If they got to that point is because the fan may not be working properly. I would suggest replacing the fan 1st then ask for replacement if it did not work.
You just need to download the software from the net and change the settings manually under sensors.
If your new 18 has A04, we don't know for sure if manual fan control works with HWiNFO64. Many of us are hoping and praying that it does.
You download HWiNFO64 from this link, extract the contents to a new folder and launch the executable.
Follow this series of photos to set things up... basically replicate what you see in this series.
Caution: A03 does not permit manual fan control. It allows CPU fan control, but cuts power to GPU fans. This will cause video cards to overheat. If you have A04, monitor video card temperatures and feel behind the left and right vents to be sure air is blowing from the video card fans. (The CPU fan is in the center.)
Hope this helps.
Launch HWiNFO64, add a check to "Sensors-only" and click "Settings"
Choose the options shown above for the "General / User Interface" tab
Choose the options shown above for the "Safety" tab
Choose the options shown above for the "SMBus / I2C" tab
Choose the options shown above for the "Driver Management" tab (check the box first)
Click "OK" after checking the box for Persistent Driver and "Install"
Click "OK" and then "Run"
If HWiNFO64 has minimized to the System Tray, double-click its icon to open the Sensor Status windows as shown below.
1 - Click on the icon that looks like a fan
2 - Click the "Custom Auto" button
3 - Replicate the settings shown in the "Fan Control Look-up Table" window
4 - Click "OK" and you will see "Custom Auto" is active
Tip: to restore fan control to the BIOS/EC, click the "System Auto" button
Click on any of the images to enlarge in a new browser window if necessary
Reports from new owners are that their new Alienware 18 systems are shipping with A04. Unfortunately, none have share their default CPU power settings, CPU performance results or observations on fan behavior. It is not available for download yet, so we will need to hang tight for a bit until it is made available for public download. Hopefully, it will include all of the fixes everyone is waiting for. I am optimistic that it will.
It's obvious I got a dud. So I am just waiting for Dell to send me a new one (they have not even started the process yet) which will take weeks. You'd think a $2500 computer would work out of the box. I already waited a month to get this one. So what's 2 months waiting to get a laptop in 2014. I might just cancel altogether. This is too much already. Spent total of 3 hours on 3 different occasions trying to get it to work, the people in South America (tech support) know just about nothing. all they did were tests..."yea the fan is on at %100 and is overheating a bit" NO WAY, Really? I called you to confirm that??? I am not calling Alienware tech support because I've got nothing else to do. And the thing is they take forever on each call.
I've been quietly lurking these forums since late December 2013 when I received my Alienware 18. Just wanted to share that I am having similar issues with mine: crashes, fps lag spikes, overheating, etc... I'm really disappointed given the amount of money I spent on this 'beast'. Anyways, fingers crossed for this A04 update.
Alienware-L_Por
842 Posts
0
January 31st, 2014 08:00
Try using HWInfo to manually set the fans to a lower speed depending on the temperature.
JoeyToronto
1 Rookie
•
4 Posts
1
January 31st, 2014 08:00
how and where do I get that? and how do I change the settings... Dell couldn't assist, they want to send me new fan or exchange the system altogether.
Alienware-L_Por
842 Posts
1
January 31st, 2014 08:00
If they got to that point is because the fan may not be working properly. I would suggest replacing the fan 1st then ask for replacement if it did not work.
You just need to download the software from the net and change the settings manually under sensors.
More info here.
BJFox
2 Intern
•
763 Posts
0
January 31st, 2014 15:00
If your new 18 has A04, we don't know for sure if manual fan control works with HWiNFO64. Many of us are hoping and praying that it does.
You download HWiNFO64 from this link, extract the contents to a new folder and launch the executable.
Follow this series of photos to set things up... basically replicate what you see in this series.
Caution: A03 does not permit manual fan control. It allows CPU fan control, but cuts power to GPU fans. This will cause video cards to overheat. If you have A04, monitor video card temperatures and feel behind the left and right vents to be sure air is blowing from the video card fans. (The CPU fan is in the center.)
Hope this helps.
Launch HWiNFO64, add a check to "Sensors-only" and click "Settings"
Choose the options shown above for the "General / User Interface" tab
Choose the options shown above for the "Safety" tab
Choose the options shown above for the "SMBus / I2C" tab
Choose the options shown above for the "Driver Management" tab (check the box first)
Click "OK" after checking the box for Persistent Driver and "Install"
Click "OK" and then "Run"
If HWiNFO64 has minimized to the System Tray, double-click its icon to open the Sensor Status windows as shown below.
1 - Click on the icon that looks like a fan
2 - Click the "Custom Auto" button
3 - Replicate the settings shown in the "Fan Control Look-up Table" window
4 - Click "OK" and you will see "Custom Auto" is active
Tip: to restore fan control to the BIOS/EC, click the "System Auto" button
Click on any of the images to enlarge in a new browser window if necessary
JoeyToronto
1 Rookie
•
4 Posts
0
January 31st, 2014 22:00
There's A04 BIOS?Dell only shows A03.
ian dalm
61 Posts
0
February 2nd, 2014 05:00
Does Brother Fox know something we don't know?? (actually he knows a lot I don't know
) But Brother Fox do you have updates on A04?
BJFox
2 Intern
•
763 Posts
0
February 2nd, 2014 08:00
Hi Brother Ian! Happy Sunday, bud.
Reports from new owners are that their new Alienware 18 systems are shipping with A04. Unfortunately, none have share their default CPU power settings, CPU performance results or observations on fan behavior. It is not available for download yet, so we will need to hang tight for a bit until it is made available for public download. Hopefully, it will include all of the fixes everyone is waiting for. I am optimistic that it will.
JoeyToronto
1 Rookie
•
4 Posts
0
February 2nd, 2014 08:00
It's obvious I got a dud. So I am just waiting for Dell to send me a new one (they have not even started the process yet) which will take weeks. You'd think a $2500 computer would work out of the box. I already waited a month to get this one. So what's 2 months waiting to get a laptop in 2014. I might just cancel altogether. This is too much already. Spent total of 3 hours on 3 different occasions trying to get it to work, the people in South America (tech support) know just about nothing. all they did were tests..."yea the fan is on at %100 and is overheating a bit" NO WAY, Really? I called you to confirm that??? I am not calling Alienware tech support because I've got nothing else to do. And the thing is they take forever on each call.
ian dalm
61 Posts
0
February 2nd, 2014 18:00
Thanks for the update! Good news on the way! Any updates are good updates!
AJohnL
1 Message
0
February 2nd, 2014 19:00
Hiya!
I've been quietly lurking these forums since late December 2013 when I received my Alienware 18. Just wanted to share that I am having similar issues with mine: crashes, fps lag spikes, overheating, etc... I'm really disappointed given the amount of money I spent on this 'beast'. Anyways, fingers crossed for this A04 update.
Cheers