Alien FX lights washed out after a Microsoft .Net security update

Hello everyone,

I am coming to you after this problem occurred because it seems I am unable to fix it by myself (which is very rare).

So Windows Update told me there was an update available for the .Net Framework and, as a nice guy, I let it update. It then asked to reboot and then, SHOCKING HORROR, I lost all my lightning color config (this is OK I can put them back, it's bad but not THAT bad), but the worse part is now, every single time I boot my beast, even before Windows loads, all my colours (Keypad + Keyboard + You-Name-It) get dimmed and washed out, it's so ugly I wouldn't even have bought this computer if this would have been the default standard (and it's not).

On top, I just noticed that in the AlienFX control panels, colours are all mixed-up, you can click on green and it shows some reddish, it's all mixed-up...

Now, my problem is that EVEN A SYSTEM RESTORE won't fix it, and reinstalling Windows from scratch to only fix this thing is the last thing I'd like to do...

I would be very very very thankful to anyone who could help me resolve this issue, this is the kind of thing that makes me seriously think about leaving Microsoft for Apple for good (I also own a MBP).

Here are the details:

1. Alienware 18
2. Windows 7 SP1
3. The updates that caused this pain is MS .Net Framework 4.6.1 update (KB3127233 &/or KB3102433)

I've tried everything I could think of, from uninstalling the update to restore the system (to two different restore points prior to the .Net update), but no luck, my colours get all washed out as soon as it passes the BIOS screen...

Please, if anyone can help, it'd be greatly appreciated, right now, I'm simply freakin' out!

Thanks a bunch,

eYe

 

Sounds silly I know but have you checked that the lighting Zones are not set to DIM.

Right Click on the Alienware head in the bottom right of your screen and see if the Dim Lighting Zones is ticked, if so then un tick it.

 

Thank you very much for your reply.

Unfortunately, that’s not the case; and I’m afraid something has been "broken" on my motherboard (not physically), but it looks like the MS update screwed up the AlienFX’s memory zone on the mobo, like if it permanently screwed it up…

I know it sounds silly as well (and it is very sick indeed if that’s the case), but the fact that:

1. The AlienFX lightning gets dimmed as soon as it passes the BIOS screen and;
2. The colors get washed out while they’ve always been brilliant, saturated and glowing and;
3. The "wheels of colors" of the Command Center are all mixed-up, NO color corresponds whatsoever;

…makes me think the MS update really screwed everything, and my biggest fear is that even a proper reinstallation of Windows will not fix this as if reverting back—with System Restore—didn't fix it, how would a full reinstall do the trick?


My next move will be to drain the freakin’ thing out by unplugging the main battery AND the little cell one; I will certainly loose some stuff (Time & Date for instance) but that’d be a breeze if I can get my original lightning back.

Now, I’m simply afraid of reapplying this MS-Siht update, and it’s a SECURITY update; I simply LOVE Microf…

Any other idea would be greatly appreciated, thanks again zabrilla!

 

reinstall alienware command center.

 

Hello Raidriar,

Thank you for your reply.

Did not reply sooner myself 'cuz I've been very busy working overtime these days, and suddenly, out of the blue, one particular day, I booted my beast and the led's colors were back to normal.

However, they're still screwed-up when I power it on, but they return to their original (mine) configuration before Windows loads, so I can live with that. I'm still afraid of re-applying the Microsoft .Net security update though...

I have now in the system 4 X 250GB LiteOn SSD in RAID0, but I just acquired 2 X 1TB Samsung EVO 850; I think I'll wait until I have the time to do it and I shall reinstall Windows on those drives; crossing my fingers my AlienFX lightning will remain the same.

Thanks again for your suggestion; I'll keep it in mind if I face the same problem again.



 

Hey,

I have an Alienware 17 (2013) and after an image restore noticed my 3rd party effects did not even work for some reason. I suspected the .net framework 4.6.1 update as an issue.

I just did a restore again and have that update hidden for now.

Let me know what you find out or if you did indeed come to the conclusion that the update to 4.6.1 was the problem.

I won't be able to find out my answer for about another week now. I'll let you know what I find out.