Stealth mode indicator

Thanks for the advice! Before I make any changes/updates, I'd like to ask a couple more questions. Your help would, once again, be appreciated.

1. The Command Center version currently installed on my M15x is 2.5.54.0. It was pre-installed when I received my notebook & is also listed as the latest available version on Dell's Support site. Do I truly have the latest version or am I missing something?
2. Since we're discussing a Stealth Mode related app, I thought I'd take a second to ask if anyone else has experienced the same weird problem as me. If I have selected (left mouse-clicked) some sort of text input area - such as the URL bar in Firefox, the Search bar in Firefox, anywhere in Microsoft Word, any text editor, etc. (literally anywhere that allows text input) - the letter "w" is entered whenever I touch the Stealth Mode "speedometer" to either turn Stealth Mode on or off. It happens every time - in any app/text field that allows text input. Has anyone else ever experienced this problem? Better yet, if so, is there a solution?

I noticed this by accident when I was helping my son edit a Word document. I'm so paranoid that I've accidentally put my notebook in Stealth Mode that I find myself constantly checking it. I saw a few "w's" in the Word document and found that it was due to pressing the touch-sensitive button. Very, very odd.

In case it matters, my notebook was shipped with BIOS version A06 and I have not yet updated to A07. I usually don't update my BIOS unless there's a good reason to do so. Since I'm experiencing the "w" issue mentioned above, including the sound "pops" noted in another thread, maybe I should update to the latest version. Thoughts?

Lastly, is there a way to remove Stealth Mode altogether (i.e. - a registry tweak, etc.) if I want my notebook operating at full-speed at all times? I've noticed the processor is throttled down when running on battery regardless of whether or not the Stealth Mode switch is on or off - even though I've adjusted my power settings to operate at 100% processor speed (both minimum & maximum) at all times. I really don't like knowing my notebook is being throttled down without my permission.

Please forgive me if I got a bit off topic and for the long post. I've been a reader of the forums here for quite a long time and have really enjoyed all the "expert" advice from everyone. You're much more knowledgeable than me and your help is invaluable.

Thanks a ton!

~Sko

 

Hi,

then I have no idea why the stealth mode app doesnt work . Have you tried the latest non-polling version?

2. Yes, that behaviour is unfortunately normal. This is because the stealth mode button is done using keyboard scan codes, and the scan code happens to have w in it. There is no way around that.

Unfortunately, it is also impossible to disable the stealth mode (or I havent found a way how, unless with the use of my app). This is due to the fact that the functionality is encoded in the bios, and therefore it is OS independent and there is nothing you can do about it

 

Great app ,thanks Wattos.rep+1

 

great thanks from me Wattos,rep+++

 

Man, this app is awesome. Thanks a lot!

 

Greetings! Has anyone tried it with the New Bios A08?

 

I was running A08 for a short time and didn't experience any issues with the Stealth Mode Indicator. You should be fine.

 

Thanks Lowpro. What I really do not understand is why Dell/Alienware did not make an clear and easy way to determine which mode you are in. The whole throttle indictor/button is useless because you cannot tell if it’s bright or not. They should have made it change colors. I mean god knows there is enough crazy LED on the damn thing why not make just for this purpose.

 

wattos is their any reason why the app launcher will stop launching when the stealth button is pressed? it still stops stealth afaik, however it fails to launch the app.

a quick exit of the app and reload fixes it.

this usually happens if i leave my laptop on for a long time, say overnight.
using the non polling version btw.

no biggie, just curious as to what it may be.

 

hmm. Would have to check it out. Currently waiting on my M15x replacement so i cant do anything.

Do you use the latest non polling version? The first non-polling version had a bug which would not launch apps after some time. I thought I had fixed that

 

oh there's 2 non polling versions


aiyah! i probably have the first one.

 

i cannot get this to work correctly. I am on A08.
Here's what happens to me:

1) I download the zip file.

2) Extract to Program files x86

3) copy the application icon

4) go to start > startup

5) right click and open all users

6) paste application icon



on startup, I get StealthMode Indicator has stopped working.

ideas?

 

dude,

this is a lifesaver! been kicking myself for days as to why the performance suddenly dropped.

why in the hell would I ever use stealth mode?? argh.

cheers!!

 

Hi guys! I hope someone can help. I just today recieved my m17x an hour ago. This was the second thing I installed (after MS Security Essentials ) but at the moment the little alien head is staying green in my system tray no matter how many times I touch the speedometer button. Is this program totally command center reliant or is it bios reliant also? At this time I have no idea what version I have of either or how to check. I did make the command center program look for updates but it found none. I literally have only had the computer for an hour so all help is appreciated!

Thanks!

 

Hmm...ok, Bios is A08. Still working on command center version. And it seems more like it gets stuck in what ever color icon the program starts in. Last boot it started red and stayed red no matter what.

Command center is 2.5.52.0

 

can you try running as admin? (right click on the program and Run as Administrator)

can you also try and see if the polling version works? if that one works thatr it means something is wrong with capturing the stealth mode button press event

 

Ok, with the file from post #93 run as administrator, using the button on the touch pad does not trigger the icon to change colors when changing mode. Using the app itself to change modes DOES cause the app to change colors.

Will try the polling version and update with that info.

Edit: The polling version from post #89 run as administrator works on use of the touch pad!

 

good to hear the polling version works. I would have to do some testing to figure out why the non-polling version does not work. Maybe the M17x has a different scan code than the m15x

 

hi all! i join this forum coz of this apps made by wattos... thanks man!
great forum you all have here..

anyway, how can i make this app auto start on start-up? sorry for the noob question..

 

make a shortcut for the app, in my case i put it in with amd gpu clock tool folder... add the red text to the end of it, afaik it's case sensitive (must be autoFix for the switch to work). in any case, replace xxx\yyy with the folder\file you wish to replace the stealth with...

"C:\Program Files (x86)\AMD GPU Clock Tool\StealthIndicator.exe" -autoFix -app "C:\xxx\yyy.exe"

oh and welcome to the forums

 

I have just received my new m17x r2 and had the similar problem. One thing that concerns me is that since now that my alienware will not detect the adapter, will my alienware be constantly running on stealth mode?(hence the decrease in performance?) Will the new supply fix everything?

 

I got my M17x R2 about three weeks ago.

Immediately installed this program and it worked beautifully from the start.

I added it to my startup. The icon changes color properly using the touch button as well as the menu itself.

A+ Application. I look at it everyday and am glad someone went through the trouble to make it.

 

Has anyone come across the following problem with Stealth mode indicator? I have an M15X with A08 bios. When I click StealthIndicator.exe I get a UAC prompt asking for admin password for Command Centre, I then clicked No. The Stealth mode indicator icon shows as green, pressing the stealth mode button causes the UAC prompt again, but unless Yes is pressed it does not change to red. My normal account is a standard user. Any ideas??

 

yes, otherwise the application cannot monitor your keystrokes ans send everything you type to me so I can sell some CC cards information. You didnt think that the application was completely free?

But seriously, its either the key monitoring which I have to do in the non polling version (to monitor for the stealth mode button keypress) or talking with the bios. You can try to run the polling version. I dont know which one of these requires admin rights, because I disabled UAC as soon as possible. The implementation is waaay to slow and annoying.

 

the app isn't working for me yet since I'm still on BIOS A01 but I'm gonna install A08...it should work for me since I'm also using Dell-Alienware's M15x

 

Thanks mate! your Stealth indicator program has saved my life! I have tried everything to get out of stealth mode (button press, Fn + F7, Shutdowns, Restarts, updates, calling alienware support) but nothing worked and I have been stuck in it for 3 Weeks. I was about to throw my MX17 out the window when I came across your post. I used your program, switched off the stealth mode and straight away my gaming machine was back in business! cant thank you enough now I can play my games again. Thanks again Wattos.
Nikky from Australia.

 

Wattos - you are a legend!!! I just installed it and it works fine and takes all the guesstimation out of ..... is Stealth engages or is there a background program running that is making things a bit slow?????

I love it. Thanks again!!

 

Thanks so much for this wonderful app. Alienware should pick this up on their next system refresh and pay you handsomely.

 

Hey everyone,
Just thought ill come on and say thank you to Wattos for creating such an amazing tool. thank you so much man.

Well thanks again man you saved me soo much time and stressing over this.

 

Is there any reason that stealth mode would not work by me hitting the button on my m17x? All of the other touch keys work and when I installed this indicator it showed me I was in stealth mode... ?

 

NVM.

/10 char

 

Sorry... but what's " AutoFix" for?

 

it will be great if i could disable those pop-up tool-tips when mode change is happening


P.S.
i just updated my M15x BIOS to A9 and the application doesn`t seems to sense anymore when the button is pressed

 

I'm really new to Alienware. Can anyone tell me what Stealth Mode is/does, and whether it is required for normal-users like myself? COuldnt find it anywhere in this thread, nor get a clear/simple understanding...

TYIA!

 

This is from the online manual:
Stealth mode is designed to reduce the processor and graphics utilization and thereby reduces the energy consumption and noise level of your computer.
NOTE: Stealth mode has no effect while the computer is running on battery power.
You can access Stealth mode by gently touching the touch control located near the top of the keyboard. The control will illuminate to full brightness until the function is deactivated.
Hope that helps.

 

What does that part about touching the touch control mean? Is there a button specifically for it, or do you mean I just put my finger somewhere on the panel?

Thanks!

 

I only know for the M17xR1/R2: it's the power strip up top where the power button is. To the far right, there is an idicator that look like a speedometer gauge in your car. It is touch sensitive so all you have to do is touch it to turn stealth on/off.
Don't know if what I typed make any sense to you.

 

this is the button

 

OOHHHH! Is this kinda like the "turbo" button that they employ on MSI and ASUS, that's supposed to "OC" your computer, but sometimes may actually cause problems (i.e. throttling, lag, underclocking, etc etc you name it) ?

 

Don't know about MSI nor ASUS. In this case, it is used to reduce and not increase.

 

Is it called stealth because all lights turn off and the fan is quiet as well? Do the fans ever turn off in the 17x (stealth mode or not)?

 

I don't remember the conditions in the R1 but with the R2: the lights stay the same way you have it configured (if on, stay on; and if off, stay off), and the fans stay on (meaning the fans in the R2 do not turn off whether on AC or battery; just changing speed as needed).

 

this is the exact behavior on M15x

 

I know that the R3 has some heavy duty powerful hardware in it, but will the fans ever turn off (stealth mode or not)? I remember my hp used to turn off intermittently, and then after a BIOS update, which addressed overheating chips, the fan never turned off after that day.

 

I can't give any more comment as I don't have the R3.
Sorry.

 

cool little app, but what are the options? polling rate? autofix? customapp?

can someone explain please

 

Please, check this post for more information on the command line parameters:

 

When does the AutoFix checks if the Stealth Mode is ON? On system startup?

 

How do you run the file in a 'user' account, it seems to need 'admin' permission from Control Centre.

I want to add this to autostart, but it always asks for the 'admin' password.

 

Thanks a lot man! Your program works like a charm!!!