Windows 7 64-bit drivers for the m15x (not M15x)

So theres no fix for getting AlienSense to work?

 

Well apparently my BSODs arent caused by Kaspersky so I dont know whats causing it.

 

Alienware has put up instructions and links for installing Windows 7 x64 on the m15x. Go to their website's knowledgebase and search for article 6048. I haven't tested it myself so take with a grain of salt.

 

That is a good guide.

I decided to clean install and install all alienware provided drivers, and they all worked fine.

Touchpad driver is functioning (FN + F12) It's the alienware Win7 64bit driver in zip format.
The Realtek Driver comes with the control panel.

 

Yeah I ran the Command Center they provided and it's controlling the Alienfx just fine. still couldn't get auroralightsfx installed but i guess that's a non issue now If I have the Command Center working.

 

I found out a few things over the past couple of days. The only problems in running Windows 7 is that the Alienware software, of all things, don't work very well.

The Windows 7 OSD crashes every time I try to do something like Fn+F7 or even open up Command Center. I had to set the OSDManager.exe to run using Administrative rights, but it brings up the Windows UAC screen every time I log in. Disabling UAC is a dumb thing to do so I'm putting up with it until Alienware fixes it.

The Command Center doesn't work out of the box and you have to apply that registry key included in the support document 6048 to get it working with the keyboard lights. Even then it doesn't save your theme settings to the BIOS so it will revert to whatever my last saved settings were when I still had Vista when I shutdown or reboot. I noticed that even when it's up and running properly, Command Center makes the power/charging light blink for no apparent reason. And now even the AlienFusion feature isn't starting up. Every other device seems to work fine.

 

I followed the instructions on AW site when installing windows 7 64 on my m15x located here:
http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/...TEmcF9zZWFyY2hfdGV4dD02MDQ4&p_li=&p_topview=1


I downloaded the reg fix and ran it. Re started. I installed the Command center that is the latest update.

Now all of my lights are off and every time I open the Command center I get a message, "The device you have selected is included in the current theme but AlienFX cannot detect this device on your system. Do you want to remove this device from the current theme."

I select no, then go in and try to activate the lights with no results.


I could really use some help. I uninstalled CommandCenter. I reinstalled. Same result.

Please please please, help.

 

have you tried removing it and create a new one?

 

@Ran T. on the Alienware site it said to create a new theme and delete the older one. Did you try that yet?

 

I closed the theme. But the real issue is, the AlenFX does not see my hardware. I think I am going to have to call support. I have searched and not seen any issues quite like this.

 

You can try to reflash the BIOS and re-update the keyboard firmware RanT.

 

Well, I spent 4 hours on with AW support.

Basically, I had to install the original version of CC. It has the drivers for the lights where the new version does not. Then the new version, then the patch. Took them a looooooong time to figure it out.
I also have the slight flashing or blinking AW power button for no reason that another poster mentioned, and it can be a bit distracting.

Thanks for the comments dhoang.

Other question, when plugged in to a monitor using HDMI, I can hit Fn F6 to output only from HDMI, but it does not cycle back through to the laptop monitor or dual display. I have to go into the control panel and select the video settings and go through a few steps to turn on the laptop monitor again. Any suggestions there?

 

Try pressing the Windows key + P.

 

Nice, thanks.

If anyone discovers the fix for the power button flashing, let us know!

Thanks again dhoang!

 

No problem. I'm glad to help when I can.

 

Thanks for a great guide, however, I am not sure how you consider the Aurora FX Lights Utility is better than the AlienFX that used tom come with command cernter, unless I dont know how to use it, I find no way of making lights fade to new colors, only simply changing them to a solid straight color, which I find dull and boring. So if there is something I am missing, let me know, thanks

+1 for guide.

 

I'd rather have them change automatically to match with the wallpaper (which also changes automatically in Windows 7) which only the AuroralightsFX program can do. I think this is much better than just fading in and out to different colors. Also with this program you can also set a lot of different colors and tones which you aren't able to with the standard AlienFX software.

The software is very lightweight and quick and responsive which is a big plus for me.

 

OK, hope this is not another stupid question...

I installed the realtek drivers. Plugged in my m15x to my TV via HDMI. I can hear all stereo sound coming from the TV when hooked up VIA HDMI, like windows 7 sounds and other stereo sound. However, I can't get PowerDVD audio to transfer.

Now the TV is only a stereo TV so I am guessing the PowerDVD is outputting audio in 5.1 and not 2 channel stero, thus no sound. I can't seem to find a way to tell PowerDVD to output in 2 channel using the HDMI. Or do I tell Realtek?

When I plug into the speaker jack on the other side of the comp, the 2 channel plays no problem out of Power DVD....

What am I missing?

Oh, and when I plug in a device, like my desktop speakers, my realtek manager used to pop up, now it does not even though it seems to recognize that something is plugged in...

Thanks again!!!

 

I have some suggestions for you.

1. Go into the Realtek Control Panel and uncheck surround sound.
2. Download the Windows 7 patch for PowerDVD here LINK
3. I'm not using PowerDVD, but I think there should be an option in the program to allow 2 channel.
4. Use a different program like Windows Media Player and see if the program persists.

 

i'm really stuck. everything works except the osd(assumung the osd is the pop ups that occur when you press for example fn+f2)
the touchpad disabling works after using the patch, the fan utility works but binary gfx doesnt and no popups ever show if i press fn+anything.
i already use vista compatibility mode but it still does nothing. help would really be appreciated.
aside from that, great guide, i'm really glad this exists since i find alienwares support to be a little lacking.

 

Find the OSDManager.exe under C:\Program Files\Keyboard Manager. Right-click on it and go to Properties, and then go to the Compatibility tab and select the Run as administrator checkbox. The Windows UAC will pop up when you start up the computer, but if you click Yes, then it should just work fine after that.

 

thanks! everything works now, you saved my life.

 

thank you so much!, I still have a problem with my sd card reader, i cant seem to get it working

 

Hey thx, this worked for me too!

Only problem i have is my OSD keeps running in internal mode and not external... can some one help me out with this issue please?

---edit---

This is the problem i have and yes i can boot into internl but not switch to external

 

I think that it is pretty much UAC that's messing you guys up. You need turn it off or at least go into properties of the OSD manager and allow it to be run as an administrator.

As someone stated here earlier:
Find the OSDManager.exe under C:\Program Files\Keyboard Manager. Right-click on it and go to Properties, and then go to the Compatibility tab and select the Run as administrator checkbox. The Windows UAC will pop up when you start up the computer, but if you click Yes, then it should just work fine after that.


BinaryGFX only seems to work if you do this because it is controlled by the OSD manager (Fn+F7 key) which needs to be run as an administrator.

 

Hi guys,

I've put Win7 64 bit on my m15x over the weekend and everything is running sweet and much better than Vista 32 bit.

No problems so far, thanks to this thread.

I'd like to thank dhoang417 for starting this thread.

 

alrit. im using the AuroraFX and everything is great about it. other then it doesnt change the power button lights... any solution for that?

 

That's a bug in the program. Unfortunately there is no way to fix this. I tried to PM FindVikas, who created the program, but he never replied. So, I guess we are stuck with this.

 

Hey Guys!
First at all thanks a lot for all your install instructions, which helped me a lot to fix all the problems concerning windows 7 and the relating drivers.
But I still got a problem with the VGA drivers I guess. Like you told in the instructions I installed the VGA Driver build 186.81 for my 8800m GTX and did a reboot. than I wanted to test the stability of my new system with CoD 5, which was never a problem for my alienware, but during the first minute ingame, the game freezes and I have to close it with the tast manager.
Does anyone of you had the same problems with crashing games after installing windows 7?
Or does anybody know what to do to fix this issue?
hope someone can help me

 

Hey man,
Try to find your lastest OEM driver here

 

Install the official nVidia 186.03 windows 7 x64 driver from Alienware. They are here LINK

 

When I try to run the Respawn fix I get this error:

Change Mbr.ini Failed

I have tried running it as an admin also, and still I get the same error, any help?

 

Firstly, many thanks to Dhoang and all who contributed to this thread. Helps a ton.

I tried one of the newest 195.xx drivers from laptopvideo2go.com and I got a BSoD on start up. x_x 186.03 not only works but works well though? Will give it a shot myself in a second.

Lastly, I also get the same error as steven.

 

Also one more thing, I installed Comand center, and it doesn't even have the AlienFX option, did I install the wrong command center, I installed it right from your link.

EDIT.

The command center on your post is nont the latest version.

http://support.alienware.com/Suppor...d_Center/m15x_CommandCenter_Win7_x64_2010.exe

That is the latest version.

 

I tried steven's link and now my keyboard lights won't work.

 

yeah, I am having the same problem... sorry Ennea. also I noticed that this version does not have Aliensense.

 

This is what I got from earlier in this thread, I am working on it now.

 

the only problem is, when creating an advanced theme, there is no option for the keyboard lighting.

EDIT.

After following those directions, the keyboard option now shows up.

 

Nice. I'll try this out myself soon!

 

It does not have AlienFX. That's why I use the AuroraLightsFX app instead. So far, I have not gotten any trouble with my lights or Aliensense.


@Ennea - I'm using the drivers that I posted in my first post, and I've never gotten a single BSOD yet. You should try the official ones from Alienware and see how it goes.

 

your right, your link doesn't have Alienfx, and my link doesn't have AlienSense, I don't know why AW cant figure it out, they are becoming less appealing the longer dell owns them.

I dont like Aurora because it is way too limited, all the options with events and light morphing isn't worth giving up. I wonder if after I get all my settings done and save the ath file, if then I will be able to install your command center, and than keep my light settins, and also have AlienSense.

we'll see.

Also do you know a fix for the respawn, I tried the download you had, but it does not work, I keep getting the error I posted earlier. Thanks

 

The alienware Rep's fix has worked for me as well.

Also, thanks dhoang, I'll give those a shot first.

Edit: Has anyone else tried to download the Realtek Drivers? I get a message, after clicking next, saying that the object has moved here, in which here is a link. Then it sends me right back to that same exact page in a continuous loop.

 

Ennea,

I just downloaded the audio drivers in Alienware's section for Vista 64 bit. My understanding is that whatever drivers show up under Windows 7 need to be used in Windows 7. If the driver wasn't under the Windows 7 link, I just installed the one for Vista 64. Keyboard now works, OSD works (minus volume), Integrated Graphics works, Audio works, Mic works, and AlienFX works.

 

Mind uploading them somewhere and/or sending them to me? Audio drivers, that is. Everything else works just fine for me.

 

Here is the link to Vista x64 drivers. The Audio and chipset drivers are working fine for me in Windows 7. I have not tried any of the others. The only issues I still have are with the power light blinking and Alien Fusion and Sense not working. BTW the command center link on this thread is for the M17. I am also providing the link to the m15x command center. Note, AlienFX works here, just create a new theme and the keyboard lights up. You have to have the Synaptics driver for touch to work. Sense is not available and Fusion does not work. But it is for the M15x
-Alex

Vista x64 drivers (Audio is the first one)

http://support.alienware.com/Suppor...rocessed.aspx?os=WV64&cat=32&manu=8&item=1050

m15x and M17 windows 7 guide. Note m15x is the latter guide.

http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/...mQgY2VudGVyIHdpbmRvd3MgNw**&p_li=&p_topview=1

 

Cheers to you.

 

Has anyone else's temperatures risen in W7? My GPU now idles at 55C/132F and my cores are 33C-37C/91F-98F. All according to the most recent HWMonitor. What is everyone else's temps?

 

I get about 24C for the CPU temps on idle. I used to get about the same temps as you on idle for the GPU. It's most likely the aero interface on Windows 7 that keeps the GPU temperature higher on idle.

Recently my 8800 died though. I'm planning to put an 3780 in it.

 

Oh, damn. Let us know how that goes!

 

Actually I had "baked" the 8800 back to life three times before it finally giving up the spirit. It has served me well.

I just ordered the ATI mobility 3870 master card from Alienware today for $175.00 (including the 10% discount) as well as some Arctic Silver 5 from Newegg. I'll update once I get them up and running in 2-3 weeks.

Until then, I'll be glad to help out anyone in this thread as much as possible.