[M14x R2] - 'unlocked' BIOS versions

[svl7 5714]

.

Read this link before continuing:

http://forum.techinferno.com/alienware/2252-information-about-bios-updates-a07-a08-higher-m14xr2-m17xr4-m18xr2.html

 

M17x R4 and M18x R2 users already have the possibility to further tweak their systems with the help of a modified bios... so let's not forget about the M14x R2 users

Dell has hidden a lot of options in the BIOS of the Alienware M14x R2, 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.

Believe it or not, creating such mods is rather time-consuming. If you appreciated this work feel free to buy me a beer * Donate *

Download links for the unlocked M14x R2 BIOS versions:

 

• M14x_R2_BIOS_A03_-_[unlocked].zip

 

Here some pictures of the most interesting options and menus. Thanks @Mehtaparth94 for providing the pictures!

*********

Flash and use at your own risk.

I don't take any responsibility for any possible damages on your system.

___

M14x_R2_BIOS_A03_-_[unlocked].zip

[Mehtaparth94 17]

@svl7 has did it again.. Thanks to his contribution to the forum.. We are enjoying all this features..

Thanks @svl7 .. Was an honour to test your mod. (:

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

[piratefly 16]

Woa! Is it available to change the limit temp from 67-68 to higher to avoid the throttling problem ?

[thanats007 57]

Hey big thanks again svl7! Any chance to combine your unlocked VBIOS mod with this unlocked BIOS mod? I dont want to lose the OC capability by flashing this nice new mod of you

BIG THANKS ....AGAIN!

[Eats7 36]

Woa! Is it available to change the limit temp from 67-68 to higher to avoid the throttling problem ?

This. @svl7 have you found anyway to change this?

[kaldon 11]

This. @svl7 have you found anyway to change this?

I'm curious about this too, is the option to avoid the GPU throttling available in this BIOS?

Either way Thanks so much for your work!

Kaldon

[thanats007 57]

Please Please combine this BIOS mod with the unlocked VBIOS mod so we can OC + having an unlocked BIOS that would be awesome! Ill buy you 2 beers then even

[svl7 5714]

I'll combine it with a modified vbios as soon as possible, need to find time for all those mods.

Not sure what can be done about the throttling, can't do crazy vbios experiments since I don't want to brick any system

[Stevenxowens792 806]

Thanks SVL. I still haven't had time to try this one out. Im using the old one that has the unlocked GPU but stock speed. (which is what i like at the moment). I really need to re-paste the machine before i do too much performance related tests. Thanks for all your hard work. I know everyone appreciates it. I mean who else has the freedom to the GPU's like we do?

[thanats007 57]

Thanks SVL. I still haven't had time to try this one out. Im using the old one that has the unlocked GPU but stock speed. (which is what i like at the moment). I really need to re-paste the machine before i do too much performance related tests. Thanks for all your hard work. I know everyone appreciates it. I mean who else has the freedom to the GPU's like we do?

Totally agree the unlocked VBIOS mod is the best software mod for all m14x R2 users by far. Thats the reason why i cant use your new great unlocked BIOS mod too since it would kill the other great mod of you.

[piratefly 16]

I'll combine it with a modified vbios as soon as possible, need to find time for all those mods.

Not sure what can be done about the throttling, can't do crazy vbios experiments since I don't want to brick any system

Cool! We appreciate it! Hope you can do something for the throttling issue.

Btw, Fifa 12 is the only game I can play with stable FPS right now because the gpu temp never reach 67*c with Vsync ON:(

[mw86 1362]

Nice work SVL7. Your a modding mad man lol. Keep up the great work.

[piratefly 16]

@svl7

Base on the 3rd screenshot at page 1, the "Throttle on Temperature" option is used for CPU only right?

[macdude 10]

@svl7

Thanks a ton for your efforts and skills!!

I forgot to ask, since I've updated to A04 already, should I downgrade to the official A03 before attempting the unlocked version or just go with the unlocked version?

[svl7 5714]

Oh, you can directly flash the unlocked A03, but I will also unlock A04.

[macdude 10]

Awesome to hear! Would this version be a combo version; unlock + vbios OC?

[mw86 1362]

@svl7

Base on the 3rd screenshot at page 1, the "Throttle on Temperature" option is used for CPU only right?

Yeah I am pretty sure that is how it is. The vbios usually has throttle programming for gpus or its built into the EC.

[mozzieT 10]

what does an unlocked bios do ? (without sounding like a complete idiot)

[Mehtaparth94 17]

Hey @svl7 just got my New Replacement..

It has a A08 BIOS !! has Some Change in Boot Option in the Bios..

UEFI something like that..

[RBRTR0NZX 10]

Is there a guide to disabling the Internal graphics card and only using the 650m? Thanks for unlocking the BIOS.

[ratinox 38]

It has a A08 BIOS !! has Some Change in Boot Option in the Bios..

Mine, shipped a couple of weeks ago, has the same A08 firmware (seems wrong to call it a BIOS when it's an EFI firmware .

The A08 firmware isn't available for download and I can't install the A04 version from Dell. InsydeFlash throws this erorr:

It only suports to flash secure BIOS on current platform.

The image to be updated is not a secure BIOS.

[svl7 5714]

what does an unlocked bios do ? (without sounding like a complete idiot)

Well, there are some menus and setup options in the bios which are hidden by the manufacturer, a so called 'unlocked' BIOS makes them available.

Hey @svl7 just got my New Replacement..

It has a A08 BIOS !! has Some Change in Boot Option in the Bios..

UEFI something like that..

AW has been using UEFI for quite a while now, they might have added uefi boot, which is interesting and nice to have.

Mine, shipped a couple of weeks ago, has the same A08 firmware (seems wrong to call it a BIOS when it's an EFI firmware .

The A08 firmware isn't available for download and I can't install the A04 version from Dell. InsydeFlash throws this erorr:

It only suports to flash secure BIOS on current platform.

The image to be updated is not a secure BIOS.

Sounds weird, no idea why Dell would go that way... makes things complicated. Maybe because of the upcoming Win8...

[ratinox 38]

AW has been using UEFI for quite a while now, they might have added uefi boot, which is interesting and nice to have.

I figure that's exactly what they did. F12 on my M14x brings up a Boot Manager screen with options for "legacy boot", "network boot" and "UEFI boot" along with options to start the diagnostics partition and system setup.

Sounds weird, no idea why Dell would go that way... makes things complicated. Maybe because of the upcoming Win8...

Seems likely now that you mention it. One of the options on mine is for "Secure Boot" set off since Windows 7 doesn't have a UEFI Secure Boot loader. If Dell starts shipping Windows 8 then that will be enabled but not locked on in order to have the Windows 8 sticker on the palm rest. If they keep Windows 7 as an option (which I fully expect they will given how long Windows XP was available) then that will be disabled for the Windows 7 units.

[svl7 5714]

I figure that's exactly what they did. F12 on my M14x brings up a Boot Manager screen with options for "legacy boot", "network boot" and "UEFI boot" along with options to start the diagnostics partition and system setup.

That's cool, guess that's really new, at least I haven't heard about this in the M14x R2 before.

One of the options on mine is for "Secure Boot" set off since Windows 7 doesn't have a UEFI Secure Boot loader.

So there's now a secure boot option available? Win8 is coming... as you said. I recommend not activating it, it might make it harder to flash a modified uefi. I'm not really sure yet about how exactly secure boot will affect firmware updating, but what I can say is that it definitely doesn't give you the total security, the boot process is still vulnerable, I don't really think it's necessary to have it activated at the moment, it just fixes some old vulnerabilities, but there are still many more holes when it comes to powering on a system.

[ratinox 38]

Windows 8 does not require UEFI Secure Boot. The requirement is that it be enabled for systems that ship with Windows 8 when the vendor wants the Windows 8 certification. It isn't required for Windows 8 upgrades although it can be enabled as an option by supported UEFI.

The Secure Boot process is remarkably resistant to tampering. Remember MBR viruses? UEFI Secure Boot makes that impossible since it won't execute a boot loader that isn't correctly signed. The Windows boot loader won't load anything in kernel space that isn't correctly signed. And then the 64-bit kernel won't load unsigned 64-bit drivers. The weakest part of the whole chain is UEFI itself which would explain the signed firmware error I received.

It's probably a good idea to hold off updating to the A08 or later firmware versions (once available) since it appears that going backwards is not permitted.