So, to be clear ... you did eventually find the forum posts warning NOT TO EVER update Command Center from inside the program itself, right? This is what happens sometimes if you try. Much safer to:

**********

Completely Uninstall Command Center and reboot.

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. v2.6.17.0
Note: The first time a v2.6.x version (or higher) is installed, it will upgrade the MIO-Board's firmware to v2.x
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.

**********

Here is the rest of the info:

The CPU cooler and sensors are controlled by the MIO-Board, so trouble-shooting should start there.

Shut-down machine properly so it will turn off. Unplug from wall or UPS. Hold down power button for 20 seconds to dissipate any electricity in machine and MIO-Board. Wait another 20 secs before powering up. See if that very simple procedure resets MIO-Board.

Run Dell Diagnostic on the MIO-Board. If Dell Diagnostics doesn't detect a MIO-Board at startup, the MIO-Board tests will not be available or listed. All the other tests that ARE listed, will likely test good. If this is happening, it must be corrected first. You really have to observe these MIO-Board tests, because the results are very important to the progression of steps to the final diagnosis or repair. If the MIO-Board tests fail in Dell Diagnostics, there is really no chance it will operate in Windows with Command Center software.

If the Dell Diagnostics MIO-Board tests pass, this tells us quite a bit:
1. The MIO-Board is getting power
2. The MIO-Board is connected to the motherboard's USB-1 port header (and communication is working).
3. The MIO-Board is operational and not locked up or in a loop.
4. The various devices (lights, fans, etc.) that the tests can successfully exercise are connected properly (be sure to do these).

Dell Diagnostic (specifically the MIO-Board tests). This will check it and also has been known to reset it in some fashion. If it is detected and tests good, but still won't work, try re-installing the software ...

************

The fact that your MIO-Board tests good in Dell Diags is very good news. It means it isn't "bricked" or locked-up. You still have a change to get it going. I would be carefull what you do from this point forward (only do above procedures). Be very carefull not to try a very old version. You should be ok with something around v2.6.17.0. What version do you want to use?

I am currently working a similar problem here. However, we got side-tracked with a possible hard-drive failure:

http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/t/19451277.aspx?PageIndex=1

Let me know you read and understand all this. I'll post a procedure for you to try later today.

Thanks Tesla it was your post that got me doing all the checking and unistal reinstalling. I understand what to do just feel like its a circle without end. I have literial redone CC 12 times with no change. I will look up version 2.6 I believe that is what I had that was working.

Ok, try this:

This procedure assumes that the MIO-Board tests good in Dell Diags (outside of Windows) and you can control the lights and fans INSIDE Dell Diags using their tests. However, when you properly install Command Center in Windows 7, you get strange .Net error messages and the sub-apps don’t operate properly. These error messages mean the Command Center software is still having trouble communicating with the MIO-Board.

If the MIO-Board tests FAIL in Dell Diagnostics, there is really no chance it will operate in Windows with Command Center software. The MIO-Board tests in Dell Diags have been known to reset it in some fashion. The Power Dissipation Fix has also been known to reset MIO-Boards, so be sure to try them both.

Note: Never use the Upgrade feature inside Command Center. Always, uninstall old, reboot, install new fresh. Never install older versions of Command Center on a machine. Always re-install the same version or newer.

Prerequisites:

- Be sure the ONLY USB devices connected to PC are a normal USB mouse and keyboard (not any Alienware TactX models with lighting or that use AlienFX). Nothing else.

- Disable your Anti-Virus software (and be sure it stays disabled throughout the entire process and reboots)

- Microsoft Net 4.0 Client Framework is required for Command Center install. You can get it from Windows Update.

- Have Command Center downloaded and ready to install later.  A current, later release version is suggested… something around v2.6.17.0 or the new v2.7.x release (if that’s what you have been trying to use already). Do not install old v2.5.x versions (even if File Area suggests them to you).

Completely Uninstall Command Center and reboot.

Go into Control Panel / Device and Printers.

- In the lower “Unspecified” section, go to Properties on “Gaming Desktop”

- Right click for Properties.

- Click Hardware Tab

- Select “Master IO Filter Driver”, then click lower Properties button

- Click Change Settings button at bottom

- Select Driver Tab

- Click Uninstall button and flow prompts

- Close all windows and return to main Gaming Desktop properties screen

- Select “USB Input Device”, then click lower Properties button

- Click Change Settings button at bottom

- Select Driver Tab

- Click Uninstall button and flow prompts

Note: if you do this wrong, the Uninstall buttons will be un-available.

Close all windows and Shut-Down Windows (Power down machine)

Unplug the power cord from the back of your 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.

Install the Command Center (for desktops) and reboot

Note: The first time a v2.6.x version (or higher) is installed on your machine, it will upgrade the MIO-Board's firmware to v2.x

Reboot if asked to.

Test operation of Command Center.

Good luck and report back if it worked. Also, if any steps are incorrect and need clarification, please let me know. Especially, what happens around the times when you "uninstall" those 2 devices. What are the prompts, does "Gaming Desktop" disappear? (that kind of stuff)

so I am guessing something is broken on the pcb itself.

Pretty much impossible if it works in Dell Diags.

I had CC working just after install I did not restart as the prompt suggested and opened CC everything worked lights fans cpu pump.

I restarted my computer and CC has now stopped working I can do nothing again.

If anyone from Alienware is looking at this your software is seriously screwed up.

To your previous question Tesla I did not see gamming desktop but I also changed my computer name so i opened that. I see generctic usb hub and all the others but I do not see anything that says master I/O.

go figure I reinstalled the CC again ver 2.6 and did not restart my comp and then opened up CC and it was working. I was able to adjust fans and lights. Going to restart now and see what happens.

go figure I reinstalled the CC again ver 2.6 and did not restart my comp and then opened up CC and it was working. I was able to adjust fans and lights. Going to restart now and see what happens.

Well this is odd when I go into F12 I see master I/O and it test fine. When I test fans they cycle when I test LEDs on case they cycle. When I went to the areas you told me too I could not find the master I/O so I am guessing something is broken on the pcb itself. Wow I am starting to hate Alienware.

could this be a motherboard problem and not a I/O problem?