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    Alienware m17x lights not working

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by emporiosergei, Aug 1, 2011.

  1. emporiosergei

    emporiosergei Notebook Enthusiast

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    Guys , I tryed different versions of Command Center but no one working , please help me
     
    emporiosergei, Aug 1, 2011
    #1
  2. emporiosergei

    emporiosergei Notebook Enthusiast

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    please guys , I'm so tired to search a resolution .
     
    emporiosergei, Aug 1, 2011
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  3. chillcut

    chillcut Notebook Guru

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    More infos please. Did it work and stopped working, or didnt it work at all from the start? Do you have the little alienface in the system-tray? Are the eyes red or green? Are you running on battery or AC?
     
    chillcut, Aug 1, 2011
    #3
  4. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    Did you fry the controller? If so you need a new motherboard.

    The R1/R2 had that problem.
     
    Brabostaan, Aug 1, 2011
    #4
  5. emporiosergei

    emporiosergei Notebook Enthusiast

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    I bought my alienware 1 week ago , I did a reinstall windows 7 and after that lights not working . I look much information in google , I tryed many versions of Command Center , I tryed to create a new theme , was choosing a advanced mode in CC , but nothing helps , also I found on Dell some Registy Fix , but it also not helps me . Now I have a error message after every restart of Windows


    System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
    at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.ControllerMainForm.closingApplication()
    at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.ControllerMainForm.controllerMainFormFormClosing(Object sender, FormClosingEventArgs e)
    at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnFormClosing(FormClosingEventArgs e)
    at System.Windows.Forms.Form.RaiseFormClosingOnAppExit()
    at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ExitInternal()
    at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.OnThreadException(Exception t)
    at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProcException(Exception e)
    at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnThreadException(Exception e)
    at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)
    at System.Windows.Forms.UnsafeNativeMethods.SendMessage(HandleRef hWnd, Int32 msg, Int32 wParam, Int32 lParam)
    at System.Windows.Forms.Form.SetVisibleCore(Boolean value)
    at System.Windows.Forms.Control.set_Visible(Boolean value)
    at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.RunMessageLoopInner(Int32 reason, ApplicationContext context)
    at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.RunMessageLoop(Int32 reason, ApplicationContext context)
    at System.Windows.Forms.Application.Run(Form mainForm)
    at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.Program.Main(String[] args)
     
    emporiosergei, Aug 1, 2011
    #5
  6. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    Did you have Framworks installed? Windows update will install that.

    CC needs that to run, not sure if the lights need it.
     
    Brabostaan, Aug 1, 2011
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  7. emporiosergei

    emporiosergei Notebook Enthusiast

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    Brabostaan , I think yes , but I do this one more time
     
    emporiosergei, Aug 1, 2011
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  8. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    Do you have a R1, R2 or R3?

    Update the bios to the latest version.
     
    Brabostaan, Aug 1, 2011
    #8
  9. emporiosergei

    emporiosergei Notebook Enthusiast

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    Brabostaan , sorry , I don't know , how to check this ?
     
    emporiosergei, Aug 1, 2011
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  10. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    Brabostaan, Aug 1, 2011
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  11. pmassey31545

    pmassey31545 Whats the mission sir?

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    The previous poster wanted to know if you have an M17x R1, R2, or R3? If you tell us what CPU you have we can tell you which revision computer you have.

    Did it work before? How long have you had the laptop? Have you made any changes to the laptop before this started happening? All the information you can give us will be very helpful.
     
    pmassey31545, Aug 1, 2011
    #11
  12. emporiosergei

    emporiosergei Notebook Enthusiast

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    emporiosergei, Aug 1, 2011
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  13. emporiosergei

    emporiosergei Notebook Enthusiast

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    pmassey , I have my laptop 1 week , It was worked nice and lights was working , after I did a windows reinstall ... and now lights not working .
     
    emporiosergei, Aug 1, 2011
    #13
  14. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    Go to the Dell support site. Fill in your servicetag and download the latest CC from there.
     
    Brabostaan, Aug 1, 2011
    #14
  15. emporiosergei

    emporiosergei Notebook Enthusiast

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    Brabostaan,
    I'm already was written my problem on a Dell Support Forum , there are many people with same problem as me , but no one answers there from Dell . I have now installed the latest CC
     
    emporiosergei, Aug 1, 2011
    #15
  16. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    Very strange, could be that the FX controller is dead. You need a new motherboard to fix that.

    Do you still have some warrenty on the machine?
     
    Brabostaan, Aug 1, 2011
    #16
  17. emporiosergei

    emporiosergei Notebook Enthusiast

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    Brabostaan,
    yes, I have contacted with a shop where I bought it , they wrote me that to fix it will cost 50$ , and I need to pay 200$ for transfer it by DHL from my country to UK and back :(
     
    emporiosergei, Aug 1, 2011
    #17
  18. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    I mean warrenty from Dell. If so a tech can come to your house and fix it.

    The shop knows what the problem is then since they can fix it, cant they tell you how to fix it yourself?
     
    Brabostaan, Aug 1, 2011
    #18
  19. emporiosergei

    emporiosergei Notebook Enthusiast

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    Brabostaan ,
    here is the answer from shop where I bought my alienware:

    "If you have re installed and you did not follow the instructions included then you will have the problem you have stated.

    you cannot resolve this problem with software alone you will need to return the laptop for the fx chip to be re programed.

    there will be a charge for this as it is due to incorrect installation of windows and drivers."
     
    emporiosergei, Aug 1, 2011
    #19
  20. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    Did you bought it with warrenty???
     
    Brabostaan, Aug 1, 2011
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  21. pmassey31545

    pmassey31545 Whats the mission sir?

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    LIE!!!!!!!! The bold and underlined statement IS software. There is a proper order to install the driver and software when doing a fresh install, but I have never seen it cause a chip to 'fry'. I mean I could be wrong, but I think their claim is kinda false and just seeking to make a quick $$$. I have done several fresh installs and unless the FX chip is bad, the AlienFX will defualt to whatever was set on it originally. The software just lets you manage the colors and schemes. If the chip is bad, you will most likely need a new motherboard as someone else posted-not an FX chip programmed. I have had 3 R1's, 2 R2's and now an M18x and have never had this problem.

    Just for the record-you have an M17x R1. Which means it is a few years old at best and may not have a Dell/AW warranty still. Not sure. You will have to check the status yourself by entering the service tag on the Dell website and then check your warranty. See if you can extend it. It may cost a little, but it'll be worht it.
     
    pmassey31545, Aug 1, 2011
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  22. emporiosergei

    emporiosergei Notebook Enthusiast

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    pmassey31545
    I have contacted with Dell Operator and I wrote my service tag and it was incorrect.
     
    emporiosergei, Aug 1, 2011
    #22
  23. Fatal1ty39

    Fatal1ty39 Notebook Consultant

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    Fatal1ty39, Aug 1, 2011
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  24. pmassey31545

    pmassey31545 Whats the mission sir?

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    Hmmmm??? You bought it from a third party right??? Maybe they messed up somewhere and didn't transfer the tag correctly or it has been defaulted on by someone else (It was supposed to be returned for a replacement and never was). Which would make the service tag void.
     
    pmassey31545, Aug 1, 2011
    #24
  25. emporiosergei

    emporiosergei Notebook Enthusiast

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    I read it... nothing new for me , I did all from there
     
    emporiosergei, Aug 1, 2011
    #25
  26. pmassey31545

    pmassey31545 Whats the mission sir?

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    DO YOU HAVE AN ALIENWARE WARRANTY???!!!

    If you do, Call 1-800-ALIENWARE. If you don't, there will be more research involved.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 8, 2015
    pmassey31545, Aug 1, 2011
    #26
  27. emporiosergei

    emporiosergei Notebook Enthusiast

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    I don't have
     
    emporiosergei, Aug 2, 2011
    #27
  28. pmassey31545

    pmassey31545 Whats the mission sir?

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    Oh boy! :( And I'm guessing the problem still exists? Have you tried another fresh install? Tried resetting/clearing the BIOS?

    Fresh Install
     
    pmassey31545, Aug 2, 2011
    #28
  29. emporiosergei

    emporiosergei Notebook Enthusiast

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    pmassey , thanks for help , I tried this... problem still exists
     
    emporiosergei, Aug 2, 2011
    #29
  30. emporiosergei

    emporiosergei Notebook Enthusiast

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    but me not alone with that problem , I see here in forum , guys with the same problems
     
    emporiosergei, Aug 2, 2011
    #30
  31. Brabostaan

    Brabostaan Notebook Deity

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    Brabostaan, Aug 2, 2011
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  32. chillcut

    chillcut Notebook Guru

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    Wow, thats really bad. Is there any other software which could lead to problems like this? I mean, we're not talking about flashing the BIOS and cut of the power while doing so - its "just" the CC :/
     
    chillcut, Aug 2, 2011
    #32
  33. emporiosergei

    emporiosergei Notebook Enthusiast

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    how much will cost new motherboard for alienware m17x ???
    And I don't understand how it can dead motherboard with this lights , what a %$&*^# !!!!!
    It was be better if I buy new Acer but not Dell :(
     
    emporiosergei, Aug 2, 2011
    #33
  34. emporiosergei

    emporiosergei Notebook Enthusiast

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    ok, I found new MB on ebay for 116$ + shipping ....
    I hate DELL !!!
     
    emporiosergei, Aug 2, 2011
    #34
  35. Nospheratu

    Nospheratu Notebook Deity

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    Make sure it is the correct motherboard for your revision of the M17x before purchasing. Message the seller to confirm.
     
    Nospheratu, Aug 3, 2011
    #35
  36. pmassey31545

    pmassey31545 Whats the mission sir?

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    ^^^What he said. That seems awful cheap! All the ones I looked at cost a little more.

    I think this is what you need!

    NOT THIS!!!!!

    But I could be wrong. I know what my R1 mobo looked like-the first link I posted. Just make sure you get the right one. If you can, cheack the Dell/AW part number on yours and search ebay for the same.
     
    pmassey31545, Aug 3, 2011
    #36
  37. sitedude

    sitedude Newbie

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    sitedude, Dec 27, 2012
    #37