Samsung PM830 2.5″ SSD firmware CXM03B1Q update on Alienware M17x R3

In Jan 2012 Samsung released for PM830 SSD BIOS update from CXM02D1Q to CXM03B1Q that fixes:

• Improved stability when waking up from hibernation mode (Blue screen, Hang problem solved)
• Improved compatibility with some external hard disk enclosure vendors (partition error problem solved)
• Solved compatibility problem with some laptop vendors (partition error problem solved)
• Improved reliability (Increased SPOR related stability – Power loss management)

The big problem with this update is that with Alienware users who had this type of drive came with their laptops, could not update using Samsung Magician software available on vendor website, making them unable to perform firmware upgrade of SSD drive.

Luckily there is a fix to this problem with may thanks to user phrike from http://forum.notebookreview.com who modified DSRD.enc in order to detect the samsung ssd pm830 that comes with alienware laptop.

Notice: I don`t know how will work with your HDD and I take no responsibility for what can happen. Please backup your data before performing these actions.

You will need an empty USB stick then perform steps described bellow (any size):

1. Download HPUSBDisk.exe and win98boot.zip
2. Unzip win98boot.zip, then run HPUSBDisk.exe and select the folder where win98boot files are located.

3. Press start. This will format your USB stick and install windows 98 boot files.
4. Download PM930 firmware CXM03B1Q.zip and unzip the file.
5. Copy the contents of the archive (AUTOEXEC.BAT, and SSR) to your USB stick in root of it.

5. Reboot your laptop booting from USB stick (for alienware, press F12 at start, select USB boot)
6. After program DSRD241.EXE starts, press y for every question. After firmware update si done, poweroff laptop and start it again. In order to apply the firmware, you must power cycle it.

This is an unofficial workaround!