[M17x R4] - BIOS A05

[svl7 5714]

Dell just published a new BIOS version for the R4, A05

Download link (direct)

No change log on the Dell site, no idea what's up with Dell, pretty annoying if you ask me, releasing something like this with no change log. Maybe [MENTION=4186]Alienware-Frank_L[/MENTION] can provide some more information?

EDIT: Seems this BIOS brings 680m overclocking & boosting... pretty cool!

[Guest Alienware-Frank_L]

Yeah, actually I haven't posted yet cause we don't have the CL ready. Boost and OC are some of the features. I'll come back with the "Official" link and CL, we just want to be sure.

[Guest Alienware-Frank_L]

Meant to reply to PM, sorry

[widezu69 252]

Any chance of an unlock...? @svl7?

[svl7 5714]

I wish... The BIOS setup utility is different than the one in the last AW generation, the "old" unlocking method doesn't seem to work anymore. I'm not sure whether I could figure out a new way, and even if, it'd take quite some time. At the moment I don't have time to disassemble bios files and play detective... Also I don't have a system to test it myself, that's a big issue. I don't want to accidentally brick the system of anyone while experimenting.

[jack34 6]

Hello,

I read in the NotebookReview forum that two computers were brick when upgrading the bios a05.

Is safe or not to upgrade?

[svl7 5714]

Yes it is. You must be really unlucky to get a brick... and even then, your covered by the warranty.

[jack34 6]

Yes it is. You must be really unlucky to get a brick... and even then, your covered by the warranty.

I thought that updating the BIOS is under warranty but DELL support does not think the same. A user of NotebookReview, Long2905 has problems (updating bios A05 = R4 brick). He called the support and said " According to them, updating BIOS without a tech's guidance is considered user's neglect therefore isn't covered by warranty". Finally fixed the problem calling repeatedly to support ......but at the beginning they did not want to support.

[svl7 5714]

I already had to deal with the Dell guys at the phone... and only one time I talked to someone who actually knew what he was talking about. It can be annoying as hell... really. The BIOS is user upgradable, there's a reason for BIOS updates and there's also a reason why they put them on the Dell site.

A phone rep who says you need a tech's guidance for a BIOS update is a moron, especially since all gets flashed from within Windows, even with a GUI. Also... what's the difference if you have a tech guiding you and you still get a brick? I mean there's nothing a tech could do to avoid this...

[jack34 6]

I already had to deal with the Dell guys at the phone... and only one time I talked to someone who actually knew what he was talking about. It can be annoying as hell... really. The BIOS is user upgradable, there's a reason for BIOS updates and there's also a reason why they put them on the Dell site.

A phone rep who says you need a tech's guidance for a BIOS update is a moron, especially since all gets flashed from within Windows, even with a GUI. Also... what's the difference if you have a tech guiding you and you still get a brick? I mean there's nothing a tech could do to avoid this...

I totally agree.

[bigtonyman 19]

Gotta wonder how some of these guys get employed.

[Brian 1980]

That's been one of my chief complaints about Dell support for a long time. It may be better than other companies like Asus but shit support is still shit support.

[bigtonyman 19]

So far it seems like the AW social media people are a whole separate group from the regular alienware phone tech support. The Social media people are based in Florida I think as well.

[long2905 10]

Now i'm just waiting for the box to ship the laptop to their depot station in houston texas or something.

[jack34 6]

Now i'm just waiting for the box to ship the laptop to their depot station in houston texas or something.

A question?

You warranty is "Next business day"?

A technician can go to your house to make the repair, do not understand why sending the deposit.

[Brian 1980]

A question?

You warranty is "Next business day"?

A technician can go to your house to make the repair, do not understand why sending the deposit.

Because Alienware makes the customer think it's a necessary step but if the customer fights them on it, they will win. It's just most don't even bother arguing and instead send it to a depot where it is usually scratched up and damaged by some underpaid technician.

[jack34 6]

Thanks for the clarification.

In my country, Spain, the technician usually comes home.

In the second year standard of the warranty, send the deposit. If you buy the advanced warranty (NBD) usually comes home the technician.

[Brian 1980]

Thanks for the clarification.

In my country, Spain, the technician usually comes home.

In the second year standard of the warranty, send the deposit. If you buy the advanced warranty (NBD) usually comes home the technician.

It's the same in the USA but sometimes the Alienware reps. on the phone convince people to do the opposite by sending it to the depot.

[jack34 6]

Great now I understand.

the Reps on the phone can sometimes use the excuse of "deposit", but not a required.

[long2905 10]

I do have Next Business Day actually. I wasn't aware I could do that. Bu then I also told them I have no idea why my PC did not power on so I thought they need to do some diagnostics on it or something. I guess they can come to my house and do that? Also my schedule is very tight so it's not easy to stay at home and wait for a tech to come. Guess I will try to call them again later today.

[bigtonyman 19]

Good luck!! I'm still waiting on a reply from them (guess they still need to verify my warranty). Been over a week since I originally fried the machine.

[long2905 10]

Like wise mate! finger crossed they would agree to get me a technician!

[long2905 10]

So a little update on my situation. Since the call on Saturday, I waited for the box and it came today. But reading around a bit it seems sending to depot is not a good idea. So I made another call to get a technician instead. The rep kept telling me it is a bad idea to send in a technician in case like this since they have to replace very delicate parts (cables, mainboards,CPU, and GPU) and home environment is not ideal. But I insist on that since I paid for the service and I need my laptop by the end of the week, so he gave in. He told me he would cancel my current depot order and would call me back tomorrow to set up a technician. So that's that, hopefully I can get everything sorted out by the end of the week. Still, any advice is always welcome guys.

[bigtonyman 19]

Just watch the tech like a hawk and make sure they know what they are doing.

[Xonar 419]

Best of luck to you Tony and Dragon, errr Long

It's too coincidental that a BIOS flash would brick your notebook as you were one of my first testers in the MSI and we did a lot of flashing back then and nothing serious ever happened.

Sent from my Sensation