*OFFICIAL* Alienware 15 R1/R2 Owner's Lounge

Don't use prime95, use OCCT.

Prime will pull too much power through the CPU and will damage / degrade silicone.

 

Okay, but any other CPU intensive apps like OCCT. OCCT simply stops after a minute even after changing temps to 95C. I think the default fan profile isn't enough for OCCT and needs custom HWINfo fan profile.

 

Good evening guys.

Short story: I am a international student in Sydney (from brazil) studying software dev. I saved 1400 dollars washing dishes and doing removals and bought an second hand 15R2. My FIRST game computer in my life after using the same laptop (HP pavilion) from 2011.The computer is a BEAST but I REALLY can`t install Command Center after resetting the machine. =,(((((

Pleeease, If you are reading this I beg for HELP!
I am having a MASSIVE headache trying to install Command Center in my Alienware 15 R2.
---------------------System info----------------------------
OS: Windows 10 Home Single Language 64bit (What the h** is "Single language"?)
Model: Alienware 15 R2
BIOS: 1.3.10
Processor: i7-6700HQ
RAM: 8GB
HD: NO HARD DRIVE
SSD: SanDisk SSDA240G
Video: HD Graphics 530 / GTX 970m
DIrectX: 12
----------------------------------------------------------------
Problems:
1-) Dell System Detect: First of all, this detection NEVER worked for me. I tried in all browsers, with firewall ON and OFF, ethernet cable and wifi. The dell website has simply never been able to detect my system. Never.
ERROR RETURNED #1: Driver detection not available: Please try again later or use the Find it Myself tab to find drivers by Service Tag or see a list of drivers available for your product.

ERROR RETURNED #2: Download failure. An error occurred while downloading Dell System Detect. Cancel or Retry

2-) Command Center: Unable to install.
ERROR RETURNED #1: This installation package is not compatible with this computer
----------------------------------------------------------------

PS: I INSTALLED ALL THE DRIVERS IN THE CORRECT ORDER SUGGESTED BY DELL. ONE BY ONE, RESTARTING THE COMPUTER EVERY SINGLE TIME.

I have tried dozens of Dell tutorials and resected my win10 5 times in 3 days. Always following the correct order of drivers installations.

Things I did to try to solve the problem:
1-) Deleting the folder "2.0" in %appdata% and Alienware folder in %programdata%
http://www.dell.com/support/article/au/en/audhs1/SLN302974
2-) Making sure I have .NET 3.5 for Dell Digital Delivery
http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/SLN179026/EN
3-) Updated the BIOS to the latest version 1.3.10
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us...alienware-15-r2&languageCode=en&categoryId=BI
4-) Running ALL the Dell BIOS Diagnostic (NO ERRORS)
5-) I personally went to a Microsoft store here in Sydney and they were surprised that they couldn't solve it as well
6-) I removed the old Dell (unsafe) Certificates and installed the Dell Foundation Services
http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/SLN300321
7-) Download .NET Frameworks 3.5, 4 and 4.6
https://anz.alienwarearena.com/ucf/...mPost/alienware-command-center-not-installing
Command Center Quick Guide
http://www.dell.com/support/article/us/en/19/SLN128904/en#toc3
9-) Aditional links I have tried:
https://anz.alienwarearena.com/ucf/...mPost/alienware-command-center-not-installing

 

Dell Foundations services,dell digital delivery and dell update aren't needed. I think you downloaded w8.1 drivers instead of win 10. Just type your service tag located under base panel to get drivers. Anyway 15 r2 drivers apart from some drivers are totally different. W10 Home Single Language is quite different than retail versions, in this version you can install only one language wither English (AUS) or English (Brazil). I'd say do a fresh install again to start from beginning. Just check this site http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/product-support/product/alienware-15-r2/drivers

 

oh god. I am going for the 6th reset... I am starting to worry about the SSD health =/

What 8.1 driver do you think I installed? I am pretty sure I download win10 ones.
Also, in the link you sent me there`s a option to choose de OS even if the Dell System Detect (that has NEVER worked) and I always checked Windows 10 64 bit. I have been in this Drivers website for the last 3 days. I download EVERY thing that is RECOMENDED (here: http://www.dell.com/support/article/au/en/audhs1/SLN148687?ref=viewbyinstallionorder)

EDIT: Dell about using w7 or 8.1 drivers in W10: http://www.dell.com/support/article/au/en/audhs1/SLN297952

 

Can you run sfc /scannow in elevated command prompt. Also, run ccleaner to clean temp files. So all drivers and goodies are latest that you've downloaded including the hashes, correct?

 

What is "including the hashes"? Remember, I reset my OS 5 times and download all the zips again and again to make sure its not a corruption error.

Test result and attempt to install Command Center 4.0 ( http://www.dell.com/support/home/au...alienware-15-r2&languageCode=en&categoryId=AP)

Thank you!
EDIT: Link para as imagens: https://postimg.org/gallery/1gjfefc1y/

 

You get the hashes by scrolling down the page. Use Software like HashTab and to check hashes just right click > Properties > Navigate to File Hash Tab and copy the hash value SHA1 or MD5 values to Text box.

 

First of all THANK YOU for replying my msgs. Here's a kind of boring and long post.

I just cant describe how sad/disappointed I am right now with this Alienware.

Anyways, HASH test was successfully. Both Sha1 and MD5.

UPDATES from the last 2 days:

I called dell/alienware Australia support twice and in the first call the """"technician"""" started doing basic questions like "have you tried in Adm mode" and stuffs like that so I very calmly explained to him that I tried all the "advanced" guides I found on internet and asked for a remote access, roping he would be able to solve it. So, he accessed my computer, downloaded the software (command center 4.0) from dell website, tried to install it (fail), downloaded again, ran it with admin privileges (fail), then he said "oh sorry sir, I cant solve it for you, I gonna email you with a link and then you reply the email if it goes wrong, bye" ...I never got the email...so i called again...30 min call...

Second attempt: I had to explain everything again, this time was a women and one of the first questions she asked me was: "Is the Operating System from dell?" i said: "Excuses me? did you just asked if my OPERATING SYSTEM is a Dell one? like windows, linux, osx?" she said: "yes, is it official dell?"....well, after that I already knew I was wasting my time. She did EXACTLY the same thing: Remote access > Download CC > Install (FAIL); >Download again > ran as admin (FAIL)... She told me that she will call me on monday to follow up...55 MINUTES CALL
She was on silence just "looking for the solution" for about 20 min. I cut my nails, smoked, eat and she was just in silence...

Sorry about my english and if I'am sounding rude but come on, its a Alienware support! They are being paid to just access my PC and run a software as admin. Also, they had NO IDEA of what is COMMAND CENTER....The second call, the women one, she was very rude as well. She said "oh ok, you called us because you cant install a software?" jesus christ I had to control myself so much. I am really desperate right now. I am losing hours of sleep and study. It was a HUGE investment for me. Its not like "just a new laptop". Took me 6 months to save this money. I have no family in Sydney and I am studying and living by my own. I dont hang out for 6 months. maybe 3-4 times...No money for beers or extra Opal travels. I just work and study...thats all.

Please, if there is a good soul in Sydney reading this I would love to take my computer to you and we try to solve it together. I tried going to micosoft as I said and they failed as well. I dont know what to do anymore.

 

Have you tried to install the first aka the older version of CCC? 4.5.16.0,A00 10 Sep 2015

 

Thank you for your msg,

I am starting to think that its because of the removed RAM and Hard Drive of my system. This alienware comes with 16GB Ram and 1TB Hard Drive but the previous owner REMOVED both before seeling it to me. What you guys think? Could be some sort of "rule" for the command center to work:

IF(computer hardware is original)
{
install
}
ELSE
{
not compatible
}

Other than that the computer is running normally.

Yes I did try it and here are the SS:

 

Well, I think I found the problem. I mean, thats the ONLY alternative:

I openned the laptop for the first time after buying it from a stranger and I discovered that he removed the original SSDs, HD and 1 Ram module. He said to me he only removed 1 ram and the HD because the computer have an 240SSD but its a "another brand" one. Not alienware "original hardware".

Sorry but I only took one pic...I gave up...I think I will just keep studying and playing the games that are running very well. The CPU and GPU are awesome but i feel very regret. I could have buy an Nvidia 10 series laptop for the same price (1400$).
http://www.metabox.com.au/store/b218/Metabox-Alpha-N850HJ-laptop

 

@henrique_vc: What version of bios are you running? There are AWs sold everywhere without SSD and 8G of RAM. Goto BIOS click on restore defaults. I suspect an issue with MSI installer. It happened to me I fresh installed, problem was solved.

You use IOBit? That thing is known to cause issues. Remove it.
EDIT: I doubt you've an 15 R1 instead of R2.

 

Actually the previous Owner "confessed" that HE removed some stuffs for "data protection"... What is MSI installer? If I restore the bios will I lost my data? like formating the computer?

EDIT: I went to the BIOS and clicked "Restore Defaults". Nothing happened oO. Literally nothing.

 

You're on latest bios version. So, Msi installer are files that use windows installer technology to install the reqd. files to proper directories.
Dell support assist and Iobit SW isn't needed. Have you right click and extract the AW Command Center Files using 7-zip or similar. If you have some reserve cash go for SSD samsung 850 evo because VS 2015 needs high disk speed so that your projects won't lag.

 

OMG...It worked!!!!

What I did:

1-) I opened the "case" today and changed the ram module from slot 2 to 1. Just for paranoic reasons.
2-) As Vasudev suggested I restored the BIOS to default settings and then I just double clicked the exe. file and it worked normally.

I have no idea what EXACTLY solved the problem. THANK YOU all for replying my msgs. I love you guys. Have a wonderful weekend.

Any questions please contact me at any time.

 

Thank you so much bro!!!!!!

 

So exact problem was "AW CC wasn't finding correct OEM strings for every hardware during the config check phase before installing the software".

 

@henrique_vc : Erm.. I must say thank you for finding out the issue and fixing the same. I will keep this in mind if I face similar issues in the future. Thanks!!

 

SOunds like yes. Thanks again. but...now the colors are not changing haha.. I pick the theme and click APPLY and nothing changes in my laptop. But I will google how to proper use it before creating a new tread.

 

Open the back panel and try to reattach all the cables.

 

Oh I dont feel confident of doing it. Its everything sooo small and delicate. The colors only work after I restart the computer with the new Theme selected in AlienFX. The preview dont work as well and now I spotted the the front left light is broken. Maybe a loosen cable...

 

Just google your problem, you can concentrate on your studies and after that you can open and repair the issues.

 

You forgot the tron connector for the front lights.

 

Thanks for your msg,

I actually NEVER unplugged any cable of my laptop because I dont feel confident to do so with an exception of the Battery cable to change the RAMs. Thats all. Only the left light is not working, the right one is fine =/ I am finally in contact with a level 2 dell tech. I will let you guys know about future updates.

 

Be very careful while opening the palm rest. I hope the tech would have experience in handling AWs.

 

Hey guys, so I currently have 16GB of 2400 Mhz RAM and want to upgrade to 24GB (I have a bad habit of leaving web browsers and tons of tabs open when gaming and occasionally have a Windows popup about running out of RAM, even though I'm sitting at about 85% usage).

If I were to replace one of my 8GB sticks with a 16GB (same exact brand, specs, speed, etc). Would I notice any performance decrease by mixing sizes? If so, given the price of having to buy 2x16GB sticks, I'd much rather just stick with 16GB in that case.

 

You would lose dual channel support. That makes your memory slower but also your igpu that makes use of your ram.

 

Ok that's what I thought, couldn't remember if that applied to different sizes or speeds. I use my eGPU 99% of the time so not worried about that. I guess it's something I'll think about if I have $124 burning a hole in my pocket. Apparently with modern Intel motherboards it can use flex channel, dual channel when data is spread across both sticks, single channel when localized to one stick (or 16GB will work in dual with the remaining 8GB working in single, depending on who you ask).

 

As far as I know, when the memory sticks arent identical in size then dual channel is turned off. But dont pin me on that. I did notice a performane decrease on an a previous laptop I had with a single stick.

 

DUAL CHANNEL SETUP

 

so i have the Graphics amplifier and GTX 1070. The last two Nvidia driver updates including the one that came out yesterday fail to install......what's up with this? Should i disconnect the Amplifier and then update?

 

Sometimes you might want to install twice, that's what I read by docs published by @Game7a1 sometime ago.

 

I wouldn't know the contents of the last two drivers, but what I would do is disconnect the GA, then uninstall your Nvidia driver with DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller), then install the latest mobile driver, and then connect the GA. If the latest driver doesn't work with your mobile GPU, then you may have to go back to an older driver (though that shouldn't happen).

 

I have an Alienware 15 (R1, i7-4710HQ, 980M) and want to upgrade to 16GB RAM. Can someone recommend me a good 2x8 set?

Looking at the HyperX Impact CL9 1600Mhz and Corsair SO-DIMM 1600Mhz CL11 right now.

 

hmm..might have to go to an older one...i did the DDU and did a clean new install and it still failed with the GA unplugged.

 

Anyone? :/

 

Hyper X looks good because of tight timings than corsair. What's the cost like? Go with whatever fits your budget and reviews.

 

So I've had this top of the line 15r2 for about 1 year. Sorry I ever purchased this piece of junk. Blue screens out the box. I should of sent it back when I had the chance. Broken Bios after Bios. Runs hot just web browsing. Squeaky fans running all over the place. overclock? that's a joke right? I will never buy anything dell ever again. I should of learned my lesson with the monitor I bought a few years back nothing but quality control issues. Now I am stuck with this junk or sell for loss. I need a real Laptop that works. worst money spent on junk ever.

Don't buy alienware, pure junk!

 

Sorry to hear about your experience. It definitely sucks for sure. Hope you find something that works for you without issues.

 

Thanks for the kind words. I should of known better with past experience and the negative reviews. Very frustrating to have to purchase another laptop when this one barely a year old. I'm back in the same boat again needing new laptop and lost over 2g messing with this junk.

I feel completely misled and ripped off by Dell. They can't even release a fully functional Bios without creating other issues. I've learned my lesson this time for sure.

New potential buyers beware. Just look at the threads. problem after problem.

 

The high pitched start up sound of the fans (which i presume you aim at with squeeky) is normal with PWM fans. Also the blue screens are i think caused by the faulty Intel HD drivers that plagued a lot of machines until you updated them.

My experiences with this machine have been stellar. Using it 7 days a week for more than a year now.

But it sounds gamig laptops arent for you.

Forums are generally a collection of issues. It doesnt say a lot about the overall quality. In the end alienwares are overall quite solid. No skimping on screen hinges hooked into a plastic frame, solid metal internal chassis, good quality fans, well cooled in general (apart from with the last series some first batch issues) etc.

 

Did you re-paste yours? Or was perfect out the box? I doubt it was and I shouldn't have too. No way it will OC to 4.1. It will burst into flames. Will re-paste soon and do it right since dell can't. Not to mention the terrible OC settings and BIOS after BIOS after BIOS. How many does it take?. Are they getting high over there or something? This is from a gaming company? Not something to be proud of. They know they are selling junk that's why they shove the extended warranty down your throat. I've never had an issue with BIOS till I purchased Alienware. Even 5 year old Asus laptop had one bios update.

Did you redo the factory image? Its full of Dell garbage. I am sure you have like everyone else.

We shouldn't have to rip open a brand new gaming machine from a gaming company. They should be ashamed. I pride myself on details in my line of work. If I did sub-par work, I'd be out of business.

I use mine everyday as well. And everyday it's something else. I've built several of my last gaming rigs and had some other laptops and never had so many quality issues.

Uhm..no. I know whats normal for pwm. no other laptop I ever owned did it. Somewhere around 3000 rpm it whines/ squeaks every few minutes. here and there. annoying AF. Just the CPU fan. GPU fan doesn't do it..hmm. I wouldn't mind if it actually cooled the damn thing.

No matter what you say, it's still over priced junk slapped together as fast as possible with no care for the end user. It literally blue screened 10 mins out the box brand new. I had to spend time fixing this junk software wise and now I am even more pissed I have to open it to re-paste something that I paid a premium price for wasn't done right. Or have a tech come out? Have some jabroney rip apart my over 2g laptop ain't happening. Ill take it out back and take a 12 guage to it before that happens.

Your right tho, blue screens and flaky bios aren't for me. I need a real laptop. Not this watered down junk for the masses. I thought I was getting something top of the line.

BUYERS BEWARE, Just read all the threads, even the new machines. or end up like me, stuck with this overpriced garbage and ripped off.

 

Hello,

I have been getting a lot of crashed hibernate attempts lately. Having installed the WhoCrashed, the below dump[ details are from an early AM crash today -

On Fri 3/31/2017 4:04:57 AM your computer crashed
crash dump file: C:\Windows\Minidump\033117-13390-01.dmp
This was probably caused by the following module: qcamain10x64.sys (0xFFFFF801D6E82BD0)
Bugcheck code: 0x1000007E (0xFFFFFFFFC0000005, 0xFFFFF801D6E82BD0, 0xFFFF8200BAB93258, 0xFFFF8200BAB92A80)
Error: SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED_M
file path: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\qcamain10x64.sys
product: Driver for Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4/QCA9377 Network Adapter
company: Qualcomm Atheros, Inc.
description: Qualcomm Atheros Extensible Wireless LAN device driver
Bug check description: This indicates that a system thread generated an exception which the error handler did not catch.
This appears to be a typical software driver bug and is not likely to be caused by a hardware problem.
A third party driver was identified as the probable root cause of this system error. It is suggested you look for an update for the following driver: qcamain10x64.sys (Qualcomm Atheros Extensible Wireless LAN device driver, Qualcomm Atheros, Inc.).
Google query: Qualcomm Atheros, Inc. SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED_M



On Fri 3/31/2017 4:04:57 AM your computer crashed
crash dump file: C:\Windows\memory.dmp
This was probably caused by the following module: qcamain10x64.sys (0xFFFFF801D6E82BD0)
Bugcheck code: 0x7E (0xFFFFFFFFC0000005, 0xFFFFF801D6E82BD0, 0xFFFF8200BAB93258, 0xFFFF8200BAB92A80)
Error: SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED
file path: C:\Windows\system32\drivers\qcamain10x64.sys
product: Driver for Qualcomm Atheros QCA61x4/QCA9377 Network Adapter
company: Qualcomm Atheros, Inc.
description: Qualcomm Atheros Extensible Wireless LAN device driver
Bug check description: This bug check indicates that a system thread generated an exception that the error handler did not catch.
A third party driver was identified as the probable root cause of this system error. It is suggested you look for an update for the following driver: qcamain10x64.sys (Qualcomm Atheros Extensible Wireless LAN device driver, Qualcomm Atheros, Inc.).
Google query: Qualcomm Atheros, Inc. SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED

Anyone having any advice on the driver versions which could help solve this please?

Thanks!
Ckhurana

 

@Ckhurana: Try the newer Killer drivers with new GUI and better HW-SW interoperation with Killer Control Center http://www.killernetworking.com/driver-downloads/item/killer-control-center-x64
Its recommended to use revo or similar uninstaller tool to clean uninstall and post reboot install the new drivers and see if this fixes hibernate issues on w10.
EDIT: @Mobius 1 @iunlock @judal57 @Papusan: New drivers are very good. They are excellent.
@Killer_Networking: Thanks for the great driver that compliments the hardware. Keep up the good work.

 

Just a heads up, if you @ someone when you edit a post, they won't be notified.

 

I didn't know that. I'm getting used to this forum, so it will take time.

 

So, @Mobius 1 how are the drivers? Did you fix inconsistent scrolling issues on AW?

 

Oh the reverse scrolling ****?


Nope, still happens even with the Kaby Lake models. Drivers haven't been updated since.

 

On 15 r2 the latest BIOS update 1.3.10 and 15 r3's synaptics driver fixed that. Maybe you ought to check Dell website for newer drivers or station-drivers is your best friend. the problem is I2C driver that Dell implements, sometimes they use synaptics or intel. Did you try MS surface drivers for your Touchpad because it has precision touch or something?
Did latest Killer drivers work for you?