Alienware 18 bios problems

[TruenoG7]

Does anyone have an idea how to blind flash alienware 18?

[Jerryzago]

This is the process for the M18x R1 and R2.

 

I suppose it could work for the 18.

 

Just download the correct bios for your laptop

 

Download the original Alienware unmodded A03 bios from Dell at Drivers and Downloads | Dell [united States] The file is named "M18R2A03WIN"

Extract the contents of M18R2A03WIN to a new folder named "Alienware recovery" anywhere on your useable computer. In there you should have a bunch of files. (9 in total)

Look for the one called QBR10EC.fd

Rename this file to M18R2.hdr

Place the file M18R2.hdr on a formatted fat32 usb stick on its own.

Thats it. Blind created

 

Recovery process:

To do the recovery process you need to remove your m18x r2 battery.

Unplug the back power cord as well

Plug the usb stick with the file M18R2.hdr in the M18X's e-sata port

Now hold down the END key (located above the numbers key pad) at the same time while your holding the END key plug in the power cord only, you will hear the fans turn on full bolt.

Release the end key and wait

After a few seconds once the file is read from the USB stick you will hear 20 or 30 beeps (sounds like a garbage truck reversing)

After the beeps stop the m18x will shut down and reboot itself. ( 1 or 2 times depending)

Once reboot all will be back to normal A03 bios.

Connect the battery back if you wish after successful boot.. That's all folks, things should work now unless you bricked the EC controller, which is hard to do

 

Found this on Techinferno. Credits go to the user Scott Matusow and his post from 2012.

 

Take note that if you have a 980m or later gpu, flash A11 before installing your GPU, or you will have to disassemble again.

[Maxware79]

Just note that the file name, M18R2 in the guide is for the M18x R2. The 18 will need to be given a different name, which I have no idea what it is. You may need to use PhoenixTool to work that out. Can't remember how to use it though. 

[i.bakar]

On 7/30/2022 at 7:25 AM, TruenoG7 said:

Does anyone have an idea how to blind flash alienware 18?

r u looking for reflashing your bios with USB stick or u just need to reset the bios ?

[TruenoG7]

11 hours ago, Maxware79 said:

Just note that the file name, M18R2 in the guide is for the M18x R2. The 18 will need to be given a different name, which I have no idea what it is. You may need to use PhoenixTool to work that out. Can't remember how to use it though. 

I was trying to do a blind flash, but it turned out to be a faulty cpu, most likely caused by the previous motherboard shorting.

[razor0601]

Which beep code can you hear?

[jaybee83]

On 8/2/2022 at 7:27 PM, TruenoG7 said:

I was trying to do a blind flash, but it turned out to be a faulty cpu, most likely caused by the previous motherboard shorting.

oh wow, faulty cpu is something u dont see or hear about every day....

[razor0601]

15 hours ago, jaybee83 said:

oh wow, faulty cpu is something u dont see or hear about every day....

I don’t think it’s a CPU fault. It’s the Mainboard itself. Had this twice by myself. 
maybe I have somewhere a pic where you can see the defective components.

But it must be the beep code for faulty CPU.

[TruenoG7]

On 8/6/2022 at 5:17 AM, razor0601 said:

I don’t think it’s a CPU fault. It’s the Mainboard itself. Had this twice by myself. 
maybe I have somewhere a pic where you can see the defective components.

But it must be the beep code for faulty CPU.

I tried the cpu in an AW17 and it didn't work, then I put the cpu from the AW17 in the AW18 and it worked without problems.

[razor0601]

In 99% the cpu isn‘t faulty. So you are the lucky 1% 🤪