Odd Keyboard/AlienFX problems...please help...

Hey all, I'm fairly new to the Alienware ownership group, as I just received my m15x last week. I posted a brief comment regarding my problem in the owners lounge yesterday...but thought this deserved a wider audience.

After a few days of tweaking things and messing with my alienfx lights, I noticed an extremely high pitched, annoying, whinning sound coming from the keyboard area. I first noticed it when switching the keyboard lights to an ALL WHITE color. The sound is hard to describe (for you gamers out there...try to imagine the sound just after a flash-bang grenade hits right next to you...and the ringing sound produced for a few seconds, THATS IT)...and is much more noticeable with the white/bright color selection...but the sound is constant with any of the fx lights. Only when I completely disable the alienfx w/ the function+f11, does it stop.

I spent an hour on the phone yesterday with a dell rep trying to explain the problem, to no avail. They want me to try and re-set the keyboard, by opening up and disconnecting it, then re-installing. I will be doing that tonight after work...but knowing my luck, it won't solve the problem.

I thought maybe it was just me, and that maybe my hearing is going bad...but both my fiance and my co-worker said it was VERY noticeable, when up close to the computer.

Has anyone here had any type of sound problem emitting from the keyboard lights, or any part of the system, similar to this??

Also, for those that have experience replacing the keyboards through dell...do they usually just overnight a new keyboard to me, or do I have to send back the entire systems? Also, if they send me a new keyboard, do I have the option to install myself, or do they have to send a tech out?

 

hey;
I havent had this exact problem, BUT, I have had my motherboard replaced (burnt by reloading Command Center incorrectly, after a crash).
The way I got my mobo replaced was by going through tech support, they ordered the replacement and a Unisys Tech came to my home and replaced it next day. (please understand Im in a Chicago suburb), they might have to mail yours.
Most important, YOU have a 21 day 'from invoice' full replacement option, on new AW's. IF you still under 21 days BE Assertive, it worked for me.
Try this support# 866 243 9297, it worked for me.

 

Sounds like something is loose, just not the connection between the keyboard and the computer(as in, the connection to some light somewhere). Unless they want to send you a new keyboard, you'd probably just have to send it in, and they'll literally give you an whole new computer(perhaps minus the hard drive, if you keep it. And by "new" I mean probably refurbished.).

In the meantime, the keyboard is plastic, and it's probably only enough to power a light, I'd guess you're fine to use it.