[HELP] [URGENT] M17x R1 Motherboard, LCD (webcam & mic) & GTX 260m Issues

I have a 17x r1 whose couple of keys went non functional,
So I called dell and they said motherboard needs a replacement and I'm allowed to get 2 more parts replaced.
So, I decided to get my motherboard, LCD (because of scratches on the screen) & Blu-Ray(never used still couldn't read my win7 DVD) drive changed.

The technician changed the motherboard, the keys started working but the AlienFX lights wouldn't turn on, no matter what.

The LCD replacement otherwise runs perfect but the webcam and microphone won't work at all/won't detect.

The bluray drive now reads DVD but the disk gets struck sometimes and sometimes it ejects half way and I've to pull it halfway,

I thought lets try formatting the hard drive and re-installing the OS with the updated drivers, but now

1) The AlienFX lights won't turn on anywhere on the laptop regardless of trying to install command centre any number of times (yes I'm using the latest drivers from the dell website, appropriate to my service tag)
still when I try launching Alienware Command center it gives an error. (screenshot attached)

2) the camera drivers are not getting installed and end up giving an error, (Screenshot attached)
neither does my computer show the new device found notification when i try turning the camera enable/disable by Fn+f9 key, however the OSD notification is visible.
also, the microphone isn't working. (tried online mic test and native sound recorder app)

3) after the fresh OS install when i turn on my computer GPU in Hybrid mode after installing latest 260m drivers, the screen goes completely blank after couple of seconds from the windows boot screen?
(it just shows the white cursour moving thats it) and as soon as i disable the GPU Hybrid it comes back to normal



P.S. : I've the system bios running on A07(most recent upgdated version).
also, I've .net framework installed.
default device for recording/microphone is Microphone array.
BIOS :-
PCIE GEN 2 : DISABLED
ASPM : DISABLED
the system is out of warranty so I've carried an 'One time repair' thingy.

PLEASE SUGGEST ME WHAT SHOULD I DO. I ASKED DELL TO REPLACE MY PARTS BUT THE ESCALATION TEAM ARE GIVING ME HELL LOT OF CRAP. ITS BEEN A MONTH NOW.
ALSO, THERE IS NO TEAM ABOVE ESCALATIONS THAT CAN HELP. THATS WHAT THEY SAID.
I'M FROM INDIA AND THE ALIENWARE SUPPORT SCENE SUCKS.
I'M SO MUCH WORRIED SINCE WEEKS NOW.
GUYS PLEASE HELP ME OUT.

ALSO,
PLEASE SUGGEST ME THROUGH WHICH TOOL CAN I MONITOR MY CPU,GPU & ETC TEMPERATURES?
BECAUSE I THINK THE LAPTOP IS GETTING A BIT TOO HEATED LATELY!
AND WHAT SHOULD BE THE NORMAL TEMP?


-Maneesh. :hi2:

 

Woe is to you who has the infamous driver/light issues. I personally don't know what the fix is, but I hear it is a huge pain to fix... there is a ebay service that fixes lights in the US if its worth it to you (at least this lets you know it is possible to fix): Alienware Light Repair FOR Laptops M11X M14X M15X M17X M18X | eBay

As for the camera and Mic; you should try deleting, than sweeping all the drivers you have installed for them with a driver sweep program, then reinstalling them. If that doesn't work, the person who installed you screen may have not re plugged them in. (check device manager to see if they are detected)

PS: Red lettering on white background is annoying on the eyes for long paragraphs.

 

I don't live in the US so its not worth it

Also, I tried even doing a clean os install 3 times, still it won't detect.

The technician did plug the cable correctly, I saw it when he was doing it.
He addressed it to me too!

All my problems still remain

Someone please help

 

I found this thread online on the Light Fix; its really involved and requires special tools; If you are feeling adventurous the walkthrough starts around page 5: http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19442434.aspx

Still no luck with Mic and Camera unless we missed the obvious, Apparently FN+F9 will enable or disable the webcam, you may have accidently turned it off at some point then messed with the drivers.

 

Webcam isn't even getting detected neither is mic
The webcam drivers aren't even getting installed. Forget messing :/

Can you please tag someone who'd help me out here?!

Though if I ask dell to give me a replacement motherboard would that solve my problem?
Or I'll have to get the microprocessor/micro controller reprogrammed anyway?!@

 

Try sending one of the AW reps a private message. Here is a link to a thread with one (Porras has been a help to me in the past): http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m11x/730010-m11x-r2-dying.html

 

The LCD must be replaced again or someone has to check on the Cam/Mic assembly cable it may have been left disconnected.
The GPU drivers is what's causing the cursor issues, try different drivers, you may enter safe mode and delete the current ones for that.
Try running the Alienfxtester.exe located on the command center installation folder to see if the board is fine.
Sorry we can't send parts in India, otherwise I would gladly send any part needed.

 

The technician said that only one cable is needed to be attached from the LCD accembly
The rest 2 cables are meant to be left untouched
Previously too I used to install the same drivers I used now,the screen never used to go black and just the cursor visible :-/
Suggest me some stable drivers for GTX260m

Is it compulsory to reprogram the AlienFX micro controller/processor to be reprogrammed after the motherboard change?
What I'd I try getting a new board and it shows the same issue :/

P.S. I've attached a screenshot which says no board detected. What should I do now?

 

Whenever I try installing drivers even in the safe mode it says

'NVIDIA Installer cannot continue'
'The graphics could not find compatible graphics hardware'

I've 2 x GTx 260m in Hyrbid SLi

Bios -

Hyrbid Graphics - ENABLED
Integrated Graphics - ENABLED

PCIE GEN 2 : ENABLED
ASPM : DISABLED


PLEASE HELP ME OUT, I FEEL SO HELPLESS!

I'M NOW REGRETTING BUYING THIS PIECE OF :'(

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME!

NEVER EVER RECOMMENDING ALIEN-WARE TO ANYONE (Just because of their bad after sales support that is!)

 

Are you using the ones @DELL.com? How does the device manager look like? (Please expand the display section)

 

@Alienscream, please check my last topic here (Display driver 320.49 has failed and sucessfully recovered). On the first and second page (ignore my problem) you will find info on the last stable driver - 314.22 and all the tools (and summary) you'll need to install it. Long story short - you need the driver and a modified .inf file (which you will find in my topic). All will be good
The guys here are very helpfull and polite

 

Yes. I'm using the one on DELL.COM

There you go sir, That's how the device manager is looking like.

 

Lets cut long story short, can you give me a little step wise tut on which drivers to try?

 

@Alienscream

1. Your device manager doesn't recognise your GTX 260/280 SLi - they seem to be turned off. You need to press Fn + F7 (I/D GFX); it'll ask you to restart the system and them you will be able to see in the Display Adapters section all of your video cards.
2. You need to go to World Leader in Visual Computing Technologies | NVIDIA and download 314.22 driver. Do that by selecting your OS and series of graphics cards (I assume in your case it'll be Windows 7 64-bit and Notebook 200 Mobile Series).
3. After you download the driver (314.22 is the last stable one) you need to visit http://forum.notebookreview.com/att...sponding-has-successfully-recovered-nvwin.zip and download the file from there.
4. Extract your driver and stop the installation (it'll fail anyway)
5. Copy the file from the link in 3. and paste it in your driver folder (replace the existing one).

6. (This is optional, but I do recommend) Download CCleaner; uninstall your last driver; load Safe Mode (by repeatedly pressing F8 after restart) and run the cleaner; fix all the registry problems it finds.
7. Run the setup.exe in your new drivers folder (the one you extracted the files - step 4). It'll find your video cards and install the new driver
8. After restart run BIOS>Advanced>Graphics and disable hybrid and integrated card options; Save and Exit
9. Enjoy!

 

Thanks a lot mate. The little file on the point no 3) really helped, I used it with 320 drivers and made it.

But now, How do I enable SLi

 

Oh, man, you are like a mirror image to me I made the very same mistake the first time I installed the driver!

You need to scroll down and click Apply after you chose to enable SLi.. and get a hard laugh afterwards on "how the f*ck did I missed that"

Cheers!

P.S. Disable the hybrid and integrated options in BIOS!

 

SLi is enabled after the disabled hybrid & integrated options :O

Aren't those supposed to be ENABLED?!

Now how do I enable Save Power / Boost performance, i.e. hybrid graphics option from the task bar??


Also,
There isn't any fix for when 'NO BOARD DETECTED' message is shown for my AlienFX?!@

 

After the 3xx series nVidia dropped the support on hybrid graphics (or atleast for the GTX 260/280 video cards) - so no you cannot enable them. Ergo - no save power/boost performance option; Bummer! It's either SLi or battery life, amego