Aurora R15, can't install the new BIOS 1.17.0 update

Question

I can't flash the BIOS update 1.17.0 for the Aurora R15. I've tried SupportAssist, the Alienware Update software, installing it directly from the file and booting from a USB. The system returns the error "You are about to flash your BIOS to an older version, which is not allowed." Mine is 1.16.0, the current one is 1.17.0, so, apparently, it's an error in the file made available on Dell Drivers, and the system does not recognize it as a newer version. I tried the BIOS setup, but there is no option to allow a downgrade (which would not be the case, either, but would solve the problem).

Vanadiel · Answer

AMD or Intel R15?

mattyb3 · Answer

How do you mean, directly from the file? Do you mean by using your Service Tag on the Support page and going to Drivers and Downloads? That is the best way to flash your BIOS.

You should never use Support Assist for BIOS upgrades, there have been a few instances of bricked machines from doing it this way in the past.

scrub512 · Answer

Same issue, support wont help me unless I pay $99 bucks. The firmware is 1.17 and I currently have 1.16.

https://www.dell.com/support/home/en-us/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=6dxy9&oscode=w2021&productcode=alienware-aurora-r15-desktop

Processor 13th Gen Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-13700F, 2100 Mhz, 16 Core(s), 24 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Alienware 1.16.0, 9/6/2024

Vanadiel · Answer

@scrub512​ I bumped this higher up, but what R15 do you have? There's an Intel version and a discontinued AMD version.

markdeassis · Answer

@Vanadiel​ Mine is the Intel version.

markdeassis · Answer

@scrub512​ I'll wait for the next update. It's the first time this happens and the error is in their update file.

scrub512 · Answer

@Vanadiel​  processor is listed in my original post

fiesty lobster · Answer

@scrub512​ did you get this fixed?

scrub512 · Answer

Negative. Support Assist can’t install and I can’t manually install

fiesty lobster · Answer

@scrub512​ RIP.  What error are you getting when installing support assist?

scrub512 · Answer

Support assist just has a generic 'something went wrong' message. When I try to flash or install manually I get 'cannot install older version of bios'. Even though I’m going from 1.16 to 1.17

Spetsnaz91 · Answer

I am getting the same issue doesn't matter if i boot from bios or window's exe.... but i get a blue screen every time my computer tries to come out of stand by... so this is getting really annoying

markdeassis · Answer

So, I cracked it. I reinstalled 1.16, flashed the BIOS, then 1.17 worked.

mjhock · Answer

I had the identical problem as was told to force the install of 1.17 by using the Recover BIOS from Ctrl-Esc at boot up. The tech support said the problem was the 1.16 that was already installed on my computer.

Are you saying you installed 1.16 over an R15 that had 1.16 already and then you were able to install 1.17?

I'm not thrilled about forcing the BIOS install from the Recovery console, I don't want it to fail and end up with a brick

czulas · Answer

It worked for me as well.

Windows 11 automatically installed Bios 1.16.1. which was released on December 11, 2024. I bet you can also do this manually as well.

After that I was able to install Bios 1.17.0, which was released in October 2024.

I hope this helps.

Cheers : )

Alienware Desktops

Aurora R15, can't install the new BIOS 1.17.0 update

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