How Do I Flash the M17 BIOS?
Your laptop uses the BIOS program to control various hardware settings and boot the operating system installed on the hard drive. Dell offers new BIOS updates over time to resolve hardware problems or ensure that older models are still compatible with newer hardware. When your Alienware M17 laptop has problems during the boot process or won't accept new hardware, you need to flash the current BIOS version to the latest BIOS file available through Dell.
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Instructions
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1
Open the Alienware laptop's "Start" menu and type the phrase "msinfo32" in the "Search" box. Click the "msinfo32" icon when it shows up in the search results.
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2
Scroll down to the entry labeled "BIOS Version / Date." Check the string of numbers listed to the right of the entry to see your laptop's current BIOS version.
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3
Return to your Web browser and navigate to the Dell support "Drivers & Downloads" page for the Aliewnare M17 laptop model. Scroll to the "Refine Your Results" heading.
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4
Select the first drop-down menu and click the option for your laptop's operating system, such as "Windows 7" or "Windows Vista." Select the "Category" drop-down menu and click the "BIOS" option.
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5
Check through the list of BIOS versions available and locate the one more recent than the version number you found earlier. Select the "Download" button and choose "Download via your Web Browser."
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Locate the folder where you downloaded the file. Double-click the BIOS installation file and follow the directions on your laptop's screen. Restart the operating system to complete the BIOS flashing process.
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Tips & Warnings
If you chose the Windows XP operating system for your Alienware M17 laptop, you need to access the "msinfo32" option differently. Instead of choosing "Search," click the "Run" option. Type "msinfo32" in the text box and hit "Enter."
Flashing the BIOS to an older version occasionally causes instability in your operating system and in some instances prevents the laptop from booting up correctly.
