Dell G5 SE 5505 - "Invalid memory installed" after BIOS update.

[lalle-]

Hello!

I have a problem with a Dell G5 SE 5505 laptop that I hope someone can give me a few pointers on.
[OK, it's not really a laptop, I'm running the motherboard on my desktop with only cooling, RAM and an M2 drive attached.]
I had some performance issues, so I decided to update my BIOS from 1.7.0 to the latest version, 1.20.0.
The computer restarted and the update dit not want to continue without a battery connected, even though I used dell's method of bypassing this requirement.
I tried updating to a custom BIOS from Reddit user Satori_Nori https://www.reddit.com/r/GamingLapto...5_custom_bios/ with the help of a CH341A programmer.
The programming was successful, but the status LED blinks 2 red and 5 white, indicating "Invalid memory installed".

Then I tried extracting a binary from the Dell 1.20.0 bios and programmed the chip with that - same thing "invalid memory".
I have tried swapping the RAM sticks, trying one at a time in each slot, and even tried a different RAM stick to no avail.

There's another thread on this forum where someone was having a similar issue with a similar laptop (Inspiron 5505 instead of G5 SE 5505) https://www.badcaps.net/forum/troubl...5-19852-1-bios
If anyone can help me save this PC I'll be very greatful!


I'll end this with a bonus question: Is it possible to turn off the Dell support assistant warnings at startup? I'm tired of being warned that there's no LCD connected.

Thanks in advance!
/ Lalle

System info:
Laptop: Dell G5 SE 5505 (can't find any more detailed number other than "option #2".
CPU: Ryxen 4800H
GPU: Radeon RX5600M
RAM used: Micron MTA4ATF1G64HZ (2x8GB PC4 2300MHz CL22)
Service tag 2MJDB63 (No match on Dell's webpage)
Motherboard model number (i think): CN-0JT83K

[mcplslg123]

After bios flash from that reditt link,do you still get display on screen? I think NO.

The dell bios update dont have the full bios inside and you need to rebuils the bios from original backup+bios update.
If you dont know how to do it,post your original backup in bios section and make a request for clean me bios from dell update.
PS: Programming with CH34 is highly unreliable.

[lalle-]

After bios flash from that reditt link,do you still get display on screen? I think NO.

The dell bios update dont have the full bios inside and you need to rebuils the bios from original backup+bios update.
If you dont know how to do it,post your original backup in bios section and make a request for clean me bios from dell update.
PS: Programming with CH34 is highly unreliable.

Thank you for your reply!
Your answer gives me a bit of hope

I see that I left out that important piece of information: When booting, the screen is black, nothing shows on screen.
It seems that I don't know enough about BIOSes these days. I don't have a backup since the BIOS update failed, I assumed the BIOS on chip was corrupt and went straight to reddit. Perhaps this was a mistake.
What should my next steps be to get things running again?
I found a thread with a BIOS file on this forum: Dell g5 se 5505 - Badcaps - would this work?

Kind regards
Lalle

[mcplslg123]

Yes you can try bios from that thread.

[lalle-]

Yes you can try bios from that thread.

Thanks for your reply.

Progress (or not really, but I've tried things):
I have now tried them both. I programmed the chip, read back the contents and verified that the programmed file and the read back file were identical.
I still get the same symptoms:
No image on screen.
LED Blinks "Invalid memory": 2 red, 5 white
If I remove the RAM I get "No memory or RAM detected": 2 red, 3 white.
Since I'm running the motherboard out of the chassis, I don't have the CMOS battery plugged in - Is that a problem?

I think next step will be to request a virgin BIOS in the appropriate part of the forum.
If anyone has any pointers for me I'd be very happy

Cheers
/ Lalle

[lalle-]

Found the motherboard model number on the PCB:
Selek MLK AMD
19802-1
FGRDN$JA