I also hoping for a new bios, but not because I have issues. I flashed the 1.4.4 bios when it first was published and I have used the computer every day since with zero issues. I just wait for new update that will have all protection features, that 1.4.4 do not have. And of course, fix the issues that fellow alienware owners is experiencing.
I still trust in dell/alienware, but I have to admit that this have made a dent... I really hope the bios fix is coming soon, not months to a year from now....
Sorry to hear that. My understanding is that the main issue is not bricking motherboards, but a unfinished bios that brings issues for some users. For the most of us a new bios with the implemented security fixes will fix the issues.
Just found out today that the motherboards for the 17 r4 are on back order for over a week. For my new machine, updated the bios, and machine was bricked. No one wanted to help me, other than saying it would be up to 15 days for a new unit. So, if you are wanting a new motherboard, be prepared to wait, if you are lucky enough to have a warranty. Me, I just asked for a refund and will go back to Lenovo. In over six years, never had anything remotely this bad.
@Alienware-Eimy got any idea on the new bios on the download page? Apparently someone in notebookreview.com who is still in warranty tired the bios and guess what.. Still vulnerable.. No ME Firmware update.. Still vulnerable on SA00086.. Seems this is the same rubbish bios that we had problems with..Anyone in the community tired this new bios?
What is really sad to me about this whole experience with the BIOS and other issues, is there is a lack of carrying from the support staff. I called and spoke with 4 different techs yesterday, one a manager, and all of them wanted to pass me off to someone else. No one wanted to work with me to get me a working device, or keep my business. I get having issues or making mistakes, it happens to every vendor. But, when the people that are supposed to be the front line in these matters simply dont care, and would rather just have you cancel or return a machine, that is when I just give up. Again, I am returning my device, simply because I will not fight to get a $3k machine to work, with a company that does not want to work with their customers. There are plenty of other companies that will. Dell, who used to have a service team others sought to be like, now seems to not care about putting out a good product. Truly sad, as I was really looking forward to it. I am the IT purchaser for my company, and I can tell you we will definitely not be moving to Dells after this whole experience.
@Alienware-Eimy, what is the recommendations from dell if you are on bios 1.4.4? I flashed when it first was posted 18. January. Is this the same? Little confused as many others....
So they re-released it because Microsoft put out a fix to keep the reboots from happening.
My recommendations from Alienware is as follows:
Me: Any advice? I am afraid to do anything that can brick my AW. Since I am on 1.4.4 (that was released 18. January) should I just wait?
Alienware: We recommend keeping your software hygiene on point. Make sure no malware or malicious software roams your computer while we work with Microsoft and Intel.
Me: I do and scan weekly after maleware with malewarebytes. And keep my system updated. So there will be a new bios that replace 1.4.4 that was released 18 January and again 6 February? So I should wait for this if I understand correctly?
Alienware: Perfect. At this point we recommend waiting.
Has anyone installed the latest bios 1.4.4, which was released on 6th Feb. If so, does it fix any of the previous issues from the original 1.4.4 bios, such as delayed boot or shutdown issues? Currently my Alienware 15 R2 boots into windows after 5 minutes and neither shuts down nor sleeps normally. I am scared that if I install this updated version, I might end up bricking the laptop like some fellow Alienware users. Hope to hear some suggestions soon.
It is the same as the one published 18. January (the bios i am currently on). I my self do not have any issues with this bios as I have the latest Microsoft software patch that addresses the reboot issues with the original CPU microcode patch.
SoulessDaywlkr - Hi, Do you have the 17R3 or R4 model? I just saw that you requested or will request a refund, I ask because I have the R3 model and thought maybe i could ask for a refund as well, although I've had the laptop for 2 years now, I still have 1 year warranty left. I got hit with performance issues badly and sometimes lights stay on after booting up with no screen showing.
I have an R4. Mine was actually only two hours old, when it was bricked, and that is why they would let me return it. By all means, I would call them and see. Not sure if they will or not, but from my experience, the Alienware tech staff dont want to deal with issues, they just want to pass you off on someone else. So, they might give it to you, just so they dont have to actually provide customer service.
ThomasAAT
2 Intern
•
393 Posts
0
February 4th, 2018 10:00
I also hoping for a new bios, but not because I have issues. I flashed the 1.4.4 bios when it first was published and I have used the computer every day since with zero issues. I just wait for new update that will have all protection features, that 1.4.4 do not have. And of course, fix the issues that fellow alienware owners is experiencing.
I still trust in dell/alienware, but I have to admit that this have made a dent... I really hope the bios fix is coming soon, not months to a year from now....
ThomasAAT
2 Intern
•
393 Posts
0
February 5th, 2018 17:00
Sorry to hear that. My understanding is that the main issue is not bricking motherboards, but a unfinished bios that brings issues for some users. For the most of us a new bios with the implemented security fixes will fix the issues.
SoulessDaywlkr
6 Posts
0
February 5th, 2018 17:00
ilicitano
28 Posts
0
February 6th, 2018 05:00
Bios v1.4.4 again on dell site to download... same bios that was removed last week?
bomae09
1 Rookie
•
78 Posts
2
February 6th, 2018 07:00
@Alienware-Eimy got any idea on the new bios on the download page? Apparently someone in notebookreview.com who is still in warranty tired the bios and guess what.. Still vulnerable.. No ME Firmware update.. Still vulnerable on SA00086.. Seems this is the same rubbish bios that we had problems with..Anyone in the community tired this new bios?
SoulessDaywlkr
6 Posts
1
February 6th, 2018 09:00
What is really sad to me about this whole experience with the BIOS and other issues, is there is a lack of carrying from the support staff. I called and spoke with 4 different techs yesterday, one a manager, and all of them wanted to pass me off to someone else. No one wanted to work with me to get me a working device, or keep my business. I get having issues or making mistakes, it happens to every vendor. But, when the people that are supposed to be the front line in these matters simply dont care, and would rather just have you cancel or return a machine, that is when I just give up. Again, I am returning my device, simply because I will not fight to get a $3k machine to work, with a company that does not want to work with their customers. There are plenty of other companies that will. Dell, who used to have a service team others sought to be like, now seems to not care about putting out a good product. Truly sad, as I was really looking forward to it. I am the IT purchaser for my company, and I can tell you we will definitely not be moving to Dells after this whole experience.
ThomasAAT
2 Intern
•
393 Posts
0
February 6th, 2018 09:00
@Alienware-Eimy, what is the recommendations from dell if you are on bios 1.4.4? I flashed when it first was posted 18. January. Is this the same? Little confused as many others....
bomae09
1 Rookie
•
78 Posts
0
February 7th, 2018 08:00
ThomasAAT
2 Intern
•
393 Posts
0
February 7th, 2018 09:00
So they re-released it because Microsoft put out a fix to keep the reboots from happening.
My recommendations from Alienware is as follows:
Me: Any advice? I am afraid to do anything that can brick my AW. Since I am on 1.4.4 (that was released 18. January) should I just wait?
Alienware: We recommend keeping your software hygiene on point. Make sure no malware or malicious software roams your computer while we work with Microsoft and Intel.
Me: I do and scan weekly after maleware with malewarebytes. And keep my system updated. So there will be a new bios that replace 1.4.4 that was released 18 January and again 6 February? So I should wait for this if I understand correctly?
Alienware: Perfect. At this point we recommend waiting.
Drk Psgr
6 Posts
0
February 7th, 2018 18:00
Has anyone installed the latest bios 1.4.4, which was released on 6th Feb. If so, does it fix any of the previous issues from the original 1.4.4 bios, such as delayed boot or shutdown issues? Currently my Alienware 15 R2 boots into windows after 5 minutes and neither shuts down nor sleeps normally. I am scared that if I install this updated version, I might end up bricking the laptop like some fellow Alienware users. Hope to hear some suggestions soon.
fill22
2 Posts
0
February 7th, 2018 19:00
Hello, can I purchase computer accessories at : https://www.arikami.com
ThomasAAT
2 Intern
•
393 Posts
0
February 7th, 2018 19:00
It is the same as the one published 18. January (the bios i am currently on). I my self do not have any issues with this bios as I have the latest Microsoft software patch that addresses the reboot issues with the original CPU microcode patch.
More on this topic: http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/new-bios-for-15r2-17r3-v1-4-4.812964/
ilicitano
28 Posts
0
February 7th, 2018 22:00
@Drk Psgr it's the same bios. I could fix delayed boot issue installing previous bios version 1.3.12 but there is no way to fix the shutdown issue.
Danial Hilow
1 Message
0
February 8th, 2018 20:00
SoulessDaywlkr - Hi, Do you have the 17R3 or R4 model? I just saw that you requested or will request a refund, I ask because I have the R3 model and thought maybe i could ask for a refund as well, although I've had the laptop for 2 years now, I still have 1 year warranty left. I got hit with performance issues badly and sometimes lights stay on after booting up with no screen showing.
SoulessDaywlkr
6 Posts
1
February 9th, 2018 05:00
I have an R4. Mine was actually only two hours old, when it was bricked, and that is why they would let me return it. By all means, I would call them and see. Not sure if they will or not, but from my experience, the Alienware tech staff dont want to deal with issues, they just want to pass you off on someone else. So, they might give it to you, just so they dont have to actually provide customer service.