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ScottEllis

updated

9 years ago

1

7549

April 22nd, 2018 09:00

Aurora-R5, BIOS update bricks system

My system prompted me for a BIOS update last night.  It had been running perfectly until this point.  Now as it posts, the Alien Logo on the front flashes 3 times then either 6 or 7 times.  (Cant remember).  I have cleared the CMOS via the jumper and it goes through a series of trying to start but then goes back to the same yellow flashes.  I saw another discussion on this on March 18th that was the same.  Is there an issue with this BIOS update?  How do I find out the part number of my motherboard?  

Service Tag

-Scott

  • Tesla1856

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    Posted April 22nd, 2018 09:00

    See this page and it's links.

    https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron-Desktops/Dell-Inspiron-3847-shut-down-during-BIOS-update-and-will-not/td-p/6068453

    I don't think I've ever heard of an Aurora-R5 getting permanently bricked-dead. In addition to the enhanced BIOS Recovery Procedures, you can usually simply boot to it's initial ( UEFI ) boot environment and re-flash from a flash drive .

    Dell Rockstar

    Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
    - Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
    - I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
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    - Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
    - Click "Mark as Accepted Answer" on any post that answers your question best.

  • 5514

    0

    Posted April 22nd, 2018 10:00

    Tried those methods.  Neither Ctrl-Esc nor F2 get me to any sort of screen for the BIOS recovery.  I still get the 3 yellow flashes, pause and 6 yellow flashes that tell me something is wrong with the motherboard.  :(

    It states that I need to contact Dell Tech Support to get access to the USB variant.  We will see if they help as I am out of warranty...  

  • 5464

    0

    Posted April 25th, 2018 21:00

    you can make your own USB boot drive. Just download whatever windows version you use onto a USB stick. You'll need about 5GB of space for this, so make sure the stick is minimum 8GB. I have a dummy windows 10 stick I made when my Aurora R5 was having issues....just make sure you have your Windows key handy when using this method.

  • 5349

    0

    Posted May 14th, 2018 06:00

    Did you get this fixed? Same thing happened to me today.
  • Tesla1856

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    Posted May 14th, 2018 11:00


    @Xbrokeneclipsewrote:
    Did you get this fixed? Same thing happened to me today.

    So, tapping F2 or F12 on boot doesn't give you a menu?

    Try detailed Dell BIOS Recovery 2/3 procedures (CTRL-ESC)

    http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/04/sln300716/bios-recovery-options-on-a-dell-pc-or-tablet?lang=en

     

     

    Dell Rockstar

    Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
    - Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
    - I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
    - Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
    - Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
    - Click "Mark as Accepted Answer" on any post that answers your question best.

  • 5331

    1

    Posted May 14th, 2018 17:00

    It does not, Nothing happens. Just a blank screen, I tried formatting a FAT32 and inserting straight into motherboard. Will not show up on my screen... Called Dell support, said and I quote "You should not of done the recommended BIO'S update. That I knew the risks" That's insane that I was prompted to do the update that I didn't even want to do.. I haven't had a single thing wrong with my Tower.

  • ScaryBob

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    Posted June 3rd, 2018 04:00

    Did you ever get past this? I just had the same issue -- my system is now dead dead dead. :Crying:

  • 5144

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    Posted June 6th, 2018 12:00

    Same thing happened to my Aurora R5. Completely bricked. Anyone found a solution yet?

  • Karnfest

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    Posted July 26th, 2018 05:00

    I experienced exactly the same problem with bios update 1.44 yesterday. Black screen and 7 beeps error code. I don't usually update my bios, but as my laptop started having BSOD's I thought it might resolve the problem. My motherboard was replaced under warranty shortly after I bought the laptop.  So I called Dell locally who transferred me to multiple operators ending up with Alienware support in Europe where an agent called Patrik Pavlovic literally laughed at me and called me a liar when I explained my problem to him. I'm sure you keep phone records to check this out yourselves. Really? He basically told me since my laptop is out of warranty I have to pay $900 to have the motherboard replaced. I told him that all I did was install a bios recommended by Dell support, so I feel that it's actually Dell's fault. That's what I paid for the laptop. This product has by far been the worst experience. And I thought Alienware was supposed to be synonymous with quality. Not cheap motherboards and bad service.

    Prior to my unfortunate experience with support  tried to reset the bios by disconnecting the cmos, power drain, ctrl-esc method. 

  • 1915

    0

    Posted September 24th, 2018 08:00

    Has anyone found a solution to this problem then?

     

    Also experiencing something similar, went through similar CMOS clearing with the Jumper, but don't see anything when I turn the computer on.