AlienFX Problems/Questions thread

[BatBoy]

AlienFX writes the current theme to the AlienFX firmware. This is what retains your selected theme at startup. You could remove Command Center entirely and the color selection you had previously chosen will persist. So yes, there is 'support' in sense without the AlienFX Controller running.

As for the issue you mentioned, I suggest re-seating the keyboard connections on the motherboard. This may correct the issue you are seeing. If it does not, you'll need to contact support and have a trouble ticket created. If you are at all hesitant on re-seating connections, do not proceed and have support resolve it. The keyboard cables are fragile and can easily be damage if not handled properly.

Reference the service manual for the 14x -
Documentation

[Neogohan1]

Originally Posted by chris3145

How do we fix issues related to Alien FX on startup? My m14x doesn't light up the leftmost keyboard zone while the computer is booting if an advanced theme is in use. (Somebody else had a similar problem with an m15x.) After being in Windows for about 10 seconds, the Alien FX program starts running, and lights work as they should.

Also, if I hit the Alien FX function key to turn off the lights, the lights still turn on while the computer boots. Like the last problem, after being in Windows for about 10 seconds, the Alien FX program starts running, and the lights turn back off as they're supposed to.

It's odd the way the problems work. There is clearly some support for AlienFX during start up, as the keyboard lights up in the colors it should (except for one zone on advanced themes), but a few details -- like the front grills, or the lights actually being turned off -- don't take effect until the Windows program runs.

I'm using an m14x, and I haven't found any new m14x updates for the Command Center on Dell's website.

Has your system always been like this? (Was it like this when you first got it).
Have you got any programs that make use of an AFX plugin? Sometimes during startup these programs will try to load up as well, causing the plugins to affect normal state of the FX. This is just a theory anyway, since when I run itunes on my computer, even though the AFX plugin is off, the keyboard will go completely black when I close itunes. Only way I fixed it was to remove the plugin file from the itunes folder altogether.

[BatBoy]

Originally Posted by Neogohan1

Only way I fixed it was to remove the plugin file from the itunes folder altogether.

You can also uncheck 'Enable AlienFX 3rd Party Access' which can be found in the context menu of the AlienFX Controller icon in the notification tray (next to the clock). This should prevent the behavior you observed.

[Insightful]

When I do the advanced themes and it changes or dims to another color it's not as smooth as I see it in certain YouTube videos, it's more of it lags to the next color, how can I get a smooth transition?

[Mechanized Menace]

Originally Posted by Insightful

When I do the advanced themes and it changes or dims to another color it's not as smooth as I see it in certain YouTube videos, it's more of it lags to the next color, how can I get a smooth transition?

Which system do you have?

[Insightful]

M17x R3, would that change anything?

[BatBoy]

You really can't. The videos you saw were probably the older version of CC (and no, once you are on the current you should never attempt to roll back. This can lead to a bricked AlienFX Firmware).

Tempo was changed a couple of versions back. Hasn't been the same since.

See this post for reference - loved the fact we had more control over themes then...
AlienFX Custom Themes - Morphing/Editing Poll

[Mechanized Menace]

Originally Posted by Insightful

M17x R3, would that change anything?

Yup the one with the smoothest transitioning was the R1, It's the Software they use. It is not smooth on the R2 neither, only on the R1. they changed ALienfx between R1 and R2 sadly.

[SLinForce]

My m17x led light not working .. Look like CC error with .NET Framework... Plz ! help me.
Sorry for my english ^^!
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/231/unledbi.png
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/2064/unledbi.png

[BatBoy]

What did you do prior to this error?? Without knowing what you did, I cant suggest anything.

Also,

Please do not post huge images. Anything over 500x500 should be thumbnailed or linked only. See our guide for where to host images here and how to resize images here.



Thanks.