vladichimescu

is this worth the hassle to install this for the increase of performance?

no! you can have all by using official bios: I've oc'ed my graphics for testing to 750mhz gpu and Battlefield 3 is ok, no artefacts. Most of the unlocked menus are useless and the 0.0.2 gpu voltage increase doesn't work on all GTX 670M [my B revision doesn't get moded] so I get not even one benefit from using moded version...

Because temp threshold doesn't work in Bios [i would like the fans to kick in at 50degree and full load at 85degree], I will seek for the gpu +0.02 increase only

new setPLL definitions available: Fujitsu 3560 and Gateway P79

- download freeware http://www13.plala.or.jp/setfsb/download/ver22/setfsb_2_2_134_98.zip : select PLL Diagnosis and get fsb, change the 0C register from value 0D to 16, apply and save a screenshot and send it to me

- get http://www.cpuid.com/downloads/cpu-z/1.66-en.zip :save screenshot to tabs: CPU and Memory

upgrade to 2.04 is of interest, yet with 650M support

I changed from Adaptive to Max Performance but the 2nd GPU load still shows 0%. Tried the latest 320.19 driver still same result.

In GPU-Z it says SLI enabled but I noticed the 2nd GPU BIOS is "80.07.27.00.33 (P1304fd10)" instead of just "80.07.27.00.33". Also the Default Clock MEM is 1250MHz instead of 1000MHz. As I didn't apply any mods, is my 2nd GPU screwed up? Should I tried the BIOS mod before sending it back?

Furmark doesn't support SLI yet ! your SLI system is ok if Nvidia Control Panel says so [just run some games, like Skyrim at FullHD ultra, max all, CSGO max all, etc] and you will see both cards taking the load !

It is weird... this is what I have on stock with nVidia Inspector right now...?

That's not stock, it's moded [see the MODIFIED tag in the rom version?]

I can confirm the new version of updates [for both bios and ultrabay] works great - gpu say it's 835mhz gpu clock without oc [my stock version was 790 without oc]

Much apreciated for your info about GT 750M, but I already answered to the possibility about using nvflash on internal gpu because I tested and the answer is "you can't use nvflash for internal gpu" [at least the version available]

PS: no need to get angry be happy ) - nvidiaInspector has a button which created a nice link for oc to your desired set of oc [at least there was when I first run this app, some time ago, no need to ugly .bat]

There's no need for a separate bios without the unlocked stuff, it's not like anyone is urged to use the additional settings in the bios, they're just there and won't do anything if someone doesn't use them.

Also you shouldn't share your bios backup, there's your windows activation in there, just saying...

Activation is not done via internet, being in BIOS it's down to certificate and serial, so it won't affect him in any way [like moding with SLIC -but you sure know this]

You're welcome. Happy to be of help.

@octiceps, you seem to have some ideas about these... I think it can be done, but better ask before regret: do you think I could use nvflash the flash the internal and the external gpu ? [i really don't want that graphical modified bios so I don't need the moded bios - I upgraded the sli version of this beast with 512GB SSD sata3 [worked hard to save the $$$ as freelancer so warranty is important to me -and still I hate all these menus, I would enable just a few of them like numlock enable on start]

can't read/backup[content of rom] using nvflash [tested] so can't write [untested, but fairly sure], it just sees it [tested]

[reverted fully to original bios/rom]

You can easily dump the stock vbios yourself. Also the "modified" label which shows up in Nvidia Inspector is due to the certificate in the vbios. NV Inspector simply uses the nvapi to check whether the vbios is modified or not and displays this information. Unless you hand me the details about the certification and signing there's nothing I can do about.

And as Octiceps says, you create a backup of your own bios before flashing, so keep it. I have no intention of releasing a separate bios without the unlocked stuff since it doesn't do any harm at all. If you don't need the unlocked menus... well then just leave them and don't change anything, it's actually pretty simple. It's not as if the additional stuff which shows up does any harm as long as you don't use it.

I got excited and made no backup but I searched the web and finally found the original rom for the ultrabay gt650... and perhaps, if you have time and there's no big trouble I would still like that moded oc with whitelist v2.02 bios [without menus - I do development on this machine and if something gets wrong, the machine won't start [unable to reflash bios] and if warranty is required then they'll void it as soon as they check the bios - the chances they do a checksum or code comparision is less, but graphics is first seen]

I did what you said,added admin in the compatibility section of fpt64 and then ran backup.bat, but it didn't make a bin file. The command prompt pops up for a second then closes so fast taht I can't read any of it.

- - - Updated - - -

I did what you said,added admin in the compatibility section of fpt64 and then ran backup.bat, but it didn't make a bin file. The command prompt pops up for a second then closes so fast taht I can't read any of it.

if you want to do it in pure dos [make that bootable usb, place all files as it says], boot the usb and just type backup.bat, that should do it [this is how I did it]

OR

if you want to do it in windows, place all files in a folder named work in C:, search for cmd > right click > Run as administrator, then type:

cd C:/work [hit enter]

backup.bat [hit enter]

hey svl7, can you post the stock for the gt650m ultrabay ? and maybe a version of the rom with oc only and whitelist for bios and another for ultrabay [without unlocked menu and without MODIFIED label - warranty won't like that] [i'm moding it as well for OS X support]

I sold my M14x R2 but I had no problem going back and forward with the Bios using the hardware restore - remove battery, have the M14XR2.hdr on the fat32 and while pressing END, plug in the power cord - I do recommend A09 because of the Windows 8 full support - update the bios to a09, set the bios to UEFI and legacy to off, boot windows 8 dvd, full erase the hdd and create a new partition (it will automatically create the GPT, so no more MBR) - faster and better looking

You could try geting back to the 09 bios. remove the power cord, press END key and get the power cord back, if no go, then you need to do these steps while the battery connector is removed (no warranty void because Alienware allows users to do what they want with their space ships ). It will beep like the heart, short short long pause then again short as it's geting alive

not much, but an high end cpu and gpu... just add a ssd and you have a no-problem m14x...

I had the R1 as you and the temps were going like crazy even without overclock (I think I had 835Mhz on my GPU with voltmod) but ATTENTION, you have the R1 so get the R1 moded bios. you need to make 4 tests in order to check your optimum performance: use 5-10minutes for each test, prime95 for CPU, Furmark for GPU.

1.enable turbo on CPU - check temp

2.disable turbo on CPU - check temp

3.standard clock GPU - check temp

4.overclock GPU - check temp

after all tests, you will get your answer: why the system throttle ? because of the what configuration of the cpu/gpu ? set then the best settings for the system !

FOR THE R1: the system R1 does throttle so the performance is chocking and lagy !

FOR THE R2: the CPU with turbo goes to 80-85degree Celsius (the GPU is less than 70 even with overclock so no problem there). HOWEVER the R2, in any case, the system R2 doesn't throttle so the performance is maximum and very smooth !

I did some stress test, benchmark and some gaming at maximum graphic details at a 20-22degree Celsius environment and got the maximum temp: 78 for CPU, 67 for GPU.

having GPT(Alienware M14x R2 A09 bios supports UEFI=GPT) you may have the possibility to boot too many OSes to be count, but in MBR, OS and Windows partitions must be primary, Linux can boot from Extended partition:

PS: there's no need to have a redundant menu, so why would you choose that ? @mw86

@svl7, any progress about the M14x R2 A09 bios vmod and unlocked ?

@cagefighter, you have the M14x R1, these thread is for R2... however: if you read the already given answer, you will find that GPU have different potential of overclocking; although you have the same chipset and code and everything, still... different potential of overclocking. Flash the bios and do the loop: increase with 50Mhz and then benchmark, if it's ok then increase again with 50Mhz and benchmark again, otherwise restore the latest highest value and increase with 10Mhz and then benchmark, if it's ok then increase again with 10Mhz and benchmark again, else restore the highest value and increase with 5Mhz until unstable. anytime leave some Mhz difference for stability.

hi.. i have a alienware m14 x r1 with a gt555m 3gb *stock speed 590ghz)... 0verclocked to 700ghz my max temps under full load is 67 degrees (after a hour of furmark benchmark)

i did a nice repaste job and temps dropped from 85-93degrees (under full load) to 65-67degrees full load...

anyways question is... after i apply the voltage unlock mod, what stable (safe overclock) should i expect?? and what roughly will be the increase in heat?

Get the 09 bios version .exe file, open the .exe file with 7-zip and extract the A09.fb file to .. let's say: Desktop. rename the extracted file and the extension of it to: from A09.fb to M14R2.hdr and then copy it to usb disk driver which is formated as Fat32... remove the power cord, plug the usb in the left port USB and while holding END, plug in the power cord... the vents will go crazy and after a few seconds the beeps will tell you that the system is recovering: DON'T DO ANYTHING ! just leave the system alone, it will beep like 2minutes and automatically restart.

In order to benefit from Windows 8 and Alienware new UEFI support > backup all your data to external drive, set the bios to uefi enabled and legacy boot rom disabled... the boot windows 8 dvd and wipe the hdd/ssd with clean command from cmd> diskpart (shift F10). creating ONE partition, actually will create 4 partition (EFI, MSR, System, Windows partition)... after everything is set you will have the Alienware logo while Windows 8 loading and lightning speed boot (enable Windows 8 Fast Boot)

You could read and adapt the how-to I made for the M11x R1: http://vladichimescu.me/pages/consultant/alienware_m11x_r1/ ... if I hear about someone making the sound work (the Creative Recon3Di), I will compile an DSDT and smooth this beast for the dual boot UEFI (maybe even find a way to switch graphics) - Windows 8 and OS X ML (I don't have the time to loose for the sound) (I'm trying to sell this machine until New Year)

which method is better for overclocking? flashing vbios or using nvidia inspector (nVIDIA mobile Kepler 6xx MASTER overclocking guide. Workaround for max clocks/OC stability.)

Also, is it a good idea to disable CPU Turbo Boost 2.0 in BIOS when overclocking GPU this high?

As for instructions on flashing my BIOS, i would just run the insyde application from my desktop, reboot -> F2 select Default settings and Exit saving changes and that should be it? No enabling overclocking in BIOS or anything like that? After flashing can i delete the A03 VBios File?

The moded Bios only increase gpu voltage @3D, it doesn't overclock it, you need to overclock using any software - I use nvidia Inspector; the bios allows you to overclock over the standard max 135Mhz.

Hi I've got a problem

I cant run the Indydeflashx64 file. When i start it, i get this error message and I have to close the program

the error message says:

IHISI: Flash write error in SMI!

SMI Return Code: 0x25

Anyone have any advice?

Extract the .fb file from the Dell .exe bios file with 7-zip, rename it to M14R2.fb and put the file on a fat32 formated usb disk.. shutdown, remove the power cord, plug the USB disk in the USB 2.0 (the left one), hold the END key down and plug in the power cord... beep beep beep for like 1-2minute and it automatically shuts down with the new bios... congrats and enjoy

In order to benefit from the new Bios, you need to reinstall windows but full erase your hdd/ssd: backup to external drive, erase hdd/ssd, set the bios to UEFI, disable legacy rom, enable windows 8 fast boot, the save and boot from windows 8 dvd, create partitions (it will format GPT with recovery partition, efi partition, MSR partition and Windows system partition, this is automatically), after everything is set (do not use Intel chipset utility or F6 driver, just leave the one from Windows update), you will enjoy a new windows 8 style Alienware logo and a WoW, outstanding speed (running SSD 6GB/s and 16gb ddr 1600mhz)

you can make mirrors for my host Index of /~vlad.ichimescu/MOD , it's not reliable because I'm no more a student so my account will be blocked, so my host and files deleted. As for the 09 bios, I'm having trouble with sleep of the M14x R2, it locks up or bsod after waking (SOLVED by roling back to Microsoft driver AHCI Sata Controller). M14x R2, Intel Core i7 3610QM, 16GB DDR3 1600Mhz, Lite-on SSD Sata 3 (I will replace with Crucial M4 256GB Sata3 and Crucial M4 256GB mSata3 with raid 0 performance )

if you want to flash from Windows, just use the .exe provided with the Bios from Dell... if you want to flash skipping every check and security measure, extract the .fb file from the Dell .exe bios file with 7-zip, rename it to M14R2.fb and put the file on a fat32 formated usb disk.. shutdown, remove the power cord, plug the USB disk in the USB 2.0 (the left one), hold the END key down and plug in the power cord... beep beep beep for like 1-2minute and it automatically shuts down with the new bios... congrats and enjoy

having an SSD I used to have BSOD after wake because of the Intel AHCI Sata Controller drivers so I'm using the Microsoft's driver now and everything is OK on Bios 09 - waiting for the 09 vbios mod to make this machine fly

thanks for the great effort! Would it be possible to downgrade from my stock 04 bios to your modded 03 ? Or are there any required steps needed ?

You may upgrade/downgrade as you wish from 03 to 04 or vice-versa, HOWEVER remember that bios 09 (maybe 08 too, I didn't tested 08) introduce uefi and secure boot for Windows 8 meaning you will not able to flash 09 to 03 from Windows, only with recovery bios with the END button (I tried simply running 04 bios .exe in Windows - I'm using 09 bios now and an error occurred saying can't flash, however I used the recovery method running 09 and I placed the 04 on the usb, worked and now sleep is ok)