Very odd thermal controller issues

I've seen that before but not lately. In general, all Windows computers (and their various devices) have the potential to act strangely after waking from Sleep. I think it has to do with the OS parts waking up in a different order (not normal boot order). It helps if you don't leave apps running when it enters sleep. This is more of Microsoft problem than an Alienware problem, but a device like the MIO Board can make it more likely. Having it controlled by a large runtime platform like .Net doesn't help much either.

I don't think I have seen it happen since I overwrote my default Alienware.ath config file (with my intended settings) and used that ... instead of trying to use a different file name.

As far as touching the computer and it does something different, that sounds like a static problem (check your ground and AC power) or a lose connection somewhere. Be sure to check connectors on MIO Board behind optical-bay-side-cover/PCI Fan.

As for the vibration, just find the lose part and tighen it. You can make little pads of black electrical tape, layered 3 or 4 pieces thick. All these tool-less covers and parts that snap in are cool, but if they have the potential to vibrate a bit.

For the side cover... be sure it's locking into place completely. It should feel tight and the case top lever should snap all the way down. Still a bad connection ? (try these in order ... with power OFF)
1. Wipe both sides of connector contacts with a clean cloth (never touch with fingers).
2. Loosen 4 power supply screws in the back and make sure power supply is slid all the way over tight.
3. VERY carefully bend side panel gold contacts up 1 mm (might void warranty).
3. There are other ways ... but one of the above should work.

If you have more than one spinning harddrive, try moving the others to a different bay. There is also a mod to better isolate the drive from the caddy/frame.

Well I haven't actually had a chance to test sleep mode after totally reinstalling command center and wiping out the ath files etc... hopefully that will resolve that. What really bothers me is the problem related to touch as that is something that I feel could get much worse and I have gone as far as re-seating all of the related connectors and my power should be fine as it's coming through a UPS and the monitoring software isn't reporting any bad power etc.

As for the vibrating I have a t-shirt stuffed between the side of the case and my desk forcing a tight connection.... looks like hell but it is working, I'm sure I can figure out a better way now that I know for sure it is the case wall.

When you have seen this issue before did you also notice that in command center sometimes it would show you had a cpu fan (not pump), it would also selectively not report on some sensors, and other such oddities until a reboot?

I'll test the sleep mode issue, and be sure I close all open apps as well then I'll report back.

When it did happen, it was so rare (maybe once a month) I didn't look at sensors ... I just rebooted. It's just the MIO Board not initializing properly after waking.

The side cover really can't be lose at the bottom. It's likely the top. The way the latch works, it must be fully engaged to work. On mine, after fully engaged, it was still a little (very little) lose, so I installed 2 small electrical tape pads evenly spaced along the top metal bar. I tried to use 2 felt cabinet bumpers (about 2mm thick) but that was too much.

Then, you can analyze why it's vibrating in the first place. You might find (like I did) that it's the hard-drives. The caddies are kinda lame. I have 2 so together they were causing a harmonic vibration.

Yeah, so I was playing a game that never causes the PC to heat up and I noticed my fans were running hard, so I exited and went into the command center. Temps were running near 100(f) so I let it cool off for a while. Thing is, it never did so I walked over to the case and tapped on it..... the fans instantly slowed down and I glanced back over at the command center where it was claiming the temps all just dropped about 6(f) and showed the fans running at closer to normal speeds.

This is an obvious defect with some component. Do I just need to call in for tech support or can I get help here?

It sounds like a lose connection.

I think you have to call tech support so you can either fix it and/or schedule a service tech. visit.

I've had some of the same problems as all of you. By the way, do you guys know if it is possible to change the thermal controller temperate readings to F instead of C degrees?