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Alienware Aurora Command Center
I've had my Aurora for about two years now, when I first got it, it was great but now I've had so many problems with the components. First the headphone jack stopped working unexpectedly, then the Sound Blaster card shorted out, followed by one of my two NVIDIA GeForce GTS 240's fan started to grind making it seem like my computer doubled as a wood-chipper, the card eventually overheated and shorted out. Then the other card's fan started to grind! I've been able to keep it working by purchasing a fan that occupies one of the pci slots. But my biggest problem is that back in November of 2011 my computer got hit by a virus (not Alienware's fault) and I had to reinstall Windows 7 64bit Home Premium.
I want to overclock my cpu but don't feel comfortable doing so unless I can manage the computer's fans and thermal temperatures. The problem is that Command Center no longer works and upon system start up or attempting to start Thermal Controller I get this message:
System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at AlienLabs.ThermalControls.Domain.Classes.CommunicationServiceClass.get_IsChassisSupportingVenting()
at AlienLabs.ThermalControls.Domain.Profiles.Classes.ProfileProcessorClass.ExecuteVenting(Profile profile)
at AlienLabs.ThermalControls.Domain.Profiles.Classes.ProfileRepositoryClass.VentingExecute()
at AlienLabs.ThermalControls.Controller.Classes.ProfileManagerClass.Init()
at AlienLabs.ThermalControls.Controller.Main.processWindowsLoaded()
at System.Windows.EventRoute.InvokeHandlersImpl(Object source, RoutedEventArgs args, Boolean reRaised)
at System.Windows.UIElement.RaiseEventImpl(DependencyObject sender, RoutedEventArgs args)
at MS.Internal.FrameworkObject.OnLoaded(RoutedEventArgs args)
at System.Windows.BroadcastEventHelper.BroadcastEvent(DependencyObject root, RoutedEvent routedEvent)
at System.Windows.BroadcastEventHelper.BroadcastLoadedEvent(Object root)
at System.Windows.Media.MediaContext.FireLoadedPendingCallbacks()
at System.Windows.Media.MediaContext.FireInvokeOnRenderCallbacks()
at System.Windows.Media.MediaContext.RenderMessageHandlerCore(Object resizedCompositionTarget)
at System.Windows.Media.MediaContext.RenderMessageHandler(Object resizedCompositionTarget)
at System.Windows.Threading.ExceptionWrapper.InternalRealCall(Delegate callback, Object args, Int32 numArgs)
at MS.Internal.Threading.ExceptionFilterHelper.TryCatchWhen(Object source, Delegate method, Object args, Int32 numArgs, Delegate catchHandler)
I've been trying to resolve this issue for months now and can't seem to do it. If anyone can help me resolve the issue I've taken PC Technician classes at college and should be able to perform any necessary procedures.
I'm very upset with Alienware with all the failing components and the failure to run Command Center or Thermal Controller. I thought I'd be a loyal Alienware customer but after all this I'm not sure whether I'd ever purchase a Alienware or even a Dell product again.
Here is a list of computer specs to help any diagnoses
| Component | Details | Subscore | Base score | ||
| Processor | Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 920 @ 2.67GHz | 7.4 |
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| Memory (RAM) | 18.0 GB | 7.6 | |||
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTS 240 | 6.9 | |||
| Gaming graphics | 4095 MB Total available graphics memory | 6.9 | |||
| Primary hard disk | 12GB Free (257GB Total) | 5.9 | |||
| Windows 7 Home Premium | |||||
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I am also running a dual boot system, and my bios is A11.
I tried the Power Dissipation fix, but no luck.
When I go into the Dell Diagnostic I can't see anything that says MIO-Board. I can test the CPU fan but not any other fans.
When the diagnostic tools does its start up initialization I get an error message saying:
"Test Results : Device Initialization Error
Error Code 5D00:0009
Msg: UUTUSBTM - Device-Initialization_Failure User must reattach unit on Root Hub port 1 and restart test."
By the way the diagnostic tool's build number is: V1364.2
I tried running the Alienware diagnostic through the CD its build number was V1366.1 but still nothing that said MIO-board. Upon looking inside my computer there is a orange light on next to the power inputs on what I assume is the MIO board.
Power off computer.
Remove and carefully disconnect the PCIe fan (in front of MIO-Board) and set it aside. It will work without it.
Leave side panel off for now.
Turn on computer ... there ... now that should be easier to work on and observe what the MIO-Board is doing.
Right, if Dell Diags can't detect the MIO-Board ... it will throw that error and it will not provide the MIO-Board specific tests. This is a bad sign, but I wouldn't give up just yet.
Yes, that is the MIO-Board. The orange light means it's on or getting power. Does the orange light go OFF during the "Power Dissipation Fix"? How long did you try leaving it off?
With power-off and unplugged, try re-seating USB-1 cable and where it plugs into MIO-Board (if that connection is removable).
This is a normal (non-ALX) Aurora R1 with no louver fins and extra lights, right?
Dell Rockstar
Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
- Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
- I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
- Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
- Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
- Click "Mark as Accepted Answer" on any post that answers your question best.The orange light turns off after a few seconds of the computer be unplugged. I've done the power dissipation test a few times, at least 30 seconds, last night after holding the power button down for about thirty seconds I left the computer unplugged before I went to sleep.
I unplugged the USB-1 cable and reinserted it, but diagnostics still comes up with the error.
According the the service tag it's a Aurora ALX with no louver fins. I think it's R1 is there a way to check to be sure?
On the MIO-Board it says "MS-4194 VER: 1.1"
and on the mother board it says "MS-7591 VER: 1.0"
Thanks for helping me so far, by the way.
Sounds like you have an plain Aurora R1 (x58 chipset based)
Be sure the USB ports are not de-activated in BIOS.
See my May 12 post here:
en.community.dell.com/.../19365256.aspx
Try changing the position of the green Factory_Default jumper on the MIO-Board (try in various positions with power cycling ... and even a power dissipation cycle.). See if that will help the MIO-Board to be reset and then allow detection.
Dell Rockstar
Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
- Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
- I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
- Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
- Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
- Click "Mark as Accepted Answer" on any post that answers your question best.My USB ports weren't disable from BIOS, I also tried moving the jumper to all possible combinations, Dell Diagnostics still comes up with the error.
OK.
No louver fins on top of machine, right?
Dell Rockstar
Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
- Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
- I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
- Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
- Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
- Click "Mark as Accepted Answer" on any post that answers your question best.I can't think of anything else to try. Sounds like your MIO-board is toast ... well, we tried.
Like in this thread:
en.community.dell.com/.../19365256.aspx
Contact Dell-Chris_M and arrange a board swap. Point him to your thread here. Tell him you will do all the labor work (and sounds like you are qualified to do so).
You need:
P0GVP - Aurora Deimos/Aurora R2 Voltaire non-ALX Master I/O Board
Dell Rockstar
Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
- Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
- I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
- Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
- Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
- Click "Mark as Accepted Answer" on any post that answers your question best.
Tesla1856
10 Wizard
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18061 Posts
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71868 Points
1701
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Posted February 23rd, 2012 23:00
Looks like you got one of the first ones
First things first ... lets get the MIO-Board working again: Try the "Power Dissipation Fix"
See my post here:
http://en.community.dell.com/owners-club/alienware/f/3746/p/19365256/19871730.aspx#19871730
Or Dell's here (don't mess with Command Center unless you have already been doing so):
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kcs/document?docid=429811
If you try that a couple of times and can't get it to work (Command Center in Windows), run Dell-AW Diags from outside Windows. Run MIO-Board tests and change lights colors and fans speeds while you are in there.
Report back here.
Dell Rockstar
Microsoft Windows and Apple iOS Developer (Retired)
- Like many of you, I can appreciate a good game-engine.
- I answer questions here, but I'm not a Dell employee.
- Consider giving posts you like a "thumbs-up"
- Posting models-numbers and software versions speeds trouble-shooting.
- Click "Mark as Accepted Answer" on any post that answers your question best.