Fix for m15x notebook heat issues ... http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/19/a...-51-m15x-rigs/Edit Steve@NBF: Alienware wants to make it clear that not all m15x ...

maxrule · 03-19-2008, 07:48 AM

http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/19/a...-51-m15x-rigs/

Edit Steve@NBF: Alienware wants to make it clear that not all m15x systems are exhibiting this behavior. However if you are experiencing problems, e-mail them at area51_m15x@alienware.com, and they will give you the download link to the new bios. They will be releasing a new public bios this week, which I will update in this thread.

Update March 26, 208: Public Bios here

Upgrading the Bios will NOT void your warranty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alienware-Steve

Good morning,

For those of you who have been exhibiting a downclocking issue with the m15x, I would like to clarify that flashing your system to the new public BIOS will not void your warranty.

So, you know, knock yourselves out.

Regards,

Update July 31, 2008

x34 BIOS update available for download via MyHive

* Fixes Multimedia Board buttons not functional after sleep when opening the lid.
* Default profiles for screen brightness set to AC 100% and DC 40%.
* Fixes CPU speed profiles.

Discussion

Steve · 03-19-2008, 07:52 AM

beat me to it!

stickied

maxrule · 03-19-2008, 07:55 AM

hehe

tridge · 03-19-2008, 12:37 PM

I read on the article it downclocks the GPU right? Will this be a permanent fix or something like the article hints at, like a redesign?

Steve · 03-19-2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tridge

I read on the article it downclocks the GPU right? Will this be a permanent fix or something like the article hints at, like a redesign?

This is not a permanent fix. Alienware will be releasing a new public bios to prevent this by the end of the week. I'm guessing all new orders will be shipped with the bios already updated.

tridge · 03-19-2008, 02:56 PM

Yeah, but just adjusting the clocks in the BIOS is kind of a cop-out isn't it?

Steve · 03-19-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tridge

Yeah, but just adjusting the clocks in the BIOS is kind of a cop-out isn't it?

I'm guessing the bios update causes the clock frequency to NOT underclock when temps get at a certain temperature. How are you certain you know what the bios update is doing?

BFisch06 · 03-19-2008, 05:57 PM

I heard the BIOS also raises the max fan speed as well.

tridge · 03-22-2008, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve@NBF

I'm guessing the bios update causes the clock frequency to NOT underclock when temps get at a certain temperature. How are you certain you know what the bios update is doing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engadget

Alienware just released a fix to your overheating (and downclocking) problems. A new beta BIOS -- X29b P3A30 -- features a few tweaks including the ability to spin-up the fan to a new 5400rpm max

I guess I read it wrong, I thought they were downclocking and adjusting fans to fix the heat issue. I did not realize there was a separate downclocking issue along with the heat issue.

Steve · 03-26-2008, 08:45 PM

here is the new public bios sent to me from our good friends at Alienware...

http://alienguise.alienware.com/_m15.../m15x_x30r.zip

Instructions here as well

Koshinn · 03-26-2008, 09:29 PM

So wait... flashing your bios by yourself voids your warranty.

The only way to not void your warranty is to have AW on the phone or have an AW tech do it, either at your place or at AW's repair depot.

So what's the point of instructions? Trying to bait us into voiding our warranty?

littlefrankus · 03-26-2008, 09:35 PM

if they are releasing the bios update for you then its not going to void your warranty... if u dont like it get a CS person on the phone and walk u through it...

Koshinn · 03-26-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlefrankus

if they are releasing the bios update for you then its not going to void your warranty... if u dont like it get a CS person on the phone and walk u through it...

Yes, actually, they might.

AW semi-regularly releases bios updates, all of which will void your warranty unless you do the above.

Besides, you're the one always pushing people to get the 3 year warranty, shouldn't you be warning everyone about this?

See:
http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/a...i=&p_topview=1

littlefrankus · 03-26-2008, 09:54 PM

if they are emailing people the link the for the bios update then there not worried about it since it tells you how to do it if they were worried then they would have posted it in the pdf stating dont try this until u contact a tech before proceding...

if u dont want to get the three year warranty then dont but I dont want to here that ur one year warranty is gone and something goes bad and ur like WTF its going to cost what to fix....

Koshinn · 03-26-2008, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlefrankus

if they are emailing people the link the for the bios update then there not worried about it since it tells you how to do it if they were worried then they would have posted it in the pdf stating dont try this until u contact a tech before proceding...

if u dont want to get the three year warranty then dont but I dont want to here that ur one year warranty is gone and something goes bad and ur like WTF its going to cost what to fix....

If u want to get the three year warranty then get it but I dont want to here that ur three year warranty is gone because you flashed your bios without calling aw and ur like WTF its going to cost what to fix....

03-19-2008, 07:52 AM	#2
Steve Dukefrukem Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Boston Posts: 33,528 Reviews: 18 Benchmarks: 177 Credits: 1,871,352	beat me to it! stickied __________________ ^ (my stuff)

03-19-2008, 12:37 PM	#4
tridge I farted Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,834 Reviews: 2 Benchmarks: 1 Credits: 241	I read on the article it downclocks the GPU right? Will this be a permanent fix or something like the article hints at, like a redesign? __________________ R.I.P. m7700

03-19-2008, 02:56 PM	#6
tridge I farted Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,834 Reviews: 2 Benchmarks: 1 Credits: 241	Yeah, but just adjusting the clocks in the BIOS is kind of a cop-out isn't it? __________________ R.I.P. m7700

03-26-2008, 09:29 PM	#11
Koshinn Defy Gravity Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 398 Credits: 1,683	So wait... flashing your bios by yourself voids your warranty. The only way to not void your warranty is to have AW on the phone or have an AW tech do it, either at your place or at AW's repair depot. So what's the point of instructions? Trying to bait us into voiding our warranty? __________________ Alienware m15x - Mar '08 C2D 2.5 ghz \| 4gb RAM \| nVidia GeForce 8800m GTX \| 9920 - 3DMark06 Alienware m5550 - Sept '06 C2D 2.0 ghz \| 2gb RAM \| nVidia GeForce go 7600 \| 2158 - 3DMark06 Alienware Area-51m 766 - Oct '03 P4 3.0 ghz \| 512mb RAM \| ATI mobility Radeon 9600

03-26-2008, 09:35 PM	#12
littlefrankus I just probed you! Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,305 Credits: 10,696	if they are releasing the bios update for you then its not going to void your warranty... if u dont like it get a CS person on the phone and walk u through it... __________________ m9750: 2.0 Intel Core2 Duo/Tv Tuner/Windows XP MCE/1440 x 900 LCD/2GB Dual Channel DDR2/512MB 7950 GTX/ 3 Year Warranty ordered m9750 on MAY 26 Phase 2: 5/26/07 Phase 5: 6/28/07 Phase 6: 6/29/07 Phase 8: 7/03/07 Phase 9: 7/03/07 Landed 7/06/07 3dmark06:6147 3dmark 05: 9492 3dmark03 : 21019

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03-19-2008, 07:55 AM	#3
maxrule I like to do it myself Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,600 Credits: 2,288	hehe

03-19-2008, 05:57 PM	#8
BFisch06 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 3,588 Credits: 2,249	I heard the BIOS also raises the max fan speed as well.

03-26-2008, 09:54 PM	#14
littlefrankus I just probed you! Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 2,305 Credits: 10,696	if they are emailing people the link the for the bios update then there not worried about it since it tells you how to do it if they were worried then they would have posted it in the pdf stating dont try this until u contact a tech before proceding... if u dont want to get the three year warranty then dont but I dont want to here that ur one year warranty is gone and something goes bad and ur like WTF its going to cost what to fix.... __________________ m9750: 2.0 Intel Core2 Duo/Tv Tuner/Windows XP MCE/1440 x 900 LCD/2GB Dual Channel DDR2/512MB 7950 GTX/ 3 Year Warranty ordered m9750 on MAY 26 Phase 2: 5/26/07 Phase 5: 6/28/07 Phase 6: 6/29/07 Phase 8: 7/03/07 Phase 9: 7/03/07 Landed 7/06/07 3dmark06:6147 3dmark 05: 9492 3dmark03 : 21019 Last edited by littlefrankus; 03-26-2008 at 10:00 PM.

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