Hey, I am trying to set up this SSD to my Alienware x51 R2, I have tried everything, I checked to see if the ssd was working by putting it in my laptop and sure enough it worked fine, I put it into my alienware and I get a error and it doesn't detect the SSD when I put it in the hard drive slot, so I done some research and bought the cables that you need to setup a SSD & HDD and able to use both, when I done the setup it didn't detect anything leaving me in the most amount of stress, so I have come here to see what response & answers I get, heres a few pictures thank you!

There's been a lot of fiddling around (initially needing the whole thing replaced) with my model since I bought it and I've mostly been impressed with the updating of drivers since Windows 8.1 came out but there is one area that really needs attention. Video card drivers.

When are we going to get updated Nvidia drivers directly from Dell? For a dedicated gaming system, a desktop no less. it's a little bit of a joke that it's still the initial driver set available directly from the vendor. Most things that might be ok for but we're missing out on specific game optimizations, the ability to stream to a Nvidia Shield effectively, use shadowplay and more. We have even received updated Intel drivers already with the latest bunch of updates?!?

This seems to be the only way that new drivers will be both stable on the system and Optimus will actually bloody work, not causing problems for games. Just installing the official drivers does not bypass the integrated card, you merely don't control it. Case in point deus ex human revolution, does not launch because of the makeup of the system. It can launch if you have control of the optimus system.

With steam now rolling out in home streaming this is only more needed, get on it guys.

I have an alienware m17x r3, and i have gotten a quite severe issue which affects both my sound quality and performance. The audio sometimes "sparks" or "stutters". It does not seem to be because of a windows update, or general winrot. as it persisted through a reformatting. I also installed the newest BIOS drivers, as that was a suggested way to fix the problem. Although it got much better after the formatting, it has now returned, and I would like to stop the issue before it becomes as bad as it was last time.

Has anyone encountered this problem before? is there a solution out there?

Thought I would start a thread to compile some info about the new Premium Liquid Cooling option offered in the newer Aurora R4 (and beyond). I welcome any definitive info from Dell Reps or forum users (that has one in their machine).

Finally, some pics of Premium round-cooler (Note, there is no Dell Aurora R5 yet):

http://esports.alienwarearena.com/forums/topic/55035/hardware/alienware-aurora-r5-premium-cooling-explained-/

Notice pictures (as of 1-8-2013) are still showing the original Standard hex-shaped cooler

http://www.dell.com/us/p/alienware-aurora-r4/pd.aspx?~ck=anav

Some of my questions:

1. Is Premium Cooler also made my Asetek like the original hex-shaped-cooler unit that's been installed in Area-51 and Aurora models since 2009?

2. If ordered from Dell Spare Parts ... what is the Part Number and how much does Premium copper round-cooler cost?

3. Will it fit existing R1-R4 Auroras ... pump/heatsink (due to socket change) as well as radiator assembly?

4. Is it pin compatible with existing R1-R4 Auroras, and does it interface into Command Center?

5. If you order a Aurora-R4 with ALX chassis (for $200 extra), is Premium cooler included and comes installed? Sales Website text says it does, but the config options ALSO let you add Premium Cooling (as $100 upgrade) on top of ALX model. So, which is it?

Ok so my aurora R1 is going on 5 years old and I am getting concerned that I should replace the liquid cooler for the CPU.  Where can I get an new XF23D cooler are they still available new?

if I cant get one new.....What cooler can I put in my aurora R1?  and will both its plugs (fan/pump) be compatible with the alien Fx daughter board inside top of case?

Hey so I got a new Alienware 18 base model in march 2013 it's February now and I have had very little problems but my computer now won't start. It started a couple a days ago when the LED display stopped working and I restarted my computer but nothing happened I blew it off because it just didn't really care about the flashy lights so I decided to shut down my computer from windows because the power button refused to work and that should have been the first warning  that I should have not shut of my computer. So now I'm locked out when I push the power button literally nothing happens nothing it's like it's been bricked. I tried unplugging the power cord from the wall and holding the power button for thirty seconds and i tried 5 min later still nothing please help this has happened before but I fixed by unplugging the power cord but it didn't work this time

Greetings.  I purchased an Alienware Aurora ALX back in July of 2011.  Its still a great rig!  I am wondering about its potential for upgrading in the future though.  Specifically, I am concerned with upgrading the motherboard.  Currently my motherboard model is:

4VWF2 MS-7591 Motherboard (I believe this is correct, I was unable to find the part number on my system configuration list)

My question is:

In the future, will I be able to upgrade this motherboard with a motherboard being used in the current generation Alienware Aurora models?

Thank you.

I recently re installed alienfx and the alienware command center on my m17x r2. The issue I'm having is that in the command center everything is there but alienfx. It loads but the only thing it shows is a silver wheel with nothing else. I've been dealing with this for awhile and I get this error code every time. I'm hoping someone on here can help. 

System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.ControllerMainForm.closingApplication()
at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.ControllerMainForm.controllerMainFormFormClosing(Object sender, FormClosingEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnFormClosing(FormClosingEventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WmClose(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WndProc(Message& m)
at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.ControllerMainForm.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)

************** Loaded Assemblies **************
mscorlib
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5472 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/Microsoft.NET/Framework/v2.0.50727/mscorlib.dll
----------------------------------------
AlienwareAlienFXController
Assembly Version: 1.0.92.0
Win32 Version: 1.0.92.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Program%20Files/Alienware/Command%20Center/AlienwareAlienFXController.exe
----------------------------------------
AlienwareAlienFXTools
Assembly Version: 1.0.92.0
Win32 Version: 1.0.92.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/AlienwareAlienFXTools/1.0.92.0__bebb3c8816410241/AlienwareAlienFXTools.dll
----------------------------------------
Alienlabs.CommandCenter.Tools
Assembly Version: 1.0.92.0
Win32 Version: 1.0.92.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/Alienlabs.CommandCenter.Tools/1.0.92.0__bebb3c8816410241/Alienlabs.CommandCenter.Tools.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Windows.Forms
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5468 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Windows.Forms/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Windows.Forms.dll
----------------------------------------
System
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5467 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Drawing
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5467 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Drawing/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Drawing.dll
----------------------------------------
AlienLabsTools
Assembly Version: 1.0.92.0
Win32 Version: 1.0.92.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/AlienLabsTools/1.0.92.0__bebb3c8816410241/AlienLabsTools.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Configuration
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5476 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Configuration/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Configuration.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Xml
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5476 (Win7SP1GDR.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Xml/2.0.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Xml.dll
----------------------------------------
WindowsBase
Assembly Version: 3.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 3.0.6920.5453 built by: Win7SP1GDR
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/WindowsBase/3.0.0.0__31bf3856ad364e35/WindowsBase.dll
----------------------------------------
PresentationFramework
Assembly Version: 3.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 3.0.6920.5453 built by: Win7SP1GDR
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/PresentationFramework/3.0.0.0__31bf3856ad364e35/PresentationFramework.dll
----------------------------------------
PresentationCore
Assembly Version: 3.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 3.0.6920.5453 built by: Win7SP1GDR
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_32/PresentationCore/3.0.0.0__31bf3856ad364e35/PresentationCore.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Management
Assembly Version: 2.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Management/2.0.0.0__b03f5f7f11d50a3a/System.Management.dll
----------------------------------------
AlienFX.DeviceDiscovery
Assembly Version: 1.0.92.0
Win32 Version: 1.0.92.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/AlienFX.DeviceDiscovery/1.0.92.0__bebb3c8816410241/AlienFX.DeviceDiscovery.dll
----------------------------------------
AlienLabs.MasterIOBoard.Communication.Core
Assembly Version: 1.0.92.0
Win32 Version: 1.0.92.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/AlienLabs.MasterIOBoard.Communication.Core/1.0.92.0__bebb3c8816410241/AlienLabs.MasterIOBoard.Communication.Core.dll
----------------------------------------
AlienFX.Communication
Assembly Version: 1.0.92.0
Win32 Version: 1.0.92.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/AlienFX.Communication/1.0.92.0__bebb3c8816410241/AlienFX.Communication.dll
----------------------------------------
AlienLabs.MasterIOBoard.Communication
Assembly Version: 1.0.92.0
Win32 Version: 1.0.92.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/AlienLabs.MasterIOBoard.Communication/1.0.92.0__bebb3c8816410241/AlienLabs.MasterIOBoard.Communication.dll
----------------------------------------
System.Core
Assembly Version: 3.5.0.0
Win32 Version: 3.5.30729.5420 built by: Win7SP1
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/System.Core/3.5.0.0__b77a5c561934e089/System.Core.dll
----------------------------------------
LightFX
Assembly Version: 1.0.92.0
Win32 Version: 1.0.92.0
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/LightFX/1.0.92.0__bebb3c8816410241/LightFX.dll
----------------------------------------

A lot of folks have upgraded the X51 with an SSD by removing the existing 3.5" HD, replacing the 3.5" carriage with a dual 2.5" carriage adapter, and installing the SSD in the 2.5" carriage.

As far as I'm concerned this is a waste of perfectly good 1TB 3.5" HD and it is pretty easy to avoid. I've left the 3.5" HD in place and physically placed the 2.5" SSD on-top of the slot area of the DVD drive cage. This area is just big enough to hold the 2.5" SSD and it is held in place once the side-panel is re-installed.  See my attached photo which shows were the SSD has been placed. The plastic case of the SSD will not short with the case, but if you're paranoid you can simply enclose it in paper or plastic.

I've installed the OS and programs on the Crucial M4 256MB 2.5" SSD and the 1TB 3.5" HD is being used for data storage.

I followed these steps for the installation:

1. The X51 provides a third unused SATA slot which can be used to connect to the SSD. However, the X51 does not come with an extra SATA power connector so this had to be installed separately. As per a web-site (can't remember the URL) I tapped into the existing mobo molex connector (under the DVD drive) to get the SATA power.  In the original configuration the female mobo molex connector supplies power to the 3.5" HD and the DVD drive. You'll need a Y-connector cable (P/N StarTech PYO1LP4SATA on Amazon) which has a male molex on one end, and a female molex and SATA power connector on the other end.

Detach the original 3.5" HD/DVD drive power cable from the mobo female molex connector, connect the male molex connector of the new cable into the mobo molex connector, and finally connect the original 3.5" HD/DVD drive power male molex connector into the female molex connector of the new cable. You'll be left with a SATA power connector that can be used for the SSD.

2. Detach the data SATA connector of the 3.5" HD from the mobo to disable it during installation of the SSD. 

3. Use a new SATA data-cable and connect SSD to the extra SATA port on the mobo. Also, connect the SATA power cable to the SSD.

4. Place supplied Alienware Windows CD into DVD drive and ensure SATA mode is set to UEFI in BIOS and boot order is set to UEFI DVD - this can be chosen by pressing F2 during boot-up.  Using UEFI mode ensures the Windows will automatically make a 100 MB EFI partition in the SSD along with the OS partition. This will also apparently format the drive with GUID (GPT) partition table which apparently is the "wave of the future" as opposed to MBR partition for SATA legacy mode. There is a lot of debate regarding GPT (new) vs MBR (old and best compatibility) and I believe the 3.5" HD is configure as GPT.  I know the original HD has a 300 MB EFI partition along with DELLUTILITY and RECOVERY partition, but you will not get these and copying over these partitions is beyond the scope of this installation.

I also tried installing the OS using the SATA legacy mode (non UEFI) and that also worked fine. In that case Windows did not create a EFI partition.

5. Windows will install and you're fee to install your favourite games. Later you can reconnect the data SATA connector of the 3.5" HD to the mobo so that you can access that drive as well.

Have fun

Hey Alienware,

Im looking for help with my m14xr2 -i7 3610QM 2.3ghz laptop. it has 12gb of ram and runs windows 7 home 64 bit. Its about 1.5 year old. In past two weeks, I noticed that sometimes when im running games/videos it LAGS a lot for a short time then back to normal, but this keeps repeating, but i dont think its my internet because it happened on different internets that i used and my internet is pretty good, also i tried non-internet apps and it lagged a bit too. so im looking for a diagnosis. ive noticed that the fan appears to be working more of the time than is normal (just based on my subjective impression) so i downloaded cputhermometer/realtemp and it shows that when i boot up the laptop from being off its at about 50 Celsius for the cpu cores. But over time it climbs to about 70 Celsius even if im not doing anything. If im playing some game or etc it will even rise to over 90 Celsius. At the same time my CPU usage ivaries but most of the time its quite low, the cpu usage can be only 15%-20% even though the core temp is about 75-80 celsius, although cpu usage also spikes sometimes after ive been running it for a while. Whats normal temp for this model? and btw yes i have it on flat surface.

if possible i would like to 1. establish whether its hardware or software problem? , 2.if indeed temperature problem, what does this mean? and 3. what i should do about it?

Thanks very much. Alex

Recently I've had problems with my graphics card (nvidia gtx 675m), and it required replacing so I've ordered one through dell's local services.

Ever since the problem emerged I had to run demanding games on bare minimum settings to prevent the pc from crashing, but today the laptop refuses to even start, they keyboard and fans and hdd start working for a few seconds  then one of two things happen, either it turns itself off after 5 seconds, or I get beeps, these beeps include 5 beeps for cmos battery failure, 6 beeps for gpu bios read failure, and 8 beeps for lcd failure.

Sometimes the laptop refuses to start all together, I just hear a click but nothing starts up, and under all these e ents not once has the screen lit up.

I've tried draining static by holding power  button for 30 seconds or more while ac and battery were unplugged, I tried reseating the gpu, I've cleared cmos by removing the small battery for 10 minutes then placing it again, but that didnt work either.

So I wanna ask, could the reason for this be that the gpu died completely??, or do I have a dead lcd/mobo on my hand?

Hi all,

I changed the default wireless card to Intel Centrino Advanced N 6235 - which include bluetooth module. However upon installing the new card, I could not find the bluetooth module at Device Manager, wifi 2.4/5ghz band works flawlessly. I have installed the correct drivers from Intel both Bluetooth and Wireless module.

Feeling weird, i swap this card to my M17x-R4 and it did detect the bluetooth module together with the wifi module. Hence proving the card is not faulty.

Please advise

I need to know how to contact upper management at dell / alienware. I am not gonna disclose the full story here in the forums but I will say that I am very angry and disappointed at how my whole repair process has been handled. I have had my motherboard replaced twice and my optical drive and heatsink replaced once. My warranty is about to expire and I feel like they are just trying to buy themselves enough time for my warranty to run out so they dont have to deal with me. If anyone knows how to contact upper management via email or phone please for the love of god tell me. 

I hope that someone high up enough in the support structure reads this and can help me. I, too have received my new $3800 Alienware Aurora R4 more than a week ago. It was supposed to be a Christmas gift for my son. Needless to say, his Christmas at the moment is looking very lean. The beautiful case and its innards sit on the dining room table, along with a new Dell 22-in. monitor, new mouse(wired), and new Logitech G510 keyboard(wired). All plugged in to the powerstrip Dell sent us. Three times in the last four days, I have waited twenty minutes, only to have the phone call cut off after ten minutes with the support person having taken my phone and alternate cell phone every time, along with my email. I have $3800+ invested in a useles-at-the-moment 70-pound elephant in the dining room. One tech had me plug in the DVI connector to the PC and monitor, using the bottom of the dual video cards. The quick-start guide said to use to top card. I've performed a power-drain with the power button, as I chatted with the tech, then she had me go through a power-on sequence and I finally got a splash screen with an Alien head that instructed me to push F2. I push F2 and the screen then says, "no hard drive, please reseat and try again". That's all it ever does. I cannot hold a conversation with support, after a 20-minute wait to connect and a ten-minute disconnect, so far in four days no-one will answer my emails at Dell or return my phone calls. The Pig sits on my dining room table, inert, and I'm out $3800 bucks. <profanity removed>

Hi There,

I am wondering if I can put a AMD 6990m into my M17xR2.

it appears to be all the same dimensions etc, but I need to know for sure before I go purchasing anything.

Regards,

Dacce

When listening to audio through my headphones, I cannot unplug the headphones to hear that audio played through the speakers without closing the applications that are playing audio, or doing a reboot of the PC. 

The details of my hardware and software set-up are:

PC: Alienware Aurora R4
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 (64 bit)
Headset: Turtle Beach PX22

I have installed the headset following these instructions from Turtle Beach

Using with a PC - How to configure (PX22, Z22)
http://www.turtlebeach.com/support/entry/830517544/

Questions:

1. Can anyone tell me if this is normal, or is there some way to get the Audio output to switch from Headphones to Speakers in an easier way?
2. Why does it take up to 2 minutes to open the Windows Sound settings for Audio Playback?

Gents and Ladies,

I have an M14x currently running A04.

i7-2670Qm, 8gb RAM, GT555M - 3GB

I am wanting to upgrade to a 250 or 500GB SSD and if possible upgrade to faster RAM.

What is the best way for me to go about this?

I have read alot about A05 vs A08 with regard to SATA 3 and am frankly none the wiser.

My machine is very loud and not performing as well as i would expect.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Hey !
I own an Alienware 17 and I recently wanted to know which power plan should I use for a laptop computer that I use as a desktop system, I was worried about my battery life as constant charging could damage it.
That is when I tried to contact support online just to find out my service tag and express service code are both invalid.
If anyone has any suggestions who to contact or what to do that would be extremely helpful.
Thank you !