Alienware ALX Top Lights part

Try Aurora Led or M7R9G ALX top assembly > try to buy the whole top assembly, if/when the led strips can not be found: 

• this is the part# M7R9G
• contact seller, ask if led strips are included and work
• the strips do not have an actual part#, since they are included in the top assembly, got it?
• all parts have a 5-digit code, 'MP-XX' part numbers can't be purchased from Dell

You can give the M7R9G part# to Dell, see if they have it, run it through google/bing also.

Similar to Area-51, note in this listing, the led strips come attached to the top assembly:

• Genuine Dell Alienware Area 51 Active Vent Hood Assembly with Motor P701R

but these strips are only available if someone pulls them off and offers them separate:

• Dell Alienware AREA 51 Vent LED Lighting Boards Pair - MP-00005499
• in situations like this, the entire assembly is sold/replaced by Dell

Aurora Dark Chrome

Aurora Dark Chrome was an 'add $200' option for the R3, around spring/summer 2011

Run your service tag on Dell.com/support

If you do, you'll see this in your configuration list

NRN8M (1) ASSEMBLY, CHASSIS, PWA INTEGRATED, STANDARD, CRM, 875, AUR3

Replacement Panels

On a day like today, where I can buy your chrome panels brand new, and have, above, those are mine, (left upper not photo'd) for dirt cheap?

38KR9 > left full side > ASSY CVR SDE RMVBL CRM AUR3

K1PMN > right upper > ASSY CVR SDE FXD UPR CRM AUR3

2PW3N > right lower strip > ASSY CVR SDE FXD LWR CRM AUR3

Other factors, like age & future resale value? I can't pass judgment on taking A51 R2 in trade, bit it's tempting (5820k + Broadwell-E upgrade soon + DDR4 mem + 'new case/internals). My R2 doesn't have a stock mthrbrd, I have no interest in knowing if Win7 works on them. Maybe. If so, for 7, you'd need your own product key. The actual install media can be bought with/without key from many places, or downloaded for free, depending on Home/Pro/Ult. This is all the help I can offer. Fix yours & buy new spare panels, that is an eqwally good option in the short term.

Wait for others to chime in re: W7 on R2

Nobody?

moderator delete

M7R9G ALX Top Assembly (bzl, actv-vnt, alx, blk, aur)  = vents / vent motor / led strips

these tops rarely come up for sale --> keep an eye out for bare alx cases ~$200, snatch top, hold back rest of chassis as spare parts

Thank jyou for your reply.

No, my part si longer and has different code. The one that you suggested is smaller I guess and has less LED's? Mine also has the connector in the middle of the board not at the end of it.

It can be seen in the following link. However, it is not available.

mod delete

Good morning and thank you for your reply.

It seems that they indeed come as a whole.

Now I need to decide if I should stick with the ALX or accept the Area51 as a replacement.

Is Area better? Is the engineering better? Is it reliable?

I want to install windows 7 in it anyway. Would I be able to install in it the Alienware Autopsy as well?

Thank you for your help!

Hello!  Technologically speaking the Area 51 right now is 'better' as it has a better way of airflow, easier to access parts, blah blah.  Will you like it?  That's up to you.  Please note that you will get a refurbished system, and from what I can see on the Dell Outlet right now they all come with windows 8.1  so your safe not getting Windows 10.  You can also request they not give you one with windows 10 (I hate it too).  Also a quick look at the support page for the Area 51-R2 seems to have Windows 7 drivers so you will be safe there as well and you can just download the windows 7 drivers.  It does come with a media card reader and one ODD.  Not sure if you can install another ODD for 2.  

Thank you for your reply.

My warranty includes a replacement with a new one, so no, it will not be refurbished. If it refurbished, I will send it back like is no tomorrow. I have paid almost $800 if I recall properly for extra warranty.

Also, it was mentioned to me that I will get the Windows 10 since they don't offer anything else anymore.

The warranty states that I should receive a replacement that is at least the same with what I have so I need to receive, SLI, minim 24 Gb of Ram, and 512 SSD as minimum specs.

My computer was almost $6000 back in time and is a very rare Chrome Edition. I love it but it is what it is. What can I say.

Cass-Ole,

Now I can see your pictures and comments. maybe you add them later?

Anyway,

Mine is that chrome except it has the active venting system as well. It was the most Full Spec at the time of buying (2011)

It was barely used since, maybe once a week, it in an absolutely new shape in any regards, inside and out.

The MIO board was replaced due to an update that fried the OEM one, and the SSD was replaced last year but cloned (I always have a clone).

I like it, not sure about the new one.

While your suggestion might be a solution, I am a little bit upset to buy a new (or refurbished part) by my own and spend more money, when I bought a such expensive machine and a full 5 year warranty. Whys should I invest more?

My single concern is if I can install properly WIN7 ( I do have a brand new disc) and drivers and everything without having future issues. I would pay extra for them to install win7 from the factory, with Alien Autopsy and Respawn.

I mentioned the other day, I had photos & links waiting moderator approval, but it's the weekend, so it takes longer to publish.

it looks like they removed the above, & substituted a double-photo of the rear of a chrome R3 instead; my original post has been monkeyed with, oh well.

top assembly no longer in stock, hence their want to replace your R3

"While your suggestion might be a solution, I am a little bit upset to buy a new (or refurbished part) by my own and spend more money, when I bought a such expensive machine and a full 5 year warranty. Why should I invest more?" > I'm not here to argue, just to document some things & point fingers in right directions. R2 doesw indeed have Win7 drivers for download, I believe it was offered on its debut October 2014 with Win7 Pro as an option (IIRC).

Autopsy

Autopsy was replaced by Dell Support Assist, therefore, A51 R2 wouldn't have Autopsy (but I believe Respawn works). 'Nothing' is supposed to have autopsy anymore, save for those owners who still have the original program installed (and updates turned off in the fine print). On days like today, if you try to run Autopsy.exe, it will install as Dell Support Assist. However, there is a special way to by-pass this. I did this last year, so I'm going by memory. Play with the steps, sooner or later it will work.

From your R3, you can look for the AuLauncher & save it, or, DL it here (click here, save it). Next, re-click the link, click 'run'. You have to be online of course, since this is an online installer. Once it starts to 'check for updates' / install, abort, exit. Now, go back & launch your saved copy of AuLauncher. It should now 'check for upd8s, install as Autopsy. After it installs, you have to find the page where you disagree to allow it to 'update as needed'. Opt-out. If you opt-in (as the default setting) it will of course roll-over to Dell Support Assist. Whether it works on A51 R2? I don't know. It's a simple PC-Doctor app, so, chances are you might want the 'newer' Dell Support Assist anyway. Some of your concerns can be answered by your support rep.

I can't advise u what to do, I can only try to help get parts. Let's assume your local pc shop or tv repairman can solder your led board however ... ask your warranty rep what would happen if u bought that ALX top assembly, would they reimburse you?, only they can say ... good luck, I've done what I can here.

CassOle, thank you for your input.

The board is ireparable, I worked years in electronics and I have all the toold for a repair. Unfortunately the crack is exactly where the cables are soldered in and there is no way that can be fixed; it is too fragile.

In regards with the side panels, I dont need any, my computer is like new in every aspect, as I have mentioned it was barely used. Plus nobody ever touched it except me, practicaly is like new. I really feel bad for this machine since it is absolutely like new, there is no even dust in it.

I was thinking of buying the part but I was also thinking about other things like "what if the MIO board dies again?" And stuff like that and I realized that this is not something I want to go through again. This machine took me days of my life, that shouldn't happen, at least not for that price.

I own an Alienware Aurora M9700 laptop as well that is almost 10 years old which runs on XP. Never had an issue with it and still runs like a champ. True, not very used neither. Don't know what to do with it neither, so far I am playing AoE on it once in a while. :)

I am waiting for their reply in regards with the replacement, and decide after what I will do. Bottom line, it is a newer machine and should work better? Who knows....

I will get back with news as soon as I have some.

Best regards.

last word of advice: those chrome side panels are no longer available from Dell; if you hold onto your R3, now is the time to buy those panels I linked you to. You would of course pass those onto the next owner to sweeten the pot, given they are 'rare' & delicate. Dell HQ is in Texas, they've cut those people (also in Texas) the last of their 'chrome' surplus; what arrives is new in the protective cling wrap, or at least mine did. The next owner can have pristine panels at an impossibly low price. You yourself get peace of mind in the meantime, knowing those panels are while supply lasts ... $56/shipped, investment of a lifetime.  

edit per new post below

"In regards with the side panels, I dont need any, my computer is like new in every aspect, as I have mentioned it was barely used" > I've left a paper trail here for any Dark Chrome owners that stumble on this post; talking outloud here becomes 'forum advice' in general. We know it as a rare option, where these panels at a low price is itself a rare opportunity. The day will get here when no one can get new panels anymore.

"what if the MIO board dies again" > #1 Area-51 R1 / Aurora R1-R4 are two desktops where we need to buy a spare mio for just such situations. Pull out old / install new, back in b'ness. These cases, as has been shown, can have new mthrbrds placed inside > keep the case / upgrade the internals / spare mio to keep the party going ...

Huh, I didn't know they did new for new replacement like that.  Then again policies change all the time!.  Even if you get Windows 10, like I think I stated you can install Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 on it.  Just make sure they give you 'pound for pound' on the new system vs your old system.