17 R5, Bios 1.12.0 Read only settings

Question

Hi everyone can someone help me with an issue I have because I see that the bios settings are read-only?

I would also need to turn on the XMP from there and also to have available the settings to change the RAM settings. Also I have another problem I bought different RAM pieces pairs with 64 GB why it is not working I tested them and also dell prel tools tested and everything was ok, until the boot. If I use only one RAM 32 Gb it works fine but if I try both then the system boots like having 2gb RAM, the good thing it is that it actually boots but it moves like a turtle, and that one is pretty fast in comparing with the system. What are the solutions here, why this system is not able to work with 64Gb. I paid like a lot to use this "Top of the line I9 with 32Gb" The weird thing is that my other 3 laptops older than this one work without problems with 64 Gb makes me laugh as even a cheaper Razer of my wife works. So there should be a solution for it. Also "max speed 32 Gb supported is not a practical answer as you are throwing at people that this is a wow system. Now that would limit the wow factor also I never used any support from Dell company never needed it. But now bios settings read-only not being able to flash the bios to earlier versions or modifying unsafe settings. I need to test it, work on it, break it if I need, MY AND MY COMPANY DECISION not DELL'S, also by the way I don't care about warranty.

Thank you!

crimsom · Answer

Hi @lknc welcome to this user to user discussion forum. This is not Dell Support.

Dell BIOS v1.12.0 Important Information says: You cannot downgrade the BIOS to version 1.11.0 or earlier due to downgrade restrictions. Open BIOS and check if a user and administrator password options were enabled, you may need to use the administrator password to modify settings.

BIOS update packages are UEFI firmware update packages, with option to operate in Legacy BIOS mode if needed. Guess by saying BIOS settings are read-only, you mean that UEFI (BIOS) MAIN tab will only allow change of date and time, but that nearly all the other UEFI line entries are read-only. It is possible that the BIOS update has a fault and UEFI firmware settings have been corrupted, Dell Technical Support should fix their problematic BIOS update installation package.

If your system has the reset UEFI firmware settings option, it is possible for Windows to reset the system UEFI settings, see Dell Article Number: 000126121. However, messing around with these settings may take it back to the factory default and thereby prevent Boot. It is also prudent to create a copy of the registry. Most users avoid this remedy because it may take days to get the system to Boot again, or maybe brick the computer.

Many users are unhappy that 17 R5 total memory is limited to 32GB. The reason why Dell repeatedly refuse to update their UEFI (BIOS) is a mystery, especially when the hardware will support more than 32GB. The 17 R5 is badged as Alienware Gaming, but its capabilities are mundane, and not worthy of inclusion in the Alienware product range dedicated to gaming computers which can be identified by their alien-themed designs.

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.

lknc · Answer

Hey @crimsom, thank you for the reply to my post. I reinstalled the dell update and now only the main tab has read-only not as before. So as I see from your answer that means it is this way. Will try to see with their tech support if I will somehow solve this.

cavedispn · Answer

Hey--did you ever find a solution?

Alienware

17 R5, Bios 1.12.0 Read only settings

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