[Request] Alienware 17 R2 bios unlock

[Johndill]

Thanks for trying,  I didn't think those would let you processed, but I couldn't tell for sure from my end since I'm not on that system.

Here is your mod BIOS, flash back via >> FPTw.exe -bios -f biosregMJD.bin
http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?fil...2360350055

*** WARNING - This BIOS is ONLY for user Johndill, if that is not your username then do not use this BIOS
or you will loose your serial, UUID, possibly LAN MAC ID and windows activations too.  You have been warned!!!  ***

If anyone needs unlocked BIOS For Alienware 17 R2 or 15 R1 send me your FPT BIOS region dump

Yay! It is now unlocked :-D Thank you so much! :-D Now I just have to figure out how to use the thermal settings :-)

As user rband said in a previous post, you would be a savior to other Alienware owners on the notebookreview forum just like myself :-) http://forum.notebookreview.com/forums/alienware.1018/

Thank you again for all the work you have done to help us out. :-D

[Lost_N_BIOS]

You're welcome, and thanks for quick confirmation! Do not change graphics related settings, like Main PCIE/PCI, disable this controller and try to enable that one etc. You can change graphics speeds or memory amounts, but don't try to disable/enable anything or you'll end up with black screen and no way to recover except blind flash or via flash programmer.

You know, I assume there is some way to flash a modified stock BIOS in there, with AFU or Winflash etc, but without me having one I've got no way to find out. So it's easier to just mod per BIOS, that's why I didn't post anything on notebookreview forums. You can send anyone looking this way though, if you want.

[Johndill]

You're welcome, and thanks for quick confirmation!  Do not change graphics related settings, like Main PCIE/PCI, disable this controller and try to enable that one etc.  You can change graphics speeds or memory amounts, but don't try to disable/enable anything or you'll end up with black screen and no way to recover except blind flash or via flash programmer.

You know, I assume there is some way to flash a modified stock BIOS in there, with AFU or Winflash etc, but without me having one I've got no way to find out.  So it's easier to just mod per BIOS, that's why I didn't post anything on notebookreview forums.  You can send anyone looking this way though, if you want.

Thanks, I'll only touch what I 100% know what it is. :-D

I've sent you a PM about the unlocked bios I was referring to. :-)

No worries, thanks. :-D

[vickygameboy]

@Lost_N_Bios i have recieved my flash programmer, i never used one before though, also i have downloaded original BIOS from dell FTP server.. from older to newer version, so what should i do next, any instrutcions ?? System is Alienware 15R2 Skylake 6700HQ, Intel ME 11.8.3561.HF60 Firmware, As per my last post update, only EC could be retrieved, NO GBE, no ME.bin extraction..

[Lost_N_BIOS]

Flash programmer and Dell BIOS download have nothing to do with each other, keep that in mind always

As mentioned at post #57 - nothing can be done about this unless you replace your PCH that does not have key burned into the FPF fuses
Any attempt at a single byte change will = brick, so good thing we checked!

But yes, I wanted to look at your ME FW, not that it will change anything in regards to BIOS mod or stuff like that. However, now that you have programmer you may be able to edit some things directly without a BIOS mod, and can recover in case it goes badly and fails due to boot guard (I think it doesn't when making changes this way, but best to backup and be sure all is safe before anything is attempted)

What is your BIOS ID, you may need magnifying glass and flashlight to read them. If you are unsure, zip some images of the bottom of your board for me with the bottom casing removed and I'll show you which chips are BIOS that we need ID"s from. Then well dump BIOS with programmer, and I can check ME Stuff I wanted to see, and let you know BIOS is safely backed up so you can possibly try to make some changes

[antreask]

Hello,

I would like to ask, if you can provide me by any chance the .bin file of the Alienware r2 17 bios A10 because I bricked mine and a friend told me that we need that to flash the bios using a programmer...

I don't know if any of these make sense..

Thank you in advance.

[fbcanedo]

Hello, I have a 17 r2 alienware. Upgrading a BIOS no longer turns on, already removes the bios chip and discards and does not use, tried the process of connecting with the "end" button and also did not work.
I have the original BIOS backup.

if anyone can help me
thank you

[antreask]

Hello, I have a 17 r2 alienware. Upgrading a BIOS no longer turns on, already removes the bios chip and discards and does not use, tried the process of connecting with the "end" button and also did not work.
I have the original BIOS backup.

if anyone can help me
thank you

Hello,

I'm not sure that I completely understood your situation, nevertheless, if your BIOS chip is in working condition, you can try once more to use the following procedure:

1. Do a bootblock recovery to flash the proper rom.

2. If you have access to another machine, format a USB stick to FAT32.

3. Run AW15A05.EXE /writehdrfile. (Or whatever version you used BEFORE you bricked, as usually the bootblock isn't updated, but with some BIOS updates, it can be, so your more safe to use the same version you had on the machine BEFORE it bricked from improper flash.)

4. Now take this HDR file and rename it to AAP10.hdr. Put it on the root of the USB.

5. Now make a copy of this file and rename it AMIBOOT.ROM (all caps) so now there's 2 files on the USB key, AMIBOOT.ROM and AAP10.hdr. (Unconfirmed if uses old AMIBOOT.ROM or the new filename I found.. New aptio platform we haven't really played with yet, so lets use both..)

6. Now here's the fun part, you need the technical guide from dell and disconnect your MAIN battery, not the CMOS battery.. And unplug the PSU..

7. Now, insert your USB stick, hold down END key, plug PSU back in with battery removed.

8. It should turn on and after 5-10 mins, you should see USB activity.. Wait the FULL 10 mins. (Or until it shuts off on its own). Some have reported it took 2 mins when we were testing.

9. After this, try to shut it down using POWER if it didn't on its own, but it should. Then turn it back on.. You should be back on your system.

You don't need to flash again after, as this recovery will flash the complete ROM.. And don't' forget to reconnect your battery..


However, this time add in your usb the .sys file generated when you execute the command "writetohdr" in the command prompt. Moreover, put the executable e.g. AW15A05.exe in the usb as well, and copy this file (AW15A05.exe) and rename it to BOOT_IMG.rcv.

To summarize in your usb you should have:
1. AAP10.hdr
2. AMIBOOT.ROM
3. xxxx.sys (I don't remember the name of the output file)
4. The executable e.g AW15A10.exe
5. BOOT_IMG.rcv

And then plug the usb, press the end key and plug the psu cable (as you did before). I tried this and it worked. Let me know.

Cheers

[fbcanedo]

Hello, I have a 17 r2 alienware. Upgrading a BIOS no longer turns on, already removes the bios chip and discards and does not use, tried the process of connecting with the "end" button and also did not work.
I have the original BIOS backup.

if anyone can help me
thank you

Hello,

I'm not sure that I completely understood your situation, nevertheless, if your BIOS chip is in working condition, you can try once more to use the following procedure:

1. Do a bootblock recovery to flash the proper rom.

2. If you have access to another machine, format a USB stick to FAT32.

3. Run AW15A05.EXE /writehdrfile. (Or whatever version you used BEFORE you bricked, as usually the bootblock isn't updated, but with some BIOS updates, it can be, so your more safe to use the same version you had on the machine BEFORE it bricked from improper flash.)

4. Now take this HDR file and rename it to AAP10.hdr. Put it on the root of the USB.

5. Now make a copy of this file and rename it AMIBOOT.ROM (all caps) so now there's 2 files on the USB key, AMIBOOT.ROM and AAP10.hdr. (Unconfirmed if uses old AMIBOOT.ROM or the new filename I found.. New aptio platform we haven't really played with yet, so lets use both..)

6. Now here's the fun part, you need the technical guide from dell and disconnect your MAIN battery, not the CMOS battery.. And unplug the PSU..

7. Now, insert your USB stick, hold down END key, plug PSU back in with battery removed.

8. It should turn on and after 5-10 mins, you should see USB activity.. Wait the FULL 10 mins. (Or until it shuts off on its own). Some have reported it took 2 mins when we were testing.

9. After this, try to shut it down using POWER if it didn't on its own, but it should. Then turn it back on.. You should be back on your system.

You don't need to flash again after, as this recovery will flash the complete ROM.. And don't' forget to reconnect your battery..


However, this time add in your usb the .sys file generated when you execute the command "writetohdr" in the command prompt. Moreover, put the executable e.g. AW15A05.exe in the usb as well, and copy this file (AW15A05.exe) and rename it to BOOT_IMG.rcv.

To summarize in your usb you should have:
1. AAP10.hdr
2. AMIBOOT.ROM
3. xxxx.sys (I don't remember the name of the output file)
4. The executable e.g AW15A10.exe
5. BOOT_IMG.rcv

And then plug the usb, press the end key and plug the psu cable (as you did before). I tried this and it worked. Let me know.

Cheers

I could not get the sys file.
I did without it and it did not work, the led of my flash drive does not show reading



sorry for the translation, because I'm brazilian and I'm using google translator

[antreask]

Hello, I have a 17 r2 alienware. Upgrading a BIOS no longer turns on, already removes the bios chip and discards and does not use, tried the process of connecting with the "end" button and also did not work.
I have the original BIOS backup.

if anyone can help me
thank you

Hello,

I'm not sure that I completely understood your situation, nevertheless, if your BIOS chip is in working condition, you can try once more to use the following procedure:

1. Do a bootblock recovery to flash the proper rom.

2. If you have access to another machine, format a USB stick to FAT32.

3. Run AW15A05.EXE /writehdrfile. (Or whatever version you used BEFORE you bricked, as usually the bootblock isn't updated, but with some BIOS updates, it can be, so your more safe to use the same version you had on the machine BEFORE it bricked from improper flash.)

4. Now take this HDR file and rename it to AAP10.hdr. Put it on the root of the USB.

5. Now make a copy of this file and rename it AMIBOOT.ROM (all caps) so now there's 2 files on the USB key, AMIBOOT.ROM and AAP10.hdr. (Unconfirmed if uses old AMIBOOT.ROM or the new filename I found.. New aptio platform we haven't really played with yet, so lets use both..)

6. Now here's the fun part, you need the technical guide from dell and disconnect your MAIN battery, not the CMOS battery.. And unplug the PSU..

7. Now, insert your USB stick, hold down END key, plug PSU back in with battery removed.

8. It should turn on and after 5-10 mins, you should see USB activity.. Wait the FULL 10 mins. (Or until it shuts off on its own). Some have reported it took 2 mins when we were testing.

9. After this, try to shut it down using POWER if it didn't on its own, but it should. Then turn it back on.. You should be back on your system.

You don't need to flash again after, as this recovery will flash the complete ROM.. And don't' forget to reconnect your battery..


However, this time add in your usb the .sys file generated when you execute the command "writetohdr" in the command prompt. Moreover, put the executable e.g. AW15A05.exe in the usb as well, and copy this file (AW15A05.exe) and rename it to BOOT_IMG.rcv.

To summarize in your usb you should have:
1. AAP10.hdr
2. AMIBOOT.ROM
3. xxxx.sys (I don't remember the name of the output file)
4. The executable e.g AW15A10.exe
5. BOOT_IMG.rcv

And then plug the usb, press the end key and plug the psu cable (as you did before). I tried this and it worked. Let me know.

Cheers

I could not get the sys file.
I did without it and it did not work, the led of my flash drive does not show reading



sorry for the translation, because I'm brazilian and I'm using google translator

Hello again,

Sorry to hear that. I've uploaded the files I used. Click on this link and you can download them.

https://ucy-my.sharepoint.com/:u:/g/pers...g?e=OmG5eE

Did you unplug the the battery cable?



Sorry I am asking, I don't know your background.

Let me know.
Cheers.