M17x - My lights went out!!

Actually just the lights on my keyboard were off after reinstalling Vista. I went into AlienFX and in "basic theme" mode the keyboard wasn't even an option to select lights for. So then I just rebooted and nothing still happened. All lights except for the keyboards were on. I went back into AlienFX and went into "Advanced theme" mode. Keyboard was there and I was able to get it lit up. I went back to "basic theme" and the keyboard was an option again. I changed a few colors just to make sure it was OK and it was.

Just in case anyone else runs into this issue. Go into Advanced theme to get it back.

 

how do you even get into the advanced theme, i could actually never figure that out

 

Through the file menu up top. When you select new theme it will ask you basic or advanced.

 

Thanks Mandrake!

With all the light issues (except clauss) i really believe is due to buggy command center/FX software...

+rep!

 

Dell just released a new Command Center for the M17x....Anyone try that yet?

 

ooooo nope


will do when i get home

 

the new command center only adds a new aliensense package according to dell, and the new audio drivers supposedly fixes some issues when recording.

 

It's supposed to give better support for Windows 7 as well IIRC.

 

actually it doesn't work with win 7

 

Unfortunately, the new command center does not support Windows 7. Support for Windows 7 isn't going to begin for at least another month. Also, based on the current driver selection for the M17X, and given the fact that they're still working out new drivers for Vista, I wouldn't expect Windows 7 drivers anytime soon. When the M17X was released, it had incomplete drivers (which we're finding out as we play games). It wouldn't surprise me if you didn't see Windows 7 drivers until 30 days prior to it's release. Although Windows 7 appears to be very efficient and a much needed upgrade to Vista, there are going to be numerous driver issues and growing pains (especially for the custom applications that Alienware uses). Although it's said to support everything Vista, I've discovered numerous applications, drivers, and networking features that still don't work. Backwards compatibility isn't an easy task (even for an operation system that has a foundation similar to its predecessor). I imagine that most Alienware users will stick with Vista for a while, especially if they want it to be fully functional.

Thanks,
Gabe

 

That's pretty lame given that the informed majority of us use Windows 7, but I guess I can see them not supporting it yet given Windows 7 is not released yet. I personally will continue to use win7 on my M17x regardless if the command center works or not.

 

Can you dual boot then set the lighting conditions you want in Vista then boot into Win7 and still have the lighting work?.

 

Hi Quadzilla,
The FX portion of Command Center does work on Windows 7. It's just the fusion and sense that don't. But yes, you can set the light to a color and have it stay in Windows 7 (if you don't have command center installed that is).

Gabe

 

Tell me again what fusion does ? and why its something you would miss not having in Win7 ?

 

Fusion isn't too big of a deal. It provides an advanced GUI for setting power plans and performance settings for every component. However, there isn't anything in Fusion that you can't find in your normal Windows Power Plan. It's just nice to have Command Center manage everything for you.

Gabe

 

K thanks for clearing that up that feature along with aliensense i have no use for so maybe i will give Win7 a whirl sooner rather then later.

 

i will right away

Problem is i only have one 1 HD bay ....

I know i won't be able to get a 2 now that they sell them

So my SSD is useless

 

I emailed Alienware with my order number per Beardogs posts for the free HD cage , he got his in one or two days for free and never had to speak to anyone on the phone, infact everyone has got theres for free so not sure why you think you have to pay for yours.

 

because now they actually sell them ....

i doubt tehey would give it for free now

 

Beardog JUST got his free lol yesterday , did you not read the thread ? He tells you exactly what he did, so i did the same . Ill let you know what they say or if a package arrives next week.

 

When I asked my rep yesterday, if i could go with only 1 HDD and recieve the 2nd HDD bracket later the answer was quite simple; yes, but you have to buy it. And then I dicided I had to take the two HDD option else I would be ripped off.
But I am speaking of the dutch situation here, although it sound somewhat the same for the US now. Maybe somebody could confirm this?

 

Here in the states it depends on the rep and how you ask. lol

If you get a good rep and explain something was missing from your order I am sure they would send it out free (others have already recieved their free secondary brackets).

Just make sure you have the part # on hand and tell them your system shipped without it.

 

lets move the bracket discussion to the thread about it plz...

 

I feel a little ripped off... Well managed to get a 10% discount and a backpack with it. But Rep was a very nice guy, just doing his job, maybe I shouldn't have mentioned it.

*Sorry, for the off-topic*

 

I did the same