Area-51m R2, COD 7, device manager don't recognize installed bios 1.35

Question

Hi, I recently updated the BIOS to the latest version (1.35). This appears when accessing Msinfo.32 and also in the BIOS settings, but not in Device Manager, where it continues to display an older version (1.28). When playing COD 7, I keep getting the message to update the BIOS to the latest version. I checked the settings in the Bios and UEFI and TPM 2.0 are regularly activated. Anybody can help me please?

Thanks

Superpaox · Accepted Answer

Hi everyone, after countless attempts, without hiding my anxiety and concern, I finally managed to partially fix the problem.
COD 7 no longer requires any BIOS update because the TPM keys were reset via Windows.
The Device Manager problem still exists, not detecting the latest BIOS version, but I think it's just a cosmetic issue.
Msinfo 32 displays the latest BIOS version (1.35), UEFI, and TPM 2.0 is on.
The TPM reset was performed via the Windows command tpm.msc as administrator.
I hope my solution can help others as well.

anne_droid · Answer

Hi

Dunno.

The internet suggests it's Windows at fault and not you or your Dell..........

On an Alienware Area‑51m R2, Device Manager sometimes still shows the old BIOS version (e.g. 1.28) even when the real BIOS is actually updated to 1.35 in the UEFI; this is usually just a Windows “display bug” and not a failed update, as long as the UEFI and Dell tools report 1.35.

Below is how to verify and, if needed, coax Windows into showing the correct version.

1. Confirm the real BIOS version

First make sure the BIOS is genuinely 1.35:

Reboot and enter BIOS/UEFI by pressing F2 or F12 repeatedly at startup.
Check the BIOS version shown on the main screen; it should say 1.35.0 (or similar) for Area‑51m R2.
In Windows, run System Information (msinfo32) and check BIOS Version/Date; it should also match 1.35.

If both UEFI and msinfo32 show 1.35, the chip is up to date and Device Manager is just lagging.

2. Fix Device Manager showing the old version

Windows sometimes “caches” an older System Firmware entry. Try this:

Open Device Manager.
Expand Firmware and double‑click System Firmware.
Go to the Driver tab → click Update Driver → Search automatically for drivers.
If Windows Update eventually has the 1.35 firmware “driver” metadata, it can update the version label in Device Manager.

If nothing changes after a few days, it is still normal; the mismatch is cosmetic once UEFI and msinfo32 confirm 1.35.

3. If BIOS truly did not update (still 1.28 everywhere)

If UEFI and msinfo32 still show 1.28, then the update likely failed or was never applied:

Download the latest Alienware Area‑51m R2 System BIOS 1.35.0 from Dell’s support page.
Close all apps, disable BitLocker if enabled, and run the BIOS installer as Administrator.
Let it reboot and finish the update (do not interrupt power).
On the next boot, re‑check BIOS screen and msinfo32 to confirm 1.35.

If the update fails repeatedly, consider using SupportAssist OS Recovery or a BIOS recovery USB (Dell’s recovery method) as described in Alienware forums.

Superpaox · Answer

Hi everyone, I recently noticed that COD7 was displaying a message advising me to update the BIOS to the latest version, otherwise I would no longer be able to play. I updated the BIOS to the latest available version (1.35) without any problems. Unfortunately, COD 7's BIOS update warning is still present even though TPM and UEFI are enabled. These two parameters are visible in the BIOS and in msinfo.32, but not in Windows 11 Device Manager. I've checked several times and even had Support Assist run a full scan of the PC, and everything appears to be fine and no update is needed. The only thing I can think of is that, up to BIOS version 1.28, the update was released directly from Windows, while other versions were updated one by one, strictly following the instructions provided by the official Alienware/Dell website, without any problems. I also contacted Activision support, but all I could find was the need to update the BIOS. Please, I need help.

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled area 51m r2 COD 7 bios issue.

Superpaox · Answer

Hi everyone, I recently noticed that COD7 was displaying a message advising me to update the BIOS to the latest version, otherwise I would no longer be able to play. I updated the BIOS to the latest available version (1.35) without any problems. Unfortunately, COD 7's BIOS update warning is still present even though TPM and UEFI are enabled. These two parameters are visible in the BIOS and in msinfo.32, but not in Windows 11 Device Manager. I've checked several times and even had Support Assist run a full scan of the PC, and everything appears to be fine and no update is needed. The only thing I can think of is that, up to BIOS version 1.28, the update was released directly from Windows, while other versions were updated one by one, strictly following the instructions provided by the official Alienware/Dell website, without any problems. I also contacted Activision support, but all I could find was the need to update the BIOS. Please, I need help.

Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled area 51m r2 COD 7 bios issue.

Superpaox · Answer

<Do not start multiple threads for the same issue. DELL-Admin>Hi everyone, I recently noticed that COD7 was displaying a message advising me to update the BIOS to the latest version, otherwise I would no longer be able to play. I updated the BIOS to the latest available version (1.35) without any problems. Unfortunately, COD 7's BIOS update warning is still present even though TPM and UEFI are enabled. These two parameters are visible in the BIOS and in msinfo.32, but not in Windows 11 Device Manager. I've checked several times and even had Support Assist run a full scan of the PC, and everything appears to be fine and no update is needed. The only thing I can think of is that, up to BIOS version 1.28, the update was released directly from Windows, while other versions were updated one by one, strictly following the instructions provided by the official Alienware/Dell website, without any problems. I also contacted Activision support, but all I could find was the need to update the BIOS. Please, I need help. Note: This comment was created from a merged conversation originally titled Re: Area-51m R2, COD 7, device manager don't recognize installed bios 1.35

Alienware

Area-51m R2, COD 7, device manager don't recognize installed bios 1.35

1. Confirm the real BIOS version

2. Fix Device Manager showing the old version

3. If BIOS truly did not update (still 1.28 everywhere)

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