New M15x Bios Release X32 and up, post results

First I would like to thank everyone in the AW forum for the support and participation with the survey I posted, I'm sure this forum had an impact on AW and finding a solution asap, since come on, everyone reviewing the M15x said there was NO issues, and that the system had "excellent cooling" according to notebookforums.

Please post the results of the new bios (X32 and up bios) and let us know if it worked, give us temperature, clock, downclocking et... results. I'm still not convince its fixed but hopefully im wrong, gonna order the sytem today and if the bios don't work I have time to cancel my order

Heres a guide to installing the bios: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=3141197&postcount=388

Download the new bios (X32 RC1) here:
http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/...td_adp.php?p_sid=b4lS5Nbh&p_lva=&p_faqid=5779



updated the links

 

Having no issues so far... everything that used to downclock my GPU isn't downclocking it anymore...

I mean, I still am not TOTALLY confident either, but I mean I've tried every plausible scenario (beyond playing for twelve hours straight) and have had no problems.

 

For how long did you play GRB? Are the fan louder?

 

so far i noticed that the idle temp has been lowered to 60. going to test tf2 to see if it gets me a lower temp. max i reached on x30 was 79.

 

Played maybe a solid 45 minutes to an hour in CS:S with no breaks/loading (it was a special server) and with no downclocking problems. Before it would take no more than 2-3 minutes for downclocking to be evident.

And yeah, the computer sounds like a jet engine when both fans are now going to max, but since I use headphones it doesn't matter to me a whole lot

 

Thanks for the update GRB. Can you please try COD4 or Crysis for like an hour (if you can) please ?

 

Sure, though unfortunately for me, I JUST happened to finally finish Crysis right before the X32 bios was released Ah well, now that there's no downclocking, it's actually fun to play that game

 

This definitely sounds good, as downclocking was the only widespread major problem the m15x had. Really, I don't care about extra noise. Computer noise is something that has just never bothered me.

Anyway, I'll probably be waiting for a montevina update before I buy, for the sake of future-proofing.

 

yeah noise isnt an issue since when youre gaming, ull most likely use headphones.

Im tempted to bite the bullet now, I have some lans i could go mid May...

 

When ever you guys have a chance and no rush, can you post screenies of graphs for temp and clock speed. And maybe a stress test from someone for a couple of hours. So far so good, thanks Exiled and GRB

 

I have the bios installed and will be posting a ss soon. Just letitng it cool down because I wanted to add something to the test and forgot after it started. But from what I saw so far was amazing. Started at 55, climbed to 70 in ~30 seconds, and then slowly climbed to 87, fans kicked in full blast, cooled down to 80 without a downclock. Course this was only a few minute FurMark test, so I'm going to stress it hard in about... 10 minutes.

 

Wait, where did you guys get the update and how do you instal it?

 

WAIT WAIT WAIT dun buy first. I will stress test this using my infamous 205 point test. I am gonna do a 8 hr gaming test on crysis at high and then alt-tab 10 times between window and crysis. I will also tilt it at 2 inch high & swing temp from 55C to the max and back again in seconds.


WAIT My friend.... WAIT..

 

rexi r u talking to me? Lol

 

Current progress report:

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/3701/newbiosot9.jpg

Seems to be hovering around 84. Will post a new pic in about... 15-20 minutes.

 

Xenon you don't need to install it since your using the 8700

 

This is from Team Fortress 2. Have been playing for 2hr 30 min

X30 Bios


X32 Bios


so far i dont see a difference in tf2. i will try call of duty 4 later this week when i have time. so far we know that the bios seems to lower your idle temperature. Mine was around 66-68. Now its 65.

 

Yeah Kaiserphoenix - dun wanna u to get burned. But I am gonna need 24hrs for that. 8hrs straight gaming, 8 hrs ATI tool stress test and another 8hrs 2 inch high to simulate gaming on the go & at ambient temp of 35C/95F. Games tested COD4, Total war, GRAW2, & crysis.

LETS GAME NOW...

 

Update #2:

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/9007/newbios2an0.jpg

I accidently closed the monitor window, so that's why it starts at 84. Still no downclock though. Another shot in 20 minutes.

 

just out of curiousity, 80-90C seems awefully hot, how hot does the laptop physically get (how hot to the touch)? Is it uncomfortable to use on your lap?

 

LOL- Just dun put it on your lap when ur trying to have kids.

 

Im 18, I'm not exactly worried about temporary sterility. I just want to know whether or not its uncomfortably hot.

 

Still, my 8700 had 90C after playing Crysis once. So I would like to be safe.

 

gotcha some one posted the link in alienware-frank's thread

 

Could you guys testing your system let us know if you have the zalman cooler or any cooler that makes your system tilt a little bit? I read before that a few people started downclocking after they had their system tilt on a zalman cooler. Thank you

 

FInal shot of the day:

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/2011/newbios3fs0.jpg

 

Seriously its the hottest laptop I have ever put on my lap. It feels uncomfortable after awhile. Beside it block the vent from pulling up cool air. I would not recommend it.

 

wait a second, when did x32 come out? i've already updated my bios once perhaps a week or two ago and it got my fans to kick on full speed ...

problem is dint really play much crysis after that .. but i tried it out today and it sticks to around 89 running crysis in windowed mode with gpu-z open, and at 90 it downclocks until the temps decrease .... and the fans do kick in to high speed. Is this bios newer? what's the differnce?

 

it was updated today

 

where can I d/l the new bios?

 

how do we self install this? I downloaded it and don't know how to update? can someone give some instructions?

 

For people who don't know where to download the BIOS, it is found in the link below http://support.alienware.com/Support_Pages/Restricted_Downloads/Mobile/m15x/BIOS/m15x_x32RC1.zip

Step 1- Open the link, Sign in for it to start downloading
Step 2- Using Nero, burn the image (the file you downloaded) to a CD or DVD (it might give you an error in the end saying that it failed but don't worry.)
Step 3- Save all your work. Shut down then boot from the CD/DVD. (Press F12 to select boot option)
Step 4- Just follow the steps on screen and you're done.

 

Thanks Les, we appreciate you and GBR's testing, + rep for sure

 

having problems with step 3. Do i hit f12 to multi boot and then select the cd/dvd drive? It fails to find an OS as I am assuming it is trying to boot the computer using the CD/DVD drive. How do I shutdown and then get to the prompts?

 

Yes, you have to press F12 and then select to boot from the CD drive. After that follow the steps.

 

it is failing at that point. I extracted the rar file from step 1 onto my desktop and then opened nero essentials and added the "iso" file that was extracted. I burned to a cd and then shutdown and restart the computer. I hit f12 and it says "OS not found"....im stumped;/

 

when you burn it in Nero, have you chose something like "burn image files"?
you can't just burn the whole .iso directly.

 

I wrote some tips on flashing the x30 bios a while ago. Its the same as the x32.Hope this help

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=3141197&postcount=388

 

Hey firstn20 - Seeing as how you created this thread and it concerns the updated BIOS it would be advisable to post the link to it in the first post. Also including rexibaby's procedure would be great for those unsure on how to run it.

Something like this:

Link to updated bios (X32 RC1)
http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/...td_adp.php?p_sid=b4lS5Nbh&p_lva=&p_faqid=5779
Link to the Alienware-Frank's post announcing the update - http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=3245536#post3245536
rexibaby987's Procedure to update your BIOS -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=3141197&postcount=388

Note:

@rexibaby - Can you edit that post so it doesn't say updating the BIOS on your own will void your warranty as AW-Steve said it won't.

 

Hi,

I order my M15x in australia and how do i register to the support member area?
I was not given any account number or any stuff...

Could somebody please kindly send me the new bios file at [email protected]? please...

 

just by the by, the F12 step isn't necessary. The BIOS always reads any CD/DVD you have in there before starting up and will boot from it if it is a valid bootable disc.

 

open up your leather binder. there is a white card and shines in rainbow colors. there is a agent number on it. use that to register.

 

haha nice description of the card exiled!

 

I already mailed bbb_yaoxiang but he/she doesn't have a binder/ID Card
So it going to call and talk to AW-Australia.. Just F.Y.I in case one of you wants to send him/her the BIOS..

 

@ Wraithers

Consider it Done.

 

updated the links, thanks wraith

 

Thanks Wraithers and rexibaby987. Thanks alot for the help.

I have updated my bios and i'm testing my com now. currently 10mins of atitool.. max 93oC fans start on high speed and now maintaining at 83oC.

Regarding the folder/binder, I have emailed AW australia to check with them whether is the stuff only available to US and other countries but not in australia. Hopefully they will reply me tomorrow.

Anway, Thanks again peeps!

 

Looking good so far. A little over 2 hours on FurMark, and it's stabilized at 96 C with no downclocking. I'll keep running it for a bit longer to see what happens.

 

Also for the people whos running the test GBR, EXILED, LESS, and SOR, do you guys have it running on a notebook cooler like a Zalman with the added tilt? Just want to know, because I heard it used to downclock when it was on a little angle!

 

i have the zalman nc 1000 so i can try to test that today. i was wonder if anyone can help me with riva tuner. i accidently pressed the x on the core clock rop domain and i was wondering if anyone knew how to turn the graph back on.