17 R5, AWCC, AlienFX Lighting Manager

Request to anyone that has an Alienware 17, R5 Laptop with a fully functional installation of the current Alienware Command Center (AWCC) suite of applications.

Please save a copy your generic AWCC files online so that we can manually copy and paste install everything that Dell's AWCC fails to install onto our laptop. 

Thank you in anticipation. Kind regards. 

AWCC v5.2.81.0 (A00) - Update Successful and Alienware Update for Windows 10 v3.1.2 - Successful. But the AlienFX Lighting Manager is (still) not installed. SupportAssist's I want to check a specific piece of hardware does not check AlienFX hardware. 17 R5 continues to be dark. When is Dell going to fix this enduring problem that fails to install software that checks the AlienFX hardware? 

Windows 10 Pro Device Manager is occasionally unhappy with the AWCC Driver. 

If some Windows functions aren't working or Windows crashes, you can use the Windows support's System File Checker tool to scan Windows and restore your files.  (1) Run the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool, then (2) Run the Windows Resource Protection tool.

Thankfully the 17 R5 is relatively powerful and the System File Checker process was completed quickly. 

A restart was undertaken so that the Windows repairs can be used and then Update & Security was used to check updates, but no updates were required. Device Manager says the AWCC Driver is working properly. 

Revo Uninstaller was used to remove all traces of Alienware-Command-Center-Application_79J9N_WIN_5.2.81.0_A00 and Alienware-OC-Controls-Application_K2HN2_WIN64_1.2.61.1233_A00. A restart was undertaken and these were then given a clean install. Another restart was undertaken and the AWCC suite launched. 

However, the AWCC suite did not install the AlienFX Lighting Manager or the AlienFX hardware tester applications. This is a persistent fault for which Dell-Cares has no solution. 

If anyone has the full AWCC suite on their 17 R5, please upload and then give download link to the AlienFX hardware tester application. Thank you. 

@crimsom is there a BIOS update available for your machine? Or, perhaps an updated AWCC application? when my m17 r4 was giving "no devices detected" occasionally a BIOS update corrected it. Is it compatible with windows 11? the windows 11 upgrade fixed a couple minor issues i had with AWCC as well. Id reccomend trying uninstalling with revo uninstaller, deleting all registry files, and freshly downloading the latest versions of AWCC, occontrols,etc. and installing them. maybe you just have a corrupted install.

Hi @RPT943  thank you for taking an interest in my Alienware 17 R5 laptop stuck in dark mode problem.

I created another thread about an in depth investigation that revealed the AlienFX USB drivers on the motherboard were not getting power. There are many reasons why power to the LED lights is not enabled.

In all other respects my expensive Alienware 17 R5 (i7-8750H, GTX 1070, QHD) Laptop Review - NotebookCheck.net Reviews works. Dell were not interested in fixing my laptop and its warranty life, is now at end of Dell warranty service life, so Dell now refuse to provide any extended warranty. Dell Technical Support were requested to let me test AWCC application code that did not check for AlienFX devices, but no response. 

I did not purchase this laptop for its AlienFX features, so just miffed that out-of-the-box system continues to have a flaw. I am not a fan of Alienware laptops. 

Hi @RPT943  the battery is 'hidden' deep within 17 R5, so that was a major disassembly. Visual inspection looking for other things did not reveal anything. Taking PCs apart is not a problem, years of experience are called upon. I am using the 17 R5 and all the other features work, so not worth investing any more hours. That said, I do follow what is revealed by other forum users. Thank you. 

@crimsom have you ever opened the laptop up? could be something as simple as a loose connector. the only other idea i have is going online to find replacement alienFX devices and plugging them in and seeing if they work, returning or reselling them if they do not. either that or buying another motherboard. and doing the same idea (return  or resell) but at this point if everything else on the laptop works its probably not worth repairing unless you're planning on getting the best price when selling it