Today Dell replaced my NVIDIA GTX-690, along with my motherboard and memory under warranty (would not boot past Alienware splash screen -- F2, F12 did nothing).
Now I finally am able to enable Secure Boot, as the GTX-690 they sent has a UEFI-compatible BIOS, while the one I got with my new Aurora-R4 did not.
For reference, the new NVIDIA GTX-690 has Video BIOS version: 80.04.1E.00.1F. And work with Secure Boot.
Dell official: We do NOT support Windows 8.1 and this is a known problem with command center. If you wish your lights and command center to continue working uninstall windows and revert to Windows 7 or Windows 8. Do NOT install the 8.1 update.
2. We are working on an update to be release sometime in the future, no date estimated.
I had issues with Command Center pinning the fans at 100% during boot. Uninstalling and reinstalling Command Center resolved this. I am using Windows 8.1.
However, what I am after is an update to the ROMs on my NVIDIA GTX 690 video card that was purchased from Dell. Other vendors of this card have issued ROM updates for the video card that will resolve the "Secure Boot isn't configured correctly" message, by enabling this video card to run with Secure Boot enabled in UEFI mode.
Dell should also update the video ROMs on the NVIDIA cards that they sold with Alienware Aurora systems, since the other vendors of this same card have done so. I even tried another manufacturer's ROM on my Dell video card and it works fine, but Dell should provide an update that they support.
No problems with Windows 8. I have been running it since it came out last Fall on this same PC. It takes some getting used to. Mine also came with Win 7 and I upgraded to Win 8 for $15 I think, since I bought the computer within the date range for that deal. Then I found out I could also upgrade for free to add Media Center around that time.
I upgraded to Win 8.1 from the Windows store but then was reminded that Secure Boot does not work with the NVIDIA GTX 690 due to the video card needing UEFI to be configured properly on it. Since it has been a year since I ran into this issue with Windows 8, I think this video card ROM issue is overdue to be resolved by Dell -- especially since other vendors of the same video card have done so already.
Possibly the GTX 760 is new enough that it already has a proper UEFI configuration in it's ROM. You can tell if you can switch to UEFI boot and see if it allows you to select Secure Boot or not. It will give a message that the video card is an issue if your card needs an update to do Secure Boot.
Dell official: We do NOT support Windows 8.1 and this is a known problem with command center. If you wish your lights and command center to continue working uninstall windows and revert to Windows 7 or Windows 8. Do NOT install the 8.1 update.
2. We are working on an update to be release sometime in the future, no date estimated.
"Problem: If the sytem uses the Intel RSTe 3.5 software and driver, when a clean install is performed the system will have problems hibernating.
It's un-clear to me what it means or if accurate at all.
If you are doing a Clean-Install, there is no Intel-RST or RSTe to install if you don't want it. In fact, I would skip it. Use the Microsoft bundled HDD drivers instead.
Obviously, if doing an Upgrade or Overlay-Install, the Intel-RST (if installed in the first place) must be a version that Intel has updated to be compatible with Windows 8.1.
I was told that Dell is not supporting 8.1 a couple of days ago. They are working on updating the drives but to not install 8.1 yet. I did and when my R4 is shut off and powered up, I am forced to reinstall command center to get the fans to calm down.
So waiting for updates. It would have been nice to have been told a week or 2 ago to hold off the install. Come on guys, not like Microsoft held this as a secret for the past few months. We all knew it was coming.
That makes me wonder why my Command Center is now working consistently under Windows 8.1 on my Aurora R4. I tried the ASUS ROMs on my GTX 690 to correct the "Secure Boot isn't configured correctly" error and then found there was a new BIOS from Dell. I went from A07 to A09. I have my OS installed on a small 128GB SSD.
After several reboots and resetting the UEFI, I was able to get Secure Boot working, but then noticed the fan speed issues. In the Thermal Controls screen, I was able to set it so that once the Command Center loaded it would slow down the fans. I set the fans to Manual and used the curve to have them not kick in below 35 degrees C. The sensors held steady at 30 degrees that way.
But when the computer was cold, after being off all night, the fans would kick to 100% before Windows even loaded and it was like a hurricane until the Command Center finished loading (seems to load last after Windows boots). I then uninstalled Command Center, the reinstalled it before rebooting. It defaulted to Auto (Alien Control) and now it runs cooler (28 degrees) and the fan speed stays quite slow unless needed under high stress like gaming. In other words, it just works as intended: I don't have steady 100% fans before and during Windows boot any longer.
Will Dell release a UEFI compliant video card BIOS update for the NVIDIA GTX 690 that I purchased with my Aurora R4 from Dell?
Other NVIDIA card vendors have provided a video card BIOS update for the GTX 690 NVIDIA card that they sell that works with Secure Boot. I do not think NVIDIA will provide this directly, even though my card shows the subvendor is NVIDIA and not Dell.
What i would do is find out who actually makes that card for dell someone has to make it and brand it dell i don't think they make these i could be wrong. But i would be calling and asking dell hay who makes the cards for you, if they say nvidia say know thats the chip who makes the card hardware.
I chatted online with NVIDIA tech last night. He said that they do not manufacture any of the cards; the card is manufactured by Dell and that they are just the designers. Of course, as you say, most things are sub-contracted out in some way by large companies.
If you read the BIOS ROM from the Dell GTX 690 card, it says, "Version 80.04.1E.00.13 Copyright (C) 1996-2012 NVIDIA Corp". This suggests that NVIDIA wrote the BIOS. Perhaps the card vendors edit these ROMs just enough to put their subvendor ID in or maybe they do more editing to ensure compatibility with their motherboards.
In any event, NVIDIA says it is up to Dell to do what ASUS, EVGA and possibly other card vendors have done and provide a GTX 690 video card BIOS that works with Secure Boot.
Nvflash has an option to write only to the UEFI portion of the card if you have a UEFI file "Update only the UEFI portion of the ROM image from ". Maybe that is all that is needed for this card to be recognized to work with Secure Boot?
Don_Canada
45 Posts
1
April 22nd, 2015 21:00
Today Dell replaced my NVIDIA GTX-690, along with my motherboard and memory under warranty (would not boot past Alienware splash screen -- F2, F12 did nothing).
Now I finally am able to enable Secure Boot, as the GTX-690 they sent has a UEFI-compatible BIOS, while the one I got with my new Aurora-R4 did not.
For reference, the new NVIDIA GTX-690 has Video BIOS version: 80.04.1E.00.1F. And work with Secure Boot.
markshaheen
2 Intern
•
372 Posts
0
October 28th, 2013 15:00
Dell official: We do NOT support Windows 8.1 and this is a known problem with command center. If you wish your lights and command center to continue working uninstall windows and revert to Windows 7 or Windows 8. Do NOT install the 8.1 update.
2. We are working on an update to be release sometime in the future, no date estimated.
Don_Canada
45 Posts
0
October 28th, 2013 16:00
I had issues with Command Center pinning the fans at 100% during boot. Uninstalling and reinstalling Command Center resolved this. I am using Windows 8.1.
However, what I am after is an update to the ROMs on my NVIDIA GTX 690 video card that was purchased from Dell. Other vendors of this card have issued ROM updates for the video card that will resolve the "Secure Boot isn't configured correctly" message, by enabling this video card to run with Secure Boot enabled in UEFI mode.
Dell should also update the video ROMs on the NVIDIA cards that they sold with Alienware Aurora systems, since the other vendors of this same card have done so. I even tried another manufacturer's ROM on my Dell video card and it works fine, but Dell should provide an update that they support.
WestCoastD
42 Posts
0
October 28th, 2013 17:00
hmmmm, this is interesting. How is Windows 8 in-general otherwise? You had any problems/failures? System freezing?
I have a new Aurora R4 that came with Windows 7 Pro installed. I'm considering upgrading to Windows 8.1 Pro.
I have NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 card.
Don_Canada
45 Posts
0
October 28th, 2013 19:00
No problems with Windows 8. I have been running it since it came out last Fall on this same PC. It takes some getting used to. Mine also came with Win 7 and I upgraded to Win 8 for $15 I think, since I bought the computer within the date range for that deal. Then I found out I could also upgrade for free to add Media Center around that time.
I upgraded to Win 8.1 from the Windows store but then was reminded that Secure Boot does not work with the NVIDIA GTX 690 due to the video card needing UEFI to be configured properly on it. Since it has been a year since I ran into this issue with Windows 8, I think this video card ROM issue is overdue to be resolved by Dell -- especially since other vendors of the same video card have done so already.
Possibly the GTX 760 is new enough that it already has a proper UEFI configuration in it's ROM. You can tell if you can switch to UEFI boot and see if it allows you to select Secure Boot or not. It will give a message that the video card is an issue if your card needs an update to do Secure Boot.
Don_Canada
45 Posts
0
October 28th, 2013 20:00
By the way I see that Dell says Alienware Aurora R4 update to Windows 8.1 is supported here:
http://www.dell.com/support/troubleshooting/us/en/19/KCS/KcsArticles/ArticleIframeView?docid=625364&doclang=EN#Aurora-R4
WestCoastD
42 Posts
0
October 28th, 2013 22:00
Dell site Win 8.1 install for Alien Aurora R4 (quote):
"Problem: If the sytem uses the Intel RSTe 3.5 software and driver, when a clean install is performed the system will have problems hibernating.
Solution: Dell recommends that users of this system perform an update to Windows 8.1 from the Windows Store and not a clean install from media."
hmmm, interesting, this tells me (I guess) that the Microsoft Win 8.1 website download is more current than what has already been issued on media?
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
October 28th, 2013 22:00
It's un-clear to me what it means or if accurate at all.
If you are doing a Clean-Install, there is no Intel-RST or RSTe to install if you don't want it. In fact, I would skip it. Use the Microsoft bundled HDD drivers instead.
Obviously, if doing an Upgrade or Overlay-Install, the Intel-RST (if installed in the first place) must be a version that Intel has updated to be compatible with Windows 8.1.
markshaheen
2 Intern
•
372 Posts
0
October 29th, 2013 08:00
I was told that Dell is not supporting 8.1 a couple of days ago. They are working on updating the drives but to not install 8.1 yet. I did and when my R4 is shut off and powered up, I am forced to reinstall command center to get the fans to calm down.
So waiting for updates. It would have been nice to have been told a week or 2 ago to hold off the install. Come on guys, not like Microsoft held this as a secret for the past few months. We all knew it was coming.
Don_Canada
45 Posts
0
October 29th, 2013 17:00
That makes me wonder why my Command Center is now working consistently under Windows 8.1 on my Aurora R4. I tried the ASUS ROMs on my GTX 690 to correct the "Secure Boot isn't configured correctly" error and then found there was a new BIOS from Dell. I went from A07 to A09. I have my OS installed on a small 128GB SSD.
After several reboots and resetting the UEFI, I was able to get Secure Boot working, but then noticed the fan speed issues. In the Thermal Controls screen, I was able to set it so that once the Command Center loaded it would slow down the fans. I set the fans to Manual and used the curve to have them not kick in below 35 degrees C. The sensors held steady at 30 degrees that way.
But when the computer was cold, after being off all night, the fans would kick to 100% before Windows even loaded and it was like a hurricane until the Command Center finished loading (seems to load last after Windows boots). I then uninstalled Command Center, the reinstalled it before rebooting. It defaulted to Auto (Alien Control) and now it runs cooler (28 degrees) and the fan speed stays quite slow unless needed under high stress like gaming. In other words, it just works as intended: I don't have steady 100% fans before and during Windows boot any longer.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
October 30th, 2013 12:00
Microsoft has released an update that removes the "Windows 8.1 SecureBoot isn't configured correctly" watermark in Windows 8.1
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2902864
Don_Canada
45 Posts
0
October 30th, 2013 23:00
Just to restate my main question:
Will Dell release a UEFI compliant video card BIOS update for the NVIDIA GTX 690 that I purchased with my Aurora R4 from Dell?
Other NVIDIA card vendors have provided a video card BIOS update for the GTX 690 NVIDIA card that they sell that works with Secure Boot. I do not think NVIDIA will provide this directly, even though my card shows the subvendor is NVIDIA and not Dell.
cruser12
353 Posts
0
October 31st, 2013 08:00
What i would do is find out who actually makes that card for dell someone has to make it and brand it dell i don't think they make these i could be wrong. But i would be calling and asking dell hay who makes the cards for you, if they say nvidia say know thats the chip who makes the card hardware.
Don_Canada
45 Posts
0
October 31st, 2013 10:00
I chatted online with NVIDIA tech last night. He said that they do not manufacture any of the cards; the card is manufactured by Dell and that they are just the designers. Of course, as you say, most things are sub-contracted out in some way by large companies.
If you read the BIOS ROM from the Dell GTX 690 card, it says, "Version 80.04.1E.00.13 Copyright (C) 1996-2012 NVIDIA Corp". This suggests that NVIDIA wrote the BIOS. Perhaps the card vendors edit these ROMs just enough to put their subvendor ID in or maybe they do more editing to ensure compatibility with their motherboards.
In any event, NVIDIA says it is up to Dell to do what ASUS, EVGA and possibly other card vendors have done and provide a GTX 690 video card BIOS that works with Secure Boot.
Nvflash has an option to write only to the UEFI portion of the card if you have a UEFI file "Update only the UEFI portion of the ROM image from ". Maybe that is all that is needed for this card to be recognized to work with Secure Boot?