Area-51m R1, BIOS 1.22.2, TPM stopped working

Question

Hi everyone,

I've recently (5 days ago) got recommended update from Windows Update (I run windows 11) about Dell BIOS firmware (I believe it's 1.22.2). Since then my TPM has somehow been disabled (might be something else, I call it disabled). I first realized after Teams stopped working for me and then some others things started happening. I'll try to summarize all the info I can:

1. When I turn on my Area-51m R1, the Alienware logo appears and then after 2 seconds a loud nasty 'beep' sound and the Area-51m R1 shuts off and restarts
2. After the restart, it starts the same again without the beep and before the Alienware screen there is like 'cmd' text saying something like: "Your battery is not connected or below 10% percent bla bla... If you wish to continue regardless, press F1", so I press F1 and the Area-51m R1 starts normally. (I run my Area-51m R1 purely off the adapters without the battery inside - was doing this previously and never had this message pop up)
3. Instantly after logging into my windows account I get a notification saying something "Please restart the system to finish installing - Firmware 01.22.02" - happens after every restart so can't get rid of it
4. I tried downloading older version of Dell firmware from the page, but when running it I get an error instantly saying that it's unable to be installed
5. I checked my BIOS settings and everything is the same as it was a week ago (I was doing I checkup), TPM enabled
6. When I run 'Get-tpm' command in powershell I get this; says 'TpmReady' is 'False' (check image below):

Powershell get_TPM output

I run windows 11 (22H2 - 22621.755); Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-9700K CPU @ 3.60GHz.

Thank you for any tips in advance and let me know if you need any more info :).

crimsom · Answer

Hi @R1dyk welcome to this free user-to-user Alienware laptop discussion forum.

Your Get-TPM image was created by Windows PowerShell, see PS in top LH corner.

Your Firmware 01.22.02 update is Alienware Area-51m System BIOS v1.22.2. Alienware Area-51m System BIOS | Driver Details.

Evidently your BIOS v1.22.2 is waiting for Restart (not Shut Down) so that this update is saved. BIOS updates should never be installed over the internet. Always download BIOS file onto your system and verify the file's checksum value. MD5 & SHA Checksum Utility is available online or may already be available in your Desktop dropdown Context Menu. Then install BIOS update by right click Run as administrator. The keyboard will be disabled, and the screen will show progress, then automatically Restart.

You can install the same BIOS update to repair a poor installation.

Revisit PowerShell Get-TPM for confirmation that TPM has been reinstated.

BIOS update requires laptop to be powered by ac adapter (charger) and battery to have more than 10% charge. How to Force a BIOS Update on a Dell Laptop | Dell UK.

A51-06 · Answer

Hi @R1dyk ,

Hope you're doing well,

I recommend for you to go into Settings and then into Updates. After that I recommend you check the installed updates list and see if you're able to uninstall the update that put the TPM driver in your Computer. If its not possible then I recommend you try to uninstall the TPM from the Device Manger and check the option for removing the driver. Before doing that I recommend you have the version that you wanted to install on a USB then I would recommend doing those steps.

Check back with me on how it goes and I recommend you should have Automatic updates disabled because I know you wouldn't like to have a laptop that starts with airplane mode on startup.

R1dyk · Answer

When I run it as an administrator this is what I get, so I can't install it. Couldn't the problem be that the update is waiting for a restart but when the restart happens I get the problem from my point number 1. ?

crimsom · Answer

Hi @R1dyk thank you for sharing that Alienware Area-51m System BIOS v1.22.2 will not install.

The conventional BIOS installation process criteria is complaining that there is no battery, item 2 in your opening post.

The How to Force a BIOS Update on a Dell Laptop | Dell US process is designed to install System BIOS when the Alienware Area-51m laptop does not have a battery. Does this process install the System BIOS for you?

Note: Trying How to flash the BIOS on a Dell Desktop or Notebook with a USB thumb drive | Dell US, requires Dell laptops must have the battery installed and charged to at least 10% before you begin the BIOS update. Dell recommends connecting the laptop to AC power before proceeding with the update process.

R1dyk · Answer

Same result:

Alienware

Area-51m R1, BIOS 1.22.2, TPM stopped working

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