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April 29th, 2012 10:00

Could anyone help with AlienFX? (M15X)

Hey there. I've been at this problem for quite sometime and I finally decided to seek out some help. If anyone knows a thing or two about the AlienFX on an M15x Alienware Laptop, could you help me with my problem? Here's the issue:

I recently had to wipe my ENITRE laptop due to a nasty virus. So I've been trying to restore my laptop back to normal (a huge pain), and I ran into a problem with my AlienFX. I downloaded all of the updates for my AlienFX, and it looks like it used to, with the exception of all of the colors and sections that I can change. I've even tried following the tutorials, but they offer almost no information. I'll try to upload a screenshot of what it looks like, but no guarentee. Thanks for the help if anyone can offer it. I'll try to answer any question I can, but I'm not very good when it comes to fixing a computer.\

I installed the new CC, so that didn't help, but I did get this error message from Microsoft .NET Framework that says:

Unhandled exception has occurred in your application. If you click Continue, the application will ignore this error and attempt to continue. If you click Quit, the application will close immediately.

Object reference not se to and instance of an object.

These were the details:

 

See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
   at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.ControllerMainForm.closingApplication()
   at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.ControllerMainForm.controllerMainFormFormClosing(Object sender, FormClosingEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnFormClosing(FormClosingEventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WmClose(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WndProc(Message& m)
   at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.ControllerMainForm.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4963 (win7RTMGDR.050727-4900)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
AlienwareAlienFXController
    Assembly Version: 1.0.92.0
    Win32 Version: 1.0.92.0
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files/Alienware/Command%20Center/AlienwareAlienFXController.exe
----------------------------------------
AlienwareAlienFXTools
    Assembly Version: 1.0.92.0
    Win32 Version: 1.0.92.0
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/AlienwareAlienFXTools/1.0.92.0__bebb3c8816410241/AlienwareAlienFXTools.dll
----------------------------------------
Alienlabs.CommandCenter.Tools
    Assembly Version: 1.0.92.0
    Win32 Version: 1.0.92.0
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Alienlabs.CommandCenter.Tools/1.0.92.0__bebb3c8816410241/Alienlabs.CommandCenter.Tools.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4961 (win7RTMGDR.050727-4900)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4968 (win7RTMGDR.050727-4900)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4927 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
AlienLabsTools
    Assembly Version: 1.0.92.0
    Win32 Version: 1.0.92.0
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/AlienLabsTools/1.0.92.0__bebb3c8816410241/AlienLabsTools.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Configuration
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4927 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4927 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------
WindowsBase
    Assembly Version: 3.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 3.0.6920.5001 built by: Win7RTMGDR
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/WindowsBase/3.0.0.0__31bf3856ad364e35/WindowsBase.dll
----------------------------------------
PresentationFramework
    Assembly Version: 3.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 3.0.6920.5001 built by: Win7RTMGDR
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/PresentationFramework/3.0.0.0__31bf3856ad364e35/PresentationFramework.dll
----------------------------------------
PresentationCore
    Assembly Version: 3.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 3.0.6920.5001 built by: Win7RTMGDR
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_32/PresentationCore/3.0.0.0__31bf3856ad364e35/PresentationCore.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Management
    Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
    Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.4927 (NetFXspW7.050727-4900)
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Management/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Management.dll
----------------------------------------
AlienFX.DeviceDiscovery
    Assembly Version: 1.0.92.0
    Win32 Version: 1.0.92.0
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/AlienFX.DeviceDiscovery/1.0.92.0__bebb3c8816410241/AlienFX.DeviceDiscovery.dll
----------------------------------------
AlienLabs.MasterIOBoard.Communication.Core
    Assembly Version: 1.0.92.0
    Win32 Version: 1.0.92.0
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/AlienLabs.MasterIOBoard.Communication.Core/1.0.92.0__bebb3c8816410241/AlienLabs.MasterIOBoard.Communication.Core.dll
----------------------------------------
AlienFX.Communication
    Assembly Version: 1.0.92.0
    Win32 Version: 1.0.92.0
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/AlienFX.Communication/1.0.92.0__bebb3c8816410241/AlienFX.Communication.dll
----------------------------------------
AlienLabs.MasterIOBoard.Communication
    Assembly Version: 1.0.92.0
    Win32 Version: 1.0.92.0
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/AlienLabs.MasterIOBoard.Communication/1.0.92.0__bebb3c8816410241/AlienLabs.MasterIOBoard.Communication.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Core
    Assembly Version: 3.5.0.0
    Win32 Version: 3.5.30729.4926 built by: NetFXw7
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Core/3.5.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Core.dll
----------------------------------------
LightFX
    Assembly Version: 1.0.92.0
    Win32 Version: 1.0.92.0
    CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/LightFX/1.0.92.0__bebb3c8816410241/LightFX.dll
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:


   

When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.

 

April 29th, 2012 10:00

I also got this error message when I tried opening the CC.

System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.

  at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.ControllerMainForm.closingApplication()

  at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.ControllerMainForm.controllerMainFormFormClosing(Object sender, FormClosingEventArgs e)

  at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnFormClosing(FormClosingEventArgs e)

  at System.Windows.Forms.Form.RaiseFormClosingOnAppExit()

  at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ExitInternal()

  at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.OnThreadException(Exception t)

  at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProcException(Exception e)

  at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnThreadException(Exception e)

  at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

  at System.Windows.Forms.UnsafeNativeMethods.SendMessage(HandleRef hWnd, Int32 msg, Int32 wParam, Int32 lParam)

  at System.Windows.Forms.Form.SetVisibleCore(Boolean value)

  at System.Windows.Forms.Control.set_Visible(Boolean value)

  at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.RunMessageLoopInner(Int32 reason, ApplicationContext context)

  at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.RunMessageLoop(Int32 reason, ApplicationContext context)

  at System.Windows.Forms.Application.Run(Form mainForm)

  at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.Program.Main(String[] args)

265 Posts

April 29th, 2012 14:00

When you originally installed Command Center, did you install it first from your Driver Disc and then update it, or did you download it straight from the Dell Download page for the M15x?

If you installed it from your Driver Disc, you most likely corrupted the EC Board (controls the AlienFX lighting) on the motherboard, and you will need to replace the whole motherboard of the laptop to fix it.

265 Posts

April 30th, 2012 11:00

Also, when did you purchase this system? Was it before October 2010 or after?

And I would try doing another clean installation of Windows. Make sure to install all drivers before installing command center. Try installing in this order, and use ONLY the drivers from the download page for the M15x as they are the latest ones:

Chipset Driver

Video Driver (get this from Nvidia.com or AMD.com, depending on which video card you have)

Audio Driver

LAN Driver

WiFi Driver

Media Card Driver

Touchpad Driver

OSD Driver

Rapid Storage Driver

Then install all Windows updates, including .NET Framework 4.0 and related updates to it.

Once all updates are complete, then install Command Center at the very end.

4 Posts

July 10th, 2012 23:00

Did this work? I'm having the same issues. I purchased my Alienware M15X Laptop back in April 2008 so I do not have a service tag at the bottom of the unit.

I recently formatted the OS and upgraded from Vista to Windows 7 Home. Once Win7 was installed, I did all the recommended updates (there were about 100 of them). No driver issues and all are up to date.

My AlienFX lighting was identical as it was on Vista (all zone lights were set at neon green). I've read many stories from customers that have NO lights what so ever once the OS was updated. I've now updated the Alienware Command Center to the newest version from downloads @ dell.com . When I open up the command center and goto 'AlienFX', I get the dial where you can choose colors for your theme. However, that is all that exists. There are no zones, colors, or hardware to choose from. Everything uis blank with no options. It is obvious that the Command Center is not finding the zones/hardware it seems.

Does anybody have ANY suggestions to help? I simply want to change the color of my zones/theme.

Regards,

Joel S.

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