Aurora-R7, AWCC not fully functioning

Question

Three weeks after I purchased my Aurora, the panel LED's turn off three-four minutes after booting up, and when I launch Alienware FX to change the settings, I get the following message:

"Object reference not set to an instance of an object."

I uninstalled/reinstalled Alienware Command Center per Alienware's video, but the above problem remains AND it got worse. I now get the following message just as the panel LED's go out:

System.TypeInitializationException: The type initializer for 'AlienLabs.ThermalControls.Controller.Classes.ThermalControlsTaskbarIcon' threw an exception. --> System.Null.ReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at AlienLabs.ThermalControls.Domain blah, blah, blah

I ran the hardware test at boot time, and everything passed.

I'm at a loss and need help. The solution is probably something simple, but I don't know it.

Thanks in advance.

Tesla1856 · Answer

What version are you trying to install.

It must be a completely "clean install". You know what that is?

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/My-Aurora-R6-The-Adventure-Continues/m-p/6063705/highlight/true#M3130

kamusicman · Answer

Thanks for your assistance! =)I downloaded Command Center 4.8.20.0, A00 from the Dell support page:AURORA-R7_Alienware-Command-Center-for-Desktops_F8P3V_WIN64_4.8.20.0_A00.EXEAs for the 'clean install', I followed the instructions here:Uninstall Alienware Command Center from Program and FeaturesWindows 8/8.1/10: Right click on the lower left hand side of the screenWindows 7: Click Start  Control Panel  Prgrams and featuresLaunch the Run Command + R on the customer's keyboardWindows 8/8.1/10: Right click on the lower left hand side of the screenWindows 7: Click Start  RunType %appdata% and press EnterDelete any Alienware Folder. If the folder is not there just continue.Type %programdata% and press EnterDelete any Alienware Folder. If the folder is not there just continue.Go To C:\Program Files\Alienware\Older versions of command center will be under C:\Program Files (x86), please check both folders.Delete the Command Center Folder OnlyGo to the Documents Folder (My Documents on Win 7)Delete the AlienFX and Alienware TactX FoldersLaunch the Run CommandType regeditSearch the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\AlienwareDelete the following folders only: (Some of these may not be present, just delete the ones present)AlienFXMediaPluginAlienware AlienFXCCPluginsCommand CenterSearch the following registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\AlienwareDelete the following folders only: (Some of these may not be present, just delete the ones present)AlienFXMediaPluginAlienware AlienFXCommand CenterRestart the systemDownload and install the latest Alienware Command Center version from: https://www.dell.com/support/home?app=driversI'll read through your previous posts to get some idea of how to fix this. Thanks again!

Tesla1856 · Answer

@kamusicman wrote:

1. Thanks for your assistance! =)

2. I downloaded Command Center 4.8.20.0, A00 from the Dell support page:

3. As for the "clean install", I followed the instructions here

4. I'll read through your previous posts to get some idea of how to fix this. Thanks again!

1. You bet.

2. For an Aurora-R7, that looks like the correct version (I think that's what they all shipped with). My Aurora-R6 shipped with v4.6.20.0 (and I'm still running that version a year later on it).

3. Right. While not usually required, sometimes they are (like when you are getting those errors on startup). Not really that bad considering the alternative is a complete wipe and clean-install of Windows-10 from scratch.

4. Good. Let us know if you get it working (and it stays working for a few days).

kamusicman · Answer

Well, after reading several pages of posts, there didn't seem to be anything that I could apply to my situation. So...

I tried resetting the computer while keeping my personal files, and that didn't work. I backed up my files onto a portable drive, and opted to revert to factory settings. The initial factory reset didn't take too long, but all the updates after that took about three hours which wasn't fun. Still, it seemed to be my only option, and now I have a machine that is working properly.

Having said that, I'm going to be cautious about updating the NVIDIA drivers. I want to set up a restore point so I don't have to go through the updates again before messing with the graphics drivers. I'm not sure that this was the problem last time, or if the graphics card has any conflicts with Alienware, but I'll know for sure.

Thanks again for your help, and I'll post the results of the NVIDIA update.

Tesla1856 · Answer

@kamusicman wrote:

1. Well, after reading several pages of posts, there didn't seem to be anything that I could apply to my situation. So...

2. I tried resetting the computer while keeping my personal files, and that didn't work. I backed up my files onto a portable drive, and opted to revert to factory settings. The initial factory reset didn't take too long, but all the updates after that took about three hours which wasn't fun. Still, it seemed to be my only option,

3. now I have a machine that is working properly.

4. I'm going to be cautious about updating the NVIDIA drivers.

5. I want to set up a restore point so I don't have to go through the updates again before messing with the graphics drivers. I'm not sure that this was the problem last time, or if the graphics card has any conflicts with Alienware, but I'll know for sure.

6. Thanks again for your help,

1. It's rare for Command Center to get so messed-up it requires a Windows re-install. I've never even heard of it happening on Windows-10 64bit. On Windows-7, it was a little more common.

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/3RD-time-for-thermal-controls-to-stop-working/m-p/6128213/highlight/true#M4719

2. I would have just done a clean-install, but yeah ... people love that Factory Software State Restore.

3. That's the main thing. Good work. :Yes:

4. I find one that works good (stable) and stick with it for a while.

https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-General-Read-Only/Aurora-R6-Hard-Lockup-and-crash-while-gaming-SOLVED/m-p/5504128/highlight/true#M6104

5. Restore points are lame and rarely work. I suggest a Full Image to File ( with Verify) with Macrium Reflect (free).

6. You bet. More AW-CC tips near the https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/My-Aurora-R6-The-Adventure-Continues/m-p/6063705/highlight/true#M3130" target="_blank" rel="nofollow ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.dell.com/community/Alienware-Desktops/My-Aurora-R6-The-Adventure-Continues/m-p/6063705/highlight/true#M3130

Eimy_B · Answer

Hi @kamusicman, If you still have problems after all this, please send me a PM with the Service Tag so I can assist you further.

kamusicman · Answer

Two weeks later....

1) A recent NVIDIA update did not cause problems.

2) Downloaded/installed Fornite - no problems.

3) Downloaded/installed iTunes (had to get new phones for wife and daughter) - no problems.

4) Tried to download/install iCloud and failed. However, and much to my horror, the panel lights went out, and I got a message saying that the unit went into dark mode. My heart sank, and I fully expected Alienware CC to NOT launch properly and crank out the error messages from before. I was preparing myself for another marathon factory reset/install/etc. when CC launched without issue! I checked the taskbar tray, and I was able to "Go Light" on the Alienware icon! Don't know what happened to cause the initial Go Dark, but I'm just REALLY glad that the system is working as it should be...(I think).

5) I'm going to have to find some time to download Macrium and create the disk image. After that, I'm thinking of installing Age of Empires II, an ancient game that needed several patches to work on W10. =)

Tesla1856 · Answer

@kamusicman wrote:

Two weeks later....

1) A recent NVIDIA update did not cause problems.

2) Downloaded/installed Fornite - no problems.

3) Downloaded/installed iTunes (had to get new phones for wife and daughter) - no problems.

4) Tried to download/install iCloud and failed. However, and much to my horror, the panel lights went out, and I got a message saying that the unit went into dark mode. My heart sank, and I fully expected Alienware CC to NOT launch properly and crank out the error messages from before. I was preparing myself for another marathon factory reset/install/etc. when CC launched without issue! I checked the taskbar tray, and I was able to "Go Light" on the Alienware icon! Don't know what happened to cause the initial Go Dark, but I'm just REALLY glad that the system is working as it should be...(I think).

5) I'm going to have to find some time to download Macrium and create the disk image.

6. After that, I'm thinking of installing Age of Empires II, an ancient game that needed several patches to work on W10. =)

1-3 Good

4. Might have been Bonjour for Windows auto-scan or similar.

5. Yes, I would while it's still working.

6. Should work, just follow your install notes.

Alienware Desktops

Aurora-R7, AWCC not fully functioning

Was this post helpful?