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    Fried AlienFX, any way to fix?

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by NukedFromOrbit, Mar 20, 2011.

  1. NukedFromOrbit

    NukedFromOrbit Newbie

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    Hello, recently I had to reinstall the OS and everything on a family member's M15X laptop due to some Windows Update error that seemingly nothing could get around. Looking back I probably should have tried harder to fix that. Too late now though.

    Anyway the re-installation of Windows 7 x64 went fine, and I made the poor decision to use the drivers disk to install some drivers and applications to get the system up to speed and allow myself to use our wireless network.

    One of the things I installed was the Alienware Command Center which I now know fries the damned system board if you install it from the resource disk. After searching around trying to see what happened I stumbled here and found out about this whole firmware corruption issue.

    - Upon booting up and shutting down I always get a Microsoft .NET Framework error.

    - I've tried removing the battery, power-cord, and holding down the power button for 20 seconds, then rebooting as somebody suggested.

    - Command center itself (a newer version) tells me "AlienFX cannot detect this device on your system"

    - I've tried the FXLite application which also told me it can't communicate with whatever should be running the lights.

    So I'm pretty certain I indeed broken something on the system board by installing that version of command center.

    Now is they're anyway to correct this short of getting the system board replaced? Thanks.
     
    NukedFromOrbit, Mar 20, 2011
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  2. NukedFromOrbit

    NukedFromOrbit Newbie

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    Second question. Does the corrupt firmware actually cause physical damage to the system board which prevents the lighting system from working? Can updated BIOs and firmware fix the problem?
     
    NukedFromOrbit, Mar 20, 2011
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  3. NukedFromOrbit

    NukedFromOrbit Newbie

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    - Update:
    I've just successful updated the system to the latest BIOS. No change. Any suggestions for firmware I should try to update?
     
    NukedFromOrbit, Mar 20, 2011
    #3
  4. xlawx

    xlawx Notebook Evangelist

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    if your controller is fried then there is no way to fix it other then getting a technician to replace the hardware


    and it sound like to did just that by installing driver using the CD
     
    xlawx, Mar 20, 2011
    #4
  5. MrValle

    MrValle Notebook Evangelist

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    this should be something DELL has to fix for free. Its totaly their fault.
     
    MrValle, Mar 20, 2011
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  6. RayStar

    RayStar Notebook Evangelist

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    As long as the system is under warranty call up Alienware support and tell them what happened and they should come and repair the mobo and FX controller board problem. I guess all I can say is you learn from mistakes :) Keep us updated and tell us how it goes.
     
    RayStar, Mar 20, 2011
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  7. Villosa

    Villosa Notebook Deity

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    Yeah it'll have to be a mobo replacement. Sorry, I went through the same thing and it sucks...
     
    Villosa, Mar 21, 2011
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  8. kosti

    kosti Notebook Virtuoso

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    So the AlienFX Controller is part of the motherboard? I always thought it was some sort of daughter board. Can anyone confirm this?
     
    kosti, Mar 21, 2011
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  9. xlawx

    xlawx Notebook Evangelist

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    lol believe it or not the light is the only reason why i bought this laptop, i dont even game much
     
    xlawx, Mar 21, 2011
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  10. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    The AlienFX controller is part of the motherboard.
     
    BatBoy, Mar 21, 2011
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  11. maxilick

    maxilick Notebook Consultant

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    This driver issue has been mentioned previously. This has helped myself in making a decision in discarding the original AW disk. Sorry to hear about this, however thanks for the prompt.
     
    maxilick, Mar 23, 2011
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  12. ricksoft

    ricksoft Newbie

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    My fx controller it's fried too T_T, where i can send my laptop for repairment since Alienware is now part of Dell? Approximately what is the cost of mobo if the warranty has expired?

    by the way... my laptop is the old model: area 51 m15x

    Greetings.

    OMG! I miss my lights! T_T
     
    ricksoft, Mar 24, 2011
    #12