7 Posts
1
2346
December 19th, 2020 17:00
m17 R3, AGA software, drivers
I have just purchased the RTX 2080 Ti and installed it in my AGA (Alienware Graphics Amplifier). When I went to install the AGA software there does not appear to be any software / drivers for the 2019/2020 "m" series which now means my investment into the AGA could be a complete waste of time and money.
There is Graphics Amplifier software for the 2015 13 R2/15 R2/17 R3 here but when I run it it says "Not compatible with your system".
However the Graphics Amplifier overview here says it does support the "m17".
In that's the case where do I get the software? Any help here would be appreciated as support don't seem to be able to help.
No Events found!
min_iak
4 Posts
1
October 13th, 2022 02:00
Hello dear @crimsom , thank you very much for your time and prompt response,
I did what you recommend, hope that we will get back from Dell soon ,
and hopefully fix this issue.
Both the laptop and the AGA itself (without considering the cost of the external card) are considerably high-priced items.
Too bad that Dell dropped the support for our Alienware m17 R3 laptops,
Thanks again,
Cheers,
Alien Spider
7 Posts
0
December 23rd, 2020 16:00
Please let me know if anyone can get it working or Dell fixes the issue.
Regards,
Greg
Alien Spider
7 Posts
0
December 23rd, 2020 16:00
Hi there,
I have an m17 R3 with AGA and 2080 Ti with latest Dell OEM Nvidia driver 27.21.14.5687, A02
The m17 R3 keeps crashing when I connect the AGA. Dell support has been on the phone with me for 7 hours to no avail. We even had a Dell technician come out and change the AGA and my m17 R3 motherboard. No change, the system still crashes after it starts within a few minutes every time.
Regards,
Greg
Alien Spider
7 Posts
0
December 25th, 2020 16:00
Hi there,
Does anyone here have an m17 R3 with AGA and Nvidia RTX 20XX card that works? I have this configuration and the AGA crashes the laptop every time after a few minutes of running. Dell can't seem to fix it. They have replaced the AGA and my m17 R3 motherboard to no avail.
I'm not alone all these people seem to be having a similar problem:
m17 R3, with External RTX 2080 Super
min_iak
4 Posts
0
October 12th, 2022 13:00
Same problems, as with @Alien Spider here,
Absolutely frustrating.
My Alienware Graphics Amplifier does not connect to my m17 R3 laptop!
Why? The laptop does support the Amplifier.
Any help is appreciated.
crimsom
7 Technologist
•
6.1K Posts
0
October 12th, 2022 15:00
Hi @min_iak and @Alien Spider welcome to this free user-to-user Alienware laptop discussion forum.
Please look at Solved: Alienware 17 R3 Graphics Amplifier Question - Dell Community.
The Alienware m17 R3, Setup and Specifications, Back view says connect an Alienware Graphics Amplifier (AGA) to External graphics port 4, to enhance the graphics performance.
Is there a Blue Screen, example Stop Code VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE. What failed nvlddmkm.sys?
Please run windows Reliability Monitor and wait for event timeline to install. How to use Windows Reliability Monitor to identify software issues | Dell Look for Blue Screen events.
Please look at m17 R3, with External RTX 2080 Super - Dell Community. Essentially this says Dell should resume updating their AGA drivers and software.
Please visit your online Dell account to create Service Request so that they know there is a problem to fix. Explain the problem and request Dell Technical Support resume updating the AGA drivers and software and fix your system.
min_iak
4 Posts
1
October 12th, 2022 20:00
Hello dear @crimsom , thank you for your prompt response,
Actually, it's not even a matter of blue screen of death issue,
The m17 R3 (2020) doesn't recognize at all the alienware graphics amplifier (AGA), installed with the external graphics card, The Alienware Command Center software does not recognize the AGA setup.
It does seem to be a matter of AGA drivers and software for the m17 R3.
Please note that the AGA with my external card was working flawlessly with my previous Alienware 17 R3 laptop.
Any suggestions? I really don't know what are the next steps.
Thank you in advance for your time,
Cheers,
crimsom
7 Technologist
•
6.1K Posts
1
October 12th, 2022 23:00
Hi @min_iak have used Product Support to search on Alienware Graphics Amplifier to reveal "This package contains the Alienware External Graphic Amplifier Software application, version 3.0.7.0, A00 released on 16 Aug 2016." Is this the AGA peripherical drivers and applications that you are using?
At the bottom of this AGA webpage, have requested the Dell technical support team to provide update for Alienware m17 R3. The more customers that make this request, the more likely that Dell will support your Alienware m17 R3. Alienware External Graphic Amplifier Software Application | Driver Details | Dell US
crimsom
7 Technologist
•
6.1K Posts
1
October 13th, 2022 10:00
Hi @min_iak this is the link to the AGA (Alienware Graphics Amplifier) FAQ webpage.
AGA (Alienware Graphics Amplifier) FAQ - Dell Community
It shows the AGA software application links, supported models and operating systems. The FAQ also states ...
Supported Alienware PC
The models listed in red below still have the legacy external graphics port. But these models were not tested/validated with the 2014 AGA.
13 R1/R2/R3
15 R1/R2/R3/R4
17 R2/R3/R4/R5
X51 R3
Steam Machine/Alpha R2
m15 R1/R2/R3/R4
m17 R1/R2/R3/R4
Area-51m R1/R2
min_iak
4 Posts
1
October 13th, 2022 20:00
Thanks dear @crimsom
I have to say that it is embarrassing for Dell that there is no support for the newest laptop models (e.g. m15/m17 R3/R4).
And obligates us to seek for other, third-party solutions.
The AGA costs ca. 250 euro, the external graphics card ca. 700 euro. Not to mention the m17 R3.
The fact that there are no drivers for m17 R3 is frustrating.
Thanks anyway for your time.
Cheers,
crimsom
7 Technologist
•
6.1K Posts
0
October 13th, 2022 23:00
Hi @min_iak there was an expectation that the 2014 AGA would get a modern uplift, to use Dell's AGA port and modern GPU cards. However, other OEM PCs wanted to provide a universal eGPU enclosure with powerful supply unit (PSU) of more than 750W and insert full-size GPU cards.
If you want to use a modern full-size graphics card, this requires more power (wattage) than these Alienware laptops can provide. Getting an external graphics card (eGPU) enclosure and installing a powerful external graphics card is the current solution. Have a look at the sliding table in Best eGPU Enclosures - September 2022 External GPU Buyer Guide, to get eGPU enclosure for your full-size powerful graphics card option.
If you want to use a modern Dell Docking Station, none of the Dell Docking Stations (TB16/TB18DC/D6000/WD15/WD19/WD19S/WD19TB/WD19TBS/WD19DC/WD19DCS) were validated/tested with Alienware Laptops. Check the online Dell Commercial Docking Compatibility. Note this list includes some Consumer XPS Laptops, but no Alienware Laptops.
Technology has moved on and users of Alienware laptops are getting many external monitors. Do not understand why Dell are reluctant to support Dell Consumers and pay more attention to their potential purchase of Dell Docking Stations for Dell PCs and Dell External Monitors. Electronics & Accessories | Dell USA
crimsom
7 Technologist
•
6.1K Posts
0
October 14th, 2022 00:00
Hi @min_iak it is strange that Dell docking stations are not recommended to be used on any Dell Alienware PC. Dell Alienware users have to visit third party reviews to try and get a recommended and compatible Dell docking station for their PC.
Dell Docking Station WD19DCS Dual Cable User Guide | Dell US
How to Daisy Chain Multiple Monitors Using DisplayPort Multi-Stream Transport (MST) | Dell US
Support for Dell Performance Dock – WD19DCS | Documentation | Dell US
Dell Performance Dock – WD19DCS | Dell USA