[M17x R4] - 'unlocked' BIOS versions

[svl7 5601]

Dell has hidden a lot of options in the BIOS of the Alienware M17x R4, the modified BIOS versions here will show you all the hidden menus and allow you to further tweak your system and optimize its performance.

Don't change anything you're not familiar with. There might be functions available which don't work on your system, so use this BIOS with care. It should only be used by advanced users.

In case you mess up and your system refuses to boot after applying the changes you make, remove the AC adapter, battery and coin cell battery in order to clear the non-volatile ram of the BIOS. This should fix most issues.

***********************

Instructions:

 

If you're on A05 or an earlier version, you can flash the modified bios by simply using the InsydeFlash utility provided with the official bios update on the Dell support site.

However, once you're on a version newer than A05, things get a bit more complicated. There are two options then:

 

- Method 1:

Revert to stock A05 or earlier by using the Insyde USB bios recovery method, and then flash the modified bios by using the official tools (InsydeFlash).

 

- Method 2 (recommended):

Flash the modified Bios from DOS by using the FPT tool:

svl7 said:

 

• Prepare an USB drive so that it can boot DOS. If you don't know how to do this, check the instructions in the spoiler.

   

  Spoiler

  Guide by @

  StamatisX - Thanks!

  Guide by @StamatisX - thanks!

  StamatisX said:

  This is a simple way to make a USB flash drive bootable (i.e. if you want to flash your VBIOS)

  StamatisX said:

  
  First download the attachment from below and extract it (i.e. on your Desktop)
  bootable_disk.zip
  Install the program and once done run it as administrator otherwise it will give you an error (right click on it and run as administrator)
  Insert the USB flash disk you want to use as a bootable device
  
  make sure you have the following selected
  
  and press on the button with the 3 dots in order to define the location of the needed files (basically where you chose to unzip the file you downloaded)
  Press start and after a while you are all set

  .

• Grab the DOS version of fpt for flashing, and my 'prr tool' to circumvent write protection..
• Download a '[FPT]' labeled version of the unlocked BIOS. Put the DOS version of the flash tool on the root of the prepared USB stick (fpt.exe and fparts.txt), along with the prr.exe and the file you want to flash (plus the included flash.bat). .
• Restart the system and boot from your USB stick. Run prr.exe, then flash the bios by executing the flash.bat file. Wait until the tool completes the flash. If the verification is okay, reboot, else flash again..
• Go to the bios, load the default settings and reboot. Done

 

 

 

NOTE: The flashing from DOS as described above will only update the BIOS, not the rest of the firmware. Therefore I strongly advise you to first flash the stock version of the bios you want by using the official update provided by Dell, and once that's done you can go ahead and flash the modified version of your bios by following the instructions above.

 

Download links to the unlocked M17x R4 BIOS versions:

 

 

• M17x R4 - BIOS A05 [unlocked]
• M17x R4 - BIOS A08 [unlocked] - see attachment
• M17x R4 - BIOS A09 [unlocked] - see attachment
• M17x R4 - BIOS A10 [unlocked] - see attachment
• [FPT] M17x R4 - BIOS A10 [unlocked] - see attachment
• [FPT] M17x R4 - BIOS A11 [unlocked] - see attachment

 

Donation link, in case you want to buy me a beer

Here some pictures of the menus (thanks a lot for the pics @deadbydawn!)

I want to thank @widezu69 for testing !!

It's hard to find users who are willing to risk their system in order to test a mod, I greatly appreciate this! Thank you!!

*********

Flash and use at your own risk. I don't take any responsibility for any possible damages on your system.

The software which I provide here ('prr tool') comes with absolutely no warranty to the extent permitted by applicable law.

___

M17x_R4_-_BIOS_A08_[unlocked].zip

M17x_R4_-_BIOS_A09_[unlocked].zip

M17x_R4_BIOS_A10_-_[unlocked].zip

[FPT]-M17x_R4_BIOS_A11_-_[unlocked]V2.zip

[FPT] M17x R4 - BIOS A10 [unlocked].zip

M17x_R4_-_BIOS_A05_[unlocked].zip

[naldor 29]

Cheers m8, but it says 404 download not found

[svl7 5601]

As I said in the first post, it will take a while until the DL is ready on the server.

[naldor 29]

Ah my bad sorry

[Brian 1975]

It may take up to 24 hours to become active via cdn.

Sent from my GT-N7000

[deadbydawn 140]

no worries @svl7! thanks for the awesome work dude! btw, sorry for the crappy pics, but i was fighting with either bad ass reflections of the window or a reflection of me in the screen...that's why the display in all the pictures of tilted...

[svl7 5601]

Hahaha, don't worry man!! It's all readable, that's more than enough, cheers!!

[deadbydawn 140]

haha, alright then ^^

[Scott Matusow 27]

I guess I need a few posts to see those menus, I am game to test the m18x R2 mod-- hope it does not brick!

[Shipwreck79 14]

Works like a charm, I would definitely not try and screw around at random with the options

[nosbourg 11]

Works like a charm, I would definitely not try and screw around at random with the options

hi shipwreck can you explain the update steps that you did and did you see any perfomance boost with this update ? thanks

[Hendrik0098 10]

with this bios i had a big issue, my gtx680 was thottling every time to 4xxMHz (afterburner has no effect) but no problem with original a05. I thought there was no relationship between bios and vbios? can someone try same setting, with and without a05 unlocked?

my system: 3610qm and gtx 680m

[Shipwreck79 14]

hi shipwreck can you explain the update steps that you did and did you see any perfomance boost with this update ? thanks

I just ran the Windows patcher (be aware, once you've started it, there is no further confirmation whether you want to proceed or not, so you're committed

I have found no difference in GTX680m throttling behaviour between stock A05 and the modified one.

[nosbourg 11]

I just ran the Windows patcher (be aware, once you've started it, there is no further confirmation whether you want to proceed or not, so you're committed

I have found no difference in GTX680m throttling behaviour between stock A05 and the modified one.

thanks for the answer but you did the update in windows but what exe file did you use there is 3 exe files sorry but i dont know what file is the patcher

[svl7 5601]

There's a "READ ME" file included with the download. All instructions can be found there.

[that0n3guy 10]

I just want to say thank you for creating this. I've been looking for one for a while hoping that it would be released.

[mi3x 10]

good! thanks! Is this better than the custom vbios with higher voltage?

[long2905 10]

thanks for your wonderful work again svl7. Say if I'm not using an XM CPU and having no intention of disabling the iGPU in system BIOS, is there any reason I should flash this?

[svl7 5601]

Not sure... there are some interesting options, but I guess most users won't need them.

[mikecacho 24]

svl7, i would place a warning for those who have Modded Vbios, that it potentially causes the Bios flash to brick. I have your modded Vbios (900/1300/1.075V) followed your README and my bios bricked. When it automatically restarted fans were at fullspeed with constant beeps for around 10min with LEDS all lit up... Correct me if i'm wrong on this tho, thanks. I'm thinking i might have to pull the GPU before flash...

I recovered using the M17R4.hrd file FYI.

-Mike

[long2905 10]

That is a GPU vBIOS, which is different from this system bios...

[mikecacho 24]

Long2905, i understand that, that is why i am trying to cancel out any other potentials. If it is a possibility for a modded Vbios to cause a Bios flash to go sour, i want to make sure its clarified.

[long2905 10]

not unless you use it to flash the system bios. otherwise at worst you just have to pull out the GPU and your system should be able to boot as usual.

[mikecacho 24]

Yes, it was used to flash system Bios, if i decided to try and flash it again with the Unlocked A05 bios again or any future bios, ill pull GPU and see what happens, again if there are other potentials causing this issue please list them with known facts if possible, as this helps me go about a flash with all bases covered, thanks for the input.

-Mike

[long2905 10]

the vbios is used to flash the discrete graphic card, you cannot use it for anything else :|