AlienFX - Command Center issue after Motherboard replaced

Never owned a 880M. And if I had it from others, I would advice you to talk with the modder of the firmware

 

Who is the modder you recommend to contact in this regards.

 

I would talked with @Johnksss and see if he could help you.

 

Yes, he is one of the best modders for all time, I'll try to contact him.

 

Alienware 18 was really a garbage system. The fans were ALWAYS too slow to spin up, the quality of the components was low (I blew 3 motherboards on the Alienware 18, never on the M17x or M18x....let that speak for itself). It wouldn't be a stretch to assume there is a sensor or EC damaged somewhere on the board if the AlienFX is also damaged.

 

I agree with you, it seems this is the issue.

 

Had this problem with a new motherboard purchased directly from DELL for the 17R1, nothing fixed it except changing the motherboard sadly.

As for undervolting the GTX880m ... I would personally recommend against it unless you are planning to underclock as well, otherwise it gets very unstable.

 

Thank you, I'll replace the motherboard, and see what will happen with the 880m after that.

 

I played with GTX880m vBioses for quite sometime trying to optimize this GPU. When you get your machine up and running, send me the stock vbios of one of these babies and we can gradually undervolt them to reach a stable state.

 

Okay, I'll do that, please find attached the stock bios.

 

Perfect. Tell me as soon as you have the machine up and running so we can test some changes on these babies.

 

Will do my friend, thanks again.

 

Try flashing a new BIOS on the board, it should do the trick.

As to the GTX 880Ms, they are heavy OCed versions of GTX 780M, only way to fix them is to tweak settings whiting the vBios to stop it from draingin as much, or you can mod your heatsink, either would probably fix it.

 

No, it will not. AlienFX has a separate controller with a separate firmware that the BIOS does not read/write to. If something damaged the controller or corrupted it's firmware, the only way to replace is to remove and change the whole chip. Alienware used to have a diagnostic port on older Alienware machines like M15x to read/write AlienFX firmware, but that has since been removed. Only a new board can fix that now.

 

So what you're saying is that someone has soldered an AW 17 chip onto the board?
because if it was corrupted wouldn't the software not be able to detect anything?

 

It seems that that company did that, it's used motherboard and it has other issues related to the power feeding the GPU's and the fans profile, this company has many technicians playing with those ships, trying to make some dead MB alive from other dead MB.

 

Well then I suppose they did indeed solder some M17x parts on the board then.

 

Not sure 100%, but I know they are doing that, I think they asked me to ship the original dead MB with their motherboard to do this, but I shipped only thrier MB to make sure they will replace it, not soldering some parts from here and there.

 

Please never give someone positive feedback if item u bought not working propertly... Unfortunately for me i bought mobo from same seller as u and i have same problem now.

 

They replaced the motherboard for $100 including shipping, and the laptop working fine now, the MB was used, I can expect something will go wrong. If they are not good, they will not replace the MB after 5 month. All information is clear in this thread about what is good about them and what is bad.

There is one scenario make them spam, that they are selling the effected MB to so many people, once they complain they do the replace and make us pay more $100 again and again, but I'm not sure about that, and I'm not responsible for anyone deal with them, they have 400+ evaluations.

 

I was going to purchase an AW18 MB to replace one that had failing USB ports and VRMs. I actually thought of using that seller but didn't.

And I never leave positive feedback till I've fully inspected, installed and tested items for at least a month just in case.

On the other hand, I absolutely LOATHE leaving negative feedback and only do it in case of blatant scamming or seller abuse.

 

Majority of the used motherboards on ebay, from any vendor are refurbished/repaired.

 

This problem appear once the charger connected to the laptop, can anyone help??!! This is different laptop with original parts, I just repasted with LM CLU few weeks ago.
https://imgur.com/a/J3EAG

 

Try to reseat the cable.

 

STOP. DO NOT USE THIS COMPUTER ANY MORE. MOSFETS ARE READY TO EXPLODE

My Alienware 18 did this shortly before catching fire briefly at the MOSFETs near the DC jack.

 

What?! are you telling me that the laptop will explode??!!

 

My Alienware 18 (which I have removed from my signature) started developing strange problems shortly before the DC MOSFETs blew up, including randomly cutting off completely or randomly losing display. The DC mosfets are of very poor quality in the Alienware 18, I would discontinue use until you find another board or can find somebody to replace all 4 mosfets on the motherboard. Mine went up in smoke (literally). See image for problem area



Alienware 18 very weak/cheaply build system, M18x R2 motherboard was superior

 

Is it possible to replace all 4 mosfets on the motherboard? where I can get it? and who can do the repair? I mean what profession?

I did remove the keyboard cable and the problem disappears, then I connected to cable again and everything is working just fine now.

Please guys, let me know if I need to be worried, this laptop is for a friend of mine and I need to make sure that he will be safe.

 

You need to find a small computer repair shop. Who can solder on new components. I tag in @Khenglish He can give you advices on what you need and how you do it. Google what types mosfets already used on this AW MB. Or see if you can find quality pictures who show exactly what is used.

 

I have broken MB, I got this picture now to those mosfets, I hope that I can find someone to remove them from this MB and solder them to the other one.

 

Great. Just sit down wait and hear what should be used/done

 

It's an easy fix with a heat gun. Much better FETs to use are SM4309PSKP or SM4311PSKP. These are much stronger FETs. MSI uses the 09 series, but the 11 is even stronger.

 

Okay, I will do that, Thanks for you all guys, really appreciate your kind support.

 

Thank you for your kindness, please let me know where to order them?

 

Great question. They are not on Mouser, Digikey, or ebay.

 

Is this OK?
https://www.icpdfdatasheet.com/index.php?route=product/search&search=SM4311PSKP

https://www.icpdfdatasheet.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=12845226

 

I never heard of that website, but it appears to be the right part.

$3 is a lot for a MOSFET though.

 

If you know any place please let me know, the part you advised in different code number than the one on the MB now, I just want to make sure about the MOSFET part #. Thank you again for your kind and fast reply.

 

Why am I getting ideas of desoldering my "09" mosfet (assuming I can find it), soldering in a 11 mosfet, and then pushing my GTX 1070 to 250W TDP?
Why Khenglish why....why do this to me?
@Papusan
Boy I really want an excuse to buy that Clevo don't I.....

I showed you the part in PM


But dear god...I don't have soldering skills. I can barely desolder a Cherry MX mechanical key switch....LOL.

guess I'm ordering some mosfets and blowing up my MSI Jokebook
@Khenglish
you're an awesome guy but should I do this?

BTW (thread crap), did you find how the MSI is supplying power to the MXM slot?

 

Please let me know where did you order?

 

I didn't order anything yet. I wanted to wait for Khenglish's confirmation but he hasn't replied.