M11x - There was an error while AlienFX Controller was communicating with the computer.

It has been just 2 weeks i have had my M11x and all of the sudden today when i started my laptop there is no keyboard backlighting , actually no lighting effect anywhere.

And this is the message i get from AlienFX:
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There was an error while AlienFX Controller was communicating with the computer. This might have been caused due to a problem with the hardware or the software.Try these solutions to correct the issue, in the following order:

- Try to enable AlienFX Controller again. Right-click on the AlienFX icon in the Windows notification area and select 'Enable Alienware AlienFX'.
- Shut down your computer and power it back on.

If neither of these solutions works, please contact Alienware technical support.
This error may also be caused if Alienware AlienFX software is installed on a computer without the proper hardware support for Alienware AlienFX.
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Is there any trick or reset for this or do i have a HW problem do you think?
Maybe someone have had the same problem and managed to solve this?

Will call dell tomorrow also but i thought its worth asking as well.

great full for any tips. (i have also re-installed alienfx without any change)

 

turn off
unplug
take out battery
press power button for 20 sec
put back and see if it works


this should be a huge sticky on the front page of the forum, i swear i gave this advice at least once aday,lol

 

Wont work on the m11x, unless you want to take it apart to remove the battery. I vote for hitting it.

 

oops my bad, didn't know the M11x battery was unattachable, ok just gave it a few whacks then,lol

 

My m11x is starting to act up with the lights too, no errors yet, but sometimes they turn off randomly or wont change when I set them to change.

 

Very original.

Did you actually try reinstalling AlienFX ?

 

Actually that is the first thing i did, also created a new profile to make sure it is not the profile.

I called up Dell today and they did not think AlienFX is the cause since it does not light up even in BIOS (starting the laptop). I have actually a few more small problems (to mention a few i have a clicking on the arrow buttons and right side not sitting properly ) that i brought up with Dell so i'm hoping for a replacement at this point.

Dell asked me to send the picture and movies for these problems which i did not long ago so i will talk to them again tomorrow and see what will happend.

I just uploaded the same movies to youtube so you can check it:

Keyboard clicking problem:
youtube.com/watch?v=Fipv5Mlkvho

Assembley issue:
youtube.com/watch?v=9YfIIhKAtF8

The above problems are minor but never the less something i think about each time i click the arrow buttons which is quite often. I could live with these problems if it were not for the LED problem i think.

Would appreciate it if you guys could also check the video and let me know if you have similar thing on your M11X .

ps. turn up the sound to max

Cheers guys

 

Go into the command center folder. In it you will find an application named Alienfx test. Launch it, it will cycle through the colors available on the keyboard. Should let you know if your FX controler is bad or if you have a software issue. I learned this from a AW support guy when we were trouble shooting my M17x keyboard.

 

The m11x battery is easily detachable if you have a screwdriver, just simply unscrew the access panel on the bottom and you can disconnect the battery from in there quite easily.

 

Good tips thanks. I guess my i have HW issue since it fails but thanks anyway.
See for yourself:
img21.imageshack.us/img21/5605/boardfaiure.jpg

ps. the annoying forum rules dont let me add the screen shot link properly grrrr
-->1. You are only allowed to post URLs to other sites after you have made 15 posts or more.

 

I had that happen to me and no amount of installing and reinstalling fixed it. In the end I formatted and it seems to have fixed it.

 

And when might you reach that 15th post?

You might end up reformatting. At least give it a try.

Inappr. I was waiting for you to post your favorite advice! You're right though, for the M15x and M17x it should always be the first thing to do in case of a glitch.

 

Ok but before i do that can you tell me if you had any lights during the startup?
For instance if you enter bios or the diagnostic test during boot-up?

For me a windows re-install seems strange since the LED should be on from the start i think. Also i use Acronis trueimage so i can put back a fresh install of windows really quick (just as good as a new install) and test tonight.

 

I'm taking you are joking about the battery

I did put a new installation but this time command center did not install properly i think, got some error about initialization so no luck.

Dell dude will get back to me on monday hopefully letting me know if i can get a new one or what i can do. I really dont like the idea to "repair" with something this new but thats just me.
Would you agree on a repair if you were in my seat?

 

Ahhhh after many calls and emails and testing + screenshot + video i'm back where i started with dell technical support.
It seems they are very badly organized and dont know who does what really.
I started with Technical department and were send to the homepage to write mail to another department who handles return and reclamation and they send me back to technical support again so i'm confused now.

The technical support guy said if they repair then they are going to use old parts or new depending if they have parts home (he also recommended me to go for a new one) so that is one reason i want to change to a new laptop and wont accept a repair on such a new laptop (they wanted to change motherboard, keyboard and some more i think).

What would you guys do in my place, accept a repair or insist on a change for new one?

 

Not sure if anyone is following this still but to put an end to the problem today i had visit from Dell representative (i agreed on 1 repair and then change to new).
The repair guy changed the motherboard + Keyboard + the body and voila it started to live again and no more sounds from keyboard or the side of the chassis .

By the way before the repair i did reinstall without success, the AlienFX software did not even want to install correctly as it did not manage to contact the "board".

Anyway i'm actually happy i agreed on the repair "so far". I now know how it all looks like inside as well although he was a bit mad or even rude be cause i was sitting and watching him work hehe (as i told him i was half part curious and half part watching over my investment, you dont know if they do any damage during the work and it was his first Alienware repair so you might understand my worry. Even though he made 2-3 mistakes forgetting to plug a cable and re-open some parts he was actually pretty good i must say)

ps. He also used new parts for everything or at-least it looked that way, well packaged and with plastic all over them.