Alienware M15x cant recognise own hardware or install any drivers

Hi my alienware was acting up, so I decided to format and reinstall. I tried installing a new windows 7 from the OEM Windows 7 64 bit Alienware disk that came with my laptop, but the laptop will not recognise the disk at all! If I put the disk into the drive I get a series of low repeated beats or just humming. It never shows up under C drive. The same for the 'resource DVD' that came with the laptop. The Keyboard and Mouse utilities work though.

This is the first time I have ever opened the DVDs and the first time I have taken them out the box so they cannot be scratched. ALL other DVDs work fine on my laptop. So I installed Windows 7 64 bit off a DVD I had (my own personal legal cds) and that works fine, however the alienware doesnt pick up any of its own hardware (cant connect to the net, no network adaptor found).

So I entered my dell service tag into the dell support size and started downloading the drivers for network stuff there and transferring them to my laptop by USB. However, when I run them, they say they cannot run on that version of windows! Its 64 bit Windows 7 just like my old OS! I can't update the BIOS to A09 either because of the same issue!

Why don't my freaking OEM disks work, anyone else get a dull repeated beep when trying to get those damn dvds to work.... how can I install my drivers to get the laptop to recognise its own network adaptor so I can go online and fix the other stuff...ty

 

Try selecting your laptop and OS version manually instead of entering your service tag on the Dell download site to get the drivers you need.

Updating your BIOS has nothing to do with the OS. Create the bootable media on another pc making sure it works before trying it out on your M15x.

The media even though new may be damaged. Eliminate this factor by trying the dvd's on another machine. If it works its your DVD drive. All DVD readers/writers are not created equal and it may be that your drive over time has degraded and cannot read certain discs. I have experienced this before even discs that were burnt with the same drive yet they work perfectly on another DVD drive.

You're actually lucky that the resource dvd did not work. Pack that disc up and never use it again. It may contain an older version of command center that will brick your alienFX controller = new motherboard. ALWAYS download the latest drivers/apps from Dell.

Good luck

 

Alright thanks...I think the drive is a bit faulty.

I managed to get everything working EXCEPT my alienware lighting, it just has no lights at all anymore...I have command center installed but the only thing I can edit is my mouse lighting (it's an alienware one). No idea how to get the laptop lighting thing to appear..

 

...I only hope you didn't install an older version of CC from the resource DVD or somewhere else. You could try power drain and see if it helps.

If I remember correctly the CC install package contains firmware for the AlienFX controller and if you install an older version after having a newer version installed it will brick your AlienFX controller = no lights.

See here.

 

I know, I know, I didn't use the resource DVD to install anything because I read that! I used the Keyboard/Mouse driver CD that came with my laptop and during that installation the lights went off...so it's just not that 'Resource DVD' , it's the Tactx dvd also -.- The only command centre I installed was the NEWEST version directly from the Dell Website..

So now I need to get a new motherboard .. seriously! Retarded that the software that comes with the laptop screws it up so much!

 

Damn dude, I feel your pain Although the lights are one of the defining features of the laptop it still looks good when its off. And at least its just cosmetic and no functionality has broken. The only thing I can think of is the HDD read lights (power button alien eyes) that you will miss.

That said, Alienware did bollocks up this CC roll out. Especially with something that can be so easily replicated by mistake. Best way forward if you're out of warranty is to scout ebay to find a reasonably priced mobo and do the replacement yourself. It isn't as daunting as you might think. If you're still under warranty tell them to sort it.

Best of luck in finding a resolution

 

Remember that when you go to the M15x drivers download site, it defaults to Vista 64-bit as the operating system. You have to switch to Windows 7 64-bit to get the proper drivers for your computer. Otherwise, you end up with the Vista versions, which (thankfully) won't install. PITA, and easy to overlook, but necessary.