Alienware 18 Updated Drivers

Since DELL stopped updating drivers of the Alienware 18. I noticed that there are updated drivers under the Alienware 13 Drivers page which after my testing proved to work 100% fine on the Alienware 18.

Keep in mind that both the Alienware 18 and Alienware 13 share the same motherboard southbridge chipset and most drivers like the Intel Chipset Software, IMEI, IRST, etc. are cross compatible.

I did not however put a link to the latest Intel Chipset Software 10.0.20 because when I installed it, it does not update all the mainboard components and only updates the Intel HM87 LPC Controller; thus, I stuck to the latest Intel Chipset Software posted under the Alienware 18 but from the Windows 8.1 section, again, they are compatible with Windows 7 as well.


Below is the full list of updated Alienware 18 for both Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 in the proper installation order:

Alienware On Screen Display Application 0.33.0.14

Intel Lynx Point HM87 Driver 9.4.0.1027

IMEI 10.0.28.1006

IRST 13.2.0.1016

Intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller Driver 3.0.1.41 (For Windows 7)

Realtek Card Reader Driver 6.2.9200.28144

Intel HD Graphics Driver 10.18.10.3939

Alienware GeForce Driver 340.84 for GeForce 690/765/770/780/860 GTX (During installation, choose custom, then uncheck the 3D Vision Controller Driver if you don't have a 3D Screen and un-check the nVIDIA Update component otherwise it would prompt you to update to the latest driver from nVIDIA which you may not want to do if you are sticking to Alienware Drivers)

Qualcomm LAN Killer E2201 Driver 8.1.0.23 (I recommend you only extract the package, then manually updating the Killer e2200 Gigabit Ethernet Controller driver from Device Manager by navigating to the appropriate folder from the extracted drivers. [ie: D:\Drivers\Alienware 18\Windows 7\08-LAN\Qualcomm LAN Killer E2201 Driver 8.1.0.23\inf\production\Windows7-x64\e22w7x] to avoid the installation of the buggy Network Bandwidth Control component)

Broadcom BCM4352 Wireless Bluetooth 4.0 Driver 6.5.1 (for Windows 7) or Broadcom BCM4352 Wireless BT 4.0 Driver 12.0 (for Windows 8.1)

Dell Airplane Mode Switch Driver 1.4.1 (For Windows 8.1 only)

Realtek ALC3661 Audio Codec Driver 6.0.1.7358 (The link is from Media Fire because if you download it from DELL directly, it is missing the Dolby Home Theater application which greatly enhances the audio quality, thus I have copied the Dolby Digital folder from the previous driver and this way, you get the latest driver + the Dolby Digital app)

Synaptics Touchpad Driver 17.0.8.2

Command Center 3.6.4.0

ST Microelectronics Free Fall Sensor Driver 4.12.0057

 

Thanks for this. Nice job, bro!

 

With the new updated Alienware OSD app, now it sets the battery to Desktop Mode by default to prevent over charging the battery and thus killing it eventually so n00bs who don't know about this feature would not need to manually enable Desktop Mode

 

The same versions of some drivers are in Alienware 18 "Drivers & downloads" page too, but Thank You for the newer ones.

 

yes as I mentioned, not ALL the drivers work, so I compiled the full list of the latest drivers, ones from the Alienware 13 that are the same due to same chipsets and other drivers that don't work, I simply linked to the Alienware 18 latest versions so you get the butter, latest of all that are compatible

 

I'm apparently some kind of noob because I don't know how to do this. But I'm a long-time Windoze power user, and I don't see any reference to this in the Windows 7 power configuration... is it some Alienware-specific thing? I'd certainly appreciate tips on how to do this - hate to kill my battery unintentionally. If there's a whole Alienware paradigm about charging the battery I should learn about, I'd love to get some links so I can read about it! Thanks!!!

 

Just right click on the power icon on the bottom right in the taskbar, then choose the first option "Desktop mode battery charge" then set it to Enabled

 

Thanks for your reply!

That's not listed for me. Is it an Alienware add-on to Windows? I'm in a freshly installed Win 7 SP1, still not online and updated with any Microsoft updates in case it comes from there. I only get "Power Options" and "Windows Mobility Center" in the context menu. I already have my power options set they way I wanted, but there are not any settings in there that control how the battery is/is not charged. Windows isn't smart enough to stop charging when it's topped up?

(btw, sorry to go on a bit of a tangent. The OP you made is VERY HELPFUL and I hope you'll be around here for the next day since I plan to ask several questions more directly about drivers. Thanks!)

 

I debated if I should reply here or not, but I started a new thread that is strongly related to/in response to this one:

Drivers: Descriptions and necessity for each?

 

that option will appear the moment you install the Alienware OSD application and has nothing to do with any Windows update

 

When trying to install this, I get "This computer does not meet the minimum requirements for installing the software". Hmm, do A18s come with various different *onboard* graphics???

Did you use the installer it comes with? Do you happen to know the last working version before this one?

UPDATE - Tried version 10.18.10.3496 from http://downloads.dell.com/published/pages/alienware-18.html and got the same error. Uh-oh. Not sure what is going on with that. Other driver conflict? OTOH, what does this driver provide that built-in Windoze drivers don't?

UPDATE 2 - The installer does not see any devices that match the inf files that come with it. So what onboard graphics could I have that are different than all the normal A18s? How can I get more info about my onboard graphics adapter? Here's the last part of the log file where the installer is looking but can't find a match:

[Checking requirements]
* Enabling DPIAware was successful
Checking for admin rights
Admin rights OK
Checking OS
OS check OK
Checking .NET configuration
Check Pass. Found ID: 8 , Min ID: 4
.NET check OK
[Scanning drivers]
Scanning drivers
Found INF = C:\ProgramData\Dell\drivers\Video_Driver_N3XF4_WN_10.18.10.3496_A03\DisplayAudio\IntcDAud.inf
Found INF = C:\ProgramData\Dell\drivers\Video_Driver_N3XF4_WN_10.18.10.3496_A03\Graphics\igdlh64.inf
[INF Info]
INF = C:\ProgramData\Dell\drivers\Video_Driver_N3XF4_WN_10.18.10.3496_A03\DisplayAudio\IntcDAud.inf
* Section <PackageInfo> Key <Sequence> not found in INF
Date = 01/15/2014
Version = 6.16.00.3135
ClassGUID = {4D36E96C-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
PackageInfo.Name = DAUDIO
PackageInfo.Sequence = 0
Manufacturer = Intel,NTAMD64.6.0,NTAMD64.6.1,NTAMD64.6.2
Resolved Manufacturer = Intel.NTAMD64.6.1
Inf supports 64 bit.
Description: Intel(R) Display Audio
HardwareID = IntcDAudModel7,HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8086&DEV_2805&SUBSYS_80860101,HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8086&DEV_2805
Description: Intel(R) Display Audio
HardwareID = IntcDAudModel7,HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8086&DEV_2806&SUBSYS_80860101,HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8086&DEV_2806
Description: Intel(R) Display Audio
HardwareID = IntcDAudModel7,HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8086&DEV_2807&SUBSYS_80860101,HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8086&DEV_2807
Description: Intel(R) Display Audio
HardwareID = IntcDAudModel7,HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8086&DEV_2882&SUBSYS_80860101,HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_8086&DEV_2882
[INF Info]
INF = C:\ProgramData\Dell\drivers\Video_Driver_N3XF4_WN_10.18.10.3496_A03\Graphics\igdlh64.inf
* Section <PackageInfo> Key <Sequence> not found in INF
Date = 03/11/2014
Version = 10.18.10.3496
ClassGUID = {4D36E968-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}
PackageInfo.Name = Graphics
PackageInfo.Sequence = 0
Manufacturer = IntelGfx,NTamd64.5.1,NTamd64.6.0,NTamd64.6.1,NTamd64.6.2,NTamd64.6.3
Resolved Manufacturer = IntelGfx.NTamd64.6.1
Inf supports 64 bit.
Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000
HardwareID = iIVBD_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0162
Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000
HardwareID = iIVBM_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0166
Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics
HardwareID = iIVBD_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0152
Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics
HardwareID = iIVBM_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0156
Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics
HardwareID = iIVBD_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_016A
Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics
HardwareID = iVLV2M_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0F31
Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics
HardwareID = iHSWD_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0402
Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics
HardwareID = iHSWM_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0406
Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
HardwareID = iHSWD_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0412
Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
HardwareID = iHSWM_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0416
Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics 4400
HardwareID = iHSWD_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_041E
Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics
HardwareID = iHSWM_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0A06
Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
HardwareID = iHSWM_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0A16
Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics 5000
HardwareID = iHSWM_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0A26
Description: Intel(R) Iris(TM) Graphics 5100
HardwareID = iHSWM_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0A2E
Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
HardwareID = iHSWM_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0A1E
Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics
HardwareID = iHSWM_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0A0E
Description: Intel(R) Iris(TM) Pro Graphics 5200
HardwareID = iHSWM_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0D26
Description: Intel(R) Iris(TM) Pro Graphics 5200
HardwareID = iHSWD_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0D22
Description: Intel(R) HD Graphics P4600/P4700
HardwareID = iHSWD_w7,PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_041A
Removed C:\ProgramData\Dell\drivers\Video_Driver_N3XF4_WN_10.18.10.3496_A03\DisplayAudio\IntcDAud.inf
Removed C:\ProgramData\Dell\drivers\Video_Driver_N3XF4_WN_10.18.10.3496_A03\Graphics\igdlh64.inf
Checking 4 part DID's
4ID check OK
! Didn't find any INF's that match active hardware
IIF will NOT initiate reboot
Exit code = 0xA005
ResultCode = 40965
<<< 2/13/2015 20:58:13:398


[02/13/15 20:58:13]
--- End of Vendor Software Log ---

[02/13/15 20:58:13] Vendor Software Return Code: 5
[02/13/15 20:58:13] logo.png
[02/13/15 20:58:13] Name of Exit Code: DEP_HARD_ERROR
[02/13/15 20:58:13] Exit Code set to: 4 (0x4)
[02/13/15 20:58:13] Result: FAILURE

 

Dude what are you doing???????? You need to switch to the Integrated Graphics first!! you are now using the nVIDIA Graphics Card so how would you expect an Intel HD Graphics driver to install?????????

That's why I said you HAVE to install the Alienware OSD Application! After installing it and rebooting, press FN + F5 on your keyboard to switch between integrated and dedicated graphics, once you do that your computer will reboot and will be using the Intel HD Graphics only. Then you can install any of the drivers you mentioned.

It's a good thing Del made it this way because other laptops have both the Intel HD Graphics + the nVIDIA Graphics working at the same time using a technology called Optimus which sucks because often some games or programs will still use the Intel HD Graphics despite one specifying in the global settings to always use the nVIDIA Graphics.

I'm out, you will have to figure the rest on your own and I strongly advice you not to do clean installs in the future or use anything but the OS that shipped with your laptop, it is not meant for beginners.

 

Nope, have not installed any nVIDIA driver yet. I'm not a beginner. Any other ideas why this would happen? Thanks!

 

as I said, you are physically using the nVIDIA Graphics now even if you haven't installed the driver. You need to switch to the Integrated Graphics via the FN + F5 switch on your keyboard. That will only work if you the the Alienware OSD Application installed.

 

After looking around a bunch, I found that there is zero information about this process online, particularly on Dell's site. Using your tip, I switched graphics modes and I do see that you can see which mode you are in by going into BIOS at startup and looking at which GPU is detected on the first tab of BIOS.

Interestingly, when you go into dedicated graphics for the first time, Windows finishes installing a few drivers (sound/video/something else). After that, the onboard graphics driver will install and work correctly.

Even more interesting and confusing is that once you switch to the onboard graphics, you can switch back to the nVIDIA cards and the *onboard* graphics driver WILL install!! From what I can tell, the installation actually doesn't do anything (device manager still shows "Standard VGA Graphics Adapter" which is the Windows built-in driver), even though the driver installer tells you the installation was a success. And I'm not 100% certain, but it doesn't appear to have any effect on the actual onboard mode -- you still have to switch to onboard and install the driver there.

It's ludicrous that there is no information at all about this simple step, not even as much as a note on the driver description on the Dell support/download page. I start to get the feeling that all Alienware users just use that AlienRespawn crap and never play around with things themselves.

Oh, and in reference to earlier questions I asked about good, non-fluff reasons to install certain software provided by Dell such as the OSD, well this appears to be one solid reason the OSD should not be skipped *unless you never run off of battery* -- the OSD seems to be the only way to switch to the integrated graphics mode.

btw, @Ferris23 you pointed out to switch modes not in this thread but in the "Yuppiee" thread, and in that one, you got the installation order backward. Still helpful nonetheless. Thank you!

 

Hello everybody!

Very sorry as its the wrong topic but could you say that the same procedure, order and drivers, will work not only with the Alienware 18 but also with an Alienware 17 R1 (mid 2013)?

I just got one and I'm in the middle of the windows installation.

 

YES.....

 

Thank you papusan! I know we're in the same boat.. Alienware 17/120Hz + living closer to the north pole rather than the rest around here

 

It's just that there's a lot more snow and colder here at home than where you live. HaHa


Ferris 23: Have you tested IRST 13.2.0.1016 vs 12.8.0.1016? Is there any difference in As ssd and Crystal Disk Mark ?
Is there any advantage to update to IMEI 10.0.28.1006 and Alienware On Screen Display Application 0.33.0.14 ?
Coming this from "Broadcom" BCM4352 Wireless BT 4.0 Driver 12.0 (for Windows 8.1) ?

 

No, No, and No
These drivers offer no performance improvement, just posted them to confirm that they work fine.

 

I thought first and foremost on the new irst driver, maybe New irst driver had a little better result in benchmark test...

 

Nope, not in my benchmarks

 

Hey Ferris, the new MEI 10... Does it cause any problems? When I tried the MEI version 10 from MSI from station drivers, my 3940XM downclocked for some reason... Do you get any such behaviour with this version?

 

It doesn't, also, I would never download anything from Station drivers, only download from the source or Dell's website.

 

Newer Realtek drivers, these include dolby home theater v4 already no need to modify anything, just extract and run the set-up file:

Realtek HDriver 6.01.7365

 

Strange, I always thought that the Realtek Drivers when not downloaded from the manufacturer do not include the extra bells and whistles like Maxx Audio for ASUS and Dolby for Alienware they are only the vanilla audio driver....

hmm thanks for letting us know

 

This driver is universal, it'll install maxx wave audio if that's what your computer came with or dolby home theater v4. It also installs alienware audio. It's what I'm using right now.

 

Thanks for confirming dawg

 

Also for anyone that's interested...

I run a receiver with a 5.1 set-up on my desktop through hdmi. I use direct mode and prefer natural sound without any extra EQs. As long as I'm ripping in flac/proper full size blu-ray rips, everything sounds great. However, direct on the AW18 isn't the greatest, it could use some help of an EQ.

I don't like how dolby ruins bass on the aw18, so if you're like me and want bass but also want to improve sound quality a bit then here's what I did:

1) Install the driver I posted earlier (make sure to uninstall any old driver/dolby software)

2) Restart and disable dolby home theater v4(yes I'm serious)

3) Install EqualizerAPO(don't restart just yet): http://sourceforge.net/projects/equalizerapo/

4) Install PeaceGUI for EqualizerAPO(download the exe and place it in C:/Program Files/EqualizerAPO/config/): http://sourceforge.net/projects/peace-equalizer-apo-extension/

5) Make a shortcut to the desktop or somewhere for the Peace.exe file

6) Now you may restart

7) Open up Peace and configure the equalizer to your liking(you should retain the original bass and the improvements will be added on top without ruining bass)

It may not sound as good as dolby but it will be a bit more natural and the bass will still be there

 

thanks a lot chief! this is something I was always complaining about, Dolby = great sound but no bass. No Dolby = good bass but crappy audio

this sounds like it would fix it

gonna try this

 

WOW!! man I installed this and chose the BASS BOOST preset and whoaa!! now I can hear some real bass!! thank you so much! you saved us Alienware 18 owners from the crappy and non existent bass to a great sounding machine!

cheers

 

lol it's a pleasure helping out my fellow alienware owners. When I saw your post about dolby killing bass, I couldn't believe it and had to see for myself. I was surprised how useless the dolby eq was at bringing back the bass so I decided a windows system wide eq would do the trick.

Glad it helps out. My AW18 sounds almost as good as my M18x now.

 

This thread has been pretty helpful, but this last tip pushed it over the edge. Currently using the latest drivers from the site as the last link doesn't work anymore.

Using a modified version of the Classic configuration, with a minimal bass boost. Audio is nice and clear overall on this, which is VERY nice, and there is a nice little bump of the bass.

I am noticing that audio seems to cut out at the 50Hz range though, and when I try to do any of the windows speaker testing with the Sub, I can't hear anything at all. Is that the lower range of the sub on this thing, or do I have this thing misconfigured? I am not expecting anything crazy high quality speaker wise, but it would have been really nice if I could test the sub independently of the other speakers to know for sure it is working.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

I'm going to check this out and see if it helps improve the muddy audio on the P570WM.

Edit: Yeah, it helped a LOT with the P570WM audio. Much better. Especially useful is the ability to pre-amp the pathetic subwoofer in this Clevo (without pre-amping the other speakers). I am going to share this in the P570WM Owner's Lounge. +Rep to Brother @ssj92

 

Thank you for this compilation, great job indeed.

I might be missing something here. I installed all of the drivers from above and got this:



Let's suppose that one of those devices is that bandwidth control thing you suggested to omit (is it?). What are the other three then?

 

Did you install the Card Reader Drivers and Intel Management Engine Interface?

 

Yeah. The problem was solved by installation of the Intel Dynamic Platform & Thermal Framework driver. I thought that Lynx chipset driver replaces it.

 

Good job, and no Intel Lynx Point (AKA Intel Chipset Software is NOT a driver really, it's just INF files to properly identify your CPU / motherboard components and have their names properly show in Device Manager) Even if you don't install them it won't affect the functionality of your PC but everyone installs them anyway the first thing for Device Manager to properly show all the motherboard / CPU components.

IDPTF is actually a driver for managing the CPU speed of Extreme Edition processors (MX line)

 

@Matrix Leader6 You say good job; It's not good job and install unnecessary garbage . This was not a good answer from you
TankJr_ Why install IDPTf ??? Uninstall this garbage... What should you do with this junk? Even if you have an Mx processor is not the same as that you need this driver and perhaps cripple the performance of your extreme processor. Unnecessarily garbage on the laptop there is no need for. Better to select other values in bios advanced settings self and use Xtu or/and Trottlestop... Select rather <bios> in ectreme edition and remove useless Oc profile and select <disabled> in extreme edition core ratio limit. Better set your own oc values. Doing everything right then come Device Manager to be as it should be without any missing names . An mx processor should not have crippled performance because of Dell crippled oc profiles, useless driver and power settings. http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...ownloads-confusion.681669/page-4#post-9376475

http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...ly-have-it-run-full-stock-turbo-speed.734696/

 

Not sure if that was Intel Framework driver uninstall or just luck, but with it I was unable to manually set clocks for my cores in XTU(upon restart i was back again at 41 39 39 38). Once it was gone (uninstalled it from control panel) the clocks were set to 41.