*OFFICIAL* Alienware Area-51M R1 Owner's Lounge

As I thought, now I would like to know why no update is listed on the website for the AWCC, I've contacted Alienware for info on this if I get anything back I'll let you know.
Of course being Sunday we'll have to wait a day.

 

please send them the link to my previous post which has the screenshots to see the difference.

@uugui shi

PS: I had to re-install OC Controls after reinstalling AWCC otherwise the Fusion section would not load.

 

Done

I think I'll stay on this version for now so I can see if they fix it and when, but I have already downloaded the .exe you linked just in case.

 

@Spartan
Do you tried a second restart after reinstalling OC Controls?
For me it always work after the first restart, which is required for the installation. After the second it was locked again. I‘ll try the old AWCC version later

 

Download anything from Dell now is a ticking bomb (same if you download anything from Win update that smells). Yo'll never know what will hit you. Some say it can be a bug. But is it?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...-win-update-bios.831450/page-18#post-11007753

I think they spend their time on the refresh. The pict is on top of their main webpage... https://www.dell.com/en-us/gaming/alienware

I wonder why they didn't put it in when they designed R1. Add in features that have been on notebooks in generations, but skipped it for the first gen of new design is quite amusing. Either is this false advertising of features current models don't have or this is promoting of coming models. Pick what you want. Oh'well, everything to lure people into buy/or upgrade.

 

I tested 5.2.75.0 and got the same problem. I deactivated my WiFi so it can’t update.
After a second restart it’s locked at 75°C

 

Interesting. Is there a way to shut that back door and turn off whatever that "service" is? I uninstalled Support Assist and still get that 6% drain overnight on Tuesday and Friday, so Wednesday and Saturday mornings I have 6% drained every single time, but only those days. I also know I could simply reimage and likely stop the drain, but I have so much software and games, etc. I'd have to reinstall, so I'm hesitant to give up on solving this.

Sorry for the late response; I haven't been coming to this site because of very annoying popup ads that were hijacking my browser (Edge), but now I just use another.

 

Hi bro. Happy Sunday. My original post was offered as sarcasm because that is the world we live in. We're surrounded by data pirates and career criminals, most of whom are people that we used to trust (and should have been able to trust) to not steal from us.

I think a few people that own this machine figured out what the problem was with the battery drain and what to do to fix it. I don't pay close enough attention to it, but if memory serves me correctly the solution was a clean OS install. Maybe @Spartan or @Fire Tiger or @pathfindercod can tell you what they did if it wasn't an OS reinstall.

If that is the only solution, like I think it is, now is the perfect time to add a 2TB SSD and move all of your games, downloaded files, and user-created documents. There is no reason for those to be on the same volume as Windows and no need for you to wipe them out for something as mundane as a clean OS installation.

 

Thanks, Fox. I have been wanting to replace the hybrid drive with a nice 2TB SSD. Maybe now's a good excuse. Lord knows tech support can't and won't help. They've been literally ignoring my service requests, if you can believe it. I know a clean install will fix it, though.

Forgive my ignorance, but to transfer all my games and software, do I just copy/paste the folders that are on C drive? I thought there were other files/folder in various other locations that got installed, so this whole time I've been re-downloading and reinstalling everything and only backing up game save files and the like. Plus I use an old 2010 Office Pro that's a pain because I have to call up on the phone to reinstall due to license and all that.

I realize this is a newb question and hope everyone goes easy on me. Or maybe tough love is the motivation I need.

 

Go to the below registry key and change it to the latest version number:

 

If your hybrid drive is 2TB or greater you can use that for storage. It will work great for that if it is large enough to be useful.

All documents, videos, music, pictures and games (other than Windows 10 / XBOX crap) can be easily moved and all of the files can reside on a drive that doesn't have Windows installed. You can drag and drop them where you want them. Copy works better than move because you avoid problems with files that are in use being locked.

All Steam, Epic, Origin, Blizzard and Uplay games can be moved to a new location. Update the installation location in the settings page for each client to correspond to where you moved them. Every client is a little different, but each of them will validate the games in their new locations and do any registry updates that may be needed.

This simple process does not apply to the Windows 10 / XBOX UWP console jockey game filth, so you'll have to re-download any of the cancer game trash purchased from the Redmond Retards. You can't recycle their downloaded game crap and those games won't run from common folders in a multiboot setup like literally everyone else's games do. (Gee... thanks, Micro$lop.)

 

Hi all, just trying to get the temp slider working again.
Hopefully it will be a bug and they will address it soon.

Spartan, I follow your indications and now is working, I also changed in regedit, uninstall all dell support and support assist,... is working now but still when running AWCC tries to update itself but at least give me option to "maybe later"... I guess should be an option of blocking auto update anything, not sure where..???.

By the way, I tried to install Bios 1.5.0 as so many people has said is probably the best bios released for this Area51m.
I followed this guide


but it didn't work and after several resets, automatically went back bios 1.9.3 (the last one) silly me upgrating it from 1.7.3.

Spartan or any one running 1.5.0 is any link or process to follow in order to downgrade from 1.9.3? just curios to see how it works apart from having no cap in gpu thermals and general system stability responsiveness,

I bought this A51 for the freedom of tweaking around, but it seems as much as updates are coming, as less freedom for user to tweak....

At present I am running 1.9.3 and vbios 200w... happy with it until this new update that remove the temp slider.

Cheers guys!

 

Many years ago since you had that type of freedom.

Only @Prema modded machines give you that.

 

I don't have that over here, I am on 1.5.0 and latest AWCC and I can set GPU Thermal to 78c no problem.

I see several people are having the issue but, I am unsure what the actual cause is as mine is working fine over here.

 

Yes, Prema magic is very strong, but sometimes it is not enough. Cancer has no cure. It can only be suppressed.

 

I just launched AWCC after applying that reg tweak and it did NOT prompt me to upgrade.

After downgrading the BIOS, you need to immediately enter BIOS again before you boot into Windows, go to the Security tab, then disable Firmware Capsule Updates.

Also make sure you uninstalled Dell SupportAssist and Alienware Update AKA Dell Update

 

Cheers Spartan... I will try that...

 

I successfully downgraded from 1.9.3 to 1.5.0 using this process

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...ny-alienware-to-locked-lower-versions.829542/

I have used this probably 4-5 times from 1.8.1 and now from 1.9.3 works for me here.

Currently on 1.5.0 BIOS - 180w VBIOS - and latest versions of AWCC control center, HOWEVER this machine does NOT have ANY DELL update garbage installed, all updates are done manually.

Hope you get it sorted out.

 

Found some interesting GPU configs which cause the problem. They also include a m15 and m17 R3 config.
The config file will update itself trough AWCC, testet it with 5.2.75 and 5.2.81, with both versions the new config will be installed automatically.
The new file includes the 75-75°C limit (see screenshot)

 

Lopt, Spartan, thanks for the help...

I ended up uninstalling as Spartan mentioned:

Dell Update Application for Windows 10
SupportAssist Update Plugin Application

Did the trick in regedit and now seems no longer saying updates available...

Tried to downgrade the Bios to 1.5.0 but again, I failed like a twuat.
All went well in the Bios, but in the end didn't update again and still on the 1.9.3. (I also went into Bios and disable Firmware Capsule Updates).

Lopt, I saw this guide but due its initial complexity I decided to followed the one I posted from CS Studios Youtube Video (lazy as I am).

But I guess I going to have to give it a try, now that you have done already successfully... thanks for sharing it buddy...

Thanks guys, as always you help a ton!
Much appreciated.

 

I properly reinstalled ACC 5.2.75 and did the regedit trick, but after restarting the 75°C limit was here again. Slider is greyed out.
But as Tim92 says, this version is gimped too. Maybe we should try older versions.

 

lol I just opened AWCC and I see the same thing, range is 75-75.

I don’t care much for that though, or should I? I’m on 1.5.0 and haven’t seen any throttling... not using AWCC at all, just for fan control and power profile to high performance.

 

If you set OC to off the limit is 87°C. After activating a OC profile in AWCC it’s 75°C

 

Did that, I also have mine on Primarily AC Power since day 1. Thank you sir!

 

That’s what I thought would happen... not using any OC profiles/functionality in there...

MSI AB and TS FTW.

 

Did registry trick, and it, tries to force me into a update anyways. I see they have no intention of lifting this limit in a future bios update if this is what they are coming up with. Also anyone use custom fan profiles in AWCC or are they full of it too, do they even work , i have tried setting fan curves to no avail getting it to do anything close to what i want. after 30 degrees hit 60%, cannot even get it under 81 fml

 

Well I'm gonna block every EXE in that AWCC folder from the Firewall Advanced Section. I'll create a blocking rule for both incoming and outgoing connections for every one of them.

 

Next on the list to do after i find a way to make my fans stay around 60% after 30c

 

Anytime,

I would suggest PRINTING OUT the instructions, as you will be rebooting - also if a step is unclear ASK for clarification before you begin, it is not hard but you must follow the steps and understand what you are doing. If you really don't feel up to it or don't fully understand it, ask a CLOSE friend with more PC experience if they can assist you, I say a CLOSE friend because your unlikely to get anyone else to assist due to how bad they would feel if your machine was the 1 in a 1000 that decided to brick it's self. ( I have never seen that happen to anyone here )

But I have seen people post some odd things lately,

ALSO …. at the very end when it's done successfully your Area51m will reboot about 5 times … yes 5, at least mine does. So don't have a heart attack I know I almost did the first time.

 

I assume this updated AWCC only impacts you if you use AWCC for overclocking? I have the Overclocking set to off and use Asus GPU Tweak for GPU temp limit and ThrottleStop for OC and UV, not sure anyone has this same setup though. I'll try and test today, although I'd rather get in there and make changes beforehand if this is also going to impact my setup.

 

Well, same here. Doom Eternal is at a whooping 200+fps and I don't see any throttling either.

 

ASUS GPU TWEAK is still working i can confirm. Even after reboot it is fine. I set temperatures at 78C and during benchmark it goes above 75C wichi is fine.
AWCC is like everybody now. After clean install the slider for overclocking temperatures is working untill first reboot is becomes grayed out. Tryed @Spartan fix in regedit but did not worked.
Also having issues with FUSION audio mixer in AWCC. Not applying the equalizer settings anymore.
Really AWCC is the worst software i ever used in my life. I hate it with passion. Spent the las 15 hours trying to make it work. So it's going to be ASUS GPU TWEAK for now.

 

What the heck man, my GPU Temp slider got disabled again even though I'm still on the previous AWCC and disabled internet access for every single EXE in the AWCC folder and did the reg trick.

 

Same for me. Every time i clean install awcc and occontrol the slider becomes active. Reboot and gone the slider isn't working anymore. I was on that for the last two days. Could not figure out a solution other then asus gpu tweak. I was hopping you could find the solution me i'm out of ideas.

 

Ok lemme try installing an even older AWCC! Man getting this laptop to work as it should is a big chore! Must downgrade BIOS, downgrade VBIOS, uninstall SupportAssist and Alienware Update, then deal with buggy software! It's like Dell wants to do everything they can to make it just not work!

 

Yes you are so right. Just when you think you found the good set up. Dell sends you an update and start over. It is funny because just like you i tried uninstalling everything related to Dell, support assist, alienware update etc...i used CCleaner, Iobit uninstaller, tried very old AWCC version very old OCcontrol version, Deleted every file i could find in the regestry...and stil no success. You have better understanding then me of windows so you are my only hope to finding a solution.

 

They will do everything to stop RMA and increased tech costs. All dirty tricks in the book will be used to reach the goal!

 

I installed AWCC v5.2.63.0 along with the latest OC Controls and rebooted and now it's unlocked.

I had to use Uninstall Tool (the paid version of GeekUninstaller) to force remove AWCC as it wouldn't uninstall then I did more cleanup in the registry / program data

Lemme reboot again and see if it sticks. Remember, you have to save the new throttle point temp to a new profile then go to the home tab of AWCC and select that overclocking profile from there as well otherwise it wouldn't be active.

PS: I also flash the 200W VBIOS again

 

@Normimb @MogRules after the reboot, the Thermal Limit slider got locked and went back to the default 75C so here is my take on this:

- It doesn't matter if we downgrade to BIOS 1.5.0 anymore because AWCC is still setting the throttle limit to 75C
- Might as well use the latest BIOS and VBIOS and suck it

 

this is so very strange, maybe you could try with an older version of windows 10 if you really want, but I think this is enough to prove that it's a bug and we can only hope that Dell/Alienware fixes it as soon as possible. At this point it might not even be their fault either.

 

Can you not disable the OC profile from home screen of AWCC and use ThrottleStop for OC and UV bro? I'd imagine that would let the GPU reach the 87c limit.

I wouldn't imagine you needing anything else such as Asus GPU Tweak due to the BIOS having the 87c limit built-in. Whereas I'm on 1.7.3 and need it due to the BIOS having the 75c limit.

 

I will never touch ThrottleStop bro or get it near any of my systems.

 

What about XTU I think that's whats sort of built into AWCC?

 

Why do you dislike Throttlestop?

 

What do you guys idle at in terms of memory, I'm pretty sure mine was 4-5GB but now at 8.5GB. Going to need another 16GB at this rate.

EDIT: After a few restarts it dropped again.

 

Hi @ALL,

I took up the find of a german fellow and looked a little deeper into the AWCC-Folder:

Own profiles are under: C: \ Program Files \ Alienware \ Alienware Command Center \ OCControlService \ OCControl.Service.Overclocking.Data
The active profile is stored in the file: Profile.json.

However, I could not find out where the custom profile is saved. In addition, all profiles (as it looks) are encrypted, so "overwriting" the values in the profile files is not enough.

I see 3 options here:
1. we get the encryption simulated to make the profile files "secure"
2. we find the "original" storage location for your own profiles and can hopefully change the values there
3. we find a way to change the values in the AWCC memory and then save the custom profile

I think a really good find, which also reveals the exact settings from the "official" OC profiles!

 

In the folder you linked are the files for the OC settings in AWCC.
These file get overwritten if you reinstall OC Controls and a second time after the second reboot.
I tried to set the files read-only but AWCC don’t show the OC settings when I do this.
I contacted dell (Germany) today, the guy on the phone wasn’t a help and I will receive an email the next hours.
I‘m thinking about sending back my two 51m because they are only 10 days old.
The m17 R3 looks interesting, you can find the specs in the new profiles.zip, 10980hk+2080 super Max-P

 

Thanks a lot for your help. Even tho it did not worked, i find it reassuring that it is not my system only and that you think it's a software issue. Yesterday i was almost ready to reinstall windows from start.
You could still use BIOS 1.5.0. if you don't mind using ASUS GPU Tweak. The current temperatures in GPU-Z is 78C but you can set it at 87C if you want.

 

I wonder what thermal target/TDP the 2080 Super Max-P will get from Dell's engineers (the thin models). A Hybrid between Max-Q and Max-P due the slim notebook design? 200w graphics won't happen. Most likely yet again a new 100C machine will see the light. Max extended warranty will be obligatory. Because the MB or components won't last the expected 3 years ownership.

 

People just need to accept the fact all these GPUs and CPUs are just t00 hot...