M17x R1 Alienfx/Netframework/BsoD Issues

[Clauss]

Hey Guys,

I have not posted here in a long long time, but I come back when I am unable to fix any issue myself because I find the people on this forum are more knowledgeable than any computer place around me, or the dell phone support.

I would absolutely love some advice or help regarding my specific issue. I have already scoured this site and others with methods to fix my issue, but to no avail have I been able to fix what I have been dealing with.

So far my issues are: Alienfx/any lighting on comp is not working, I get an error message saying my alienfx controller has stopped working when i startup my computer, along with when I start up command center. I have tried uninstalling command center, and reinstalling several times.

I also am getting constant errors with my microsoft network framework 4.0. It will give me many error pop ups saying it must close when I install command center, or when i try to uninstall/reinstall/remove/fix the current network framework. So I am actually unable to uninstall the framework.

So short recap, alienfx not working at all, cant get any lights on, and a multitue of error messages when i try to repair/fix anything.

The cause of this is unknown, i went to California for a week and when i turned on my computer I got BSods, i updated a few drivers and that fixed that. But then i put my computer in the wall overnight, and the next morning the lights were out. I spent many hours trying to fix it. The computer physically works, but the lights are not, which I am quite sad about. Can anyone help me with this, or can I run tests to discern this issue.

Thank you for any help or advice ahead of time. ALSO my bios is A00 if that is an issue...

[aznpos531]

If .NET Framework is having issues then AlienFX/Command Center won't work since it needs .NET Framework to run.

What error does it give you when you try to repair/uninstall .NET Framework? An error code as well as any log files the errors may have generated will help to identify the issue.

Also, which drivers did you update specifically to fix the BSOD's? Do you still have the dump files from the BSOD's?

Things that you can try for now are:

1) Run a system file scan by opening an elevated command prompt (Start>type cmd>right click cmd>click run as administrator) and type in "sfc /scannow" without the quotes. Let the scan run and it will fix any corrupted system files that may be causing the problems. More info here: SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

2) Verify that the Windows Installer service is running. Start>type services.msc>click on services. In the new window, scroll down and look for "Windows Installer". By default it should be set to Manual. Right click it and click start. Try uninstalling/re-installing .NET Framework 4.0 by downloading and running the installation from the Standalone Installer and not the Web installer.

3) Do a full system scan for malware/viruses (not a quick scan). I recommend using Microsoft Security Essentials.

[Clauss]

hey aznpos531, thank you for your response. I will try to repair the netframework right now. When it gives me the log error I will paste it here.
I reinstalled a network adapter driver, and possibly the OSD driver also. I also installed command center in the flurry of Bsods.

I will try all your suggestions and let you know how it goes, thank you.


I just tried to repair the framework 4 client, it said : network framework has failed to setup. It also have me this log file as an error:
file:///C:/Users/Kurt/AppData/Local/Temp/Microsoft%20.NET%20Framework%204%20Client%20Profile%20Setup_20120311_190533384.html

Here is the log file for the error popup:

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: VSSetup
Problem Signature 01: Microsoft .NET Framework 4 Client Profile Setup
Problem Signature 02: 4.0.30319
Problem Signature 03: 10.0.30319.1
Problem Signature 04: 3
Problem Signature 05: netfx_Core_x64.msi
Problem Signature 06: Repair_I_Interactive_Error
Problem Signature 07: 1603
Problem Signature 08: 1310
Problem Signature 09: InstallFiles
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033


Also just for clarification, I am free of BSods. Also just started the SFC scan as we speak.

hey Sorry for the double post, i forget if that is illegal here..But I uninstalled framework, and CC. Then reinstalled framework 4, all went well, then reinstalled cc...then restarted comp as it suggested..i got this framework error:

See the end of this message for details on invoking
just-in-time (JIT) debugging instead of this dialog box.

************** Exception Text **************
System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object.
at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.LightsZoneController.SupportChangeBrightness()
at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.ControllerMainForm.configureTrayIconContextMenu()
at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.ControllerMainForm.initializeTrayIcon()
at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.ControllerMainForm.controllerMainFormLoad(Object sender, EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoad(EventArgs e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnCreateControl()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl(Boolean fIgnoreVisible)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl()
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.ContainerControl.WndProc(Message& m)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WmShowWindow(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: 2.0.50727.5448 (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: 2.0.50727.5446 (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: 2.0.50727.5453 (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: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
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: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
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: 2.0.50727.5420 (Win7SP1.050727-5400)
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: 3.0.6920.5011 built by: Win7SP1
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/WindowsBase/3.0.0.0__31bf3856ad364e35/WindowsBase.dll
----------------------------------------
PresentationFramework
Assembly Version: 3.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 3.0.6920.5011 built by: Win7SP1
CodeBase: file:///C:/Windows/assembly/GAC_MSIL/PresentationFramework/3.0.0.0__31bf3856ad364e35/PresentationFramework.dll
----------------------------------------
PresentationCore
Assembly Version: 3.0.0.0
Win32 Version: 3.0.6920.5011 built by: Win7SP1
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
----------------------------------------

************** JIT Debugging **************
To enable just-in-time (JIT) debugging, the .config file for this
application or computer (machine.config) must have the
jitDebugging value set in the system.windows.forms section.
The application must also be compiled with debugging
enabled.

For example:





When JIT debugging is enabled, any unhandled exception
will be sent to the JIT debugger registered on the computer
rather than be handled by this dialog box.


No idea what to do now..

[aznpos531]

A few questions to clarify some things and suggestions to try.

Are you or have you ever run any lighting effect visualizations (such as a Winamp plugin to make the lights flash with the music)? If so, disable and remove the plugin then uninstall .NET Framework 4.0 and CC, then reinstall to see if it fixes the issue.

Do you get any errors when installing .NET Framework and/or CC?
If so, you may want to give this .NET Framework Cleanup Tool a try. I suggest giving this article a quick read before using the tool. Failing that, you may want to try using a program such as CCleaner or DiverSweeper to fully remove both .NET Framework 4.0 and CC before reinstalling. You may also want to try re-installin OSD as well.

Are the other CC components (Alien Fusion and Alien Touch) working for you when you have it installed?

Something else that's worth trying is to set AlienFX to "Go dark" (right click alienfx in task tray>click go dark) then re-enable the lights (Right click again> click go light). Alternatively you can go to AlienFX and click theme>predefined themes and change the themes. Sometimes this re-initializes the lighting profile. Not sure if the M17x has this, but you can also try using Fn+F11 to turn the lights on and off to see if that re-initializes the lights.

Failing all that, the last thing to try is a full power drain (remove power cord, battery, CMOS battery>press power button for 30 seconds>put batteries back in). Then try applying the new theme/go dark then light.

That's all I can think of ATM. The only other thing I can think of is a hardware problem (dead AlienFX control board) which would suck.
I'll dig deeper into the issue tomorrow and post back if I find anything else.

[Clauss]

Hey thanks again for the helpful advice. As of last night i had netframework installed correctly, and cc installed. Alienfx is the only part that is not working, aliensense and the other stuff works, though I never use it.

I have never used any additional plugins that I know of. This time I recieved no errors oddly enough when installing either of them. They appear to install correctly. Though on CC when i pick alienfx it doesnt show anything(like colors/computer/zones to pick and customize, just a messed up screen).

Fusion is working, not sure about touch. (I am in a comp lab now so I cant check, will be home tonight late)

I tried to Fn/F11 stuff several times, sadly it never helped.

But on a different note, i found a Alienfx tester in the command center files, that basically tests the lights, and it told me that no board was detected for the alienfx stuff...So that is new.

[aznpos531]

But on a different note, i found a Alienfx tester in the command center files, that basically tests the lights, and it told me that no board was detected for the alienfx stuff...So that is new.

Looks more and more like a dead AlienFX control board (Master I/O Board)
I would try to uninstall CC, do a power drain then re-install CC. This will reset the M I/O Board in case it's locked up. If that doesn't work, it's likely the M I/O board is dead.
I'll keep looking into the issue and see if there are alternate explanations for it.

edit: Which version of CC are you installing?

[Clauss]

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.RaiseFormClosingOnAppExit()
at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ExitInternal()
at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.OnThreadException(Exception t)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProcException(Exception e)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnThreadException(Exception e)
at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)
at System.Windows.Forms.UnsafeNativeMethods.SendMessage(HandleRef hWnd, Int32 msg, Int32 wParam, Int32 lParam)
at System.Windows.Forms.Form.SetVisibleCore(Boolean value)
at System.Windows.Forms.Control.set_Visible(Boolean value)
at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.RunMessageLoopInner(Int32 reason, ApplicationContext context)
at System.Windows.Forms.Application.ThreadContext.RunMessageLoop(Int32 reason, ApplicationContext context)
at System.Windows.Forms.Application.Run(Form mainForm)
at AlienLabs.AlienFX.Controller.Program.Main(String[] args)

is the error i just got when i started up...not sure what it means...i will do what you said and see how it does..hopefully my board isnt broken.

[aznpos531]

I'm not sure how it applies in this situation since the Exception error can be caused by many different things. However in programming .NET dependent programs a "System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object." occurs when the value of a reference variable is set to "null" or "nothing" meaning that it's not actually referring to any object defined within a heap (data structure).
Having said that, I'm no programmer and I certainly don't know much about V B.NET/C# programs so I'm not sure how it applies to this situation. However based on further research I've done, it seems this problem is caused by the master I/O board being locked up or dead.

edit: Are your fans working BTW?

edit2: Apparently I wasn't too far off the mark:

Everyone should try this fix ...

Be sure you know how to boot directly into Dell Diagnostics (the Linux based program that runs outside of Windows). Create a bootable version if you need to.

Remove AC Adapter

Remove the main battery.

Remove the CMOS (BIOS) battery

Press power button a few times to dissipate all remaining power in the board.

Let it sit a day or so.

Put laptop back together or assemble on table.

When you power it up for the first time, be sure it boots directly into Dell Diagnostics. Run the MIO-Board test and the keyboard lights test.

Why would this work? On the desktop MIO-Boards, this procedure (MIO-Board test in Dell Diags.) has been known to reset boards that were locked up.

If you can not get the MIO-Board to test successfully outside of Windows, there is really no hope of it working inside of Windows.

Link to thread here.

edit3: This is another interesting post from the same thread:

I asked Dell-Chris-M about the Dell Alienware Diagnostics for laptops ...

Where is the version of Diagnostics (bootable outside of Windows) for the m15x and m17x laptops?

Also, it should check the AlienFX/MIO-Board circuit ... similar to how Dell Diagnostics works on the Desktop machines ... should it not?

There are none. They use the PSA (Pre-Boot System Assessment) or the Diagnostics from the Resource DVD. My hope is that they would check the MIO board but I do not know.

PSA
* Restart the PC
* Press F12
* Choose Diagnostics [press Enter]

Resource DVD
* Insert the DVD
* Restart the PC
* Press F12
* Highlight CD/DVD/CD-RW [press Enter]
* Select Boot from CD-ROM [press Enter]
* Select Alienware Diagnostics. If multiple versions are listed, select the version appropriate for your PC

DELL-Chris M on Thu, Aug 18 2011 5:26 PM

So, it sounds like it's around ... just not available for download. Whether it's a special version for laptops or even checks a laptop's AlienFX circuit is also undetermined at this point.

Since the Resource DVD was mentioned ... only use as instructed. DO NOT load any drivers from it ... especially NOT the Command Center for laptops.

http://en.community.dell.com/owners-.../19339913.aspx

I hope you didn't reinstall CC using your resource DVD! =T

[Clauss]

My fans are working, I am using the command center that I have downloaded from the dell website. But when i was in california my internet was shotty so I DID install from the resource cd...Hopefully that did mess up the actual board, but it seems like it has. I will try the power drain method that you suggested. But I know not where the CMOS battery is. Also I dont know if I cna leave it for a day or two, twelve hours. yes, But I constantly need it for HW.

[aznpos531]

You can find the M17x service manual here: Alienware: Online Documentation

I really think the power drain will work if the M I/O board isn't dead and is just in a locked up state which I think the CC from the resource DVD may have caused. I don't think you'll need to leave the battery out for that long. You should be able to get away with taking out the battery, holding down the power button for a minute, leave the battery out for another minute and then replacing the battery. When you power up again, don't forget to set your BIOS settings as the power drain will have reset your BIOS.