Windows 10: Alienware (Dell) BIOS update

Denis @Try3

I have started a thread here to try to better explain and not clog up Site Bugs.

Site Bugs and Suggestions [4]

Normally, since I've had this machine, about 3 1/2 years, BIOS updates are shown to me as part of the Alienware Update app or if I go to Dell Support and put in my Support number. I then download the .exe shown for the update, just like any other Dell update. When I run the executable, it does a restart and as you say goes thru a very verbose update process, all steps being display in the BIOS update screen. Then normal restart and all comes up normal.

That is the normal way I have been doing it for years. This time, when I did a check for updates, the WHQL BIOS (firmware) had already been installed by WU (not me) and was waiting for a restart. I had few choices. I did the restart. It started the BIOS update process but the verbose messaging was not there, just the message "Updating system files" or something like that. It did the update, did a restart and all came up normally.

What I am trying to explain is this update thru WU from BIOS version 1.0.22 to version 1.0.23 went thru perfectly from all I can see: (Your batch file)





From BIOS:





System Information:





From Device Manager:





This is normal for me, it takes a while to get the info updated here. Couple of weeks it will say 1.0.23.

What's real is your .bat, the BIOS pic, and System Info.

Now to the question. I saw all the links you provided. I've been to all of them before. When I go to Dell Support, enter my Service Tag Number, scroll down the Drivers section, I get this as the most current.





Obviously not so. And I cannot find any reference anywhere on the 'net to version 1.0.23.

That is why I asked @firebird if he had any other info since it appeared he had access to info I do not:

Site Bugs and Suggestions [4]

:)

 

Alienware (Dell) BIOS update

Denis @Try3

I have started a thread here to try to better explain and not clog up Site Bugs.

Site Bugs and Suggestions [4]

Normally, since I've had this machine, about 3 1/2 years, BIOS updates are shown to me as part of the Alienware Update app or if I go to Dell Support and put in my Support number. I then download the .exe shown for the update, just like any other Dell update. When I run the executable, it does a restart and as you say goes thru a very verbose update process, all steps being display in the BIOS update screen. Then normal restart and all comes up normal.

That is the normal way I have been doing it for years. This time, when I did a check for updates, the WHQL BIOS (firmware) had already been installed by WU (not me) and was waiting for a restart. I had few choices. I did the restart. It started the BIOS update process but the verbose messaging was not there, just the message "Updating system files" or something like that. It did the update, did a restart and all came up normally.

What I am trying to explain is this update thru WU from BIOS version 1.0.22 to version 1.0.23 went thru perfectly from all I can see: (Your batch file)





From BIOS:





System Information:





From Device Manager:





This is normal for me, it takes a while to get the info updated here. Couple of weeks it will say 1.0.23.

What's real is your .bat, the BIOS pic, and System Info.

Now to the question. I saw all the links you provided. I've been to all of them before. When I go to Dell Support, enter my Service Tag Number, scroll down the Drivers section, I get this as the most current.





Obviously not so. And I cannot find any reference anywhere on the 'net to version 1.0.23.

That is why I asked @firebird if he had any other info since it appeared he had access to info I do not:

Site Bugs and Suggestions [4]

 

Alienware Area 51 m15x BIOS Update Released

If you were among the group of people experiencing overheating issues with your Alienware Area 51 m15x laptop, then there are some good news for you. A new BIOS update, version X29b P3A30 is now available. The update allegedly allows VGA fans to increase up to 5400 rpm and thus better cool the GPU. To obtain the new BIOS, you'll need to email the m15x support line (L: Area51_m15x@alienware.com). In reply you should receive a link to the BIOS .zip archive. Once you download the small file, Alienware recommends to follow the steps described in the Read full story marker.



Open Nero Ultra Edition, click Backup, and then click “Burn Image to Disc.” Next, select the file “m15x_x29b.iso from the unzipped folder.

• Plug your AC adapter in
• Disconnect all third-party peripherals
• Don’t turn off the computer or restart it during the update
• Don’t eject your DVD/Blu-ray drive during the update.

Steps:

• Open BIOS by tapping F12 during boot
• Set BIOS to boot from your CD-ROM drive first
• Save and exit
• Upon reboot, the BIOS flash update will proceed
• Click “Yes” through the prompts
• Restart

Source: LAPTOP Magazine

 

How to update Dell Alienware BIOS without battery?

I tried to update the BIOS for my Alienware M17xR4 but it doesn't work due to my battery being dead (6yo battery).

The flash tool dell provides is called InsydeFlash, I tried to temper the parameters.ini to remove the AC verification but it doesn't work (the software always create a new version of the parameters.ini when you start it), I even tried to put the parameters.ini in Read only, but then, InsydeFlash doesn't open at all.

I tried commands like /forceit /writeromfile /writehdrfile etc... nothing worked so far, the only think I didn't try was installing the BIOS via flashdrive, but then, I can't extract the BIOS from Dell's InsydeFlash tool.

This is the driver page (Version A15): https://www.dell.com/support/home/br/pt/...?driverid=wy72t

Mine is still at A11, I am trying to update the BIOS in order to solver a GPU problem, it's status is Faulty on windows drivers, but when I run ePSA Built-in Diagnostics from Dell, every test on the Video card is normal.

How should I proceed? I can't update the BIOS at all and I am not willing to afford another battery.

Thank you all in advance.