Unsolved
2 Intern
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122 Posts
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843
March 16th, 2023 09:00
Area-51m R2, latest Bios revision level?
Hi, Alienware update says my computer's bios is sitting on revision 1.20.0. The Dell website says there's a critical bios update dated 3/14/23 that is revision 1.21.1. Alienware update thinks my machine needs no update.
In any event, I downloaded bios rev 1.21.1 and ran it. It appears to have done it's "thing" but the bios still seems to be a rev 1.20.0.
Any idea what's up with this and thanks!
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crimsom
9 Technologist
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6.1K Posts
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March 16th, 2023 11:00
Hi @jkeifer3 welcome to this free user-to-user Alienware laptop discussion forum.
It is becoming increasingly problematic installing BIOS/UEFI version updates irrespective of their declared importance status. If there is no notification from any of the installed applications and Alienware Area-51m R2 has no issues, do not update the BIOS/UEFI version.
DELL-Chris M
Community Manager
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56.9K Posts
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232.1K Points
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March 16th, 2023 11:00
"but the bios still seems to be a rev 1.20.0"
Where do you see this? On the actual BIOS main page?
For any PC with expired warranty, I would only install a BIOS update that addressed hardware. I would never install a BIOS update just because it is newer.
jkeifer3
2 Intern
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122 Posts
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March 16th, 2023 11:00
My laptop has this crazy habit that, for no apparent reason, the fans (not sure if it is the graphics card and/or other fans) speed up to “max” and then back down again with the computer basically at idle with nothing other than Outlook open. Someone mentioned a future update to the bios might fix it.
crimsom
9 Technologist
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6.1K Posts
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March 16th, 2023 13:00
Hi @jkeifer3 thank you for sharing update.
Power-on laptop, complete POST (Power On Self Test) and during appearance of Alienware logo splash screen, press and hold down F2 key to enter BIOS/UEFI menu. Wait to see if fans speed up to “max” and then back down again. If no, there is no BIOS/UEFI issue and it seems that the windows operating system is the root cause. Run windows Reliability Monitor and wait for creation of event timeline. How to use Windows Reliability Monitor to identify software issues | Dell UK. Look for reoccurring event that coincides with fans speed up to “max” and then back down again. If no corresponding event, please try to improve/debug the Windows operating system using my Windows PowerShell post within Alienware m17 R3. Screen flickering and occasionally going black whilst awake - Dell Community.
crimsom
9 Technologist
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6.1K Posts
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March 17th, 2023 05:00
Hi @jkeifer3 thank you for sharing update.
Area-51m R2 (6/22/2020) might have fan thermistor (temperature sensor) intermittent fault. Reseat fan electrical plug in its socket might work. Make sure not to damage connector locking feature. If issue persists, the fix is usually to replace the fan assembly. Search Amazon and eBay for replacement CPU and GPU fans.
jkeifer3
2 Intern
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122 Posts
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March 17th, 2023 05:00
I am looking at the Reliability Monitor over the past couple of weeks and there are two (2) indications of Window Hardware errors, a couple of windows audio devices stopped working, etc. I'll keep watching this and see if I can correlate. Booting to bios resulted in no increase in fan speeds.
Ikki di Phoenix
4 Posts
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March 18th, 2023 19:00
Can I install an old bios version on my laptop? How?
I downloaded the .exe file but the installation doesn't start, do you use another way?
jkeifer3
2 Intern
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122 Posts
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March 19th, 2023 04:00
https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000130652/downgrading-the-system-bios-on-a-dell-system
Maybe that link will help you.
Ikki di Phoenix
4 Posts
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March 19th, 2023 10:00
No, thanks. Better if i open a new topic... from here we go nowhere.
jkeifer3
2 Intern
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122 Posts
0
March 22nd, 2023 10:00
No joy. It is what it is with this laptop.