The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Quick question

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by t1nch09, Jun 10, 2015.

  1. t1nch09

    t1nch09 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Sup, Recently I bought a GTX 780 but Install it has been a nightmare cuz I need to erase the password of my bios and I can't yet but the thing is..

    If I install a new windows, would this work? would I be available to install the new video card?

    I'm asking this cuz I work with the Alienware and I don't want to waste a day reinstalling everything if it will not work :(

    thank you!
     
    t1nch09, Jun 10, 2015
    #1
  2. fatboyslimerr

    fatboyslimerr Alienware M15x Fanatic

    Reputations:
    241
    Messages:
    1,319
    Likes Received:
    123
    Trophy Points:
    81
    You set a password on your BIOS???? Not sure but you could try re-flashing the BIOS as that might remove the password. New Windows would not affect a password in the BIOS.
     
    fatboyslimerr, Jun 10, 2015
    #2
  3. t1nch09

    t1nch09 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Yes but I only need the bios password to disable the sound then install the video card software and enable the sound, Maybe, if I Reinstall windows I won't have this problem..

    PS: I brought it used amd the previous owner set the password...I'm having a really hard time to flash it.. seems like is not as easy as it sound..
     
    t1nch09, Jun 10, 2015
    #3
  4. King of Interns

    King of Interns Simply a laptop enthusiast

    Reputations:
    1,329
    Messages:
    5,418
    Likes Received:
    1,096
    Trophy Points:
    331
    Never heard of a bios password!

    What if you pull the CMOS battery? Perhaps it will erase the password. Super easy to do in the m15x
     
    King of Interns, Jun 10, 2015
    #4
  5. t1nch09

    t1nch09 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    It does exist, and it seems like it's quite a common problem around, but so far I couldn't find a solution that work with my alien..

    Nop, from what i've read the password is seted in the NVRAM so it will stay even if I put out the battery.. ='(

    I wanna try flash it but my tag is quite weird (14D23p1) so im scared to try a random guide from around, (cuz I don't know what I'm doing)

    damn ='(
     
    t1nch09, Jun 10, 2015
    #5
  6. mike26668

    mike26668 Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    63
    Messages:
    145
    Likes Received:
    33
    Trophy Points:
    41
    motherboard change will help........if password is set and bios update wont work than only new MB will work
     
    mike26668, Jun 11, 2015
    #6
  7. t1nch09

    t1nch09 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I don't think that the mother is Updated, I never did and CPUz in the bios section Say: Version A09 Date May-01-2011 there's any new version out there?
     
    t1nch09, Jun 12, 2015
    #7
  8. fatboyslimerr

    fatboyslimerr Alienware M15x Fanatic

    Reputations:
    241
    Messages:
    1,319
    Likes Received:
    123
    Trophy Points:
    81
    No, that is the newest version but there is an unofficial "unlocked A09" version you could flash to see if it clears the password. I'd certainly consider that before buying a new motherboard.
     
    fatboyslimerr, Jun 12, 2015
    #8
  9. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

    Reputations:
    3,658
    Messages:
    6,874
    Likes Received:
    969
    Trophy Points:
    281
    Me too. This is not an official troubleshooting step, but might be worth to give it a try.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Jun 12, 2015
    #9
  10. t1nch09

    t1nch09 Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    7
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    Thanks for the advice, I tried with this one http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/unlocked-m15x-bios.593926/ but it got stuck in the "check flash memory type"

    ='(

    Won't be easier if I get a flash chip or something like that and change the one in this mother? there should be one in ebay..

    BTW are we sure that reinstalling windows with the new card plugged in won't solve anything?

    Thank you!
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2015
    t1nch09, Jun 12, 2015
    #10