Aurora R10, Ryzen edition problem, doesn’t boot and alien head flashing 2,1

Question

Hello everyone,

For the past few days, I’ve been trying to fix my computer. Now, I’ll explain in detail what happened. While updating the BIOS to version 2.10.0, the computer experienced a power outage. As a result, when I tried to restart it, all the internal components powered on (including the fans), but the PC wouldn’t boot. The screen remained black, and the alien head was flashing yellow—two blinks followed by a pause, then a single blink.

I started searching online for a possible solution. First, I tried resetting it by removing the battery and leaving it disconnected for a while, but that didn’t work. Then, I attempted a reset using the jumper, but that didn’t work either. After that, I tried the recovery process using a USB drive with the .rcv BIOS file, holding down CTRL+ESC on the keyboard (and in another attempt, CTRL+SHIFT+ESC), but that procedure didn’t work either. The screen remains black, and the alien head continues flashing yellow in the 2,1 pattern.

So, I started researching how to flash the BIOS. I looked up the specific model of my motherboard, Ammts-sh CN-0TYR0X-PE100 (Pegatron)-16L-036S-A00, and I also checked the exact model of the BIOS chip, which is Winbond 74W12JWSJQ 2104. Then, I proceeded by purchasing the CH341A and the 1.8V adapter. I connected the clip to the chip using Dupont cables to the Sop8 adapter. Using ASProgrammer, I clicked "detect," and it identified the chip as Winbond W25Q128FW.

The issue I encountered from that point on was finding a BIOS or a BIOS dump that would allow my computer to boot again. I tried downloading the file "Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R10 AMMTS-SH WORKING BIOS" from a Telegram group, but it didn’t work—the computer still won’t start and the alien head continues flashing. I also tried extracting the .bin file from the BIOS.exe found on Dell’s official website, but I wasn’t successful (nor was I able to extract it from the .rcv file).

At the time of writing this, after my latest BIOS flash attempt to restore the PC, the current behavior is as follows: the fans turn on, the GPU turns on (its fans also start and stay on), but the computer does not boot. The screen remains black, and the alien head continues flashing yellow with the 2,1 pattern.

Now, I’m at a dead end. None of the BIOS files I’ve tried flashing have managed to get the PC working again. Has anyone experienced the same (or a similar) issue or has a BIOS dump for my exact motherboard that could help me fix this problem?

JOcean · Answer

That flash code generally indicates a system board failure. Have you tried removing the battery, waiting at least 15 minutes, then install a new battery? With your attempts at a repair it is possible that the corrupt BIOS will require a system board replacement. In the future after you have corrected the problem consider purchasing a UPS.

(edited)

TDZombie · Answer

@JOcean​ Thank you for your response. I understand that the 2,1 flash code generally indicates a system board failure, but I don’t think the motherboard itself is damaged. The very first thing I tried was a full CMOS reset, including removing the battery for several hours, but that didn’t fix the issue. The system still powers on, the fans spin, the GPU starts too and the alien head LED flashes, which suggests that the BIOS chip is still functional. I have already flashed three different BIOS versions, but none of them have successfully restored the system yet. Since the system still reacts and doesn’t show signs of a completely dead motherboard, I believe the problem is just an incompatible or incomplete BIOS flash, rather than actual hardware failure. I am currently trying to obtain a verified .BIN BIOS file specifically for my motherboard model (0TYR0X, B550A, Alienware R10) to see if a proper reflash will restore the system. Would you agree that if the BIOS flash is successful, the board should recover, or do you still think a motherboard replacement is necessary? Thanks again for your time and advice!

JOcean · Answer

@TDZombie​ If you can flash the BIOS successfully then no need for a MB. Remember that the problem started with a power outage and that can happen with any system anytime a BIOS update is done without a UPS. Your problem now is trying to find the .BIN file since Dell does not offer those files anywhere.

DivineJustice · Answer

Hello All,

I am also getting this same behavior with my Aurora Ryzen, but there was no bios update at all. The only recent change in my setup was that I had to buy a new monitor (previous Dell one died).

It is inconsistent though, after I turn off and on a number of times the computer sometimes then starts up successfully, but the next day I have to repeat the process again.

Today (5th day) after many restarts nothing worked, so I reseated the GPU just to try something, this time it started again (but I expect its going to be temporary or coincidence). As the OP said, these flashes seem to indicate some system board failure, is there anything else I can do or are these the first signs that my board is maybe on the way out?

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Aurora R10, Ryzen edition problem, doesn’t boot and alien head flashing 2,1

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