Aurora-R4, BIOS A05 not found?

You should never try to install another system model drivers on your Aurora-R4. You need to install them old to new in order. But, a failed bios installation could break the motherboard. If the Aurora-R4 is currently running well, why do you think that you need to install a newer bios? What are you hoping to gain?

Chris,

I was trying to eliminate the issues I was having with my video card.  I wanted to make sure everything on my system was updated.  Basically, I was trying to eliminate anything that might be causing my vid card from tripping out when I load any game.  I was able to find the upgrade to BIOS A05 here:

drivers.softpedia.com/.../Dell-Alienware-Aurora-R4-BIOS-A05.shtml

I then ran the upgrade to A11 from Dell's site.  After I updated the BIOS, per Dell Auto Detect, I got a bunch of updates from Windows 10.  My fans run much quieter now and boot up is smooth.  Unfortunately, my vid card still does not play any game for more than a few mins.  It's a Radeon 6800 and AMD no longer supports it.  The last driver is from last year.

support.amd.com/.../legacy

I used this from TomsHardware.com:

www.guru3d.com/.../display-driver-uninstaller-download.html

and re-installed the driver for my vid card, but it's still not working right.  My audio drivers are up to date as well.  I even installed the latest Chipset driver per Dell Auto Detect.  I've decided to buy a new video card.  I spoke with a tech at Dell and based on my Service Tag, I could install a much better GEForce card.

Thanks,

Chuck

Chris,

Cleaned the inside during all my troubleshooting steps.  It's super clean now, but I think it's just time to put the card out to pasture.  I'm considering:

www.bestbuy.com/.../8278117.p

It requires a 750W power supply and my system came with an 850W.  It should be ok?  My other concern is will the card fit/work with the motherboard in the Aurora R4?  My current card is PCI express 2.1 and this new one would be PCI express 3.0.  It's pretty close to the size of my current card pysically.  If this card will work with my system, i'm going to purchase it.  What do you think?

Chuck

I cannot find any other users that tried the 390. But the 850w will suffice.The best AMD card we validated was =
8KWNV AMD Radeon R9 290X RD14D-E2-50, 4GB, DVI-D/DVI-D/DP/HDMI

Alienware Area-51 (Late 2009), PSU? >< Area 51 ALX Replacement graphics cards

Max GPU length of Aurora R4 case

In the 1st two posts, an A-51 owner claimed success with a 390, after following instructions on cable pair choices. Max GPU is discussed in 3rd post, but it isn't for me to say if she'll worl for you or not. Most times we take a Leap of Faith & earn about a 51/49 success / fail rate. As a final suggestion, post on AlienArena to get other possible advice or experiential anecdotes Chuck ...

Here we see evidence of HD8990 & TitanZ ... 375w beast cards: what is the maximum hardware can Alienware Aurora R4 support? + more connector charts: Alienware Aurora ALX, R1, R2, R3, R4, May Crash Or Experience Blue Screen Errors Due to Graphics Card Power Cable

NVidia

A

MD

Cass-Ole and Chris,

Thank you for the great info!!  I've decided against the R9 390.  The 13.5 inches in length is too big for my case.  I may be able to make it work if I move some wiring around, but I'd rather not take the chance.  And it's pushing it on the PSU i'm using.  After doing more reading provided by Cass-Ole, it seems I had more learning to do.  I may have more.  The link for the wiring for vid cards is really cool.  So i've decided to upgrade, but not upgrade so far.  These options will still be great upgrades from my current card.

www.newegg.com/.../Product.aspx

www.amazon.com/.../ref=sr_1_1

www.newegg.com/.../Product.aspx

www.newegg.com/.../Product.aspx

They are priced well and seem to be what I need.  I've read many reviews, and I think I may just throw a dart at one of these to help decide.  Figured I'd let you two put in some 2 cents.

Thanks again,

Chuck

I don't make card recommendations Chuck; here is the wiki AMD List & general GPU Hierarchy:

• List of AMD graphics processing units
• Desktop GPU Performance Hierarchy Table
• ( http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gpu-hierarchy,4388.html )

AlienArena is another good place to ask. Per your Amazton / Egg choices, you might try an R9 over an R7 ... perhaps a blower / 'reference' type card over the open-air cards, to remove heat faster ... best of luck:

• how to get Aurora to run cooler

Cass-Ole,

"2 cents" can come in many forms.  Your links to new information are better than a recommendation.

Thank you for your time,

Chuck

Hey Chuck, you're the most recent person that did a successful upgrade to Bios A11, & I wondered if you can help this guy out like I tried to do, Aurora R4 BIOS options missing, by entering your Bios after power-up & checking your Advanced tab > CPU Power Management Config to make sure you have manual overclock settings like mine, or if yours is absent like his. If yours is there, it's a good sign the Bios update isn't gimped, if yours are missing also it may infer, not prove, but infer the OC settings have been purposely removed. Noodles asked for more input but no one stepped up, can you? You'll want to verify yours manual settings are in fact there, I'm sure. At your leisure Sir (=  

his empty pwr cnfg vs mine, ready to apply overclock ... how did your A11 flash pan out?