Alienware x15/x17 R1 System BIOS

Restart required

Do not turn off your computer or disconnect from the power source while updating the BIOS as this could harm your computer. During the update, your computer will restart and you may briefly see a black screen.

Before updating, please read the installation instructions and important information noted below.

hi testing

Driver Id : HDPDN

Importance : Critical

Version : 1.28.0, 1.28.0 Latest version Recommended version Latest and Recommended version

Release Date : 10 Apr 2025

Download Type : System BIOS

Category : BIOS

This package contains the Dell system BIOS update. BIOS is a firmware package that is embedded on a small memory chip on the system board. It controls the keyboard, monitor, disk drives, and other devices. This update addresses the Dell Security Advisories (DSA). A security advisory is a statement when a security vulnerability impacts a product, and a remedy is available for the vulnerability.

Download Files

File Format: This file format consists of a BIOS executable file. The Universal (Windows/MS DOS) format can be used to install from any Windows or MS DOS environment.

File Name: Alienware_x15_x17_R1_1.28.0.exe

File size: 9.75 MB

To ensure the integrity of your download, please verify the checksum value.

MD5: 9c081649f73d07484a4ae788d94fd83e

SHA1: 0f857241eab265eb913b04ec644ec2575fb5d875

SHA-256: 5febbede4cd146d5b0f57db7f68e1acda84fb3bc60b7170cef307f61f648f7f7

Download .EXE

File Format: This file format consists of a BIOS Recovery image file. This file is used for the System BIOS Recovery process to recover a system from a corrupted BIOS.

File Name: BIOS_IMG.rcv

File size: 23.06 MB

To ensure the integrity of your download, please verify the checksum value.

MD5: b2649e1dd436294fa9ea4f217e52c98f

SHA1: ac501d57f773a09350d48fc39911e400ebe5bf98

SHA-256: 5d9849e945ca5ea1e943c7d1187731b4587a1e2278e6195b1e9c381fdeb9dc8f

Download .RCV

Important Information

- Once the BIOS is upgraded, you cannot downgrade the BIOS to version 1.3.0 or earlier due to downgrade restrictions. BIOS downgrades are restricted when there are security updates and important fixes with earlier versions that impact the functionality of the system.
- BIOS updates take no more than 5 minutes to be installed on your system. You can install the updates in the background while using the system.

Compatible Systems

Alienware x15 R1

Alienware x17 R1

Installation instructions

Updating the BIOS from Windows

Note 1: Before updating the BIOS, ensure that you suspend BitLocker encryption on a BitLocker-enabled system. If BitLocker is not enabled on your system, you can ignore this step. For information about how to disable BitLocker, see How to Enable or Disable BitLocker with TPM in Windows at support.dell.com.
Note 2: Do not turn off the power or interrupt the BIOS update process during the update.
Note 3: Your system requires a restart after installing the BIOS. The restart can be deferred but must be completed to ensure that the update is installed.

Download and Installation
1. Click Download File.
2. Click Save to save the file to your hard drive.
3. Browse to the location where you downloaded the file.
4. Double-click the new file.
The system restarts automatically and updates the BIOS at the system startup screen. After the BIOS update is complete, system restarts again.

Updating the BIOS from DOS (Non-Windows users)

Note 1: Before updating the BIOS, ensure that you suspend BitLocker encryption on a BitLocker-enabled system. If BitLocker is not enabled on your system, you can ignore this step. For information about how to disable BitLocker, see How to Enable or Disable BitLocker with TPM in Windows at support.dell.com.
Note 2: Do not turn off power or interrupt the BIOS update process during the update.
Note 3: Your system requires a restart after installing the BIOS. The restart can be deferred but must be completed to ensure that the update is installed.

Installation
Note: You must provide a bootable USB drive. This executable file does not create the DOS system files.
1. Copy the downloaded file to a bootable USB drive.
2. Power on the system and then Press the F12 key.
3. Select USB Storage Device and boot to the DOS prompt.
4. Run the file by typing following command. For example:
C:\ Alienware_Area_51M_R2.exe
Where C is the drive letter of the USB device where the executable file is located and Alienware_Area_51M_R2.exe is the name of the downloaded file.
The system restarts automatically and updates the BIOS at the system startup screen. After the BIOS update is complete, system restarts again.

Updating the BIOS from DOS with UEFI boot mode enabled (Non-Windows users, Load Legacy Option Disabled)

Note 1: Before updating the BIOS, ensure that you suspend BitLocker encryption on a BitLocker-enabled system. If BitLocker is not enabled on your system, you can ignore this step. For information about how to disable BitLocker, see How to Enable or Disable BitLocker with TPM in Windows at support.dell.com.
Note 2: Do not turn off the power or interrupt the BIOS update process during the update.
Note 3: Your system requires a restart after installing the BIOS. The restart can be deferred but must be completed to ensure that the update is installed.

Installation
1. Copy the downloaded file to a bootable DOS USB drive.
2. Power on the system and then go to BIOS Setup by pressing the F2 key.
3. Go to General > Boot Sequence > Boot > Boot List Option.
4. Change UEFI to Legacy of Boot List Option.
5. Go to Exit > Save Changes and reboot system.
6. Press F12 and then select USB Storage Device and boot to the DOS prompt.
7. Run the file by typing the file name.
The system restarts automatically and updates the BIOS at the system startup screen. After the BIOS update is complete, the system restarts again.
8. Go to BIOS Setup by pressing the F2 key and go to General > Boot Sequence > Boot > Boot List Option.
9. Change Legacy to UEFI Boot Option.
10. Go to Exit > Save Changes and reboot the system.

Alienware x15/x17 R1 System BIOS

Download Files

Fixes & Enhancements

Important Information

Compatible Systems

Supported Operating Systems

Installation instructions

Applies to