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AA7

54 Posts

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October 21st, 2012 16:00

MIO board and AlienFX question

Hello everyone,

I am new in this community and I have one problem now.

I have read all the comments and posts regarding this issue, especially Tesla's ones (Thank you sir for your efforts!), but I am still in an uncertain position right now.

I had some issues with one of my lights (left top side) showing always differnt colors than the rest. After several attempts with a tech guy, they have decided to replace the top light part.

The technician from Dell showed up few weeks ago with the part (the plastic top that contains both horizintal superior LED lights plus the motor and the vents.

He told me that he is doing this for 20 years now. However, he didn't have a clue how to OPEN my ALX! I have showed him the repair manual found by me on the Ipad. He didn't have a manual neither.

I worked in the past as an electronics technician for over 10 years in Hi-Fi audio so I do understand many things.

After a 5 minutes conversation he told me he never opened one so I have decided that I do not need a guy to butcher my toy or learn on it.

I have asked him to leave the part with me, I will replace it myself and I will call him to pick up the defective one.

Pressed by the time I have decided one Sunday to open the beast and see what is going on. I felt bad and not happy to take out my 4 Gb video card, wires, power suppy, ventilation module and all tha jazz, the engineering is terrible in this thing, they should make it simple with light lines for each side that will be easy to replace but no, they decide that is better to pay double and replace the whole thing including the vents motor. Very cost effective Dell!

So, I have opened the thing, did some test and measurements and figured out I have cold solder joints on the board that gave me trouble; due to the poor contact, the second voltage input was on or off, showing me different colors than the rest of the computer. I have repaired with patience the solder joints and everything works fine.

Called the Dell tech guy to come in and pick-up his unused replacement part.

Everything worked so I have decided to buy the Alienware Respawn Premium version to make an image of my disk. If you are looking to upgrade to Premium, I can tell you that this software will not offer you the posibility to make a 1/1 bit image of your disk, so think twice, because Premium Respawn is $41 and Acronis is $30. the funny thing is, no tech guy knows how respawn works, and nobody gives you a book, instructions, support, anything. I have upgraded, received an email from a company in germany with the code, no instructions, no help, no support. very frustrating, nobody knows how this back up system works and if you can actually make an image of your disk with this software (from what I have seeN, it can't).

Anyway, back to my problem. before decided to make a back up I have decided (at Dells' tech instructions) to uninstall my Alien FX software and install the new version of it.

BIG MISTAKE!

I have followed their instructions (which are wrong because the file with the " *.ath" extension it is not under primary user account but under "My Documents" folder. So, watch out what are you guys deleting.

Anyway, I am cleaning everything, step by step, go to their website, input my Tag number and download the suggested Alien FX which actualy was a 2009 version not the new one. So Dell screwed me up in this one.

After install, obviously, my BIOS does not see the MIO board anymore, whatever I do.

I have tried EVERYTHING you guys suggested, uninstall, install, power down, unplug cable, one minut push button, even disconect USB 1 plug from mobo, restart, fresh reinstall, etc, still same black screen with no MIO board.

My fans are running faster and noisier, obviously because I have no control board anymore. No lights at all at this time as well.

Talked to a tech guy again, he decided to send me a new board or a tech with a new MIO board.

My questions are:

1. What board do I need (model, version)? I just want to be sure I will have the proper board installed not a wrong one. I will specify my specs at the end of the message, because I don't know what computer I have (R1, R2, etc.)

2. Does this board have the right Alien FX installed in it from factory?

3. What are the steps before installing it? I do have my factory CC software in the system because I did factory restore. Do I need to do something specific before this guy will show up with the new one, or should I just turn it off, replace card, start, etc? If the tech will be the same, I better know myself what needs to be done.

4. Alienware Respawn is aking me to update from version 9.4.57 to version 9.4.60. Should I do it?

My Computer

Alienware Aurora ALX

Bios A11

Windows 7 Ultimate / service pack 1

IntelCore i7 CPU  X990 @ 3.47Ghz running at 3.74

Memory 24 GB

Samsung SSD 512 / Raid 0

AMD radeon HD 6990 4GB SLI enabled

Thank you very much for your help!

 

Tesla1856

10 Wizard

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17.9K Posts

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71.3K Points

October 21st, 2012 22:00

I apologize, I dont intend  to be a pest, I am ok with hardware repair but I am totally paralel with software things. This is why I am puting all kind of questions that might sound stupid for you.

 

Yes, you make yourself clear. I am still looking to find a way without clean install, I really dont want that, and to be honest this is not what I want to do after spending over 6 k on a computer.

 

I guess the best ideea is to wait for the new board, install it, see if everything ok and installAcronis and run it.

 

The problem is, I never used Acronis, I dont know how to use it to make a partition that will help me bring the computer back anytime I need.

 

I bought it for my 9700 because it neeeds too many updates if restore to factory settings; however, I didn'tt use it yet, I dont mind using it for Alx.

 

To be honest, I will pay someone to do this for me, just to have peace in mind, I dont want to screw something again... :(
 
We have all spent a lot of money on our systems. That doesn't release you from doing "software things".
 
You know when you sent that tech away (and why)? Well, I hate to break it to you, but they don't even "do software". That's a different contract (and they don't come to your house ... pretty sure it's online/phone only). You will come to find out that even Dell's "software support" knows only the basics of Windows, apps, drivers, etc. So, unless you want to be at their mercy ... now is the time to start learning. I would say they know about as much about software as the hardware guys know about hardware ... it's just the basics. Things are moving very fast ... no-one can know everything.
 
Backups are important. It's your responsibility. An Image backup saves all the info and the C: system partition is especially important because it is the whole system (that you have spent years building on). What to save all that work? ... Image it now. Harddrives crash and viruses corrupt systems every day.
 
Acronis comes with a Users Manual. I suggest you read it. I suggest you Image Backup to a separate USB harddrive or network server drive (must be a separate physical drive). I use Acronis because need a tool I can rely on, has logs, has real features (like Bare Metal Restore), has real support. There are other similar products ... seak out reviews.
 
Yes, you can pay someone to do it. I hope you trust them. If the restore fails, they will say "Sorry" and you might not even pay them. But will that get your system running? Will that get your data files back? No and No.
 
In closing ... you're not a pest. However, I don't like repeating myself. That's why I write the lengthy Tech docs (I linked to some above) and all these forum posts. I am not able to try all the different ways to do something or ways to "get by" or "shortcuts". I come up with one methodical way to do it and I share that with users.

AA7

54 Posts

October 21st, 2012 23:00

Ibought it new over the phone, special order, Chrome Edition, fully loaded specs back then, same a my laptop that cost me $5400 six years ago. I have waited two months for it, arrived in September last year, blue screen, crash, neverworked. I have waited other 3 months for the placement to arrive. That was in January. Anyway, i bought 3 Alienware and over 30 Dells in last 10 years (including my office computers) from this company, they should pay some attention, I am on the verge to give up Dell for good. Every year I am buying at least one-two computers.

AA7

54 Posts

October 21st, 2012 23:00

I fully understand your point of view. I have sent the tech away because he didn't even know how to open my computer. He mentioned that he never opened an ALX. I also knew that I might be able to fix the problem without using his part. I wanted to try my way first which was resoldering the contacts that are very accessiible by only removing the side panel. If that will fail, then I am gona use the part Dell send me. Bottom line, i have saved Dell money. Actually, the tech mentioned he doesn't know how to do it, he needs to get home and other things that shouldn't be mentioned to a customer. If you will take your BMW to a shop and the guy doesn't know anything about it, you will still leave it there? I might sound stupid or lazy or you name it, I bought Alienware for Two big reasons: 1. I already owned two so I knew that they are powerful and nice machines in every aspect, 2. I can bring it back to factory settings anytime I will get in trouble. I have built my own computers in the past, I am not as knowledgeable as many of you guys, but I am not a rookie neither. Unfortunately, the time does not allow me to build, install, deal with all kind of software problems or conflicts. I am in this stage in life where I will realy like to enjoy my weekend after a week of hard work. This is why I have paid for it. Nonetheless, I truly believe that for this kind of money this machine should run excelent and have no problems. Or the time I have spend on the chat with techs, replacing my first ALX that didn't work from the first day, waiting 3 months until the next one showed up and they didn't even extend my warranty since I didn't even benefit from my computer, all the hassle, taking some time off from work to wait forthe tech, and again another day, you know, if you put it toghether it is a lot, I think I am entitled to be a litle bit upset. I also believe that this is still anew computer, should have no problems for few years, especialyat this price. Or,what about the amount of work I put to afford in this machine? Otherwise, I can buy whatever computer, or change it every two years and still spend the same amount of money, right? Or I was looking at this product like to something different... Maybe I was wrong, or maybe under Dell the quality is poor and next time I should orient myself towards Origin or something else. otherwise, yes, you are perfectly right, we do need to take care of these machines in time, update, back up, etc., this is why I have bought my Acronis to use it on my 9700, until now it was fine but with all the updates that it needs from factory image, I really need to do something. The computer is like it was bought yesterday and works like in its first day, never thought of replacement and is 6 years old. I bought Acronis from tigerdirect because nobody has it in stores, it has no book however. Anyway, I just found the manual on the internet so I should be fine, I guess. Yes, I have read ALL your posts, believe me, your good attitude determined me actualy to ask for help in here. I am sorry if I came across in a diferent way, it was not my intention, I was just expressing my thoughts and maybe the frustration about the issue. I truly apreciate all your help and I thank you for everything Mr Tesla. Trully!

Tesla1856

10 Wizard

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17.9K Posts

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71.3K Points

October 21st, 2012 23:00

Ibought it new over the phone, special order, Chrome Edition,
 
Oh ya ... I saw those. They kept the Intel x58 Enthusiast platform around and put the high-end chips in them and made them ALX only. I think they did that to kinda fill the gap of the Area-51 being dis-continued. Some of us with x58 based Auroras and Area-51s knew the Sandy-Bridge based R3's were not really an upgrade to our machines.
 
Hang in there. These machines are very high-end and complicated. In retrospect, you really just had a minor "wiring problem" and the poor state of the Downloads Area suggested a wrong driver (which just so happened to brick your MIO-Board) ... should have just been a failed driver install. Sounds like you are on your way to getting it all fixed up though.
 
I'll make sure Dell is aware of what happened (actually, that it happened again ... to another steady Dell client).
 
 

AA7

54 Posts

October 22nd, 2012 12:00

Good Morning!

Well, I am waiting for the part or for the technician, it doesn't matter, I can replace the thing myself. I rather take my time and follow thoroughlt the steps that you have mentioned.

Today I was thinking abut the Acronis disk image. I have already a factory image saved in one external portable WD 1TB HDD.

So I will keep that one from now and I will buy another one for the Acronis, just to be sure I am safe.

I have one question though:

I will buy another 1TB portable WD HDD for image. However, these puppies are coming with some WD software installed. Should I format in NTFS and the  use it after that or I can leave this software in there?

I always wanted to ask this question and I always forgot.

What is your opinion in this matter?

Thank you!

Tesla1856

10 Wizard

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17.9K Posts

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71.3K Points

October 22nd, 2012 13:00

However, these puppies are coming with some WD software installed. Should I format in NTFS and the  use it after that or I can leave this software in there?

WD-SmartWare? Ya, I disable that (search their forums or Google). Sometimes they have a "Lite Version" you can run "as needed" like a normal program (to change it's settings like Sleep Mode, etc.). Lots of different WD drives and implementations. On my WD 3-tb Essentials USB-3  ... it was easy to disable.

Yes, take care of all this before trying to use it for real (with Acronis or Windows in general) ... before you put anything important on it. Yes, NTFS is what we use now-days due to various size limits of FAT32.

In Acronis, be sure to turn on "Verify Image after creation" (very important for obvious reasons).

AA7

54 Posts

October 22nd, 2012 14:00

You sir are a gentleman!. Thank you.

I will format it in NTFS just to be sure.

I didn;t have time to play with Acronis but I am planning to do that.

Thanks again!

AA7

54 Posts

October 25th, 2012 19:00

Hello Tesla I might in the future looking at a clean instal procedure. However, it seems that they are two different scenarios regarding the drivers orderr. first one will probably be the one suggested also in one of you posts, which is here: http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?c=us&docid=549172&doclang=en&l=en&s=gen&cs=&dgc=SM&cid=249387&lid=4345490 An another one from Dell send me in a different scenario,, same with Area 51, see here: http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?c=us&docid=536193&doclang=en&l=en&s=gen Which one should I take in consideration? Thanks Ps the pat did not showed up yet. I am waiting. Regards

AA7

54 Posts

October 25th, 2012 21:00

The funny thing is that I still don't know what I own. Is it an Aurora R1? Is it an ALX R1? Really confusing, if I am going in the updates is in Aurora, if I am going to the clean instal order it is separate from the Aurora and is in the same place with Aria 51 unde ALX name. I dont have the name in the book, nor in the invoice. If you buy a car it is saying Jaguar Xtype 2.5 . Thes guys are terible. If you take me further with the other names Like Deimos, etc. I am just going really confused. I will really like to know aht I have. Is this your order? http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/p/19376654/19866250.aspx

Tesla1856

10 Wizard

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17.9K Posts

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71.3K Points

October 25th, 2012 21:00

If you follow theirs, there is another page they made that shows the actual driver order.

If you read all the pages above and watch the videos, you will see they are basically the same. I didn't want to take mine down after Dell posted theirs because I know mine works. Plus, I have "edit ability" of it and try to keep it updated.

Tesla1856

10 Wizard

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17.9K Posts

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71.3K Points

October 25th, 2012 22:00

The funny thing is that I still don't know what I own. Is it an Aurora R1? Is it an ALX R1? Really confusing, if I am going in the updates is in Aurora, if I am going to the clean instal order it is separate from the Aurora and is in the same place with Aria 51 unde ALX name. I dont have the name in the book, nor in the invoice. If you buy a car it is saying Jaguar Xtype 2.5 . Thes guys are terible. If you take me further with the other names Like Deimos, etc. I am just going really confused. I will really like to know aht I have. Is this your order? http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/p/19376654/19866250.aspx
 
Yes, that is my Complete Win7-64 Clean Install and driver order. It's more generic because I wasn't up to writing a separate one for each Aurora and Area-51 model. Remember, before I wrote this there was nothing tailored to Windows-7 installs on Alienware's at all.
 
You have an Aurora ALX (aka Aurora ALX Release 1 or R1) The "first one" doesn't really get a number until others are created. However, they don't know the others are coming until much later ... get it? Also, ignore the "code names" like Deimos.
 
To follow Dell's way there are 2 pages for you. They broke-out the "machine specific" steps into separate pages and specific drivers.
 
 
 
Also, the File Section is pretty broken these days, so when you use it, select "Alienware Aurora" from the generic Desktop machine list. Get the latest Win7-64 driver for the device in question.
 
Again, as I compare the 2 ways ... for the things in common ... I see very little difference. Let me know if you have any other questions. By the way, I informed Dell of your situation the other day.
 
 

AA7

54 Posts

October 25th, 2012 22:00

Thank you Tesla for suggestions and links. Tomorrow I am gonna print them to keep them in computers file.Thank you for everything!

To be honest, now I realized that this ALX wasnt the best choice. Too much wirring, vents, too much in it, if I will order another one, will be simple Aurora, no vents, few lights in the bottom and thats it. I didnteven order it becuase o fthe lights, I just thought it will be more machine in it...

Oh, well, its done. Next time maybe I will try something else fo my personal use.

I have another question. Is Acronis able to write a new "Factory reset" partition on the SSD? Eventualy over the old one?

Or clean it and make a factory reset partition that I can use in the future? I will definetely have an external image disk as well, but I was thinking...

Tesla1856

10 Wizard

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17.9K Posts

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71.3K Points

October 26th, 2012 12:00

I have another question. Is Acronis able to write a new "Factory reset" partition on the SSD? Eventualy over the old one?

 

Or clean it and make a factory reset partition that I can use in the future? I will definetely have an external image disk as well, but I was thinking...
 
When you use Acronis ... you can use Secure Zone feature if you want. However I don't ... it doesn't make sense to me to backup to same physical drive. When the main drive fails you lose the backups as well.
 
You could Secure Zone or just Image to another physical drive (but still inside the machine). This is pretty good however ... if the machine is ever stolen or burned ... you lose it all. Mix this Imaging with Offsite or Online Cloud Backup (for the really important files or vital data files) and you actually have a pretty comprehensive backup solution.

AA7

54 Posts

October 26th, 2012 13:00

Thanks for your reply.

My computer has from factory SSD. I have 500 Gb SSD in Raid 0.

Tesla1856

10 Wizard

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71.3K Points

October 26th, 2012 13:00

...  partition on the SSD?

If installing a SSD  * AND * you are interested-in or committed-to trying a "Clean Install" I might suggest that you ...

- Disconnect the Spinning Drive.

- Install the SSD as only drive C: and clean install

- If you don't like it or have trouble, or can always disconnect SSD and boot back up on old Spinning drive, and you are right where you were before.

- If you like it ... connect Spinning drive and make it D: ...

You new setup would be:

C: SSD Windows OS
D: HDD Programs and Data

... use limited space on SSD for Windows OS and core programs.

or split large HDD into 2 partitions

C: SSD Windows
D: HDD Programs
E: HDD Data

And just a reminder ... as long as you Acronis Image the whole (all partitions) spinning drive (first, to an external USB drive) you can put the system back like it was at any time. ... see the power in that?

 

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