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7366
Cant update Area 51 R2 Bios
I have an Area 51 R2 that has bios version A03 on it, Im trying to upgrade it to atleast A08 to install one of the newer intel chips however I cant get the bios to flash. I have started off with A04 and it will say successful and on reboot its still says its A03. The dell tech even tried to just jump to A12 and it will say success, However it still stays at A03. I have cleared CMOS via the jumper pins and battery. Dell tech support has remotely logged in and cant figure it out. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!
Carbon Based Lifeform
872 Posts
1
July 27th, 2017 15:00
Video is not needed. i'm familiar with the Issue. we have similar Threads every now and then. last one was a few Days ago.
i'm really sorry it didn't work. but we tried almost everything. last Thing you can try is remove the Battery and leave your PC alone over Night . then try to Update BIOS again tomorrow. but actually i think your BIOS Chip went kaput.
when the Tech Guy arrives, ask him if he can only replace the BIOS Chip and not the entire Board. then try to Update BIOS again. i checked Online and you could Buy a new BIOS Chip for the A51 if you wanted to. replacing it shouldn't be a Problem.
Carbon Based Lifeform
872 Posts
1
July 27th, 2017 12:00
create a bootable USB Drive. use HP Disk Storage Format Tool, Rufus, DDDP or DOS (if you know how) to create one. copy A08 BIOS File to the Flash Drive and update BIOS outside Windows. i'm surprised Dell Support didn't show you how to do that.
read more here:
What is BIOS and How to Update the BIOS on Your Dell System |
Carbon Based Lifeform
872 Posts
1
July 27th, 2017 13:00
so your USB Drive has a FAT32 Format, Bootable and the File still doesn't work?
waternut13134
52 Posts
0
July 27th, 2017 13:00
Thanks for that! So I created the Drive with Rofus, And boot into dos in legacy mode, However when im typing the Bios file name the line is coming back with it bad command or file name. I even changed the bios file to something simple such as (A04). Any ideas? Thanks!
waternut13134
52 Posts
0
July 27th, 2017 13:00
Correct, I actually just read I should have it formated as FAT since its only a 2gig drive. In dos if I give it the dir command I can see the file. I also read somewhere that I should us the cd command to change the directory?
This is how im typing it: cd Alienware_Area_51_R2_A04
Ive also tried it without the cd command.
Carbon Based Lifeform
872 Posts
1
July 27th, 2017 14:00
the most important Part when doing Clear CMOS is holding Power On Button so your PC has 0 Power left. something makes your BIOS Chip not working properly. the Idea is to take every single Bit of Power from it away. leave the Jumper alone.
and you do exact the same when you try to Update as the last Time it went through?
maybe Boot into Windows and try to launch the EXE as Admin.
waternut13134
52 Posts
0
July 27th, 2017 14:00
Ok,So it went though this time, Guess it had to be FAT instead of FAT 32. It went through everything and said it was succesful, However the BIOS did not take. Still showing at A03.......
waternut13134
52 Posts
0
July 27th, 2017 14:00
OK,Just did that. Removed the battery and moved the jumper pins to pin 1 and 2, moved the pins back to 2 and 3 and put the battery back in. Update goes to Reading Flash then the next line says 30 - Error: Problem opening file for reading. Press any key to reboot.
I did rename the file A04 to help with finding the file, DOS didnt seem to find the whole Alienware_Area_51_R2_A04 in the directory.
Edit: So in dos if I look up the directory it looks like it changed the bios file from Alienware_Area_51_R2_A04 to AlienW~1, When I type that in it finds and starts the update,Right after I press Y for yes it starts reading the files then goes to 30-Error: Problem opening file for reading
waternut13134
52 Posts
0
July 27th, 2017 14:00
Yup tried that as well. lol The dell tech just called me back, He said he consulted with some "Engineers" and they said the mother board needs to be replaced. They are sending a tech out to replace the MB for me,I was just hoping to get this done so I dont need someone to come out and rip everything out...
edit: I just posted a video of the process but looks like its under review before it can post.
Carbon Based Lifeform
872 Posts
1
July 27th, 2017 14:00
WTH is going on there?
alright. try again.
disconnect all Cables
pull the damn Battery
hold Power On Button for a Minute
then Boot again and try to Update
waternut13134
52 Posts
0
July 27th, 2017 15:00
Heres a quick video I made showing what im doing. Maybe im missing something. Thanks again for the help!
Updating area 51 bios - YouTube
waternut13134
52 Posts
1
July 27th, 2017 16:00
I really appreciate the help! I just looked at the chip, While they are cheap I cant solder worth a crap lol So might as well just have the tech do it since its under warranty. Thanks again for the help!
Carbon Based Lifeform
872 Posts
1
July 27th, 2017 16:00
of course, as long as you have Warranty, sure. ask the Guy if he can do that. i expect him to say "no" anyway. he will do what he was payed for and replace the Motherboard. not more, not less (well hopefully not less).
Carbon Based Lifeform
872 Posts
1
July 28th, 2017 09:00
i saw your other Thread. Dell was pretty fast this Time huh? i see the Tech Guy did replace the entire board. did you ask him if he can replace the BIOS Chip? are you able to update BIOS now?
waternut13134
52 Posts
2
July 28th, 2017 10:00
Yea they were! The guy called me first thing this morning, I was in shock he wanted to come out today. He told me they overnight most parts now which im extremely impressed with. I did ask him, He said that since the work order said replace the board he had to do that, which I was fine with. He was really chill and knew his stuff. The board came with A10 and without any problems I was able to go A11 and then to A12 without a hitch! I want to thank you again for the help yesterday!