13 R3, BIOS Problem

Question

Hello, I bought my Alienware 13 R3 laptop around July 2018, I had no problems with it for about 2 years until I started getting more interested in PC's and technology as I was planning to build my own and through that research, I found that every couple months or so a new BIOS update comes out. At first, I went on to the official DELL Support page and downloaded some sound drivers and other updates, I saw this BIOS update on there ( I do not recall what it was and when I checked my system info it said that I have 1.9.0 compared to the 1.1.0 that I supposedly downloaded on the website so I have no idea) and went on to download it (this was a couple of months ago so I might not recall correctly) and the first thing that was weird is that I got an error about fan speeds? Other than that it seemed fine until I booted the computer when it gave me an error which still persists today saying that HECI or MECI (I see it so often I forgot) has been disabled/error. At that point, I also saw a great decrease in system performance and still, today can't get a decent Valorant experience. I ran a system check today and the computer is in the bottom 6% of all tests so I have to attribute this to the BIOS update. I do not know if this is related or not but not shortly after I had a problem with my USB ports when I plugged a keyboard into my computer where the port would detect the keyboard intermittently every few seconds even when it wasn't plugged in (fortunately this problem stopped and I have no idea why). I also do not understand which driver updates I need because I see so many and have no idea how to filter through them. I acknowledge it is kind of my fault that I decided to try updating drivers on my own it just looked very easy. Further info (might be unrelated): I don't remember what for but I did tinker with something like VRAM or VSync in my registry or something like that to try and boot a virtual machine, I did also access my BIOS a couple of times and have changed a few settings. At first, when this happened I also searched up how to revert a BIOS update and all I saw were warnings that it was hard and could damage stability or something so I decided not to risk it. My theory which I hope is incorrect is that the BIOS update auto-corrected and that why now the version of my BIOS is 1.9.0 but during the time my software was damaged? I have no idea. Some pictures are attached below to show what I mean.

I am sorry if this post is all over the place I just hope to understand if I can fix this and maybe learn how to pick driver updates.

Thanks for any and all help.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @Flaviano3667 what is the current status of your system? Does 13 R3 boot?  Is SupportAssist installed and has the ePSA Diagnostics been run having held down F12 key at splash screen?

Flaviano3667 · Answer

It does boot, I am actually replying on it at the moment. Support Assist is downloaded and I have used it. I will reboot it and go check out the diagnostics tab you showed. The system mostly works fine, I can do basic tasks like browsing and work but anything else has an unusually hard time loading.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @Flaviano3667 your POST will be enhanced by the SupportAssist ePSA hardware tests. Having booted into the operating system, run Windows Check Disk, to Scan drive and repair all the software applications.

Error Checking.jpg

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Flaviano3667 · Answer

Update: I was able to start diagnostics and 1/3 of the way through I got an error, I went on an alternate device and went to dell support to see what it was, it reads:

the diagnostics indicate that you may be experiencing an issue with the USB device. Please update BIOS. Turn off the computer and reseat the USB device. Try a different working USB device and check if the error is still seen. Retsrat your computer and rerun the PSA diagnostics.

Sorry for spelling errors as for some reason after pausing the test 1/3 of the way through I decided to stop for the moment and reboot which I think caused the cursor to disappear. I can still use the Alienware through touchscreen but this is annoying. How should I proceed? Please let me know.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @Flaviano3667 this is a user to user discussion forum. This is not Dell Support or Dell Extended Warranty.

This ePSA message is confirmation of your opening post's discussion that the BIOS updates were not installed correctly. Somehow the system is still trying to provide a working 13 R3. Which is amazing.

Downgrading BIOS and correctly installing the BIOS updates incrementally (one at a time) so that all the BIOS features are installed, is recommended to fix BIOS corruption. But BIOS Version 1.10.0 may prevent downgrading.

Please determine if the BIOS Recovery Tool will work. It might not, because SupportAssist has only just been installed.

It might be possible to install BIOS v1.10.0 again, and at least get its update features correctly installed. The BIOS Installation Instructions are provided towards the bottom of its webpage. Downloading the BIOS update onto your 13 R3 drive is essential, then verify its checksum value, to check integrity of the download. Only then, right click on BIOS update, Run as administrator, wait for confirmation that BIOS has install successfully, Restart (not Shut Down).

Allow the system to boot, wait about 10 minutes for the BIOS updates to be installed. When Task Manager activity has resumed its low value, Shut Down. Then power on to resume the F12 ePSA diagnostics. Hopefully it will complete its tests and provide a summary of its result. Clicking on the bottom right hand corner's icon will open window to the full ePSA results.

Please click on Kudos to say thank you for response from another user. Please share an update on progress, so that other users derive benefit from your experience. Thank you.

Flaviano3667 · Answer

Ok, as I see it right now you are most likely correct, I probably did not correctly install the BIOS I downloaded. Here's the thing though, when I check system information it registers as BIOS version 1.9. What I think is happening is either that I might have accidentally changed the booting sequence or the BIOS 1.9 fights the other BIOS that I incorrectly installed. Since this is my only and main working station I would rather not try to change any BIOS as I am not even sure that what you are saying is completely the case as I am getting conflicting reports from the DELL website and my system info. As I previously stated in my first response I was planning on building a new PC to use and make this more for when I travel, thus I think it is best that I wait until then, and either go to a Hardware store or DELL Support to get it fixed or leave it how it is as I don't game on this laptop anyways and just use it for work. I would rather not accidentally anything up. Thank you for your help and guidance and I will leave kudos for all your messages. A moderator or whoever can close this convo now.

A51-06 · Answer

Well congrats on getting the problem solved. In case you need the BIOS again here: Alienware 13 R3 System BIOS | Driver Details | Dell US Its BIOS version 1.10 instead of 1.9

crimsom · Answer

Hi @Flaviano3667 thank you for sharing update.

OK. Download and install BIOS Version 1.9 again, and Restart. This will fully reinstate the current BIOS information and the ePSA should then complete to say that all hardware tests pass. Then run check disk, and Restart. All the disk errors will be fixed and all the applications will then run as intended. The 13 R3 normal functions will then have been restored.

Please click on Kudos to say thank you for response from another user. Please share an update on progress, so that other users derive benefit from your experience. Thank you.

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13 R3, BIOS Problem

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