M15x (Core i7) Motherboard Chipset Revisions?

Hi Everyone,

I just had the motherboard replaced in my M15x due to the A03 BIOS issues. And since the replacement, I have had several little issues that I think might be related to chipset revisions in this computer. I purchased my computer just a month ago now, but the replacement board I received seems to be an earlier version than I originally had. This could explain the issues I am having. The Pre Boot Assement (version 4124) installed on my hard drive locks up on the third color-bar screen (where it asks you if you can see the bars), which it did not do on the original motherboard. I am now experiencing the PM55 iTunes issue where iPod Touch/iPhone fails to sync. The "Premimum" support reps at AW insist that there has been no motherboard revisions, only BIOS updates. So, I thought that I would make a post here to satisfy my curiosity. So, if you have an M15x Core i7, could you please post your chipset version number? You can get this information using CPU-Z ( http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php) on the mainboard tab. My replacement motherboard reports:

Rev 11

In theory, if there really has not been a revision, this should be the same for all of us. Thanks!

Rich S.

 

i have the same thing, rev 11

 

After the MOBO replacement I got Rev 11 also..
Before the replacement, I got no idea.

I do have a photo of BOTH mobos:

Horizontal:good.gif (replacement),
Vertical: bad.gif (Bricked A03)

ps. even my Q850 reports Rev11

 

Same here Rev11

almost 1 month old lappy.

 

Purchased on December, rev 11...

Same part number... Shall be same revision...

 

Purchased Nov.30 - Rev.11.

 

like you I too had the motherboard replacement because of the bricked Bios fiasco: my new motherboard is version 11 and came with Bios A01 which flashed and updated to A02 without any issues unlike the earlier mobo that eventually bricked which had the EC flash stall when upping to A02 -- don't know if that is significant but I do find it interesting that many of us had the issues with the EC installer not flashing on A02 and subsequently had our systems bricked by A03, whereas this new mobo updated and flashed the A02 EC seamlessly.

 

Hi lgsshedden,

If it makes you feel any better , the motherboard that I had that bricked did not stall on updating to A02. I purchased it in mid Dec, and it arrived with BIOS A01, and I flashed it to A02 using the ISO, and both the BIOS and the EC flashed no problem. However, my replacement (which arrived with A00), did stall on flashing to A02, using a freshly downloaded ISO from Dell support. I then repeated the flash with same CD I used on my original motherboard, and it worked 100% that time. Not sure if the ISO is different, or if the fact that it was a second flash of A02 that it worked. It sure sounds like thre hasn't been a revision. So back to the drawing board to figure out what is causing my issues.

Rich S.

 

thanks for the update, thought I might have stumbled on something useful but seems purely incidental: back to the drawing board!

 

the iphone sync i think is a win 7 problem, i'm using win xp mode for some of my older programs and used itunes on there with no problems.

 

Hey,

I just got my motherboard replaced. The Bios on the mobo was A03 and the revision is 11. Hope it helps

 

I hope this will be for you final proof it wasn't revised. I'm "early adopter" so my M15x is from early batch and I have R11 as well. Never tried to switch to A03 BIOS, still on A02 and original MB.

cheers

K.

 

Hi Kitir,

Thanks for the info. It certainly does look like there hasn't been a different version of the PM55 chipset used. It is just strange that I am having issues with my "new" board that I did not have with the old one. I am thinking that one of the issues I am having is caused by a loose keyboard connector, but am waiting for AW "level 3" support to get back with me. Thanks again!

Rich S.