Alienware Aurora MIO Board Versions

What exact version of Aurora (what release) do you have? If you don't know, then what Intel processor is installed? Additionally, it this an ALX model?

What version of Windows are you running?

The MIO-Board in my Aurora R1 (non-ALX and x-58 based Intel chipset motherboard) is marked:
MS-4194 VER1.1 . I can't imagine one older than this.

Since mine is non-ALX, the headers and connectors for ALX functions are not soldered-in ... which is normal. The roms on the 2 different versions (non-ALX vs ALX) determine abilities and also the model that appears in Command Center.

Examine the two boards for component differences or take and upload pics. Are they the same except for white silk-screen writing?

Review this post for basic info about MIO-Board troubleshooting.

http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19454040.aspx

Running Dell Diagnostics (outside of Windows) is how you verify the MIO-Board is working and connected properly. It would be part of the Work-Flow to get this part replaced and working (with minimal problems and hopefully not bricking another one).

I've also written and posted recommended detailed procedures for this repair a couple of times over the years. I can try to find them in Forum if you can't.

If you want my help ... read carefully above info and answer my questions.

Sold as: Aurora Master I/O Control Board Part# P0GVP (MS-4194 Ver 0D)

if I install it and only load the older version of CC from my Resource Disk and do not upgrade to the newer CC (the old one was working fine anyhow).

The final version of Command Center for Aurora R1-R3 on Windows7-64bit is v2.8.9.0

From my Notes.

User Question:

Is it as simple as just removing the old one and re-connecting everything to the new one? Are there any other steps I should take, like uninstalling Command Center and re-installing after the new board is installed?

**

My Answer:

I would uninstall Command Center.

Reboot, Start Windows, Shut-Down

Unplug machine, dissipate power.

Read PDF Service Manual section on MIO-Board.

Swap board. Wires are thin so be gentle.

Power up and test with Dell Diags/ePSA. See MIO-Board respond.

Power down, unplug the power cord from the back of you PC, then press and hold the power button down for 10 seconds to drain residual power from MIO board to further reset it and to insure a trouble-free CC install. Then, power back up and go into Windows.

Disable your Anti-Virus software.

Install the latest Command Center (for desktops) and reboot. (ie v2.6.17.0 or newer)

Note: The first time this version is installed, it will upgrade the MIO-Board's firmware to v2.x (hopefully, this is already current and will be skipped)

Note: Microsoft Net 4.0 Client Framework is required for install. You can get it from Windows Update.

Test operation.

Never use the Upgrade feature inside Command Center. Always, uninstall old, reboot, install new fresh

Sold as: Aurora Master I/O Control Board Part# P0GVP (MS-4194 Ver 0D)

From my notes:

2JXP2 - Aurora R1-x58 (Deimos)/Aurora R2 (Voltaire) ALX Master I/O Board
P0GVP - Aurora R1-x58 (Deimos)/Aurora R2 (Voltaire) non-ALX Master I/O Board

Not sure what the hexadecimal-like version number means or if it's relevant (it's still a MS-4194) .

Sold as: Aurora Master I/O Control Board Part# P0GVP (MS-4194 Ver 0D)

That pic looks like mine, except for the white writing name. Mine says:

MS-4194 VER:1.1

Tesla (and everyone!) Thank you. In regards to my Aurora, it's not an ALX (no moving louvers - just exterior lights), it runs the Intel X58 Express.  I've just looked over the 2 MIOs I have, and other than the silk screening that says VER 0D, they look exactly the same.  both are POGVP Boards, both say MS-4194 in the center, and both have N1996 screened on them.  Just that VER is different.  If what I read in the posts following yours, as long as I load the new CC from the website, it should be fine?  I'm willing to give that a shot, since I already deleted the CC on this drive. I've already downloaded the latest CC to my PC but haven't installed it.  I have the Dell Diagnostics disk I created to test it.  My old MIO will not respond with the disk, so I'm pretty sure it's toast.  Once again, thanks to all who posted.

If your old mio wasn't detected in the test (& you know it was hooked up right) it prob is toast. But you never mentioned the new board ... was it detected or did it act like toast too?

If you're waiting for more advice before a cc install, basically, mind you ... if you install/connect  the 0D board to your system correctly, perhaps you would 1st boot into the diagnostics cd you made, run the mio test, & make sure it is detected. If it is not detected, it has no chance of doing anything while you run windows. You would then try to find out why it isn't detected ... perhaps a wrong connection was made (install error), perhaps usb cable plugged in wrong etc ...

If it is detected in the diag test, you would then boot into windows & install Cmnd Cntr as normal. In a perfect world, CC installs (& mio gets its firmware update/flash), & you're back in business. 

Has anything about those basics differed, or are you back in biz?

Hi Tesla,

Sorry to interject in the middle of someone else’s  thread, but I appear to have inadvertently bricked my Aurora ALX R1 MIO board last evening while reinstalling the OS on a new SSD and then allowing an update from within the CC application. I have been doing a lot of research after-the-fact today and it doesn't look good!

I have created a bootable USB with Alienware 32-bit diagnostics on it and when I run it after either the 10 second discharge and/or the  jumper reset methods I don’t seem to see an entry for the MIO, but where exactly would it appear in the hierarchy? I believe I’ve examined all the leaves without success, but I wanted to double check with someone knowledgeable. I've attached a screen shot of what I'm seeing. 

Thanks in advance for any guidance you might be able to offer!

but where exactly would it appear in the hierarchy

Don't recall, but it's not hard to find. IIRC, it's toward the bottom and you might have to scroll down to see it on the list.

Ya, if it's bricked, it won't show. Right, often happens during OS installs or using CC in-program updater.

If you have ALX, also remove batteries from interior lighting. Then, Power dissipate and let machine sit with no power for a few hours.

This is a question posed to Tesla and Cass Ole;

I read through the entirety of Cass Ole's Area-51 motherboard swap and thought it to be absolutely amazing and gives me a great idea of what needs to be done if I choose to swap out my motherboard in my Aurora R4. 

Since both of you seem to be the experts here on the Alienware desktop motherboards, MIO boards and swapping them out for an aftermarket mobo is there any way that you two get that original thread stickied and maybe allow for people to use the comment section on it to ask questions and troubleshoot when swapping out their mobo's? 

I ask this because swapping out an Alienware desktop motherboard tutorial plus help from knowledgeable, experienced people is one of, if not the, hardest things to find upgrades to either the Aurora or Area-51 desktops. I have literally looked every where, from Reddit, Alienware Arena, Alienware Owners, etc. and nobody has anything even remotely resembling a tutorial. Until I found Cass Ole's original thread. 

Maybe this is asking to much, but if it all possible could you guys do a collaborative video tutorial on this. I just know that it would be a huge hit and most definitely popular among AW desktop owners and maybe, just maybe Alienware will take notice and finally make it an approved upgrade (That will never happen. DELL-Chris M) and not make it so hard to swap out motherboards. 

Anyway, thank you both for your information and hard work. And Cass ole thank you very very much for your original motherboard thread. It was a massive eye opener and gives me an excellent idea of what is needed in order to take the necessary steps in upgrading my motherboard. 

(That will never happen. DELL-Chris M)

You know Chris never say never and I'm going to contact Alienware via email and ask them why its such a big deal in the first place. Once upon a time it was upgradeable but now it's not. I don't like being restricted from making my PC better and allowing for myself to update with the times. As of now my processor is fine. The i7-3820 is still very much so a good processor but eventually I would like to upgrade and I find it frustrating that in order for that to happen I have to go through some serious pain in the *** trail and error troubleshooting.

I absolutely love my Alienware Aurora, I spent more than $3k on it and I think I deserve an easy "how to?" from the manufacturer on a basic upgrade that can be done on literally any other top of the line pre-built. If I can upgrade my PSU or my GPU then I should be able to upgrade my motherboard in an easy and orderly way. I shouldn't have to go guerrilla style and beg random people to post a "how to?".

That's just my two cents but I bet there are a lot of Alienware owners who would agree with me on this and to not be supported by a company I have spent literally thousands with is unacceptable to say the least.  

This is a question posed to Tesla and Cass Ole;

I can help with MIO-Board and Command Center questions while they are still in Area-51 or Aurora R1-R4 with Dell supplied motherboard. After you swap motherboard, they are really no longer a Dell/Alienware, so I can not really help after that point.

Cass-Ole is your man for motherboard swaps ... I can't really help with that. Also, the way I see it ... that is just trying to get an after-market or retail motherboard to work in a highly proprietary case. I'm constantly amazing what Cass-Ole has managed to accomplish and reverse-engineer.

My answer to users is to move the (usually perfectly) working Alienware machine to a lesser role, or sell it. Put that money toward a new retail machine or custom build.