Jul 22 2010, 09:28 PM
QUOTE(nerodante80 @ Jul 22 2010, 08:23 PM)
OMG!!! After countless hours finally I got all issues solved. I think most of these problems relate to latest bios and command center software. These are my findings:
1. Problem:
a) Keyboard and touchpad lag after pressing caps lock / numlock.
b) Caps / num / scroll lock led dont light up even after pressing the corresponding keys.
Findings: Every version of command center updates the alienfx board firmware for keyboard and touchpad. The latest version of command center has alienfx firmware that conflicts with the latest bios (A04). This conflict can exist even in bios because command center "imprints" the configuration into some sort of alienfx memory that can function in bios.
Solution: After installing windows, I didnt touch the caps/num lock buttons, proceeded with bios update via cd. Installed drivers except the tactx keyboard driver (why in the blue hell did dell include this in support section as if it was a mandatory install???) as suggested by Putochip (tqvm!!). Installed alienware OSD, then finally the latest command center. BINGO!!! Keyboard n touchpad work perfectly.
2. Problem: After I thought I got it all figured out, the touch media buttons stopped working!!!
Findings: I thought this was alienOSD not running. But when I tried combination Fn+ buttons (eg Fn+F3 for mute) I can see it does show on screen display. All the touch buttons except eject didnt work.
Solution: I read some where that most alienware problems can be solved by shutting down, removing battery n unplug from socket, press and hold power button for 5 seconds, then power back on (hold 1-2 seconds). This somehow make the touch buttons working again. I also found out that the touch buttons used usb driver that didnt get detected making them useless.
3. Problem: One gtx 280m gpu gets very hot than the other (86C vs 45C) during idle!!!
Findings: I had this problem during the A03 bios. I'm not sure if this is common with other M17x on A03.
Solution: Updating to A04 bios seems to slove the problem.
4. Problem: Slow cpu, only managed 2.3 score in WEI!!!
Findings: This is when I had the touch buttons problem. Maybe somehow the stealth mode was always engaged.
Solution: Fixed the touch buttons, enabling Intel virtualization in bios makes the cpu fast again.
Thanks to putochip, mr. docter for helping me. I hope my experience can help others with the same problem, although maybe I'm the only one so far...
wahh. what a hassle that you been through 1. Problem:
a) Keyboard and touchpad lag after pressing caps lock / numlock.
b) Caps / num / scroll lock led dont light up even after pressing the corresponding keys.
Findings: Every version of command center updates the alienfx board firmware for keyboard and touchpad. The latest version of command center has alienfx firmware that conflicts with the latest bios (A04). This conflict can exist even in bios because command center "imprints" the configuration into some sort of alienfx memory that can function in bios.
Solution: After installing windows, I didnt touch the caps/num lock buttons, proceeded with bios update via cd. Installed drivers except the tactx keyboard driver (why in the blue hell did dell include this in support section as if it was a mandatory install???) as suggested by Putochip (tqvm!!). Installed alienware OSD, then finally the latest command center. BINGO!!! Keyboard n touchpad work perfectly.
2. Problem: After I thought I got it all figured out, the touch media buttons stopped working!!!
Findings: I thought this was alienOSD not running. But when I tried combination Fn+ buttons (eg Fn+F3 for mute) I can see it does show on screen display. All the touch buttons except eject didnt work.
Solution: I read some where that most alienware problems can be solved by shutting down, removing battery n unplug from socket, press and hold power button for 5 seconds, then power back on (hold 1-2 seconds). This somehow make the touch buttons working again. I also found out that the touch buttons used usb driver that didnt get detected making them useless.
3. Problem: One gtx 280m gpu gets very hot than the other (86C vs 45C) during idle!!!
Findings: I had this problem during the A03 bios. I'm not sure if this is common with other M17x on A03.
Solution: Updating to A04 bios seems to slove the problem.
4. Problem: Slow cpu, only managed 2.3 score in WEI!!!
Findings: This is when I had the touch buttons problem. Maybe somehow the stealth mode was always engaged.
Solution: Fixed the touch buttons, enabling Intel virtualization in bios makes the cpu fast again.
Thanks to putochip, mr. docter for helping me. I hope my experience can help others with the same problem, although maybe I'm the only one so far...
so everything are fine now? you could test your laptop performance by running some benchmarking software like 3DMark Vantage. if everything run as normal as they should be, you will get slightly higher score than mine
Quote
0.0511sec
0.33
7 queries
GZIP Disabled