Please Help..my M17x R2 got many problems after do recovery from resource CD :(

Hi all, please help me with my alienware.. ..i got so many problems on my alienware m17x R2 after i recovered it from alienware CD that's shipped with the box..I really" need help.. ..

I already install all of the driver that i download from dell..but it still unsolved..

i will list all of the problems that i suffer below:

1. I just read from DELL.com forum that said "Dont install Command Center from resource CD", and i had done it, what should i do..?

2. This one is really annoying me, my network controller driver is gone, so i cant turn on my Wifi, bluetooth and all of the wireless network.. it's really killing me..i checked with "driver identifier", i got this result:

i cant fix it via Driver Detective because i still not sure whether this kind of software will works or not..

3. My built in card reader didn't work after i do recovery, what should i do about it?

4. my touch panel also dont work well, some of them works except Command center, wireless and stealth mode (it can be used before i did recovery)..

5. My battery cant be recharge after i did recovery..it used to be could..and when i press fn+f2, there is no battery indicator appear..

6. lastly, there's no indicator appear when you press fn+f2,f3,f4,etc as well as the touch panel..(usually when u press volume up,there will be blue indicator that shows volume up,it doesnt appear right now in my m17x..

7. btw, is that kinda software such as Driver Detective works well..?? if so, i will definitely buy it ASAP..because i already sick of this problems that took me a whole week..

i thought alienware product will be out from this kinda small problem, because i always do recovery in my desktop and it never goes like this kinda wrong, i am so desperate right now.. ..my m17x used to be a beast..but now..it's dying..

thank you so much for your help..it will be so appreciated....i am so desperate already..there might be other problems that i havent mentioned..

and by the way, im currently using dual HDD 500gb..so equal to 1TB..and i made it into 2 partition which are 250gb and 750gb..I did the recovery with this condition..i dunno it has affects or not..just fyi..

Thank you so much for your efforts and time..i appreciate it so much.. ..

____________________________________________

my specs:
-. Intel® Core i7 840QM™ Processor
-. 8GB DDR3 RAM
-. 17" RGB WLED UXGA (1200p) LCD with Built-in Webcam
-. 2x 1GB ATI® Radeon Mobility® 5870HD CROSSFIRE
-. 1TB (2x 500GB 7200RPM Hard Drives) in RAID0
-. Blu-Ray Combination Optical Drive
-. Wireless-n and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
-. Genuine Windows® 7 Ultimate 64-Bit

 

It appears things did not go well with the changes you made to your system. The best solution is to just start over fresh.

1. Go into your BIOS and change the hard drives into AHCI mode to kill the RAID0.
   (There a few advantages to RAID0 and more problems than you need.)
   
2. Boot from the Windows 7 installation disc that came with your system.
   Delete any partitions that are visible to Windows setup.
   Create a new partition on each of your HDDs that uses 100% of the free space.
   
3. Reinstall Windows from the installation disc, then install all of the drivers.

​

 

Agree with Mr. Fox, wipe everything, and start fresh. Maybe the easiest thing.

 

Hi there, thanks for the tips, may i ask you about this further if you dont mind..

1. could i change back to RAID0 after i change my hdd into AHCI mode..?

2. Maybe this is the most important one, how if i have lost my windows CD..? i could only found my resource CD,maybe i have lost it..

thank you so much for the help Mr. Fox..

 

Hi there, will my r2 100% back like it used to be if i reinstall my windows? because what i've read is, there something about the hardware, not only the software..

thanks for the tips..

 

No, you will not be able to go back to RAID0 after installing Windows in AHCI mode, but trust me... you don't want to. There's not an appreciable advantage in terms of performance and the chances of losing all data files in RAID0 is much greater. With two drives in parallel AHCI, you can use the secondary drive for data storage.

If you lost your Windows disc and did not create a restore DVD with Alien Respawn, there's still hope for you. Go to this thread LINK and download the Win7 ISO for x64 and install from DVD or USB drive. All the instructions are clearly presented on that thread. Read everything very carefully in the first post on this thread and you will do fine. You can use your Product Key on the COA label, but you may have to call at toll-free number at Microsoft to activate Windows 7. (This is not a big deal... have done it many times.) Alternatively, you can back up your existing activation. There are instructions how to do that on the same thread.

There is nothing about hardware that is going to change with your Windows installation. You'll be fine. There is a thread on this forum to recreate the Alienware look and feel. Once you're back in the saddle you can locate that thread (or one of us will help you), but the most important thing right now is to get your Windows installation in order.

Do not use the Alienware Resource CD for the drivers or Alienware applications like OSD or Command Center. You need to get the latest from Dell's web site. Assuming you have the HD5870 CFX setup, I would skip installing Dell video drivers and grab Catalyst Mobility 11.6 directly from AMD. If you get an error message that you do not have the right hardware when you try to install the AMD reference drivers, that is an indication you need to flash the latest vBIOS for your video cards. You can get that from the Dell support site as well.

Good luck to you. Let us know if you run into any trouble. I gave you a +1 rep for keeping after this. I know you can do it.

 

Here they are
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...er-install-order-guide-alienware-systems.html

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ook-feel-after-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

Cheers

 

Thank you so much Mr. Fox..!

you make my feeling better now.. ..i will try as soon as i go home..im on holiday now..but..never tired to bring this 17 inch beast in my backpack..

Wish me luck when i deal with this.. fiuh..kinda scare if i do the steps wrongly..

Thanks for the link Katalin..!

this forum is so helpful.. i asked this thing on Dell forum and didnt get any "real" reply..

thank you so much guys..!

 

You're welcome C double U. We do wish you luck. And, don't be scared. You're not going to break anything and you can always start over again if you need to. You have nothing to lose but a little time, and that's how most people make the transition from a newbie to an expert. Trial and error is an excellent tutor.

In my opinion, NBR's forum is the best there is. There's an infinite amount of talent here, and just about everyone is interested in collaboration and being helpful. I am very glad you found us and look forward to seeing more posts from you once you get this problem sorted.

Please take time to go into your User Control Panel and create a signature with your system details.

Be sure not to overlook running the EICFG removal utility on the downloaded Win7 x64 ISO before creating your installation disc. Again, read the thread carefully so no steps are missed.

 

Mr. Fox, when should i do the step 2 exactly..? is it after i create installation disc..? just wanna make sure so i dont skip any of your steps too..

and about the last sentence..

"Create a new partition on each of your HDDs that uses 100% of the free space."

Just trying to clarify my understanding, so what do mean by that is, because i'm using dual 500gb equal to 1Tb. Hence, if i use AHCI mode, my HDD will be two parts, which is 500gb+500gb, am i correct? Therefore, because the drive C (system) will have 500gb, and the drive D is 500gb, you ask me to make the partition only on drive D but not on drive C. Is it correct, Mr. Fox..? so it means that i may not make it into 250gb(C) + 750gb(D)..?

and..sorry for the confusing explanation, im trying to make a understanding better about this thing. Because i will do IT in my uni too soon enough..

Roger that sir..!

I've bookmarked all of the utilities that i need to do this thing..

i will do this rescue mission as soon as i back home..

the only thing that makes me scare is..this is Alienware laptop, Mr. Fox..lol..it really is..haha..if it aint Alienware, i will try it without any doubt..

 

Ah yeah..do my laptop need to free from virus before i do this all, Mr. Fox..? coz i haven't installed any anti virus since this laptop got messed because what i think is all of the virus will be removed as soon as i re-install windows back..

thanks Mr. Fox..

 

After a good HDD format your viruses if any will be history

 

sorry..double post..

 

How about when i download the restoration file and move it to flash disk or DVD..would it be a problem..?

BIG thanks Katalin..

 

Download a trial version(30 days) of kaspersky and scan your hole system, the trial version doesn't have any functionality limits. I personally use KIS myself.

Also it should be a pretty powerful virus to alter .iso files.

 

nah..!! good idea..!

thanks for the help bro..

 

No problem, enjoy your holidays and if you need more help when you return, you know where to come

 

Answers above in bold blue text.

There are a lot of free antivirus programs that do a good job. Microsoft Security Essentials and Avira Home are free and do a fine job. This is a matter of user preference. The only security products I even try to steer folks away from are McAfee.

 

Hi guys..just back from my looonng holiday yesterday..

And..now..im preparing myself up to the restoration..wish me luck guys..

hope all go well..

 

Mr. Fox..I got a problem when i change the HDD to AHCI mode..it says "Missing Operating System"..

and when i try to boot the CD..it also prompted the same message..

So, i just the HDD back to RAID mode and it can run the windows..

Should i just install the windows with RAID mode..? or is there another solution, Mr. Fox..?

And btw, how is the correct way to install windows, is it from boot menu..? or just run the setup from my computer..?

thanks Mr. Fox..

 

That is happening because your BIOS is not finding your existing Windows installation when you switch to AHCI mode. But that's OK because you should boot from CD/DVD and not reinstall from within Windows. You can change the boot order in BIOS for the optical drive to be first in boot sequence, or use F12 and select the optical drive as the first boot device to begin the reinstallation process. Then watch your screen for the prompt to press any key to boot from CD so the Windows setup begins.

 

You may end up needing Intel F6 drivers if you go back with RAID0. You can get them from Intel at this link here. Read the release notes and other documentation on how to use these drivers.

 

It seems like the HDDs are not detected when i change from RAID to AHCI mode..what should i do, Mr. Fox..?

 

Did you press Ctrl-I at boot and go into the Intel RAID tool and remove the drives from the RAID membership? That is probably what is wrong. If the BIOS is telling the system it has AHCI and a RAID is still configured, Windows will not see the RAID. If you want to install in AHCI, you will have to take the drives out of RAID first.

You may have to change your BIOS setting back to RAID to use the Ctrl-I hotkey to remove the RAID configuration on the drives.

 

I have tried to press CTRL+I but it seemed nothing happened.

the only thing happens when i press CTRL+I is there's like an option for me to choose..either start normally with Windows 7 or Go to Diagnostic Tools.

and when i choose Diagnostic Tools, it only checked my RAM.

and btw..is there any way to reset our HDD to its factory default volume, Mr. Fox..? because currently my HDD is 250gb + 750gb..I wanna change it back to 500gb + 500gb..

thanks Mr. Fox..

 

In your BIOS, set the system to RAID and enable the option to display the Intel RST menu (I cannot remember exactly how that reads on the R2). You will then see a message on screen about pressing Ctrl+I. That will bring up a menu where you can create or delete a RAID volume.

Once your "break" the RAID array, the default will automatically be 500GB/500GB because that is the size of each of your HDD. In fact, the only way your could have them appears as 250GB/750GB to your system is through RAID.

Once you have done this, shut down, restart, then go back into BIOS to set the system for AHCI. Your drives should then be properly recognized.

 

It works It works..! haha..

dunno which one is the correct one..but i just set em all into enabled..they are.."Intel Virtual Technology" and "RAID OPROM UI"..they both used to be disabled and i changed em to "enabled"..

so now i can enter the RAID setup..but..im kinda afraid to choose an option.. ..coz i dont wanna any problem..so im trying to not be rushy this time..lol..so..just wanna reconfirm it with you which option should i choose Mr. Fox..haha..

There are two options that make me confuse, number 2 and 3.

what does it means by "Reset Disks to NON-RAID", Mr. Fox..?

which one should i choose..?

and if i have to delete the HDDs from the list, they should the underneath the "PHYSICAL DEVICES" section, am i correct Mr. Fox..?

I dunno how much thanks should i say to you, Mr. Fox..you're really" helpful..!

BIG thanks Mr. Fox..!

 

It means the drives will not be in RAID after selecting this option. I do not know what the functional difference is between #2 and #3, but either option will work if you are going to do a clean installation. I would choose #2. (That's what I have chosen in the past.) I am guessing #3 might save the data somehow, but I am not positive. (No reason to save the files if you are doing a clean install.)

Yes, you are correct. They will be listed in the physical devices section, but they will be listed as non-member discs.

The best way to say thank you is to just say it like you did. You can also give a rep point by clicking the middle icon on the lower left. It looks like a scale.

Have a great day (or night, depending on your location).

 

haha..im in Australia, and it is 12pm now..lol

I have added a rep for you yesterday, and when i click that again, it said that i have to spread to the other first..haha..

yeah..im trying to figure out what's the differences between them, just want to expand my knowledge about this thing. This is the best description that i can find in the internet. Take it from "Installation Readme of Intel Matrix Storage Manager"

************************************************************
* 11. OPTION ROM RAID VOLUME MANAGEMENT
************************************************************
The Intel Matrix Storage Manager option ROM provides pre-os
RAID volume management which enables the following:

1. Create a RAID volume
Use this option to create one or two RAID volumes.

2. Delete a RAID volume
Use this option to delete a RAID volume.

3. Reset to Non-RAID Hard Disks
Use this option to reset a RAID configuration to a non-RAID
configuration.

************************************************************
* 12. OPTIONS TO RESET THE RAID VOLUME in Option ROM
************************************************************
Intel(R) Matrix Storage Option ROM user interface provides two
methods for resetting the RAID volume,
1. Delete RAID Volume
2. Reset Disk to Non-RAID
Differences between the options are noted below. Users are
advised to select the option judiciously.

12.1 Reset Disk to Non-RAID

This option is used to reset the metadata on the disk which
participates in more than one RAID volume in single operation.
It should be used if 'Delete RAID Volume' option fails for any
reason and to reset a disk that has been marked as Spare and
offline member. When a disk in the RAID volume is reset to
non-RAID, RAID metadata is erased. However, partition table and
file system related data still exists, which may be invalid. This
might cause Windows installer to misinterpret the information
available on the 'reset disk' at the time of installation. This
could result in unexpected behavior in OS installation.

12.2 Delete RAID Volume

When a RAID volume is deleted, RAID metadata on the participating
disks is erased and sector zero is cleared, that is partition
table and file system related data are reset. Windows installer
will not see any invalid data at the time of OS installation. This
is the recommended method for reconfiguring the RAID volume and
installing OS on it.

-----------------

I will definitely choose "Delete RAID Volume" tonight. lol.

btw, according to that, does it means that if we choose "Reset Disks to NON-RAID" data, the HDD will become NON-RAID but we can set it back to RAID again someday..?

and..if i may to ask something Mr. Fox (just curious though), why we couldn't change AHCI back to RAID..?

Hope everything go well tonight..

Thanks Mr. Fox..

 

I'm not 100% certain of this, but I think the Intel Rapid Storage Technology will allow you to convert a non-RAID Windows installation to RAID, but not the other way around. (I don't know why I am thinking this, but it seems I remember reading this some place. As much as I try to avoid it, I may just be full of crap about remembering this.) In order to convert a non-RAID disk to RAID, I am fairly certain that you must set the BIOS to RAID instead of AHCI before installing Windows. You do not have to install Windows in a RAID array for the BIOS setting on RAID to work on a non-RAID. (In other words, set the BIOS to RAID, but don't create an array... just install Windows.)

There is an Intel Rapid Storage Technology GUI option in Windows to create a RAID volume, but I do not know if that will work when it involves the host OS drive, or just 2 or more secondary drives. I've not taken time to learn the ins and outs about it because I don't see RAID volumes as being all that relevant... at least, not relevant to me.

 

Have installed the Windows 7 back, Mr. Fox..now im downloading all of the driver and catalyst..

I havent installed any of them yet, but i think it is not gonna works..wish i am wrong..

 

No reason to expect it will not work. Be sure to check this out...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...nstall-amd-reference-drivers.html#post7500409

 

hmm..im just afraid that the Alientouch wont work again..as well as all of the problems that i listed in the first page wont fix.. I haven't download all of the driver and haven't installed them because internet connection problem. But i have installed catalyst 11.6..and i will install and download all of them using my uni internet..much faster and unlimited.. ..hope all will be gone well..

btw..should i follow the link that you gave again if i have already installed catalyst on my r2..??

 

No. If you're not having a problem, don't fix it. Go with what you've got. If you need to start over for some reason, then follow those instructions.

 

Sorry for the noob question Mr. Fox..

How to install BIOS Mr. Fox..?

do we need to boot it in DVD or Flash disk again, or just extract the RAR file and then install it from the .exe file..

thanks Mr. Fox..

 

Mr. Fox..same problem occur..my network controller is not detected..so i cant use wifi..what can i do about it..??

the OSD works for some parts..like the battery, camera, etc..but it doesn't work for LCD brightness..weird..

 

You can flash the BIOS within Windows using the executable file.

It sounds like you may be having a hardware problem. Is your R2 still under warranty? If so, I recommend that you call Alienware Support to have them look into the situation. If not, we can continue troubleshooting, but it might be difficult to pin down at the rate we are going on this thread.

 

No..my warranty has already expired..but i can still extended it..

But before i did recovery with resource CD..all of my wifi and stuff did well..isnt it can be a proof that there's no hardware problem with my R2..? i was so happy with the performance before i did recovery..but now..it just feels like full of problems..but after i did the clean install..problems are gone one by one..

btw..Is there any way to see what is my Network Controller model except opening the case, Mr. Fox..?? So, i can try to install the correct driver and maybe it will works..coz i have read so many people suffer missing network controller too..and what they did is just see the brand, model and type of the NC and most of them were solved..I have tried to use a software like Driver Detective, but it is still unsolved (the full version one)..

Oh yeah..the LCD brightness OSD solved after i install CC..my R2 is getting better except the network controller things..should i just buy a new network controller and install it..?? I am just afraid when i think how to install it by myself..lol..

 

C double U, there is probably nothing wrong with your network controller. Glad almost everything is working now. Please post a screen shot of your Device Manager with tree expanded for the network adapters. If you have any "Unknown" devices, make sure they are showing also. I need to see what's going on.

Do your m18x have any network/internet access functionality, or both wired and wireless are not working?

 

Um..i havent tried the wired, coz apparently my uni lock the LAN port, so i am not sure does it works or not. But, i think it should works because before I did clean install, I used to use the LAN port to connect to the internet at my friend house.

Ah yeah..my Memory Card reader also doesnt work, Mr. Fox..it used to be worked before i did the recovery..I dunno whether all of these input except USB work or not..hope they all work fine..

This is my device manager screen shot, Mr. Fox..

 

Are you running a cellular air card? If not, then you should not have the Sierra Wireless device showing under network adapters.

Open the properties for Network Adapter, go to the Details tab, and change the Property drop-down list to Hardware Ids. You can Google search the property ID information to confirm exactly what hardware you have, and then install the correct drivers. See the screenshot I have attached for illustration.

 

Yeah..currently im running cellular card with Sierra Wireless modem..but i need to use wifi on my uni..

Oh..okay..i will try it once i get home..

any idea what happen with the memory card reader, Mr. Fox..??

 

Did you download and install the media card reader software/driver package from support.dell.com?

 

I didnt found any driver for media card reader on the dell support, Mr. Fox.

Do you know where i can find it..?

I have installed all of the driver from dell support except for the Video driver coz i use catalyst 11.6 already. So, there's no chance for any drivers to be missed coz i have double check all of them in one list..

 

Hi C double U, the media card driver is the RICOH driver...R251071.exe

For some reason on the support site it's listed under CD/DVD

I think that's the one you're missing.

Good luck!

 

Hi Greywolf.. ..thanks for the reply..

um..i have installed it yesterday..and i just tried to installed it once again just to make sure..and it is still not working.. ..hmm..dunno what's wrong about it..

Um..Do you know in which section that we can find our MC reader in Device Manager list, Greywolf..?

Thanks a lot for the help..

 

I'm not sure what's going on with your R2 at this point. If you installed the drivers that Greywolf22 pointed out, you should have a working card reader.

Did you get your network card issue sorted out yet? Did you try Googling the hardware ID numbers to confirm which wireless cards you have?

 

According to what I have searched on Google..I think my network controller is:

DW1520 Wireless-N WLAN Half-Mini Card

Um..I think I have known the problem..but i am not sure..

When i check to Dell Support page, there's a driver for this device..and I also have downloaded and installed it yesterday..however..when i try to install it once again just now..it seems like there's something wrong with the driver installer..once I execute the installer..the file begun to extracting like usual..but after that..there's nothing happens..there's no setup or something like the other drivers installer that usually prompt a new windows..

Is there any other way to install it rather than run the installer..??

bout the card reader..it still hasn't fixed yet..will find out later (maybe)..it's very difficult for me to have a laptop without wifi..everything feels stuck..

 

wooohooo..got it..now my wifi works..!!!

yes..something wrong with the installer..i was trying to install via device manager..but it is just the same..problem..problem..problem..after finally..i find this post by BatBoy..

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...reless-n-wlan-half-mini-card.html#post6899534

so i tried it..at first..i changed the "Rxxxxxx" to mine..R262653..but i encountered a problem..error coz there's no such a directory..so i desperately tried to check to the directory..i found that apparently, there's a "R262653" folder in the first "R262653" directory itself..so i change it into:

C:\dell\drivers\R262653\R262653\DRIVER_US

suddenly, the windows prompted and say installing driver update..I WAS SO EXCITED.. ..as i desperately expect..the network controller suddenly detected..!!! i was screaming instantly..!!! hahaha..

now..memory card reader problem..i have to look up in the internet again..hmm..

but ultimately..without you, Mr. Fox..my problem will never ever solve.. ..so..

HUGE HUGE THANKS Mr. Fox..! I learn a lot from you..

Respect..

 

btw..do anyone know under which section and what is the name of media card reader in Device Manager list..? thxx...