It really seems to be a Command Center issue. And the issue is that you may be running an out of date version of command center that is causing a conflict with the service pack update that rolled out on Sunday. I have yet to install that update (afraid of a repeat on the issue) since the system restore and Command Center update + bios update. However, that very likely is the source of the problem. Just turn off automatic updates for Windows and have them notify you when updates are available.
I've got the same problem. But I can't uninstall the command centre when this problem is happening. It slows my uninstall down to less than a crawl where if I press the uninstall button, I'm going to have to wait at least 30 minutes before even the option to uninstall will come up.
I am running Alienware M14x R2 and having exactly the same problem with you guys. The symptoms are those notification on alienfx, then everything on my windows is not responsive, even if I waited for such a long time. To make it worst, somehow my latest and only restore point is AFTER the windows update that the root of all of this problem. Since nothing I can do, I entered safe mode, but I can't reinstall command center and cannot update my bios. Any suggestions? I am really upset with this matter. Please help! Thanks guys.
-- UPDATE --
Through that lag and unresponsive windows 7, I managed to update my AW M14x R2's BIOS from A11 to A13, and I re-installed Alienware Command Center with the latest version. The problem is still persist! Same error message for AlienFX and same problems! :( :(
My M18X R2 failed again this morning. Could not open RECOVERY in control panel. Went to Safe Mode with networking. Did a system restore to 9/1. It finished with a black screen. Did ctrl-alt-del and restarted the system. Got a blue screen, crash dump and screen with start Windows normally or Repair. Chose Repair. Did not ask for repair CD. came back to same screen. Start Windows normally gets another blue screen, and the same results as before.
Opted to boot from my Paragon HD Manager recovery disk to restore to one of my backups. Now it won't boot from a CD or USB stick (known good). Wpn't boot from the Windows repair disk either.
Since I had already reinstalled the alienware command center, I did a system restore and am still experiencing the same problems described by the other people in this thread. This morning, the error message came back and the computer was unresponsive for about half an hour. Other times now it boots to just a black screen with only a mouse cursor and won't do anything except alt-ctrl-del. Yesterday there was a long list of restore points to choose from but today the system says "no restore points have been created on your computer's system drive" so I can't even roll back to an earlier date anymore. Win 7 Ultimate SP1.
I am running Alienware M14x R2 and having exactly the same problem with you guys. The symptoms are those notification on alienfx, then everything on my windows is not responsive, even if I waited for such a long time. To make it worst, somehow my latest and only restore point is AFTER the windows update that the root of all of this problem. Since nothing I can do, I entered safe mode, but I can't reinstall command center and cannot update my bios. Any suggestions? I am really upset with this matter. Please help! Thanks guys.
-- UPDATE --
Through that lag and unresponsive windows 7, I managed to update my AW M14x R2's BIOS from A11 to A13, and I re-installed Alienware Command Center with the latest version. The problem is still persist! Same error message for AlienFX and same problems! :( :(
SAME THING!!!! I have an m14x R2 and I get alienfx controller error on startup. Everything on my system gets unresponsive; the programs in my tray aren't loading. Microsoft Security Essentials wont start real time protection. It says I'm not connected to internet yet I can still go on. What's worse is that my warranty seriously just expired! UGH!!! And I agree, it seems to go back to the latest windows update. I did a restore but for some reason the only restore point was right after it was applied??? If anyone knows what's going on... HEEEEELP!!!!! You know whats even weirder...as I'm typing this my system is suddenly loading everything... MS is working now, I'm "connected" to the internet!? The Alienfx still hasn't loaded though...
I have an M14X R2 and I too am facing the same problem! The problem occured yesterday, 18 Sep. I did a system restore which seems to temporarily solve the problem until I boot up my laptop today and was hit with the same issue. I just did an Alienware respawn out of desperation which reverted my laptop to factory setting. Right now, I'm terrified off switching off my laptop as I'm afraid I will be hit with the same damn problem again.
What shocks me most is the incredibly lack of support from Dell with regards to this obviously blatant, and widespread problem. I needed my laptop for work which obviously is not going to happen if this remains unresolved. I am actually sorry I bought an Alienware.
I don't worry about it. If it fails totally I can restore to an earlier date using evan a new HD. I have a series of images backed up fully. HOWEVER, my M18 would not boot the Paragon disk. But I can connect a spare drive to my desktop and restore it there from a USB drive containing images. Handy.
Just got off the phone with Dell Support. It was the best support I have ever seen. (worked in IS for 37 years, now retired). He ended up connecting remotely and flashed the BIOS to the latest. Now working. Before flashing BIOS could not do a Windows repair or restore. Could not even boot from my Paragon HD Manager rescue disk. (CD or USB Stick). We think it is the result of some recent MS update. Yesterday a restore to 9/14 fixed it. For 1 day. Tomorrow will tell.
M17x R4 here, same error, but intermittent, about 1/3 of the time I get a normal boot. I don't have a restore point (note to self, lol). Uninstalling command center stops the error message, but does not stop the problem--apparently the error message is just one symptom of the problem. My current bios is A10 6/29/2012. Should I flash to A12? I only ask because on my downloads page, when sorted "for my service tag" the bios update doesn't show up, only when I show all updates. Which seems to imply updating it is not recommended..?
I re installed command center and updated to the latest BIOS A13 on my Alienware m14xR2. It worked. At least on the first reboot. Everything loaded up quick. The BIOS are super easy for anyone afraid to do it. Just download them from dell and run as it is a self installer.
Is there any more assistance available on this? My BIOS version is A12 and when I log on to the driver page that is the newest version showing available for my service tag.
M17x R4 here, same error, but intermittent, about 1/3 of the time I get a normal boot.
Ya, sounds like the order of the "Task Tray" or background programs are loaded. I know that if I get impatient and update my Flash (when it prompts on boot ocassionally) or stuff like that ... Command Center will fail to load properly. Not really an issue now that I went SSD, but I still check Task Tray for AlienHead with green eyes before I start using PC (if just booted and I'm in a hurry to do something).
Cruoris
2 Posts
0
September 18th, 2013 19:00
It really seems to be a Command Center issue. And the issue is that you may be running an out of date version of command center that is causing a conflict with the service pack update that rolled out on Sunday. I have yet to install that update (afraid of a repeat on the issue) since the system restore and Command Center update + bios update. However, that very likely is the source of the problem. Just turn off automatic updates for Windows and have them notify you when updates are available.
BrownieTheOne
5 Posts
0
September 18th, 2013 19:00
I've got the same problem. But I can't uninstall the command centre when this problem is happening. It slows my uninstall down to less than a crawl where if I press the uninstall button, I'm going to have to wait at least 30 minutes before even the option to uninstall will come up.
alfischer
35 Posts
0
September 18th, 2013 20:00
Service pack? For what OS? I didn't get one. I don't do automatic updates. Check once a week.
chRis_aLx
1 Message
0
September 19th, 2013 00:00
Hi there,
I am running Alienware M14x R2 and having exactly the same problem with you guys. The symptoms are those notification on alienfx, then everything on my windows is not responsive, even if I waited for such a long time. To make it worst, somehow my latest and only restore point is AFTER the windows update that the root of all of this problem. Since nothing I can do, I entered safe mode, but I can't reinstall command center and cannot update my bios. Any suggestions? I am really upset with this matter. Please help! Thanks guys.
-- UPDATE --
Through that lag and unresponsive windows 7, I managed to update my AW M14x R2's BIOS from A11 to A13, and I re-installed Alienware Command Center with the latest version. The problem is still persist! Same error message for AlienFX and same problems! :( :(
alfischer
35 Posts
0
September 19th, 2013 08:00
My M18X R2 failed again this morning. Could not open RECOVERY in control panel. Went to Safe Mode with networking. Did a system restore to 9/1. It finished with a black screen. Did ctrl-alt-del and restarted the system. Got a blue screen, crash dump and screen with start Windows normally or Repair. Chose Repair. Did not ask for repair CD. came back to same screen. Start Windows normally gets another blue screen, and the same results as before.
Opted to boot from my Paragon HD Manager recovery disk to restore to one of my backups. Now it won't boot from a CD or USB stick (known good). Wpn't boot from the Windows repair disk either.
Any suggestions??
windysunset
5 Posts
0
September 19th, 2013 09:00
Since I had already reinstalled the alienware command center, I did a system restore and am still experiencing the same problems described by the other people in this thread. This morning, the error message came back and the computer was unresponsive for about half an hour. Other times now it boots to just a black screen with only a mouse cursor and won't do anything except alt-ctrl-del. Yesterday there was a long list of restore points to choose from but today the system says "no restore points have been created on your computer's system drive" so I can't even roll back to an earlier date anymore. Win 7 Ultimate SP1.
Hypermicrobe
8 Posts
0
September 19th, 2013 09:00
SAME THING!!!! I have an m14x R2 and I get alienfx controller error on startup. Everything on my system gets unresponsive; the programs in my tray aren't loading. Microsoft Security Essentials wont start real time protection. It says I'm not connected to internet yet I can still go on. What's worse is that my warranty seriously just expired! UGH!!! And I agree, it seems to go back to the latest windows update. I did a restore but for some reason the only restore point was right after it was applied??? If anyone knows what's going on... HEEEEELP!!!!! You know whats even weirder...as I'm typing this my system is suddenly loading everything... MS is working now, I'm "connected" to the internet!? The Alienfx still hasn't loaded though...
causticbites
2 Posts
0
September 19th, 2013 09:00
I have an M14X R2 and I too am facing the same problem! The problem occured yesterday, 18 Sep. I did a system restore which seems to temporarily solve the problem until I boot up my laptop today and was hit with the same issue. I just did an Alienware respawn out of desperation which reverted my laptop to factory setting. Right now, I'm terrified off switching off my laptop as I'm afraid I will be hit with the same damn problem again.
What shocks me most is the incredibly lack of support from Dell with regards to this obviously blatant, and widespread problem. I needed my laptop for work which obviously is not going to happen if this remains unresolved. I am actually sorry I bought an Alienware.
alfischer
35 Posts
0
September 19th, 2013 10:00
I don't worry about it. If it fails totally I can restore to an earlier date using evan a new HD. I have a series of images backed up fully. HOWEVER, my M18 would not boot the Paragon disk. But I can connect a spare drive to my desktop and restore it there from a USB drive containing images. Handy.
alfischer
35 Posts
0
September 19th, 2013 10:00
Just got off the phone with Dell Support. It was the best support I have ever seen. (worked in IS for 37 years, now retired). He ended up connecting remotely and flashed the BIOS to the latest. Now working. Before flashing BIOS could not do a Windows repair or restore. Could not even boot from my Paragon HD Manager rescue disk. (CD or USB Stick). We think it is the result of some recent MS update. Yesterday a restore to 9/14 fixed it. For 1 day. Tomorrow will tell.
Hypermicrobe
8 Posts
0
September 19th, 2013 10:00
I contemplated reverting to factory settings as well but like you... AM VERY AFRAID! let us know if it fixes the issue.
Verena Hodge
8 Posts
0
September 19th, 2013 14:00
M17x R4 here, same error, but intermittent, about 1/3 of the time I get a normal boot. I don't have a restore point (note to self, lol). Uninstalling command center stops the error message, but does not stop the problem--apparently the error message is just one symptom of the problem. My current bios is A10 6/29/2012. Should I flash to A12? I only ask because on my downloads page, when sorted "for my service tag" the bios update doesn't show up, only when I show all updates. Which seems to imply updating it is not recommended..?
Hypermicrobe
8 Posts
0
September 19th, 2013 19:00
I re installed command center and updated to the latest BIOS A13 on my Alienware m14xR2. It worked. At least on the first reboot. Everything loaded up quick. The BIOS are super easy for anyone afraid to do it. Just download them from dell and run as it is a self installer.
windysunset
5 Posts
0
September 19th, 2013 20:00
Hi Milena,
Is there any more assistance available on this? My BIOS version is A12 and when I log on to the driver page that is the newest version showing available for my service tag.
Tesla1856
8 Wizard
•
17.4K Posts
0
September 19th, 2013 23:00
Ya, sounds like the order of the "Task Tray" or background programs are loaded. I know that if I get impatient and update my Flash (when it prompts on boot ocassionally) or stuff like that ... Command Center will fail to load properly. Not really an issue now that I went SSD, but I still check Task Tray for AlienHead with green eyes before I start using PC (if just booted and I'm in a hurry to do something).