Windows 8.1 Update 1: Having issues with it on your Alienware?

i am happy with classic shell even if it means no aero crap!

 

Win8 aero skin, installing options -> uncheck Opaque Start Menu and taskbar Get the best looking Start Menu for Classic Shell 4+ with Winaero Skin 2.0 | Winaero

Classic Shell options -> Menu Look -> Override glass color -> Menu glass intensity 100 -> menu color blending set 0 -> OK

View attachment 111239

 

I just ordered my Alienware 17 with Windows 8.1 Pro...I'm wondering if it's going to come with update 1. Windows 8/8.1 doesn't know what type of OS it wants to be. Is it touch? Is it mobile? Is it desktop? That's what bugs me the most, I don't want a hybrid OS. Luckily we've decided to stick with Windows 7 at work (I work in the IT dept) because if we switched to 8 on the users, they'd lose their minds. At first I thought the Metro was "cool" but now it's just annoying because I never use it.

I will say this, it has been a long while since I've seen Microsoft take a risk like they did with Windows 8. They have basically failed, but I do think they'll eventually get it right...hopefully with Windows 9. My latitude PC at work updated to 8.1 U1 just fine without any of these issues and it isn't even "certified" for Windows 8. Sucks that you guys are having all these issues! I do like your customized setup tho Mr. Fox!

 

not working for me.

 

After updated windows 8.1 update 1 , my realtek speakers getting buzzy and static noise when they startup from power save mode.The problem may be caused by the realtek driver, becase when I uninstall the realtek driver and use the Microsoft's driver, ever thing will be fine.My module is alienware 17.

 

Try updating Realtek audio drivers, due to DPC latency It's never a good idea to set audio in power saving mode.
Run LatencyMon and post results, include LatMon.exe under the anti-virus exclusions list or disable it.

 

Mr. Fox what is that temperature monitor widget you are using?

 

That is an AIDA64 Sensor Panel.

 

Thank you sir! Much appreciated

 

My Realtek driver is 6.0.1.7209 which is the latest driver I can find. I have run the latency test，the report said everthing is ok. That's odd.I find that when I change the audio format from 24bit 48000hz to 24bit 44100hz，the static noise is gone. I have no idea about this problem.Maybe a new driver will handle it. Anyway, thanks for your replay.

 

where'd you get that driver from?

the latest for my Alienware 18 is 7.0.1.7055

 

I too have an issue with the new update. Has anybody noticed any difference in behavior of the touchpad?

It appears something has changed in the way the touchpad 'takes over' input capacity from the keyboard. When browsing a page and scrolling with two fingers, I can't switch to the keyboard keys (for scrolling with the arrows, or for something like 'ctrl+f' to search the page) without first clicking or tapping on the page itself. I'm pretty sure it wasn't like this before, and nothing else has changed in terms of drivers/updates.

Can any of you tell me if it's the same for you with AW17 and Win 8.1 Update 1? Thanks

 

Thank you for mentioning this. I will have to check to see. I usually have the touchpad disabled and use a mouse with all of my laptops. I only use the touchpad when I absolutely have to.

 

Yes, me too, but sometimes I'm on the go (lol, on the go with AW17 - I know, I know) and I have to resort to the (not too shabby) touchpad.

I'd be grateful if you could check, thanks

 

Sure, I will check for you. As far as touchpads go, the M18xR2 and Alienware 18 both have outstanding touchpads.

I just don't like using a touchpad (or touch screen) for anything. I also like that they stay looking brand new with zero wear and tear.

---

Edit: OK, I just checked on the Alienware 18. I did not check on my M18xR2 because I do not have any Synaptics software installed and do not want any installed. I had to enable features for testing because I have everything related to gestures, tapping and scrolling disabled by default. I only allow my touchpad to function as a mouse with only basic cursor movement and buttons because I dislike all of the other "features" available in the Synaptics software.

I do not have this problem with the Alienware 18, but I have some suggestions for you to explore that might help you correct the problem. Refer to the screen shot in the spoiler. Hope one of these things fixes it. Probably good to disable the service supporting touch features regardless, since it provides nothing useful for a normal laptop.

• Refer to the Synaptics version that I am using on the Alienware 18. The version is shown in the screen shot.
• Be sure that the Windows Service supporting touch input is disabled.
• Confirm that your scrolling option is "Scroll item under pointer" and not "Scroll selected item" (this may be why you have to click on the window).

Spoiler

 

Wow, thanks for taking the time to enable all the functions you didn't have just to check

Unfortunately I have everything you mention set up in the same way, so no luck. It's not an enormous problem, I guess I'll just deal with it. It's only strange because up until a few weeks ago it didn't happen. Oh, well...

 

Turns out my Alienware arrived SANS update 1...

 

That is totally normal and to be expected. Computers do not ship with all of the latest Windows Updates applied and it would be unreasonable to expect anything different. They never have and probably never will. Windows 8.1.0 and 8.1.1 are nothing more than Windows Updates or "Service Packs" for Windows 8. These are not a release of a newer version of the OS, even though Micro$haft might like to make it seem like a new OS because of Windows 8 being such a failure.

The other thing about it is that OEMs (all of them) validate their hardware on a very specific OS build. They ship the OS version and specific device drivers that have been confirmed to function correctly. They are not responsible for fixing anything that gets screwed up by Windows Updates or any device driver updates that were not part of the original configuration. They do not control the future and are not responsible for the actions of others.

 

Oh, no doubt, and I wasn't angry about it at all just letting everybody know!

 

OK, cool. Thanks for that. +1 Rep.

No reason to be, but some people get mad about the slightest thing, LOL. :thumbsup:

 

You sir are a gentlemen and a scholar

 

We recently posted an audio driver that could help you fixing this issue. Give it a try and let us know.

 

bumped in case it might help someone...