UNSOLVED
Bios Update A04 to A11 on Aurora now crashed
Initial trouble: 6GB RAM installed only 4GB available in BIOS. Windows showed 6GB installed but only 4GB available. This is an Alienware Aurora.
Genius that I am I went to the website and updated Bios from A04 to A11 using the downloaded software provided by Dell. It seemed to go well until reboot. Now it turns on and gives 4 beeps, does the air flare up, and then starts the whole process all over.
Is there a hardware reset or a software fix I can download. I am using my work laptop to troubleshoot and therefore do not have access to my Alienware for specific specs.
Thank you.
Your previous problem was bad RAM or not in the sockets good. Sometimes simply re-seating the RAM modules or changing their order will fix that problem.
It sounds like now, you have quite a different problem.
You can try resetting the BIOS and/or pulling the CMOS battery. It is under the first video card. If that doesn't work, it sounds like the Motherboard might be "bricked" and you will have to get a new one. Unfortunately, these Dell boards don't have a "dual BIOS" (to help in situations like this) like aftermarket boards.
Also, see:
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.I followed your link and reset the bios. It started to help. I was actually able to get to the bios. I reset the time and exited. I then went to the same beeps as before. I tried to reset bios again and now it will not even try to turn on. I am not sure what to do. That is a lot of money spent to have it go down over a recommended update.
Any thoughts.
Keep trying. If you changed anything with the battery or jumper, be sure you put it back like normal.
If you can get the BIOS screen to load again ... stop there.
On another computer, download Aurora BIOS A09 (yes A09). Make a bootable disc or flash drive that will apply the BIOS outside of Windows. See if you can get that to take.
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.Be sure you are using BIOS files from the proper section. There are 3 different Aurora models (R1-R3). Best to use your Service Tag.
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.On another computer, download Aurora BIOS A09 (yes A09). Make a bootable disc or flash drive that will apply the BIOS outside of Windows. See if you can get that to take.
I suggest A09 for a X-58 based Aurora (R-1) because that's what I run and I know it works fine.
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.It should say press a key for Boot Options ... I think it's F12.
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.I have tried the F12 option. It does not work. It may be because there is something else on the Flash drive but all I get is a blank screen. I think I am making progress but not getting anywhere.
The directions state that I need a boot disk in order to install the Bios from outside of windows. Where can I obtain that?
You have to make the disk or flash drive bootable. There are various ways, but I think either of these will work:
www.sevenforums.com/.../46707-ms-dos-bootable-flash-drive-create.html
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.
Robalo51
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14 Posts
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Posted September 18th, 2011 16:00
I had the same problem with my memory only show a couple of sticks. I do not think they test these at the factory. I moved the sticks around
until all 12gb showed. Also had 2 different manufactures of memeory , so I placed same type in slots 1,3,5 the 2,4,6. Problem resolved...do not
know about the bios, any upgrades have caused system crashes.