Issues with Windows 8.1?

I recently upgraded to Windows 8.1 (fresh install) and have been experiencing intermittent issues:

1. WiFi connection is unstable, will randomly go from Stable > Limited Connection (but not working)
   • The only way to fix this is to disconnect and reconnect.
2. "The AC adapter wattage and type cannot be determined. The system will continue on battery."
   
3. "The AC power adapter type cannot be determined. Your system will operate but the battery will not charge.
   
4. And other variations of that message.

My WiFi card is an Intel Advanced-N6235. I have installed the latest Intel drivers for it...and uninstalled and re-installed them. No change.

I have 5 genuine Intel AC adapters purchased directly from Dell and the intermittent AC adapter messages appear with all of them. I've also checked the BIOS and BIOS is able to recognize the AC adapters correctly, so I suspect this is a Windows 8.1 issue?

Anyway, just wondering if anyone else has these problems and have maybe found a workaround form.

Can't wait for Windows 10 to get here.

 

PSU error has nothing to do with Windows 8.1, it is either PSU itself or DC failing. That would be a coincidence it happened at the same time you have upgraded to Windows 8.1. The easiest proper test would be to find another Dell/AW PSU, which has the same or higher wattage as your original PSU and see if your laptop still gives the same errors. Or find another Alienware laptop and see if it gives the owner any PSU related errors, while working fine with his own PSU (your PSU in that case has to be the same or higher wattage than his PSU).

I would not be able to comment on your particular wifi card as I have a different one. I used to have issues after upgrading from Windows 7 to 8 and later 8.1 when I had Killer N 1103, because there were no proper drivers released at a time. Intel AC 7260 fixed all those issues, newest drivers from Intel were working perfectly and I never had an issue with the card to this day. I hope someone with R4 is using the same wifi card as yours and can recommend the best drivers for you.

 

Thanks! I have 5 PSU's, all genuine Dell, bought directly from Dell and they all give the same error. Also, this error message:



Always comes up when I use Photoshop (which activates the Nvidia GPU). So, I'm guessing it's a Windows driver issue or something?

 

You can disable the warning in the BIOS if it's irritating you.. Have you noticed any loss of performance when using the adapters? If not, something else is the issue...

 

The main annoying thing is that the laptop won't charge the battery or run off AC power or both. The only work around is the shutdown the machine, unplug the AC adapter, wait 3sec, plug it back i, and then turn the laptop back on.

No loss of power when using these OEM AC adapters:

DELL P/N: FWCRC
REF NO: ADP-240AB D
MODEL: GA240PE1-00

It says Dell, Inc. on the top of the label and near the bottom, it says: Delta Electronics, Inc.

 

That sounds more like a motherboard issue then if you have several components to test?

 

Had no issue with Win 7 or 8.