect and flashed successfully first try.

Everything seems good so far.

 

Has anyone been able to put this on a flash drive?

 

No, doesn't work... maybe I'm doing something wrong though (I tried to execute the f.BAT as described in the instructions... compatibility issue?? Can't believe they screwed this up... I must've missed something)

 

If you guys want to try and use the memory stick option, try downloading the A08 BIOS and use the utility to install the A08 BIOS on the memory stick, then just replace all the files with the extracted ones from A09, except for the files that make it bootable.

I dont have a 1GB usb stick to try it myself....but I would assume it would work. But I just burned the ISO to a disk like revelator suggested.

 

I've updated the link in post#1 to the actual download page.

 

Thanks Batboy..

Regarding the install - I'd recommend using the ISO option. We have a Optical drive, so not worth using a lame dos .bat file to install on a USB stick IMHO..

One important thing to remember is once the BIOS flash is completed - DO NOT REBOOT, since when you press a key it then goes on to the EC flash which is important also!!

 

No worries Pras - some folks dont like wasting a blank or dont have Optical Media (be it RW or not) on hand.

I do agree though, use the optical route if you have the media on hand.

 

I myself used the optical drive. I wish Dell had made the BIOS application kinda like how A08 was, where it would give you the option to make either one with the click of a button.....but its Dell. LOL.

Maybe they will fix it later on. Either way works fine, so I guess it just comes down to preference/availability of media.

 

i have that problem every time i disable the battery charging (FN+F2), only way to get it back to charging is taking out the battery and reinserting it will on and plugged in to brick power...

 

Omg this scared the hell out of me. I tried pressing y and enter, nothing. N and enter, nothing. I tried "cls" and then y and no and enter, still nothing. I tried "shutdown -s", nothing. I hit the power button and I thought I would get the BSOD. I'm safe, thank god.

 

Yeah, haha.. Flashing a BIOS can be a really scary experience! Thankfully Dell support is truly great so if you brick it, they will come and fix it straight away!..

Not like my older "unnamed" system which had no support to speak of. Curse them!

 

Did any of you guys end up with an EC version newer than 1.16?

 

It's supposed to be updated to 1.18

Not sure where to check this though - It definitely updated the EC (after the main bios update) as I don't have the w and 7 bug anymore (when pressing the stealth and wifi keys text was getting inputted by accident).

 

You can check on your main BIOS screen. When I flashed A09, it asked whether to update EC, but after I pushed "Y", it reported bad command and dropped me to the DOS prompt. I thought maybe 1.16 was current, so when the update routine saw that, it just exited. Sounds like I may not be finished with the flash.

 

I got the same error Does it mean it flashed incomplete? how can we find out 100%?

 

That's strange.. I used the CD-ROM approach and it worked fine. The readme says 116->118 so it definitely hasn't been updated.. You can probably check by pressing stealth while you are typing - if you get a w or a 7 then it's not been updated. I seem to remember that the F.BAT didn't even include a command to execute the update for EC.. Only when you boot from the ISO..

 

The flash was incomplete on my M15x. You can check yours by entering the BIOS (F2 at the boot screen). The EC version is listed there and should say 1.18. Mine said 1.16. I burned a new flash CD from the .iso and tried again. Exactly the same thing -- flashed the BIOS, but when it asked whether to flash the EC and I responded "Y", again said bad command and dropped me to the prompt. I ended up flashing the EC to 1.18 manually.

 

No Mexic00ls, check this thread, i was at the same brink of you but managed to figure it out ^^ Hope it helps!

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/549289-battery-info-help.html

 

Juz to be sure, how exactly did you manually flash it to 1.18? ^^

 

Maybe I shouldn't have said that.

Probably the easiest/safest method is to reflash the BIOS using the same CD, then when it tries and fails to update the EC and drops you to the DOS prompt, type this:

"DFLASH EC_W670.118" (no quotes) and press Enter. At the prompt, enter Y.

There are other ways, but this is what I did, partly because I was already at the DOS prompt in the directory with the necessary files. If you are not comfortable in DOS, then wait for the process to be automated.

 

Im sorry if i offended you. However, im a programmer and i do know how to get around a computer with the command prompt. But thats juz the basics of em. Thanks for the info.

As TheRelevator said, do this at your own risk and only if you know what you are doing ^^.

 

I'm not offended at all, didn't mean to suggest anything of the kind. I can tell you know your way around these subjects, just worry that when this sort of thing is included in a public message, it could be used incorrectly and result in a porked computer.

 

The process is supposed to be automated already - it worked for me. Perhaps there are different ISO images out there depending on which support site? Although this is unlikely since I got mine from the UK site but came from the US ftp server..

Strange that you had that issue. But honestly if you are dropped at the Prompt instead of the EC Flash working - typing in "DFLASH EC_W670.118" isn't any more risky that booting the CD in the first place.

 

i have same problem i update my m15x yesterday to 09 Bios and not flashing the EC, any secure way for update the EC?

 

Mr. P, I mostly agree. Just don't want to cause problems for people. We've all seen people do strange things with computers that seem inexplicable to those with greater understanding. Back on topic, it seems that a number of people are having this issue.

 

The method set forth in Post #37 works very well if done just that way. As Mr. Pras says, it's probably no more risky than booting from the CD when done properly. Just take your time and be careful.

 

Well said! I wanted to rep you but have to spread the love before repping you again.

 

I just burned the ISO and booted from the disc. I never had that error on the EC Flash everyone else is talking about. Mine flashed perfectly the first time.

I dont know if it makes a difference, but I burned it with Nero 10 at minimum speed.

 

anyone getting the error at the end its because you didnt just hit y. If you hit shift and Y it fails just hit y no making it a capital and it flashes fine.

 

Very interesting. I thought I did hit lower case "y" but I'm not really sure. I thought DOS was not case sensitive.

 

I didn't experience the error everyone was talking about either. I used imgburn and burned at half speed (4x) w/ verification. Edit: I'm sure that I hit shift and y and mine went through fine .

 

I just pressed "y." No caps lock, no shift, and it worked like a charm.

Maybe there are slight differences in the motherboards that cause the issue? Because I recall their being slight differences with the motherboards when users were trying to use Set FSB. Possibly somehow related. Who knows.....

I also burned at 4x w/ verification. Everytime I updated BIOS, I always burn at the slowest speed + verify to ensure all files are written properly to minimize chances of bricking the motherboard.

I really dont need a Dell Tech to "destroy" my laptop for a replacement motherboard.

 

Just to contribute, I burned using imgburn as well and had no issues flashing EC. Perhaps the burning utility is a contributing factor? Perhaps its just random. Should we make this a poll?