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    AlienFX wont work on battery

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by rifle_shot, Jan 19, 2009.

  1. rifle_shot

    rifle_shot Notebook Geek

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    Hello,
    I just got my system back from a hinge repair two days ago and now I have noticed a new problem: Alienfx will not work with the battery. If I start the computer plugged in all the lights are good, but on battery nothing(not even the power button) will work. I tried reinstalling the operating system(vista 32) and the command center but neither fixed it. I also made sure the power settings were set to keep alienfx on during battery mode. The only thing that seems to work is to unplug it and pull the battery, then hold down the power button for 10 seconds and put the battery back in, but even this only works for that 1 time, then I would have to repeat the process each boot. Any help is appreciated.
    -John
     
    rifle_shot, Jan 19, 2009
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  2. The_Moo™

    The_Moo™ Here we go again.....

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    sounds like umm lol i do not know...try a older version of command center
     
    The_Moo™, Jan 20, 2009
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  3. rifle_shot

    rifle_shot Notebook Geek

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    Tried the old and new version... seems to be a motherboard problem or something b/c no lights come on from the start and I get some error in windows saying that alienfx cannot communicate with the hardware...
     
    rifle_shot, Jan 20, 2009
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  4. findvikas

    findvikas Notebook Deity

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    Run the AlienwareAlienFXTester.exe from C:\program files\Alienware\Command Center directory. This will tell you the AlienFX Board's BIOS version. If you are on latest bios, that sometimes cause issue. You can switch back to old bios. First let me know the bios version that you have.
     
    findvikas, Jan 20, 2009
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  5. rifle_shot

    rifle_shot Notebook Geek

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    Hey findvikas according to the computer it is running 1.00.22, I used ur downgrading method to do so btw.

    Also when none of the lights are working and I run the AlienwareAlienFXTester.exe it comes up but "current version" is blank and above it where it says "board information" it says "No board detected"
     
    rifle_shot, Jan 20, 2009
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  6. findvikas

    findvikas Notebook Deity

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    Hmm.. I would assume that is perfectly normal and more of a hardware issue then software. This is how its done, when your system boots there is a chip (TUSB) which gets activated & control the AlienFX. At times when you boot, due to unknown reasons to me that chip does not gets activated on battery power & you do not get any lights. This chip, or should I say the AlienFX bios is responsible to turn on the lights at the boot up.

    If I were them, I would not pass the POST (Power On Self Test) if BIOS could not enable the AlienFX & give a warning there itself. But this is not the case with.

    I am clueless about what could be wrong here & why you facing this problem - try go to System BIOS & restore the fail safe defaults to see if that has any impact.
     
    findvikas, Jan 20, 2009
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  7. rifle_shot

    rifle_shot Notebook Geek

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    I tried resetting to defaults and even resetting the cmos battery, still no fix though... I also want to say that ur prolly right findvikas b/c when the lights dont come on, I can hear the fans going and the system takes about 3-4 seconds before the bios comes up, and cannot shutdown fully as well(the computer turns off windows and the screen but the fans remain on)... This could be due to the bios being unable to start/stop the chip? Do you know if there is any way to reset that specific chip?... also, on boot, if I hit ESC i believe it shows me a readout of information like the cpu and stuff, but it lasts for only a second and I cant read it, any way to pause this?
    -John
     
    rifle_shot, Jan 20, 2009
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  8. Motarola2

    Motarola2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Flash or reflash your BIOS to the latest version (X36)
     
    Motarola2, Jan 21, 2009
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  9. rifle_shot

    rifle_shot Notebook Geek

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    Tried that and still no fix, anyone experienced issues like this? Also, is the lights controller a separate board or is it built into the mobo, I'm wondering if it could be reseated or anything?
     
    rifle_shot, Jan 21, 2009
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  10. shaknbakenyc

    shaknbakenyc Notebook Evangelist

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    That is the wierdest problem , I say call Alienware and just get over it... Theres two things in this world that I hate the most and thats: Calling Alienware, and calling Microsoft (Xbox 360)
     
    shaknbakenyc, Jan 21, 2009
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  11. findvikas

    findvikas Notebook Deity

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    I would like to hear about the later experience, Microsoft. Not on this thread but if you have any feedback on anything related to Microsoft just buzz me.
     
    findvikas, Jan 22, 2009
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  12. rifle_shot

    rifle_shot Notebook Geek

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    Just an update on my issue: I talked with tech support for about an hour or two yesterday, they believe that this is a physical problem and that the Alienfx chip/ motherboard needs to be replaced. I just got the notebook back friday from it being repaired for a month for the hinge crack and now I have to send it away for another month... I will update everyone when I get it back, but this is the 4th time in 8 months I've had to send the notebook, and this is the second notebook I've had from them (after the 2nd time they had to send me a relacement system). Both notebooks have had the hinge crack and both have had motherboard problems... I'm wondering if I should just sell the notebook for whatever I can get and buy a system that will actually last...
    -PS sorry if I sound negative but I'm upset that I keep having to send the notebook back for a month at a time....
     
    rifle_shot, Jan 22, 2009
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