u/Intramundane

So, I've seen quite a few posts all over the internet about whether or not it is possible to install an Alienware X17 R1 RGB Touchpad into the Alienware X17 R2 model, and what might be required to get it to work, and where you might obtain an official Dell factory part that is brand new and includes the required extra RGB L-shaped cable that is missing in the R2 model.

To begin with, you might have noticed that the Alienware X17 R2 doesn't have the pretty RGB Touchpad like the previous model, the X17 R1 has, because it doesn't.

However, the X17 R2 has the exact same daughter board module as the X17 R1, that means it has the RGB connector, it's there, just unused.

But what about the BIOS you may ask?

The Alienware X17 R2 actually has the RGB Touchpad option, it's just hidden from view, so you don't mess with it and potentially cause problems with the default Non-RGB Touchpad.

But what about the Alienware Command Center (6.x), it's missing the RGB Touchpad option?

Again, it's actually available with the X17 R2 AWCC, it's just hidden and disabled by default.

I thought I would make this post as I've successfully obtained and installed an X17 R1 RGB Touchpad into my X17 R2, with no third-party programs or modifications to hardware or software, basically it is plug-in-play and makes you wonder why Dell opted to exclude the RGB option in the first place.

What you will need is an official RGB Touchpad part, and it will need the RGB cable attached to it, do not buy it without.

If you are looking for a brand new, official dell part with the RGB cable included feel free to DM me and I can give you an eBay link to a factory part reseller. Or you can search for one and ask below if you want an opinion on if it is compatible, legit etc.

Anyway, for anyone interested in replacing their X17 R2 standard Touchpad with an RGB one and getting it working, here is a mini-to-the-point guide on what to do.

First, you will need to obtain a X17 R1 RGB Touchpad (with both cables attached, including the small L-shape connector cable on the end).

(1) Once you have one, first you need to swap out the Touchpads, they simply un-screw and screw into place, be careful removing the 4 tiny screws, they seem to be quite tight, very easy to strip if you use the wrong size screwdriver. Then plugin the two cables, the R2 has both connectors, one for the pad/mouse, and one for RGB feature.

(2) Once installed correctly, you then need to turn on the laptop and press F2 rapidly to get into the BIOS menu. In the BIOS menu navigate to the "Advanced" tab, here you need to press ALT + F1 and wait a moment or two for 3 hidden options to appear.

You'll notice that a new hidden option is available, <Touchpad mode>, select it and change it to "RGB Touchpad Installed", once you do this, press F10 to Save and Exit.

Note the Touchpad will now work, minus the RGB, so you can use it as normal for now.

(3) Next, you will need to load up Windows and Uninstall the Alienware Command Center.

I recommend opening the Microsoft Store app, search for "Revo Uninstaller", and add the Free version. Use it to completely remove everything AWCC related, otherwise if you use just the default AW uninstaller, reinstalling will cause problems from old, leftover files and register entry's, Revo will nuke everything (make sure to select the leftover files in the Revo list, do an Advanced Scan to find all the trash), making a fresh install nice and clean with no issues.

Get the AWCC 6.x from the Dell Support site, search "Alienware X17 R2" and then "Find Drivers" (Picture), don't bother entering your Service Tag, select the X17 R2 Drivers tab, scroll and download "Alienware Command Center Full Installer 6.x". Install the AWCC.

Once installed, restart the system, don't open AWCC yet.

Now when you restart, the RGB Touchpad driver will be installed into AWCC and loaded automatically (only tested with 6.x, unsure if it works in 5.x, but I bet it does), in Windows, open AWCC and set it up or skip the first start tutorial, once it loads into the app properly, the RGB Touchpad will light-up blue (may not yet, but should), simply click on the X17 picture and you'll notice now, the RGB Touchpad shows up on the picture with a (2) next to it, you can now click it and set whatever color you like, or click below where it says "All Zones > Alien Head > Touchpad > Stadium" and set whatever effect you like, such as Rainbow Wave and marvel at that pretty RGB.

Now you're set, it'll work just like the X17 R1, with no third-party tools needed or other modifications required.

One thing to note is, after the X17 R1 was released, Dell added in a feature to the BIOS menu of that model which gave it a new option for the duration with which the RGB Touchpad would be lit up for until it turned off.

By default, the R1 was set to <Auto> which sets a ten second timer for the inactivity of the Touchpad, which means, ten seconds after you stop touching it (using), it turns off the RGB.

The updated BIOS added a second option to keep it on all the time, no matter if you were using the touchpad or not.

This option is not available in the R2 BIOS, hidden or otherwise, it is missing.

What that means is, the touchpad will turn off the RGB after ten seconds of no input, until you touch it.

From what I've read, you can use a third-party tool to keep it on, AlienFX Tools by T-Troll.

I personally haven't used it and prefer the ten second timeout myself, like the original R1.

You may be able to keep it on by not enabling the RGB Touchpad option in the BIOS, and just use AlienFX Tools to control the Touchpad, I've read some people have done this.

Note, you don't need to find and install a Touchpad driver, let Windows do it automatically, then AWCC 6.x will install the correct device ID and driver and set it all up just like you have an R1, no need to search for programs/drivers.

Anyway, feel free to ask here if you have any questions or are interested in swapping out the standard Touchpad.

I decided to make this post from my own experience and seeing quite a bit of interest in other posts related to if it is even possible to swap out the Touchpads and if it will work, I can confirm it works and what you need to do and how. Hopefully this helps other people who may have tried, possibly missed hidden options in the BIOS, or got a Touchpad minus the required L-shaped RGB.