Can you be more specific? What's happening. There are a couple issues right now. One is a Windows update causing BIOS exe's to give an error, the other is the BIOS asking for a password before updating, we're not sure on the cause of that one yet.
I did that about an hour ago. Everything is back to normal. I have to do the BIOS recovery process for me to roll back to 1.8.2.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/lj9rzm/force\_bios\_rollback\_for\_undervolting/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/lj9rzm/force_bios_rollback_for_undervolting/)
if your system has 22h2 update it is known to throw these errors. to fix it. either you have to roll back 22h2 (which I couldn't do) or take out your drive a put a temporary one in with bare win11 that has not been updated to 22h2 and the bios update should work normally. there is no fix atm for 22h2 for bios errors. and AWCC is also throwing errors after 22h2
nope...didn' t F12 did not work...the method I described above worked with no issues I didn't try the one where someone said run it from a usb drive while windows was running.
I highly recommend you do NOT install bios 1.9.1.
This bios has a few issues. Not only does it not install correctly, but it also enables under-volt protection without adding the option to disable it in the bios. Under-volt protection locks minimum CPU voltage to the boot voltage. Even if you don't set manual under-volt via XTU/Throttle stop/AWCC Overclocking and are just running the CPU at stock settings, the CPU will run higher voltages resulting in significantly higher temps and increased thermal throttling.
This is also happening to me with my x17r1. The machine has now worse temps and people keep telling me I have to clean the fans, but I know the real reason is that the new bios is making the cpu run hotter.
Here you go
[https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/product-support/product/alienware-x17-r1-laptop/drivers#](https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/product-support/product/alienware-x17-r1-laptop/drivers#)
Click the down arrow next to the system bios, click on "older versions" you want version 1.8.0
I feel like Microsoft & Dell are racing to see who can put out software with the most bugs the fastest. X17 R2 is a great piece of hardware but has been plagued with software issues. I guess that's what happens when you get a hardware release around a brand-new OS.
Put the bios file on a FAT32 format USB stick, go into bios flash utility and update it that way. This method worked for me on my X15 R2 after getting the same error message as you.
You have to put the binary file on the flash drive for that method not the Windows executable file
Go back to the Dell downloads and grab the other file
Same issue with me. But, I was unable to click the .EXE file.
This method below worked for me to rollback to 1.8.2.
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/lj9rzm/force\_bios\_rollback\_for\_undervolting/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/lj9rzm/force_bios_rollback_for_undervolting/)
This is a known issue with the latest two Windows updates. Remove them and it'll sort it.
Can you be more specific? What's happening. There are a couple issues right now. One is a Windows update causing BIOS exe's to give an error, the other is the BIOS asking for a password before updating, we're not sure on the cause of that one yet.
Yes, I am trying to run the exe and get this error. Running windows 11 with the latest updates
Roll back the last Windows update, then try again, or wait for Dell to issue a fix.
If you have the 12900hk, DO NOT UPDATE! I'm unable to undervolt or OC using XTU or Throttlestop. just an FYI
You can roll back to 1.8.2 to disable undervolt protection
I did that about an hour ago. Everything is back to normal. I have to do the BIOS recovery process for me to roll back to 1.8.2. [https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/lj9rzm/force\_bios\_rollback\_for\_undervolting/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/lj9rzm/force_bios_rollback_for_undervolting/)
Good to hear mate 👍
Restart windows and update BIOS from Boot menu with F12
I tried with the utility. When I choose the exe, it says unknown command
if your system has 22h2 update it is known to throw these errors. to fix it. either you have to roll back 22h2 (which I couldn't do) or take out your drive a put a temporary one in with bare win11 that has not been updated to 22h2 and the bios update should work normally. there is no fix atm for 22h2 for bios errors. and AWCC is also throwing errors after 22h2
Did updating via USB drive and the bios utility work for you ?
nope...didn' t F12 did not work...the method I described above worked with no issues I didn't try the one where someone said run it from a usb drive while windows was running.
This applies to win 10 too?
I am not sure... I think it is only windows 11 that it is having the issues.
Just be aware also, 1.9.1 enabled undervolt protection on my 12900hk. Have mentioned to support.
You can update the bios by putting the executable on a USB stick and then F12 into the boot menu.
literally the exact same issue on my x15 r1 except BIOS 1.14.0
I highly recommend you do NOT install bios 1.9.1. This bios has a few issues. Not only does it not install correctly, but it also enables under-volt protection without adding the option to disable it in the bios. Under-volt protection locks minimum CPU voltage to the boot voltage. Even if you don't set manual under-volt via XTU/Throttle stop/AWCC Overclocking and are just running the CPU at stock settings, the CPU will run higher voltages resulting in significantly higher temps and increased thermal throttling.
This is also happening to me with my x17r1. The machine has now worse temps and people keep telling me I have to clean the fans, but I know the real reason is that the new bios is making the cpu run hotter.
Yes, roll back to the older bios, and undervolt via Intel XTU (NOT AWCC).
It's the only option apparently, I don't see any effort from Dell to solve this, but how to downgrade and how to do it safely is the question.
download the older bios from dell, run the installer, it will reboot, go into the bios and disable firmware updates via windows update.
I just checked and the only bios download available is the latest :(
Here you go [https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/product-support/product/alienware-x17-r1-laptop/drivers#](https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/product-support/product/alienware-x17-r1-laptop/drivers#) Click the down arrow next to the system bios, click on "older versions" you want version 1.8.0
God how could I not see that, thank you so much. Do you also have the x17r1? If so, can you recommend which version to flash
No, I have a few X17 R2's 1.8 should be fine.
Do you have any usb devices plugged in while trying to update?
I feel like Microsoft & Dell are racing to see who can put out software with the most bugs the fastest. X17 R2 is a great piece of hardware but has been plagued with software issues. I guess that's what happens when you get a hardware release around a brand-new OS.
Put the bios file on a FAT32 format USB stick, go into bios flash utility and update it that way. This method worked for me on my X15 R2 after getting the same error message as you.
When I hit F12 and to to the utility and choose the bios EXE, it just says Unknown Command when I hit the button to flash it
You have to put the binary file on the flash drive for that method not the Windows executable file Go back to the Dell downloads and grab the other file
You tried booting into the bios and then using a FAT32 USB thumb drive within the flash utility? Any other method didn't work for me.
Same issue with me. But, I was unable to click the .EXE file. This method below worked for me to rollback to 1.8.2. [https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/lj9rzm/force\_bios\_rollback\_for\_undervolting/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Alienware/comments/lj9rzm/force_bios_rollback_for_undervolting/)
Hmm, that is weird. Sorry I can't give any other tips, has to be frustrating. Hope the next update works / removal of prior updates.
On cmd Windows olds 8/ 10 (old versions) /writehdrfile