In the process of getting Windows 7 x64 on my Area 51 m17x I flashed my keyboard firmware with the Dell M17x firmware instead of the m17X firmware (during Command Center installation). I can't seem to get it to reflash to the "older" firmware now (Alienware m17x Command Center x64 found in MyHive).

Is this info stored in the system BIOS or a seperate BIOS chip for the keyboard/lighting FX controller? I updated my system BIOS to "m17x_306" version from MyHive before doing the Windows 7 x64 installation.

This all started because I was having the popular "Non-illuminating Alien FX Keyboard" issue which has been so well documented on these forums and through Alienware FAQ and Support.

I have installed all drivers in the suggested order based on Alienware FAQ's and info from NotebookForums.com. Command Center recognizes my machine as the correct m17x version. When a new theme is loaded or created the keyboard is missing. When theme is closed it recognizes keyboard and splits it into 4 light regions in the same way New Modl Dell M17x's are arranged. When using the Command Center from Dell's driver download site I had a couple sections of my keyboard lit on the right side, including the num pad, but lost the left regions and the alienware name lighting.

I am very comfortable with editing Registry Entries, Building Systems, Troubleshooting Hardware/Software problems, etc. I'm more curious than frustrated.

Any chance an updated Command Center for my model m17x will surface to fix this particular problem? Is there a tool to reflash the keyboard BIOS seperate from Command Center Installation? Any chance the 4 region keyboard lighting will be made available?

Many thanks in advance!

-Kelby

Got it figured out!

Keyboard splits correctly into 4 zones like the newer Dell M17X. Also got Command Center to behave.

-Kelby

Great stuff, and thanks for the feedback.

cheers ...

Hi, I've got an M17x-R1 and I'm having similar problems, I'm on windows 7 32 bit, if you could help me out I'd really appreciate it.

zachpeplow@gmail.com


Hope to hear from you soon.

Zach.

P.s It looks awesome!!

ditoops

Hi Kelby, Im having the exact same problem, and Alienware wont help me cuz I bought Windows 7 from MIcrosoft not from them....
IN the command center, everything is ok but the keyboard ( i dont see it) so its not lightning.

Could you please contact me or tell me what to do exactly as i didnt get much of what uve said

here is my email/msn marcooxe@hotmail.Fr

thx