Other users have seen this before (with v2.7.25.0), but Dell has not officially stated what it means (is it software or hardware related).

So, all I can tell you is to be sure you have .Net 4.0 (Full Framework and Client) installed (first). If it still won't install, try a v2.6.x version ... like maybe 2.6.11.0 or 2.6.17.0.

v2.7.25.0 does install and work on my machine (been running it for months now).

As for the original problem ... are you sure you didn't just accidentally have "Alienware AlienFX Events" disabled?

I hadn't made any changes to my alienware settings... though I do recall having issues with the .net updates in a windows patch in early May (around the 5th?). I had to uninstall then reinstall .net 4 directly from Microsoft. Everything seemed to work ok up until this morning when it ceased to work. Clicking on go dark, or changing the settings in the alienware command center, as I stated in my original post, had zero effect on anything.

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 this version 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.

Ok, i will give this a try and report back with results. Thanks for the help!

Quick question... when looking at my installed programs and features, I see Microsoft .Net Framework 4 Client Profile

Microsoft .Net Framework 4 Framework 4 Extended... is there supposed to be something else that has a separate installer than the download I used to install .net 4 originally?

And where do I get those files? Going to the microsoft .net site, the only thing available to download that I can see is .Net 4 (www.microsoft.com/.../details.aspx) and if I can manage to find all those files, should I uninstall .Net 4 files i have again?

All,

All files should be installed as an Administrator
* Install .Net Framework 3.5. Restart the PC when done
* Install .Net Framework 4.0. Restart the PC when done
* Install the Command Center. Restart the PC when done
* Install the AlienFX Media plug-in. Restart the PC when done

All files should be installed as an Administrator

According to the utility you linked and i installed,

Here is what it says i have installed:

.NET FW 2.0 SP 2
.NET FW 3.0 SP 2
.NET FW 3.5 SP 1
.NET FW 4.0 Client
.NET FW 4.0 Full

Yet, no matter what i do, I cannot get either the AMD Catalyst Control Center or Alienware Command Center (which lets me control the lighting as well as the fans) to work. Installation on both of those utilities fails... and I cannot seem to get the AMD graphics driver to install. Attempting to install Alienware command center tells me that I need .net installed and as you can see above, IT IS installed.

This is becoming pretty aggravating.. my computer is now crashing with the following information about the BSoD crashes:

On Sun 6/17/2012 7:45:02
AM GMT your computer crashed
crash dump file:
C:\Windows\Minidump\061712-34039-01.dmp
This was probably caused by the
following module: watchdog.sys (watchdog+0x122F)
Bugcheck code: 0x119
(0x1, 0x2138C, 0x2138F, 0x2138E)
Error: VIDEO_SCHEDULER_INTERNAL_ERROR
file path:
C:\Windows\system32\drivers\watchdog.sys
product: Microsoft® Windows® Operating System
company: Microsoft Corporation
description: Watchdog
Driver
Bug check description: This indicates that the video scheduler has
detected a fatal violation.
The crash took place in a standard Microsoft
module. Your system configuration may be incorrect. Possibly this problem is
caused by another driver on your system which cannot be identified at this time.

Sounds like you might have to backup your data and then try clean installing Windows 7:

en.community.dell.com/.../19866250.aspx

If that doesn't work, you might have a hardware problem.