There seems to be a problem with the bios and that's why they pulled it off the site. I guess we are stuck with this update until they release a new update. My laptop also takes around 2 minutes to boot to desktop and it won't shut down until i hold the power button. I hope they release the new BIOS soon. This is really bad
Yes also my 13R3 had a tons of issues after BIOS 1.2.3 and they finally decided to bring it down from the download page! You will probably need a motherboard replacement... I can tell you how to downgrade it, but the harm is already done!
I have the same issue. I updated my alienware 15 r2 to 1.4.4 and now it takes nearly 3 minutes to load windows. It won't restart, shutdown or even go into sleep mode. I tried to downgrade it to an older version but there is some sort of downgrade protection preventing me from doing that. I spoke with an alienware tech support person about the issue and after an hour on the phone and remotely accessing my laptop, they still couldn't solve the issue and requested a couple of days to come up with a solution. I just hope they fix this soon.
Like i said, the harm is already done, you need new motherboard, if you so desire to try anyway, follow this step by step, don't expect it to work from first try!
STEP 1: Making flashable Dell Bios file
Go to This PC/view/ and check File name extensions
Then rename Alienware_13R3_SKL1.2.3_KBL1.2.3.EXE to BIOS_IMG.EXE (in your case rename any Alienware BIOS to BIOS_IMG.EXE)
Place the BIOS_IMG.EXE to the root of your c: drive
Open Commamd prompt/Run as Administrator
Write cd c:/ this will get you to the root of your c: drive
Write command BIOS_IMG.EXE /writehdrfile
Then rename the created file BIOS_IMG.HDR to BIOS_IMG.RCV
I think it's possible do a rollback to previous version 1.3.12 just putting the bios file in a usb pen and installing this bios from the boot menu but I haven't tried this yet.
Engineering is working to get this issue fixed.. in the meantime the only workaround will be the downgrade option to a previous version. If this doesn't work and your system is not posting or booting, please send me a PM with the service tag.
If the system is booting with performance issues, please bear with us, we're working on getting a new version out.
@Alienware-Eimy I forgot to ask what is the proper way to rollback bios update as I only know how to do it through windows 10 desktop. If I do it there it will say bios is protected and I cannot roll back. Is @ilicitano step to use a USB drive and place the bios in there and do it from boot menu option. Is that safe? Will I brick my laptop? I am currently out of warranty and is quite upset with dell rolling out a bad bios. Good thing I am one of the lucky ones that my laptop is still running.
bomae09
1 Rookie
•
78 Posts
2
January 22nd, 2018 09:00
They have pulled out the bios in the drivers and download page. It seems the bios they gave us has a problem.
KDgameOn
2 Posts
2
January 22nd, 2018 11:00
There seems to be a problem with the bios and that's why they pulled it off the site. I guess we are stuck with this update until they release a new update. My laptop also takes around 2 minutes to boot to desktop and it won't shut down until i hold the power button. I hope they release the new BIOS soon. This is really bad
Nichronos
9 Posts
1
January 22nd, 2018 16:00
Yes also my 13R3 had a tons of issues after BIOS 1.2.3 and they finally decided to bring it down from the download page! You will probably need a motherboard replacement... I can tell you how to downgrade it, but the harm is already done!
Drk Psgr
6 Posts
1
January 22nd, 2018 18:00
I have the same issue. I updated my alienware 15 r2 to 1.4.4 and now it takes nearly 3 minutes to load windows. It won't restart, shutdown or even go into sleep mode. I tried to downgrade it to an older version but there is some sort of downgrade protection preventing me from doing that. I spoke with an alienware tech support person about the issue and after an hour on the phone and remotely accessing my laptop, they still couldn't solve the issue and requested a couple of days to come up with a solution. I just hope they fix this soon.
Nichronos
9 Posts
5
January 22nd, 2018 18:00
Like i said, the harm is already done, you need new motherboard, if you so desire to try anyway, follow this step by step, don't expect it to work from first try!
STEP 1: Making flashable Dell Bios file
Go to This PC/view/ and check File name extensions
Then rename Alienware_13R3_SKL1.2.3_KBL1.2.3.EXE to BIOS_IMG.EXE (in your case rename any Alienware BIOS to BIOS_IMG.EXE)
Place the BIOS_IMG.EXE to the root of your c: drive
Open Commamd prompt/Run as Administrator
Write cd c:/ this will get you to the root of your c: drive
Write command BIOS_IMG.EXE /writehdrfile
Then rename the created file BIOS_IMG.HDR to BIOS_IMG.RCV
STEP 2: Making DELL approved bootable USB stick
http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/sln143196/how-to-create-a-bootable-usb-flash-drive-using-dell-diagnostic-deployment-package-dddp-?lang=en
Skip steps 7 to 10.
STEP 3: Making USB stick final for flashing
Copy BIOS_IMG.RCV to usb stick, so there will be 3 files in total:
DELLBIO.BIN and DELLRMK.BIN and BIOS_IMG.RCV
STEP 4: Flashing
Put USB stick to left hand USB port
Turn your laptop OFF
After its TURNED OFF Press and Hold CTRL+ESC and do not release
Press START button (do not release CTRL+ESC)
Wait Till you get to BIOS RECOVERY SCREEN (now release CTRL+ESC)
FLASH BIOS
Credits goes to c69k from notebookreview forum threads!
rukshan_gunaratne
11 Posts
0
January 22nd, 2018 18:00
Hi Nichronos,
Is there any way of downgrading to the previous BIOS?
ilicitano
28 Posts
0
January 23rd, 2018 03:00
Did anyone try the Nichronos solution or should we wait for a new bios version? I would like to return to version 1.3.12
rukshan_gunaratne
11 Posts
0
January 23rd, 2018 06:00
ilicitano
28 Posts
0
January 23rd, 2018 07:00
I think it's possible do a rollback to previous version 1.3.12 just putting the bios file in a usb pen and installing this bios from the boot menu but I haven't tried this yet.
bomae09
1 Rookie
•
78 Posts
0
January 23rd, 2018 09:00
If ever you will be able to roll back please let us know how you did it. Thanks.
bomae09
1 Rookie
•
78 Posts
0
January 23rd, 2018 10:00
I saw this one and we are adviced to roll back to older bios if we have BSOD problem. If you don't they adviced to wait for the next bios update.
Link: http://www.dell.com/support/article/uk/en/ukdhs1/sln308237/dell-client-statement-on-intel-me-txe-advisory-intel-sa-00086-?lang=en
Eimy_B
4 Operator
•
4.4K Posts
3
January 23rd, 2018 12:00
Hi guys,
Engineering is working to get this issue fixed.. in the meantime the only workaround will be the downgrade option to a previous version. If this doesn't work and your system is not posting or booting, please send me a PM with the service tag.
If the system is booting with performance issues, please bear with us, we're working on getting a new version out.
bomae09
1 Rookie
•
78 Posts
1
January 23rd, 2018 12:00
@Alienware-Eimy I forgot to ask what is the proper way to rollback bios update as I only know how to do it through windows 10 desktop. If I do it there it will say bios is protected and I cannot roll back. Is @ilicitano step to use a USB drive and place the bios in there and do it from boot menu option. Is that safe? Will I brick my laptop? I am currently out of warranty and is quite upset with dell rolling out a bad bios. Good thing I am one of the lucky ones that my laptop is still running.
bomae09
1 Rookie
•
78 Posts
0
January 23rd, 2018 12:00
At last a proper reply, thanks.
ilicitano
28 Posts
1
January 23rd, 2018 13:00
I have performance issues but Windows 10 is loading so I can work while they are getting a new bios version. I prefer not to roll back just in case.