AlienFX Problems/Questions Thread

What steps/actions did you take before this error? What did you do?

 

i was mod gta 4 with ENB series when i started gta 4 game is crashed and all led light turn off. i was restar but led not turn on. i try to unistall and reinstall CC but this error not fix ... after that i try to reinstall window systems

 

which CC did you install? from where did the CC come from?

 

newest version cc on dell

 

It's been doing this since it came out of the box. I don't have any programs that use AlienFX. BatBoy recommended trying to reseat the keyboard connections, but I'm not sure if that would work. All of the lights work properly once Command Center starts running, it's only during boot-up that they act strangely. If I can't find another fix, I'll try reconnecting, but I think the problem is software/firmware related.

 

Contact AW Support. Not sure what happened with your system. If you installed the currently available CC for the M15x ( v2.5.54.0), you shouldn't have a problem. Firmware would not have been bricked. Something else is wrong.

 

Updated post ( http://forum.notebookreview.com/6417597-post3.html) with path to AlienFX plugin options for Windows Media Player.

 

is there a fix for alienfx not working? i've uninstalled/reinstalled commandcenter, removed reg stuff... reset with the power button blah blah.. if i repair the cc install every thing works fine for a bit, but after a bit it stops letting me change anything again, or after a reboot

 

On what system?

 

M17 r2 refurb

 

If you think you tried everything, attempt a fresh install of Windows 7 or restore if you previously made an early backup.
Post back with updates on your situation.

 

i went to try that and realized that since i've tried a bunch of uninstalls/reinstalls i have no restore point for when it worked...
i don't get it, it works fine after a repair of cc, then after a restart it stops... this is bull

 

The bottom part of the spacebar and some other keys next to it doesn't have the same light than the other. It look like the bottom led line doesn't working under certain keys.
Is this common or I can ask keyboard replacement?

 

1) Try creating and applying a new theme.

2) Attempt a power drain:
-remove your power cord and battery
-remove the backplate of your laptop held by the two screws
-next to the system fan you have the CMOS coincell battery, disconnect it
-flip the system and press the power button for ~20seconds
-put everything back together and repeat step 1) again.

3)if no success with the above steps call Dell and ask for a new keyboard.

Cheers

 

I tried 1 and 2 but didn't worked so I'll try the 3rd .
Thanks

 

Sorry to hear that, good luck!

 

is there a way to automatically turn off the backlit and all the funky lighting when the screen is closed and turn it back on when screen is opened?

 

Is there an event setting for it in Command Center?

Also does it really matter? The LEDs use up minimal amount of power.

 

Best thing I can think of is sleep...

 

Sleep or let it to "Do nothing" and use the "Fn+F11" key combo.

 

Only thing about fn+F11 is it doesn't turn off the outer alienhead.

 

Dell changed the keyboard but is the same so I guess it's common.
Anyone who owns m15x can make a video and upload to youtube, please?

 

Hey guys!

Just recently I installed a Vertex 2 SSD into my M11X R3 and when I went to install Command Center, once the installation and the subsequent restart occurred, It came up with a number of related errors.

The first was:

Microsoft .NET error

The second occurred once I continued on from the first...

ALIENWARE ALIENFX CONTROLLER

What results is that I can't alter the Alien FX at all, which is highly frustrating, does anyone know how to fix it or what is going on...?

 

I have an M17x R-2 and I can't seem to get the visualization option in WMP to show up. I have 3rd party access enabled. Anyone know why this won't show up? I know about the Winamp plugin, but I'd rather not use another media player if I can avoid it.

 

Anybody at all?

 

Uhm not an expert at this but....

When you are at the "now playing" view right click go to visualization there should say AlienWare Alien FX => Default. Then it should do the "light show"

 

I would like to know this too. I tried the visualization option but that only shows the alien head and has nothing to do with the lights

 

Nevermind. I found the answer. You must completely remove your current Command Center as it does not support the WMP Fx plugin. You must then reinstall the Command Center as given on the dell drivers website and it should work.

 

I'm having the same issues. I can't create or edit themes that I've downloaded for my new M17x.

I get this error when I open a downloaded theme:

It's...frustrating, to say the least.

 

That's my point...that option isn't even showing up and I want to know why. Should I try reinstalling command center?

 

Yeah, should give a try.

 

I reinstalled CC and it didn't fix the problem. The visualization option still isn't showing up in WMP. Does it show up in WMP12 with Windows 7 64-bit? Anyone else know how to fix this?

 

the alienFX tech is not really clear to me....can i change the lightning color everytime i want?

Is there a way to disable it?
Does it make the computer hotter?

 

1. You can change the lighting whenever you want using Command Center and going to AlienFX

2. Yes you can press FN+F11 (I don't know if its different on anything besides M17x) or right click on the AlienFX icon in the taskbar and click disable.

3. It doesn't make the computer hotter at all they are just LEDs.

 

nice..thanks for the information

 

my CC looks like this
ImageShack® - Online Photo and Video Hosting

why ? lights not working after reinstall win7

Help please

 

System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.ControllerMainForm.closingApplication()
at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.ControllerMainForm.controllerMainFormFormClosing(Object sender, FormClosingEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnFormClosing(FormClosingEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.RaiseFormClosingOnAppExit()
at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ExitInternal()
at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.OnThreadException(Exception t)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProcException(Exception e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnThreadException(Exception e)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)
at System.Windows.Forms.UnsafeNativeMethods.SendMessage(HandleRef hWnd, Int32 msg, Int32 wParam, Int32 lParam)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.SetVisibleCore(Boolean value)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.set_Visible(Boolean value)
at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.RunMessageLoopInner(Int32 reason, ApplicationContext context)
at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.RunMessageLoop(Int32 reason, ApplicationContext context)
at System.Windows.Forms.Application.Run(Form mainForm)
at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.Program.Main(String[] args)

 

Same is happening to me mate... no idea why!

 

glad to hear , that I'm not alone

 

Still haven't found a solution, thought installation of the A02 BIOS would help, but hasn't done anything. Seems to be tied to .NET or something like that, but I don't have the working know how of Windows to pin point exactly what the issue is, this is getting depressing

 

Does AlienFX drain the battery very much?

 

Hardly at all because LED's are very good at not using much power.

 

Hi, I tried installing a new win7 on my alienware m15x today. When installing keyboard/mouse software off dvd that came with laptop (NOT the resource dvd) my lighting went off. Since then I've completely reinstalled everything on my laptop and all work fine, except my lightning never came back on again!

I have an alienware mouse and that appears in command center and I can change its color fine, but I cant change the laptops colors at all, it's just not there. Removing the mouse I get similar errors to what everyone else is having ie Microsoft .NET framework errors! No idea how to fix this...

 

I would like to know how to make the lights change when you go into different apps. such as(chrome would turn yellow and photoshop would be blue)

Thanks so much for responses

 

Hi all. I have an Alienware M17x, Rev.3 I think (bought around April this year).

I recently bought a new copy of Windows 7 Ultimate (because it came with home premium). Before I formatted AlienFX worked fine, but now it says

"AlienFX for XPS" "The program did not install successfully. This software can only be installed in an Dell computer"

Is there some way I can trick Windows into acting as a Dell PC again, maybe by changing the branding or something? I can't edit any of my settings without the app but because it's onboard, the colours that I set up before are still there.

Thanks!


P.S. I can't sign up for the Hive (support.alienware.com) since they request an account number, and I don't seem to have received one. I should mention that I am based in the UK and here at least Alienware is merged with Dell so I only have the standard order numbers that come from them.

 

Hi all,

Admins: I did post in the AlienFX sticky but since a common forum mantra is "No-one reads the stickies" and this is apparently a big problem that no-one has ever found a solution for (see Google) I thought I'd make a new post - please feel free to merge with the sticky if that's more appropriate.

Right.

I bought an Alienware M17x Rev.3 back in April-ish time, in the UK. It was sent via Dell. I received no Customer ID in a folder or anything of the sort as suggested by people in forums found on Google, so I can't access the Hive.

It came installed with Windows 7 Home Premium, and I decided afterwards that I wanted Ultimate instead. After having a load of hassle trying to get an Anytime Upgrade from Microsoft working, I decided to shell out for the full version of Windows 7 Ultimate.

The only problem is, now that I've installed it, I can't get AlienFX to install - assumably because the Dell "branding" that is inserted into the OEM version is not present in the retail version. It now gives this error when I try and install AlienFX (downloaded from Dell's website):

"AlienFX for XPS - InstallShield Wizard"
"The program did not install successfully. This software can only be installed in an Dell computer."

I have tried a couple of versions of the program downloaded from Dell and other places (uploads on forums etc) - nothing works. I also have a copy of the actual install folder since I have a copy of the first install (Windows 7 Home Premium) - the program launches (AlienwareAlienFXEditor.exe" but says:

"The theme you are opening is not compatible with this computer. You will not be able to apply the theme", and the program now shows a question mark underneath the (assumably built-in Laptop for the M17x) saying "Unsupported Chassis".

Basically what I need to do is figure out how to either get the program to work, or install Dell branding onto the laptop to trick AlienFX into thinking that it's a Dell (which is it, but that's besides the point).

I've attached a couple of photos; any advice here would be appreciated as I can't modify or even turn off the lighting scheme without this program!

Thanks!


Edit: The installer for AlienFX is v. 1.0.36, although it does say that it's for Dell XPS rather than Alienware, but I haven't been able to find one specifically for Alienware, and it's not included at all on my Alienware Resources CD - I assume it's simply included in the OEM install. The installer that I've downloaded (the 1.0.36 one) says that it's for:
"For XPS Desktop: 625, 730X"

I've installed DotNet 4.0 also as the program running from the external drive (the already-installed one with Home Premium) said that it needed it to run.

So, it *could* be an incorrect version possibly? Would anybody have a copy of the AlienwareFX installer for a M17x Rev3 (or similar) running Windows 7 Ultimate that would be kind enough to give me a copy to test?

Edit2:
I just tried clicking the "M17x" laptop when in the AlienFX app on the external drive (see pic 3 below). When I click it, I get this error, and the app closes:

Code:

System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
   at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Editor.EditorCustomControl.zoneLedMap_GroupClicked(String groupID)
   at System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs.InvokeHandler(Delegate handler, Object target)
   at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.ReRaiseEventAs(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args, RoutedEvent newEvent)
   at System.Windows.RoutedEventArgs.InvokeHandler(Delegate handler, Object target)
   at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseEventImpl(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args)
   at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseTrustedEvent(RoutedEventArgs args)
   at System.Windows.Input.InputManager.ProcessStagingArea()
   at System.Windows.Input.InputManager.ProcessInput(InputEventArgs input)
   at System.Windows.Input.InputProviderSite.ReportInput(InputReport inputReport)
   at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.ReportInput(IntPtr hwnd, InputMode mode, Int32 timestamp, RawMouseActions actions, Int32 x, Int32 y, Int32 wheel)
   at System.Windows.Interop.HwndMouseInputProvider.FilterMessage(IntPtr hwnd, WindowMessage msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
   at System.Windows.Interop.HwndSource.InputFilterMessage(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
   at MS.Win32.HwndWrapper.WndProc(IntPtr hwnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wParam, IntPtr lParam, Boolean& handled)
   at MS.Win32.HwndSubclass.DispatcherCallbackOperation(Object o)
   at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.InternalRealCall(Delegate callback, Object args, Int32 numArgs)
   at MS.Internal.Threading.ExceptionFilterHelper.TryCatchWhen(Object source, Delegate method, Object args, Int32 numArgs, Delegate catchHandler)

Edit3:
When I installed the Alienware Command Centre (which does appear to have worked), AlienFX was apparently installed to the C drive also. However, running it presents a window that is empty, and trying to load one of my old themes just gives an error "Theme could not be opened". I have attached another photo.

Edit 4:
I just tried flashing the BIOS to the latest version, A08 from A04. No difference.

 

on the third picture of the 4 ones down your post, they show a alienware m17x r2 ( grey one) in the top right, try to get it from here : Drivers & Downloads
under the application tab

 

Thanks! However unfortunately AlienFX does not show up under that menu (see Pic1 below).
I did download and install both of those updates, updating the command centre and OSD. However, although the AlienFX head now shows in my system tray, the errors are the same - i.e. launching the program gives "theme not compatible" errors, clicking the laptop causes a crash etc. I've found that if I go to the "unsupported" device and then back to the laptop, it asks me if I want to add to the current theme, and if I tick "yes" it sort-of allows me to edit the colours on the software, but hitting apply or preview doesn't change what the LEDs are physically doing. Also, I can click "go light" and "go dark" in the system tray but neither actually affect the physical LEDs

Is there some way to get Dell branding back onto the laptop, or otherwise convince it that it's the correct chassis?

 

Do you have restore disks from when your system was OEM? If so, put it back the way it was (try it on a spare drive too if you have one). What in anytime upgrade was giving you issues?

 

I was just thinking that actually - I have an external hard drive in so I'm going to install the OEM copy onto that. If need be, I can leave that on there and whenever I want to change the FX settings I can boot to that copy, change them and boot back - even though that's a bit long-winded and, frankly, stupid considering that really the fact that it's no longer OEM branded, especially since Dell's site SELLS the full Ultimate disk as an optional upgrade, really shouldn't cause it to not work.

I definitely want to leave the main install as Ultimate though - downgrading to Home Premium permanently after spending £160ish to buy the full version of Ultimate is like the mechanic saying "Sorry that your brand new Mercedes isn't working, I suggest you use your old Clio instead" .

My problems with Anytime Upgrade are listed here - basically, I bought anytime upgrade and it told me that "This version of Windows cannot be upgraded", blah blah. Probably another one of Dell's stupid OEM lock-in things .

I'll install Home Premium on the other drive and update the thread, but any advice regarding getting the software actually working is appreciated.

Currently I'd like to know how I can either force Dell OEM branding on my full retail copy of Ultimate or otherwise "trick" AlienFX into seeing the correct chassis (M17x Rev3)