Stealth Mode doesnt work?

I was in class the other day and tried to use the stealth mode but the light doesnt go on when I touch it and also no window pops up so I have no idea if its working or if anything even turned on, any ideas what I can do?

 

did you have the laptop in hibernation or sleep mode before? because that's known to cause some problems with the touch controls.

 

I had it in sleep mode before also which doesnt work, after is sleeps I cant get it to come back to normal I would have to restart the computer manually... any ways to fix these 2 problems?

 

Sorry to hear that you are having troubles with your system, I will be contacting you via PM to assist you.

Thank you

 

update the BIOS, i'd recommend x32 BIOS and v41 touch control BIOS. you should find both in MyHive.

 

sounds like a good idea, I will also wait for Mr.Armando's reply and see what he will suggest thank you both for your help, especially you whizzo you always help me out in these forums man i really appreciate it!

 

hey, no problem, isn't that what we're here for?

 

I think I have to call Alienware so that they help my update the bios, it sais updating the bios can void your warranty so i want to make sure that doesnt happen...

 

nah, AW_James said you can do it on your own if you know how to do it.

 

I cant even find where to download it from, im at the hive and i dont know which 1 to click, also do you know how to update it ? is it hard to do?

 

oh wait, the x32 BIOS probably isn't even on there anymore. try searching for an upload with the search function. same goes for the how-to, should be somewhere here.

 

y isnt it on there?

 

because there's a newer version, x34, out already. however, i wouldn't recommend flashing to x34, as it causes problems with sound.

 

Fr33m4n uploaded it in the other thread:
http://www.gigasize.com/get.php?d=2r4zwwo4tvb

Cheers.

 

there you go. and here's how to update the BIOS:

Step 1- Open the link, download the file
Step 2- Using Nero, burn the image (the file you downloaded) to a CD or DVD (it might give you an error in the end saying that it failed but don't worry). make sure you burn it as an image.
Step 3- Save all your work. Shut down then boot from the CD/DVD. (Press F12 to select boot option)
Step 4- Just follow the steps on screen and you're done.

 

actually here's a better guide:

 

I have the same issue on my m15x.. the stealth button is not working, and also was never..

I don't think that I will ever use stealth mode.. but just to have the m15x fully working, I found that thread here, and noticed that the link of the X32 bios isn't working anymore..

So I just want to ask if the bios update helped to solve the problem, and if so, could someone please load it up once again..

On the alienware page is still X34, what exactly are these "sound problems"?!

 

No the bios update did not fix the problem, if I were you i wouldnt let Alienware get away with it. Im sure you paid over $1500 for this laptop and why shouldnt you get everything you paid for. F*** ALIENWARE

 

.... This might be obvious, but, you know you're supposed to place your finger on the stealth mode button and hold it there for a second... right?

honestly, after the v41 update, my touch controls have been less responsive than before... I kinda regret doing it.

just my $.02

 

I have the same problems with my touch controls after puting it into sleep mode. However most of the time it only seems to happen if I close the lid and put it into sleep mode and it works when I select Sleep from the Start menu.

Another random question : How do I find out my username to get into My Hive ? I got into it once but after that I cant seem to log in. I know what my password is, double checked by getting them to send it to me but I just cant figure out my username. I tried ALL the usual ones that I use for websites but none of them worked. Is there anyway to retrieve it or can I register a new one?

 

I think it should work like the other 3 buttons.. anyway I can holf my finger on the stealth mode button as long as I want, but nothing happens..

 

how can I tell if the stealth mode is working or not?

 

when you press it a box appears on screen. if its lit up its on so using low power.press it again and the box dims and this means its off.

 

that means it's working thanks

 

Mine are really finnicky lately... (hense why I think I shouldn't have installed the v41 update)... esp. the stealth mode button... use the whole pad of your finger and cover it above and below. don't press hard, I wouldn't want you to break your laptop... hold it there for a while... 5 seconds is probably more than enough... so if you're sitting there for more than 5 seconds, shift your finger around a little and try it again.

sometimes mine only works well on a fresh boot (sometimes best even before the OS loads)

 

THX!
now its working..
but I have to use 2 fingers, press quite hard and lets say for about 2-3 seconds.. its really not the same than on the other buttons..
but ok thats fine for me.. its working, and as I dont plan too use it very often, it works out for me.

 

too bad it's so.... (pardon the pun) touchy.

I wish mine worked with less effort... it's really inconvenient when starting on batteries and you spend most of the boot process trying to make Stealth mode turn on...

annoying, distracting, downright unnecessary... all these things are true.

especially when it worked so well pre v.41.

 

how do I check which bios i have... i want to see what the hell Alienware did to try and fix this? They sent me back the laptop in the same condition LOL what a joke of a company, they take all your money and then your time... worst.

 

Grab this old chap, tis a very handy program and will tell you your bios, and other details...

http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

Tom

 

I don't see anyone's problem with the touch controls :S. I'm using x34 and they work beautifully (granted the volume control could be better) and its pretty much instant and really sensitive!

 

He's just a bit over reactive, I think.

Napbree, as for the volume control, try using two fingers instead of one while you're adjusting the volume. It works more accurately for me that way and it might help for you.

 

My Stealth Mode touch button does not work. I was wondering if there was a way to activate it in Windows somehow. Also If I have the X34 bios then im most likely screwed if the Stealth doesnt work right? Im moving out of the country and cannot send it in for repairs again so I am trying to figure out a way to activate it myself

 

not that i know of. i would suggest reseating the connector ribbon for the touch controls, and reinstalling the CC and OSD.

 

shaknbakenyc, keep related questions in one thread. Thank you.

 

My stealth mode button has never worked either. I contacted the Roswell crew about it but never got a reply. But really, you don't need it at all. If you get some custom GPU drivers over at laptopvideo2go with proper powermizer settings your GPU will never drain more power then it needs to. Then I've throttled and undervolted the CPU with rmclock so it does the same thing. Then finally I can adjust the backlight with Fn+F4/F5. This gives me perfect power on demand.

More interestingly however is that I've never been able to lower the volume with the touch control untill TODAY! For some reason I decided to try and swipe my finger from right to left, and it perfectly lowered my volume. It worked just as easily for increasing the volume. Awesome!

 

CHaz, shouldn't you update your sig to include the m17x?

 

he had that for review I guess.... he does not own it...

 

freeman, i would love to do that stuff but i have no idea how...btw let me just make sure if this is the best way to save battery life...


lower brightness
switch to integreated graphics card
turn off alienfx
and power options: power saver


anything else?