[SOLVED] Corrupt BIOS?

[Kizzado0dle 2]

Hi

I'm not that great with PC's so bear with me...

I have an Alienware Aurora R8 (bought because I figured it would be reliable and idiot proof... how wrong i was), i used their own software (support assist) to do a load of updates including a BIOS update. I left the PC to do its thing and when I came back hours later it was just a black screen and stayed that way so i shut it down via power button.

Now it boots into a black screen and nothing else. The alienware logo flashes in a "3,7" pattern which their website says BIOS image found but corrupted. I have tried booting into recovery pages etc by holding escape+something else i cant remember which was on the dell website, i also tried F2 and F12 spamming but nothing happens. My keyboard and mouse have no lights on so don't think it's even getting that far.

I spoke to Dell who say I need to replace the motherboard and want £300. Is there any hope of doing anything else to recover this or do I really need to replace the motherboard?

Separately, is there any chance i'll be able to get the money back from Dell as I feel like I shouldn't be paying for it seeing as their update bricked my PC?

 

[drea.drechsler]

Hi

I'm not that great with PC's so bear with me...

I have an Alienware Aurora R8 (bought because I figured it would be reliable and idiot proof... how wrong i was), i used their own software (support assist) to do a load of updates including a BIOS update. I left the PC to do its thing and when I came back hours later it was just a black screen and stayed that way so i shut it down via power button.

Now it boots into a black screen and nothing else. The alienware logo flashes in a "3,7" pattern which their website says BIOS image found but corrupted. I have tried booting into recovery pages etc by holding escape+something else i cant remember which was on the dell website, i also tried F2 and F12 spamming but nothing happens. My keyboard and mouse have no lights on so don't think it's even getting that far.

I spoke to Dell who say I need to replace the motherboard and want £300. Is there any hope of doing anything else to recover this or do I really need to replace the motherboard?

Separately, is there any chance i'll be able to get the money back from Dell as I feel like I shouldn't be paying for it seeing as their update bricked my PC?

How old is this computer? Is there no warranty coverage remaining?

Have you tried resetting CMOS?

 

[Kizzado0dle 2]

How old is this computer? Is there no warranty coverage remaining?

Have you tried resetting CMOS?

Err about 3 years or so? No there's no warranty left, but i'm still not exactly pleased that a dell update using dell software broke my dell pc 🙄

Hmm, no haven't tried that, hasn't been suggested so far from my googling/speaking to dell. I can give it a go!

 

[drea.drechsler]

Err about 3 years or so? No there's no warranty left, but i'm still not exactly pleased that a dell update using dell software broke my dell pc 🙄
....

I can agree with that. This is just one more reason not to buy Dell in the future, IMO.

If your case can fit a bog-standard ATX or mATX motherboard you might look for one that takes your CPU and memory. In addition to being a lot cheaper it will probably perform better too. That assumes, of course, you can't get the corrupted BIOS problem cleared up.

 

[Kizzado0dle 2]

I can agree with that. This is just one more reason not to buy Dell in the future, IMO.

If your case can fit a bog-standard ATX or mATX motherboard you might look for one that takes your CPU and memory. In addition to being a lot cheaper it will probably perform better too. That assumes, of course, you can't get the corrupted BIOS problem cleared up.

I've never loved someone so much, this fixed it! Was kinda difficult to do for a newbie like me (i couldnt figure out where the power supply to the motherboard was and it said to disconnect that first!) but i got there in the end.

Now back up and running without even going into any BIOS screens or any data loss!

Now even more pissed that Dell tried to charge me £300.

Thank you so much <3 I have a masters dissertation to write so this is a lifesaver.

 

[drea.drechsler]

I've never loved someone so much, this fixed it! Was kinda difficult to do for a newbie like me (i couldnt figure out where the power supply to the motherboard was and it said to disconnect that first!) but i got there in the end.

Now back up and running without even going into any BIOS screens or any data loss!

Now even more pissed that Dell tried to charge me £300.

Thank you so much <3 I have a masters dissertation to write so this is a lifesaver.

I guess the CMOS reset is what got you back up and running?

Good to know it worked for you!

 

[L15Yl15Y]

I've never loved someone so much, this fixed it! Was kinda difficult to do for a newbie like me (i couldnt figure out where the power supply to the motherboard was and it said to disconnect that first!) but i got there in the end.

Now back up and running without even going into any BIOS screens or any data loss!

Now even more pissed that Dell tried to charge me £300.

Thank you so much <3 I have a masters dissertation to write so this is a lifesaver.

Could you tell me what fixed you pc because i have the same problem but it's aurora R12. My pc shows white screen and nothing else, if i pres the Esc button it just restarts and the same white screen appears. I would be very thankful if you tell me what to do.

 

[Kizzado0dle 2]

Hi - i did a CMOS reset as the previous poster suggested. This was to do it on my PC but it may be different for yours - find the manual for your PC on dell's website and look for how to do CMOS reset

https://www.dell.com/support/manual...e66f25-e8a7-4b7d-8727-11dd2aa121c4&lang=en-us