HOWTO GUIDE: Running Vista x64 on m15x

YES. The key that you currently have on your laptops sticker CAN be used with a 64bit version of whichever windows edition that your lappy came with.

Tom

 

Just thought I would drop a quick note and let folks know that I am in the process of installing Windows 7 build 7000 on my m15x. I'm hoping the Alienware tools will work as the OS is x32.

I'll report back on the testing.

 

I've been poking around in windows 7 in a VM on my m15x. I don't like it very much... but it might grow on me.

 

I don't know if it was mentioned, but Alienware has posted x64 Vista drivers on My Hive!! They include the OSD and everything.

 

I am having a few issues with x64 Vista on my m15x, I kind of wish I had tried everything with the original x32 because I'm not really sure if the problems are related to the new OS or not. Installing a x64 OS was actually the first thing I did when I took it out of the box...

The first problem I have is when I swap to the onboard Intel Drivers, I have "clouds" of pixels that are rainbow colors that flash, as well as a cluster of vertical lines on the left side of the screen that extend all the way to the top and bottom of the LCD. I was hoping that when I installed the Intel drivers it would fix the problem but it didn't, the lines are also visible at the start-up process where there is the black and gray Alien head, this makes me worry it is a hardware issue. I don't really like staying in this mode because it freaks me out that if something isn't broken yet, it looks bad enough it might if I don't go back to my Quadro.

The second issue is that I am unable to get sound to my HDTV with the HDMI output. I originally had drivers from laptopvideo2go because they gave me the best performance, but had read that with HDMI the sound output could be dependent on the video drivers. I have made sure that the ReakTek sound is on digital output instead of speakers and this didn't fix the issue. I have since then gone back to the Alienware graphic drivers and uninstalled and reinstalled the audio drivers, I am still unable to get sound to play on my TV from the laptop.

Any help would be appreciated! I've been a big fan of this post, it has been very helpful to get my machine running more like I feel it should have been able to run from the start.

-Brandon

 

I saw that... I'm not going to go through the long a deluded process of "upgrading" when using Vikas' stuff works just as well...

I'm still debating on downgrading my synaptics driver to the one off the disk to get the functionality of the external mouse disables touchpad thing.... try and carry the settings over to a newer version maybe?

bah. decisions decisions.

 

if you get the new version of CC it has the setting for this

 

OK, so far Windows 7 (build 7000) x32 runs great on my m15x. It is very quick and uses less resources than Vista. Also, the OSD and CommandCenter work perfectly. The only issue I have run into is with the 1GB onboard Intel flash. The Intel driver won't install due to the OS version.

I expect to have the x64 version around the time of CES, and will do testing with that as well. For those who have pulled down the BT of Win7, it is worth playing with on the m15x.

 

i wonder, have your benchmark scores improved at all?

 

I got a m15x and tried to install the 7000 build x32, and now my keyboard lights are not working, I installed the Command_Center_1.28_SP1 and .net 3.5 and the OSD and still nothing, then I tried to do the manual regedit thing, still nothing, yet everything else seems to work quite smoothly, James did you do a clean install in in that case what did you do to get the lights to work?

and to everyone Happy New Years!

 

7000 build? You mean Windows 7 build 7000? If you did, I think this is the wrong thread for you.

 

Could you upload this all new drivers somewhare?i can't see it in MyHive

 

He doesnt need to.. they are all under the downloads category on the Alienware (US) site.

Tom

 

I can't see the command center in this>>> http://support.alienware.com/Suppor...rocessed.aspx?os=WV64&cat=32&manu=8&item=1050
Have they forgotten abot this or what?This drivers are not complete

 

Ah well that would be under myhive (if your m15x is new and you ordered 64bit windows with it)
To make command centre work correctly under 64bit windows you'd have to use Vikas' guide to modding the 32bit version, or wait for someone nice (that ordered 64bit win) to post us a link to the 64bit version

Tom

 

i have just installed vista ultimate 64 bit on my m15x, as a dual boot setup, wanted to make sure i had no problems and could still get into my 32bit version just incase. it worked out of the box, installed pretty quickly to be honest. windows update downloaded pretty much all drivers apart from the turbo memory, it did however point me to the correct site via a dialogue box, which was very handy. i then followed this thread to the letter and everything has been working splendidly. i know i havent got hardly anything on the partition, or any programs installed, but it definately seems to run quicker/smoother than th 32bit version(which is also vista ultimate), even when first installed, yes, ive had to reformat a few times lol.

so overall, im pretty impressed with it to be honest, and will indeed give findvikas rep for his guide that got all the AW stuff working perfectly.

im know thinking about whether to give windows 7 a run out, is the ^$bit version of that available?

 

Sorry for the delay. I did a clean install in a separate partition and then installed the Alienware x32 OSD and Command Center. After that everything worked perfect.

I just wiped out the x32 build and replaced it with x64, and again with the Alienware drivers everything is working perfect.

 

has anyone got this to work with the 9800 gt?

 

I can't imagine why this wouldn't work with the 9800M GT...

the drivers for all four cards are the same.

 

it just doesn't

 

Hmm... it may not as the driver package uses little old drivers for graphics. Not even 180 I guess, as I cant remember the exact driver I used in package. You should be OK to download the latest driver from My Hive for x64 or if you look into auto update section you should get the driver there... oh wait I am on win7 but they should have it for vista as well, no?

 

Still no user who purchased m15x with x64 Vista,
Command Center x64 needed

 

i think you can DL it from MyHive by now...

EDIT: just checked, no dice.

 

no,I can't I don't see it in MyHive
if anyone have this x64 command center,please upload this somewhere

 

why not follow vikas' guide?

 

I'm not seying that vikas' guide is bad(btw. great work vikas') but if have x64 command center from AW I dont have to patch this vikas' software.

 

It seems that AW is just so particular, that it is easier to just download stuff from them, hover when they don't have it, or what they have doesn't work, than your left with conflicts.

 

Command Center 64 bit is already in MY HIVE, so check your HIVE! I'm downloading it right now.

 

Aye, I've also noticed that they've re-released version .28 for 32 bit. I'll be downloading both versions of the Command Center and will be uploading them to my server shortly.

 

It's lame they always fill my inbox with "2" emails for the same promotion every time, but never send us update email for "new software available" in MyHive... they should!

 

I'm going to be taking over shadedurza's thread later today and will be setting up a new m15x mini-MyHive thread with the x64 bit Command Center included.

 

hi guys(esp findvikas,lol) how you getting long with windows 7? ive got it installed and everything is A ok. however im wondering if youve got any of the alienware programs working on it. ive just tried the x64command center, and its a no go. its turned the lights off on my keyboard(m15x) but thats it, it doesnt display the command center or anything. touch controls are working it seems after installing the OSD utility, bluetooth comes on, stealth mode kicks in, wireless adapter turns on, command center does nothing. however there is no on screen prompt to say they have been turned on or off.
sorry if you have gone through this before in this thread, but 54 pages is a lot to read through!!

 

I am running Windows 7 x64 and most of the Alienware drivers work except for the Command Center and the 1GB Turbo Memory Driver. I have read that there is a work-around for the Turbo Memory driver but I haven't tried it yet. As for the keyboard lights, I am dual-booting Vista x64 so they stay on when I'm running Windows 7.

 

yes ive got the keyboard lights working, had to use findvikas' theme file and that sorted that out. i cant get face recognition to work though. it doesnt even load. the webcam is working stand alone. but the facial recog doesnt come up in cmmand center or when i log into windows.touch buttons and OSD are all working. where did you read about the turbo memory workaround?

 

I kind of starting to hate Command Center and totally banned it on my m15x I am happy with Color Wheel when I want to change the colors. Facial recognition is a problem when done via a software, very slow at times.. at times does not even recognize you & my fingers runs faster than its image processing engine. When you say that you don't have screen prompt - that means either OSD is not installed properly or not working properly. I got it working without any probs, installed 64bit OSD from myhive and it works fine.

 

the OSD is now working and im getting the prompts, as i said, command center is working now, the only thing that isnt working is face recog, which as you so rightly say, was pretty lacklustre anyway really. i used your theme file to get the keyboard back into command center. so end of the day, as you say. i can live without face recog. nice one

 

As you are in x64 bit, their supposedly fixed 64bit Command Center had a glitch last time they released it to auto update and it does not give you the AlienSense by default. I patched the previous command center to make it work under x64 & display AlienSense as well.

You are under x64, right? Windows7? and what version of CC ?

 

i have windows 7 64bit version installed, and have downloaded the 64bit version of command center, which didnt seem to work properly, so i went though your process and it worked better but there was still no keyboard. so i downloaded your theme zip which added the keyboard. i have installed the webcam, plus the webcam update, but that still doesnt show in cc. and when i click on alienfusion, that just freezes cc. i guess i will uninstall all things alienware and try again?

 

I havent tried 64bit CC from AW yet, never on win7. Let me do it today and see what you got.

If you must have CC with AlienSense then you can use my GUIDE on win7 as well. I have given New Command Center's link & patched files for new CC. This will make it work under win7 as well, I hope! In the meantime I will try official x64 on my win7 this weekend.

 

I install vista x64 and keyboard does not detected,I try do this fix:
1) Open task manager, go to processes, select AlienwareAlienFXController.exe and click End Process
2) Open Regedit
3) Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\SYSTEM\BIOS
4) On the right hand side, check the BaseBoardManufacturer value it should be "Alienware"
5) Change it to "ASUS" (without quote)
6) Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Alienware
7) On the right hand side right click and create a new DWORD value, name it "AlienFXKeyboard", set its value to 1 (name seem to be case sensitive)
9) Start the Command Center, it will ask you to start AlienFX Controller agree to it.
10) Go to Theme->Close Theme
11) Go to Theme->Open Theme->Choose "Alienware" (the default theme which came with Command Center)
12) You should have Keyboard listed there now (tell me if not)
13) Choose the color, apply them and close the Command Center
14) Follow Step 1 to 3 again
15) Revert the BaseBoardManufacturer to "Alienware"
16) Delete the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Alienware\AlienFXKeyboard key
17) Start the command center again and you should have the keyboard value there.
18) To confirm that it works, close the current theme and create another new theme and it will still show the keyboard in there.


but it doesn't halp

 

Please try other 2 or 3 fix as well.

 

I can't see "alienfusionapi.dll "
EDIT: I don't know how I did but everythings is fine now,thanks

 

Hey I just noticed that they added all the vista 64 drivers in myhive in alienware.com, I tried doing a clean format and installing windows with those drivers but first of all the keyboard didnt work even after doing the fix in here and the fix in alienware.com, another problem I have is that my computer starts crashing after 4 or 5 minutes when it starts windows. I think this has to do with the video card. Are there any known problems with the video card drivers? (nvidia) because I just did the roll back driver to the one that you provide in this guide.

 

None that I have encountered so far. I would recommend uninstalling the nvidia drivers completely, running driver sweeper, do a reboot and fresh install the drivers from either AW.com or the one I provided here. It should work...

 

I will be traveling to US & attending TechReady for all next week in Seattle so wont be reachable until next-2-next week.

 

Hey guys, has anyone found out a way to reactivate the alienrespawn partition after the installation of a new windows. How do I activate it so that I get my option to boot into alienrespawn back at bootup

 

Just finished 64bit vista ultimate install..
Everyting complete except the comand center.
(will try that later but not too bothered)

Does anyone have a copy of the 15x alienware theme?
You may think its quite sad but ive become quite attached to it.

Im sure ive seen the theme here somewhere but ive been searching all morning without luck.

I've also now got the dell signe in my welcome centre page
(64bit vista dell disk)

i was thinking that i could copy the one from the 32bit version over i just dont know how, any tips?

other than that the install went very well, no problems at all.

Pete.

 

Comfirmed working on ALX Desktop 32-bit,
64-bit testing will begin tonight *twiddles fingers*
(=

Thanks a bunch!

 

I'm guessing that you'll need to mess with the nt boot loader, which I wouldn't particularly recommend. Someone probably at some point unearthed with tool made that partition in the first place. If you have that as a starting point you might have something to go on.

 

actually, you just set the AlienRespawn partition as your boot partition. can be done in most half-decent partition managers.

it'll automatically roll over to the first partition (I believe), after the "Press Any Key to Respawn" prompt has timed out.