Windows 10 64-bit on Alienware M17x R4

Question

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 UpdateI 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 7970Mhttp://support.amd.com/en-us/download/mobile?os=Windows+10+-+64Never download video drivers from Dell for Nvidia or Ati cards, Dell falls waaaayyyyy behind on driver updates.Intel Rapid StorageFor 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=SAOnce 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=SARealtek Card Readerhttp://www.realtek.com.tw/Downloads/downloadsView.aspx?Langid=1&PNid=15&PFid=25&Level=4&Conn=3&DownTypeID=3&GetDown=falseA universal driver, might work for other realtek card readers.Alienware On Screen Displayhttp://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=N9PMP&fileId=3287517716&osCode=WB64A&productCode=alienware-m17x-r4&languageCode=EN&categoryId=APSoundBlaster Recon 3DNo need for drivers, Windows 10 has drivers.Dell Command Centerhttp://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=2J54X&fileId=3485313456&osCode=WT64A&productCode=alienware-17-r3&languageCode=EN&categoryId=APMight 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 Centerhttp://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=X6VV1&fileId=3148080684&osCode=W864&productCode=alienware-m18x-r2&languageCode=EN&categoryId=APC++ 2010 Runtime x64: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=13523Install 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 ChipsetA 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 EngineFor a windows 10 version, I used my desktop motherboard drivers.http://dlcdnet.asus.com/pub/ASUS/misc/utils/MEI1-5_Win10_VER11001157.zipDell Wireless 380 Bluetoothhttp://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/04/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=XGR27Synaptic Touchpadhttp://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 6250Intel 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=NIIntel USB 3.0 eXtensible Host ControllerNo need for drivers.  Microsoft has USB 3.0 drivers included in Windows 10.Airplane Mode Switcherhttp://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=7YJ68&fileId=3485314063&osCode=WT64A&productCode=alienware-17-r3&languageCode=EN&categoryId=NIIntel HD Display DriverHad 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.zipAccelerometerhttp://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=5T449&fileId=3126802194&osCode=W864&productCode=alienware-m17x-r4&languageCode=EN&categoryId=UTClean Install the UpgradeI 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 · Answer

My M18x works perfectly with Win10.

AndrewSi · Answer

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 · Answer

You guys just put you hand in the lucky dip, sounds like you may have escaped unscathed - For now.... I have Radeons, so it doesn't concern me.

AndrewSi · Answer

Ahhm - Sorry dude, title is misleading, there has been one or two report of this happening with AMD cards too.

fuzzy_oz · Answer

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 · Answer

do you have the ethernet driver?.....thats the only hangup i have in the conversion

Anonymous User · Answer

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 · Answer

That fixed my sound issue as well - thanks much for the link!!!!

Matteo_M88 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 · Answer

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 ??

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.

over the Nvidia driver 353.30, login screen stays black, but by closing and reopening (the monitor) the screen starts perfectly.

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 · Answer

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 ??

Aeroporto · Answer

Great post. Finally got my Alienware R17 R4 working full with Windows 10. Thanks for sharing this.

splashitcouk · Answer

Yeah, Win 10 has the driver for the sound blaster.

That's about the only software that does 'not' work.

I can neither plug in my headphones (sound still blasts out of the normal speakers), nor does the microphone work. The microphone works and I can rule hardware error out.

I have re-installed various versions, even googled - but in vain.

What alternatives are there? The genuine software that came with my machine does not work either. :(

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