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Windows 10 64-bit on Alienware M17x R4
First off, can't say I blame Dell for not wanting to support Windows 10 on these laptops. What would you do if component manufacturers weren't creating drivers? I wouldn't support Windows 10 either. But, never tell me something can't be done, I'll do it anyway. I have Windows 10 installed and running, no problems, everything working.
Unless noted, all drivers are native Windows 10 64 bit. Some drivers had to come from my desktop motherboard that uses the H77 chipset.
When downloading drivers, I group them in folders named after the OS the driver is meant for, then a folder named after the component the driver is for.
Bios Update
I updated my BIOS. May not be needed, but having the latest bios sometimes solves problems with new OSes. I leave this one up to you.
ATI Radeon HD 7970M
http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/mobile?os=Windows+10+-+64
Never download video drivers from Dell for Nvidia or Ati cards, Dell falls waaaayyyyy behind on driver updates.
Intel Rapid Storage
For installing Windows 10:
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=GF4K5&fileId=3154961274&osCode=W764&productCode=alienware-m17x-r4&languageCode=EN&categoryId=SA
Once Windows 10 is installed:
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=JRG1T&fileId=3287490389&osCode=WB64A&productCode=alienware-m17x-r4&languageCode=EN&categoryId=SA
Realtek Card Reader
http://www.realtek.com.tw/Downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=15&PFid=25&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=false
A universal driver, might work for other realtek card readers.
Alienware On Screen Display
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=N9PMP&fileId=3287517716&osCode=WB64A&productCode=alienware-m17x-r4&languageCode=EN&categoryId=AP
SoundBlaster Recon 3D
No need for drivers, Windows 10 has drivers.
Dell Command Center
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=2J54X&fileId=3485313456&osCode=WT64A&productCode=alienware-17-r3&languageCode=EN&categoryId=AP
Might be the Windows 10 replacement for Alienware Command Center, but doesn't work. Noting this one in case someone wants to try, don't waste your time.
Alienware Command Center
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=X6VV1&fileId=3148080684&osCode=W864&productCode=alienware-m18x-r2&languageCode=EN&categoryId=AP
C++ 2010 Runtime x64: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=13523
Install the C++ runtime and add .NET Framework 3.5 before installing Alienware Command Center. .NET Framework can be found by going to "Apps & features" in System Settings, then "Manage Optional Features".
Intel HM77 Chipset
A Windows 10 driver was not found on Intel's website. I used my deskptop motherbaord's driver.
http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/misc/utils/Intel_Chipset_Win10_V10117.zip DO NOT use AsusSetup.exe!
Intel Management Engine
For a windows 10 version, I used my desktop motherboard drivers.
http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/misc/utils/MEI1-5_Win10_VER11001157.zip
Dell Wireless 380 Bluetooth
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=XGR27
Synaptic Touchpad
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=R0Y00&fileId=3485314402&osCode=WT64A&productCode=alienware-17-r3&languageCode=EN&categoryId=IN
Intel Centrino WiMAX 6250
Intel has not released a Windows 10 driver, may never release a windows 10 driver. The windows 7 driver is the only one that installs. Seems to be working fine for me.
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=M4HVV&fileId=2947394894&osCode=W764&productCode=alienware-m17x-r4&languageCode=EN&categoryId=NI
Intel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host Controller
No need for drivers. Microsoft has USB 3.0 drivers included in Windows 10.
Airplane Mode Switcher
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=7YJ68&fileId=3485314063&osCode=WT64A&productCode=alienware-17-r3&languageCode=EN&categoryId=NI
Intel HD Display Driver
Had to go with my desktop motherboard driver to get a Windows 10 compatible version.
http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/misc/vga/Intel_Graphics_Win10_VER1018104252.zip
Accelerometer
http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=5T449&fileId=3126802194&osCode=W864&productCode=alienware-m17x-r4&languageCode=EN&categoryId=UT
Clean Install the Upgrade
I don't have time to do a step by step, at least these pointers should get you in the right direction.
When installing, Windows 10 will not detect any hard drive. Make sure to extract the Windows 7 Intel Rapid Storage drivers to a place the Windows 10 installer will find. I put them on the USB drive I used for installing the OS. When asked for extra drivers, go to the "f6flpy-x64" folder for the rapid storage drivers. The only way to get the folder is to extract the contents on the Dell installer. Once Windows 10 is installed, don't forget to install the Window 8.1 version of the driver.
If you want to do a clean install using the free upgrade, install the upgrade on top of the current OS. Make sure Windows 10 is activated by going to "System", which can be found by right clicking "This PC" then "Properties" in Windows Explorer. Do the clean install, skipping the serial key entry windows when they come up. Windows 10 will automatically activate once installation is done. DO NOT forget to upgrade first, otherwise you'll have to install your current os again. Some drivers may need Windows Update to run in order to install them, make sure to update.
Once done with a clean install, I used CloneZilla to create a backup of the install.
That should cover everything. Hope this helps. Don't fault Dell for component manufacturers not creating compatible drivers.
fuzzy_oz
15 Posts
0
September 19th, 2015 19:00
My M18x works perfectly with Win10.
AndrewSi
901 Posts
1
September 20th, 2015 09:00
You guys just put you hand in the lucky dip, sounds like you may have escaped unscathed - For now....
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/windows-10-nvidia-whql-drivers-are-killing-alienware-and-clevo-lcd-panels.779449/
fuzzy_oz
15 Posts
0
September 20th, 2015 16:00
I have Radeons, so it doesn't concern me.
AndrewSi
901 Posts
0
September 22nd, 2015 05:00
Ahhm - Sorry dude, title is misleading, there has been one or two report of this happening with AMD cards too.
fuzzy_oz
15 Posts
0
September 22nd, 2015 16:00
Well I've been running solid for 5 weeks now, with dual HD6880's, so fingers crossed.
Where can I find those reports you mentioned?
I've read a couple of posts referring to issues with the HD6310 having no brightness adjustment with some drivers, but nothing as severe as the lcd panel frying.
baka_ichigo
1 Message
0
November 9th, 2015 01:00
do you have the ethernet driver?.....thats the only hangup i have in the conversion
Anonymous User
3 Posts
1
November 9th, 2015 20:00
Thanks a lot for your guide and links.
However, I got an issue with the headphone jacks. When I plug them (mic and audio, not the single one), I can heard the sound coming from both the PC and headphones. It isn't muting the one from the PC.
I fixed the problem by installing onlythe driver (the Panel didn't work for me) from this link:
http://www.dell.com/support/home/ar/en/ardhs1/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=G340X
Driver version is 6.0.100.2053 if anyone asks.
rcjsprings
6 Posts
0
December 19th, 2015 13:00
That fixed my sound issue as well - thanks much for the link!!!!
Matteo_M88
1 Message
0
January 12th, 2016 06:00
Even my M17X R4 3D works perfectly and I mount an Nvidia 660M
sorry my bad English :-D
Only problem:
over the Nvidia driver 353.30, login screen stays black, but by closing and reopening (the monitor) the screen starts perfectly.
I am currently using the Nvidia driver 353.30.(works perfect)
I think the problem is caused by Nvidia latest drivers
My pc spec:
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3610QM CPU @ 2.30GHz
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M
Samsung SSD 840 EVO 1TB
trgringo
2 Posts
0
January 16th, 2016 14:00
Hi I'm a new happy user of m17x4 but I have little problem. My volume keys are not working trying to install different drivers but still nothing. I have Win 10 Pro 64-bit. Can you help me ??
WizzBangWA
3 Posts
0
January 18th, 2016 10:00
I have seen a lot of posts have been added. I'll help where i can. First, A long term update on the my laptop.
Standby doesn't work right. Laptop will go into standby but not come out of standby, Since I don't use standby, nothing lost there for me.
ATI video drivers have been unstable, crashing quite a bit. However, the latest update may have fixed that since it's been about a month since the video drivers crashed.
Other than that, I have had no problems.
WizzBangWA
3 Posts
0
January 18th, 2016 10:00
As long as you use the drivers I posted in the first post, your buttons should be fine. Since I don't have your laptop, all i can say is keep digging for drivers. My buttons are working fine.
Definitely sounds like video drivers.Keep an eye out for updates, nVIdia is generally good at getting their drivers fixed up.
As far as other posts go, sounds like just a need to go find the drivers that fit the hardware on your particular laptop. Dell has a funny habit of switching hardware while a model is in production. Drove me nuts when I was fixing people's computers. That's the best I can say since I don't have the same hardware, and my hardware is functioning just fine.
trgringo
2 Posts
0
January 19th, 2016 09:00
Could you please tell me witch application is responsible for this keys ??
Alienware On Screen Display or Dell Command Center or maybe Alienware Command Center ??
tnbwill
1 Message
0
April 10th, 2016 19:00
HOLY ***! Thank you for the display driver link for Radeon. My wife's Alienware has the 7970m, mine has the 675m. After downloading the DLC for Fallout 4, hers was choppy as all get out but mine was still running fine...which I thought was odd since hers is technically the better card. After installing the driver from your link, hers is running better than before...which means we can both play Fallout 4 again.
Thanks!
Aeroporto
1 Message
0
May 2nd, 2016 11:00
Great post. Finally got my Alienware R17 R4 working full with Windows 10.
Thanks for sharing this.