Hello, they are some troubleshooting steps you can follow for this: http://dell.to/HicXd2; but most likely the motherboard part for the lights is dead. Have also a look to this thread http://dell.to/I8tiAH it might help out clear out some questions.
Thanks for the post. I'll give it a shot and see if it works. I really dont think its a hardware issue since it happened after I reinstalled Windows. It has to be software, but Im just guessing....
Agree. Just keep at it because the ACC can be a little touchy. Try to uninstall the ACC and then update the .NET again. My last ACC install I had to do that twice to get it to work..why IDK.
Thanks for the post. I'll give it a shot and see if it works. I really dont think its a hardware issue since it happened after I reinstalled Windows. It has to be software, but Im just guessing....
Did the steps outlined in the link. Reflashed A07, dumped all the power, reinstalled CC and set up a new theme. No dice. Whats new, though, is that I can actually LOAD the CC, whereas before I couldnt. Also, something odd: When I right-click on the AlienFX sys tray icon, the "Enable Alienware AlienFX Events" and "Go Dark" options are active and then "greying out" every 5 seconds....Almost as if the controller is TRYING to start up, but cant.
Test with PSA/Dell Diags from outside of Windows. If it sees the MIO-board circuit and allows you to test it (change light colors, etc.) ... you likely just have a software problem.
Well after looking at the video, the best advice that I can give would be to have a look at the running service for AlienFX. Make sure you make it “Take No Action” when it crashes. To do it:
Start -> “Services” -> (look for AlienFX service, right click to properties) -> Recovery -> Make it all to take no action.
That way we will know if it is software or not. But yet again most likely is the motherboard failing.
There is a user here (search a bit) that says he can fix locked-up/corrupt-firmware MIO-Board Circuit issues with AW laptops. Not sure what he charges.
Nobody?! Cmon, Dell!! I see posts of this EVERYWHERE!!! How is it that hundreds of people have this issue, but there isnt a solution?! Unbelievable...
Both Dell and I have made suggestions. Now, you have to do follow-through and report your findings back here.
True, Dell's docs amount to mostly just installing, un-installing, re-installing Command Center until it works (or not) ... but try it to the letter (see above).
My trouble-shooting is more in-depth. Try what I said above or see my Favorite threads. True, most of my experience is with the stand-alone boards in desktops (but the basic idea is the same). I usually don't answer AW laptop questions, but it looked like you needed some help, so I made an exception.
There is a user here (search a bit) that says he can fix locked-up/corrupt-firmware MIO-Board Circuit issues with AW laptops. Not sure what he charges.
Test with PSA/Dell Diags from outside of Windows. If it sees the MIO-board circuit and allows you to test it (change light colors, etc.) ... you likely just have a software problem.
Thank you both for your reposts. Apologize for the sternness, but its just so frustrating. Tesla, I followed the links that Frank had posted with no result.
Frank, when you say Start/services, Im guessing that you mean the services running in Windows. I see nothing related to AlienFX in the running services. Nor do I see a "recovery" option in any properties of any running services. Please elaborate.
Thank you both for your assistance and perseverance.
Tesla, I stated on the video post that I ran the Diag that came with the laptop and it didnt have the MIO board listed, unless its named something different that Im not seeing.
Video doesn't work for me (IE9 on Win7-64) ...so I didn't know.
Diags on desktops will test MIO-Board. Has even been known to "release" locked up MIOs. However, if it's completely locked up or damaged ... it won't list it or even make it available for testing.
Ill see if I can find a diag for desktops. Are there newer versions of them?
I doubt the Desktop version of Dell-AW Diags will run on a laptop. I think it needs to be Dell-AW Diags for Laptops. Us desktop users get our version from support.dell.com and burn it to a bootable CD-R. It's Linux based and runs outside of Windows on its own. It directly accesses the hardware for testing ... without Windows or Command Center (of course).
DELL-Frank Lz
208 Posts
0
April 5th, 2012 17:00
Hello, they are some troubleshooting steps you can follow for this: http://dell.to/HicXd2; but most likely the motherboard part for the lights is dead. Have also a look to this thread http://dell.to/I8tiAH it might help out clear out some questions.
morblore
2 Intern
•
2.4K Posts
0
April 6th, 2012 10:00
Agree. Just keep at it because the ACC can be a little touchy. Try to uninstall the ACC and then update the .NET again. My last ACC install I had to do that twice to get it to work..why IDK.
scottdog129
22 Posts
0
April 6th, 2012 10:00
Thanks for the post. I'll give it a shot and see if it works. I really dont think its a hardware issue since it happened after I reinstalled Windows. It has to be software, but Im just guessing....
scottdog129
22 Posts
0
April 6th, 2012 15:00
Did the steps outlined in the link. Reflashed A07, dumped all the power, reinstalled CC and set up a new theme. No dice. Whats new, though, is that I can actually LOAD the CC, whereas before I couldnt. Also, something odd: When I right-click on the AlienFX sys tray icon, the "Enable Alienware AlienFX Events" and "Go Dark" options are active and then "greying out" every 5 seconds....Almost as if the controller is TRYING to start up, but cant.
So frustrating...
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
April 6th, 2012 17:00
Test with PSA/Dell Diags from outside of Windows. If it sees the MIO-board circuit and allows you to test it (change light colors, etc.) ... you likely just have a software problem.
scottdog129
22 Posts
0
April 9th, 2012 16:00
It doesnt see it. Here is a small video of the odd blinking that Im seeing in the menu from the sys tray icon:
DELL-Frank Lz
208 Posts
0
April 11th, 2012 21:00
Well after looking at the video, the best advice that I can give would be to have a look at the running service for AlienFX. Make sure you make it “Take No Action” when it crashes. To do it:
Start -> “Services” -> (look for AlienFX service, right click to properties) -> Recovery -> Make it all to take no action.
That way we will know if it is software or not. But yet again most likely is the motherboard failing.
Agree 100%Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
April 11th, 2012 21:00
scottdog129
22 Posts
0
April 11th, 2012 21:00
Nobody?! Cmon, Dell!! I see posts of this EVERYWHERE!!! How is it that hundreds of people have this issue, but there isnt a solution?! Unbelievable...
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
April 11th, 2012 21:00
scottdog129
22 Posts
0
April 11th, 2012 21:00
Thank you both for your reposts. Apologize for the sternness, but its just so frustrating. Tesla, I followed the links that Frank had posted with no result.
Frank, when you say Start/services, Im guessing that you mean the services running in Windows. I see nothing related to AlienFX in the running services. Nor do I see a "recovery" option in any properties of any running services. Please elaborate.
Thank you both for your assistance and perseverance.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
April 11th, 2012 22:00
Video doesn't work for me (IE9 on Win7-64) ...so I didn't know.
Diags on desktops will test MIO-Board. Has even been known to "release" locked up MIOs. However, if it's completely locked up or damaged ... it won't list it or even make it available for testing.
DELL-Frank Lz
208 Posts
0
April 11th, 2012 22:00
I am sorry, this is what I meant: http://bit.ly/HCEGIQ
I'll be back tomorrow to check on you, thank you and no worries I know you are frustrated
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
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17.4K Posts
0
April 11th, 2012 22:00
scottdog129
22 Posts
0
April 11th, 2012 22:00
Its not in the video, its right above it. :)
Ill see if I can find a diag for desktops. Are there newer versions of them?