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.

Dell Alienware 18 System BIOS

Restart required Installed This file was automatically installed as part of a recent update. If you are experiencing any issues, you can manually download and reinstall.
Dell Alienware 18 System BIOS
Recommended

Check compatibility

Enter your Dell Service Tag or model

Want to look up your product? Enter a product identifier. Show me how

This driver is not compatible

This driver is not applicable for the selected product. Choose another product to re-enter your product details for this driver or visit the Product Support page to view all drivers for a different product.

Find more updates. Use SupportAssist to find all the latest driver updates for your device.

Fixes & Enhancements

[BIOS]
Fix:
1. Fix CPU can't keep at low speed after resume from S3 with Speedstep disabled.
2. System lack brightness setting feature with AMD card.
3. System Logo display three icons after resume cold boot only AMD Gfx card.
4. System logo display on the left after resume cold boot only AMD Gfx card.
Modify:
1. Fix sometime RAID OROM UI disappears after boot mode change.
2. Force disable the bus master bit at first time initial for Win8.1 requirement.
3. Update Intel GOP 5.0.1035.
4. Update Intel VBIOS 2178.
5. Disable VGA ASPM L1.
6. Dynamic control ASPM for AMD&NV Graphics.
Add:
1. Add Admin password authentication in Boot Manager.
2. Add new MXM AMD Neptune support.
3. Add New Nvidia N15 MXM Card support.
4. Add N15 MXM SIS for Nvidia New MXM Card.

[EC]
Add:
1. Add AMD MXM:
SMBus address:0x98 for thermal.
Modify:
1. Modify AMD MXM address to 0x52 for new AMD MXM card.
2. Add AMD MXM OCP action for 100W card.
Read More

Version

A04, A04

Release date

06 Feb 2014

Download Type

System BIOS

Category

BIOS

Importance

Recommended
Dell Technologies recommends applying this update during your next scheduled update cycle. The update contains changes to maintain overall system health. It ensures that the system software remains current and compatible with other system modules (firmware, BIOS, drivers, and software) and may include other new features.
Available formats
File Format: CPG BIOS Executable for Windows/DOS
File Name: AW18A04.exe
File Size: 10.79 MB
This is a large file. Depending on your connection speed, it may take some time to download.
Format Description:
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.
To ensure the integrity of your download, please verify the checksum value.
MD5:
4b1507c3fcd3f80d1a993cc708f3bdc3
SHA1:
c780e39ce5f75fb0325060189ed1cd0fb1992419
SHA-256:
0f6eb5c40e3ce3d79955217a0f4caf0bebeadb682256f644c7703336f388e6d4

By downloading, you accept the terms of the Dell Software License Agreement.

Additional details

Show All | Hide All
Dell Alienware 18 System BIOS
[Run the BIOS update utility from Windows environment]
1. Browse to the location where you downloaded the file and double-click the new file.
2. Windows System will auto restart and update BIOS while system startup screen.
3. After BIOS update finished, system will auto reboot to take effect.

[Run the BIOS update utility from DOS environment, if Legacy Boot mode (Non-Windows users)]
1. Copy the downloaded file to a bootable DOS USB key.
2. Power on the system, then Press F12 key and Select "USB Storage Device" and Boot to DOS prompt.
3. Run the file by typing copied file name where the executable is located.
4. After BIOS update finished, system will auto reboot to take effect.

[Run the BIOS update utility from DOS environment, if UEFI Boot mode with Load Legacy Option disabled (Non-Windows users)]
1. Copy the downloaded file to a bootable DOS USB key.
2. Power on the system, then go to BIOS Setup by pressing F2 and go to "Boot > Boot List Option".
3. Change "UEFI" to "Legacy" of Boot List Option
4. Go to "Exit > Exit Save Changes" and reboot system.
5. Press F12, then Select "USB Storage Device" and Boot to DOS prompt.
6. Run the file by typing copied file name where the executable is located.
7. After BIOS update finished, system will auto reboot.
8. Go to BIOS Setup by pressing F2 and go to "Boot > Boot List Option".
9. Change "Legacy" to "UEFI" Boot Option.
10. Go to "Exit > Exit Save Changes" and reboot system.

Reboot will be required

Need help with BIOS issues?

Find a solution in Dell's BIOS troubleshooting guide

Drivers help and tutorials