M15x R1, fix options?

Question

Hi, I have an older Alienware M15x with an i7 720qm processor, 750GB 7200rpm hard drive and 4GB (2x2GB) ram; Currently running Windows 10. I am wondering what the best plan for this computer is? Its kind of a special case so I'll explain whats wrong with it and what I'd like to use it for and go from there. This computer worked perfectly for the first 3-4yrs but then it started having issues. When I contacted Dell they told me the hard drive had bad sectors and it should be replaced so I replaced it with a 750GB 7200rpm drive. While reinstalling the hardware there was a bios update from dell so I gave the computer to a friend and he did the bios update and reinstalled the factory OS. Since then none of the alienware stuff works and the computer has had some issues. I looked on the Dell forums and it seems the bios update from Dell messes up a chip on the mother board and to fix it you need to replace the motherboard at your own expense.  I still use the computer but none of the alienware lights or features work at all anymore. It shows all these .NET framework errors when i boot it up. Sometimes it doesn't boot at all but it does most of the time.  Recently the touchpad has stopped working entirely.  I am now trying to learn to code and would like to use the laptop once and a while when I'm visiting family etc. I have started The Odin Project and am enjoying it. I set up my home computer with a partition for dual boot and may just go entirely to Ubuntu at some point. I can't seem to do the dual boot on this computer though. I looked into it and apparently its not possible for the Alienware. I could use a VM so I don't really care if its Windows or Linux or Mac even as long as it works well. So my main question is what is my best option for this computer? I don't really want to buy a new motherboard but they are available from aliexpress for about $100US. I don't mind if I need to buy ram but I have a single 8GB PC4-2400T ram i can install but I think that is not the same as whats in there so i'm not even sure if I can use it? I don't really care if the lights work but it would be great if I could get them to work. I am more concerned about the video card, cooling system and all the peripherals. Anyways, my other questions are: - Will Ubuntu work on this computer and have all the functionality I have now?- is there any chance of getting the lights to work with ubuntu- am I better off running a VM for coding and keeping windows? I'd love to hear what other, more experienced people would do with this computer. Thanks in advance for any help and advice you have.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @Krbsider welcome to this user to user discussion forum. This is not Dell Support.

Is your operating system Windows 10 x86 (32 bit) or x64 (64 bit)?

Please connect M15X to the internet, click on Product Support and allow Dell to get its identity. Download and install the Dell SupportAssist application, followed by Restart (not shut down). When system starts to boot, press and hold down F12 key. When boot menu window appears, select Diagnostics option and press enter to run. When white Diagnostic window appears, click on start Diagnostic tests. When finished, click on icon in bottom RH corner to look at test result and its summary.

Go to and open the Drivers and Downloads tab to be told that its does not support Windows 10, but it does support Windows Vista x64. Windows 10 x64 has compatibility feature and will allow applications to run Vista x64.

Please click on Kudos to say thank you for response from another user. Please share an update on progress, so that other users derive benefit from your experience. Thank you.

DELL-Chris M · Answer

crimsom, Krbsider has the M15x R1 that shipped in 2010.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @DELL-Chris M thank you for sharing update.

My previous post's Drivers and Downloads hyperlink goes to the original Alienware M15x (R1) and notes that Windows 10 is not supported.

ePSA F12 diagnostic check of hardware was first port of call. If hardware tests all pass, other options can be considered.

There might be a similar SATA system of that vintage that will support Windows 10 and this M15x (R1). Do you happen to know if this is possible?

mattyb3 · Answer

If your friend used the original Resource CD that came with the laptop to reinstall Alienware Command Center then the AlienFX chip on the motherboard is now corrupted and you will need a new board if you want to get the lights back. It is a very well known issue caused by someone from Dell sending these CD's out with the incorrect AWCC application. I also have an M15x with the same issue.

There is a chance to reflash this chip by using an EEPROM programmer and the correct software/firmware but I don't know of anyone who can do it. It's cheaper and easier to replace the board.

I bought a new board for mine from Aliexpress for around $60USD but it blew up within a few weeks. You're better off finding an old second hand one that still has functioning lights and using it for parts.

A51-06 · Answer

Thats terrible. Can't you just reflash it to the previous version and it'll be fixed?

mattyb3 · Answer

@Alienware Area-51 ALX 2006 You can only flash it using a special programmer and certain software and then the correct firmware file. There is a hidden connector under the palmrest tray that can apparently be used to plug in a programmer. Dell would have had the tools to do the fix but the laptop is too old for them to care about now which is a real shame since it was their mistake.

If I had the parts and software to do it then I'd be happy to do it for free for anyone who needed it done.

There is an old Youtube video of a guy doing the flash fix but he doesn't explain how to do it and doesn't reply to messages.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8xqr6_KqwQ

I won an eBay auction last night for a faulty M15x for around $100USD and I'm hoping I can use the board in my machine and then sell the rest for parts.

mattyb3 · Answer

@crimsom I can confirm that Windows 10 works fine on the Dell M15x as I have it running on mine. Some people have even got Windows to work on the pre-Dell Area-51 M15x.

Dell will say Windows 10 is not supported on these older machines because nobody took the time to test it.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @Krbsider thank you for sharing update. ePSA test of hardware and all pass is excellent.

Is your operating system Windows 10 x86 (32 bit) or x64 (64 bit)?

Type System into Search (bottom LH corner) and open System Information. Look at OS Name and System Type and BIOS Mode.

Krbsider · Answer

I do have an ST-link V2 which I use to flash STM32 chips so I was hoping to find the hex file and the pin out diagram for the plug so i can know the right connections for the ST-link but I haven't found any information about this after looking quite a bit.

Krbsider · Answer

Hi, I did the tests and all passed but still nothing works properly. I tried to download the updates for vista but they didn't work properly on the widows10 OS.

Alienware

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