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Aurora R7, BIOS 1.0.18, all USB 2.0 on back DEAD
I just updated my Alienware Desktop Aurora R7 to BIOS 1.0.18 because it was marked "URGENT" in the list of pending updates. Boy...was that a mistake to perform this update! Immediately after this BIOS update completed (apparently successfully), I discovered my COM3 port (used to connect to various amateur radio peripherals) was GONE from "Device Manager > Ports (COM & LPT)." Next, I discovered at least one Audio port (CODEC) was also missing [from "Device Manager > Audio inputs and outputs"]. Yet, I also noticed that one OTHER Audio port (CODEC) was still present in Device Manager.
I found it curious that both those missing ports were physically connected into the bank of USB2 ports on the back of the desktop's chassis. After some experimentation, I have concluded that the upgrade to BIOS 1.0.18 disabled ALL those USB2 ports on the desktop's back chassis! Whenever I moved a cable attached to a perfectly good working device (say mouse or trackball) from it's USB3 port to one of these USB2 ports, it STOPPED WORKING. Yet, when I moved the device back to its USB3 port it worked again.
Does anybody have a fix/workaround for this problem of BIOS 1.0.18 killing the bank of USB2 ports on the R7's backside?
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
8 Wizard
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17K Posts
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March 17th, 2019 11:00
No, never seen anything like that on my Aurora-R6, but I haven't updated the BIOS in about a year.
Here are some troubleshooting tips:
- Test all ports with a plain (USB 2.0) flash drive. Keep good notes.
- In Device Manager, turn on "View by connection"
- Install and use NirSoft's USBDeview .
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
8 Wizard
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17K Posts
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March 17th, 2019 12:00
Also, in BIOS ... try switching any "USB related options" off, and then back on.
amstel78
2 Intern
2 Intern
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402 Posts
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March 19th, 2019 06:00
amstel78
2 Intern
2 Intern
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402 Posts
1
March 24th, 2019 06:00
Just got back from a week's long business trip in Argentina. Decided to update the BIOS in my R7. Everything went well; took about 5 minutes with the two reboots. BIOS now shows 1.0.18 and all USB ports are functional.