Not gonna lie, this really dissapointed me.

My “D” key on the Alienware Wireless Pro keyboard broke while I was literally just gaming normally. The keyboard was never dropped or abused. A small plastic piece behind the keycap snapped and now the key won’t stay attached.

I contacted Alienware support multiple times and they classified it as “Customer Induced Damage.” Their solution was basically: buy another keyboard.

What makes this worse is they don’t sell replacement keycaps or offer repairs for it.

This is a ~$200 gaming keyboard and the issue happened on the “D” key… one of the most used keys in gaming.

I’ve bought a ton of Alienware stuff over the years and honestly expected much better support then this.

I think there are some thing on the cpu that will hold the liquid metal or something like that. Correct me if I'm wrong

I love the laptop and I’m super glad I bought it, but there’s a few things I can’t figure out.

First, the laptop freezes for a second when I close/open a game. I understand it’s NVIDIA/Alienware adjusting the preset from normal to performance, but should I just let it keep happening or move to one or the other?

Second, I keep getting kicked out of CS2 games for input automation. This has never happened to me before, and it looks like this is because of snap tap/SOCD. I haven’t seen anything online saying the laptop has SOCD, and I haven’t installed anything for this, am I missing something?

Third, is there a way to throttle the battery charging or does this matter? I’ve never owned a gaming laptop (always been a desktop user), and it just feels wrong to keep the charger plugged in at 100% battery life or does that not harm the battery?

So, I am writing this before go looking for skins for the 18 inch Area 51 with a RTX 5090. Any other accessories you guys recommend. Thanks in advance.

I experienced little random freeze (video and audio) when I open apps like spotify or prime video from the browser.

New update for AWCC landed today. Updating mine now. Hope for the best after the reboot.

This package contains the Alienware Command Center Application 6.x - Full Installer for Alienware or Dell G Series system. It installs the software components that are part of Alienware Command Center which is based on your system configuration. Alienware Command Center offers the following capabilities:
- Performance module for thermal control, overclocking, and overlay
- AlienFX module for systems, key binding, and settings configuration
- Game Library module for creating configuration presets to be assigned to games.- Improved the performance of the application.

Version

6.14.4.0, A00

I’m curious how many people are running into this on the new Area-51 AMD platform.

System:
- Alienware Area-51 AAT2265
- Ryzen 9950X3D
- Latest BIOS
- Corsair Vengeance RGB 128GB (2x64GB) DDR5-6000 CL40
- CMH128GX5M2D6000C40

The BIOS correctly detects the XMP profile, timings, and voltage, but “Memory OC/XMP” is disabled with:
“Not supported on current configuration.”

Result:
- forced DDR5-4800 JEDEC only

I updated BIOS/chipset, verified the RAM, confirmed stability, etc. Dell support ultimately confirmed that 2x64GB DDR5 XMP configurations are currently unsupported on this platform.

What’s frustrating is that:
- this is an X870E/9950X3D flagship system,
- the memory profile is correctly recognized,
- and the system is clearly electrically capable of handling the kit.

I understand “unsupported” does not mean “broken,” but it feels surprisingly restrictive for a premium enthusiast/workstation platform, especially as more users are pushing these systems into AI, creator, and workstation workloads requiring 128GB+ memory capacities.

Questions:

1. Has anyone successfully run 2x64GB above 4800 on the new Area-51 AMD systems?
2. Has anyone seen beta BIOS/AGESA improvements?
3. Are there known compatible 96GB or 128GB kits that avoid the XMP lockout?
4. Has anyone swapped to a standard enthusiast X870E motherboard inside the new chassis yet?

Trying to determine whether this is likely a permanent validation limitation or something Dell may improve over time.

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.

It has been taking about 20-30mins for my laptop to start, has anyone else experienced this problem before? I’ve done the BIOS update and tried the hard reset with no success:/

I’m moving away and need to ship my ACT1250 desktop through UPS. Would the original box and the two foam inserts it came with be enough protection, or should I add packing foam inside the PC as well? I don’t remember there being any foam inside the case when I first received it, so I’m not sure if I should.

Hello all, I am new in the Gang with my x16 Aurora :-)

Are there any sleeves that you can recommend for it?
Especially to store it when not used and add protection when I put it in my backpack.

Best and so long!

Are there any videos on how to clean the fans or replace the liq metal on the new area 51 laptops? Thank you

So, as per the title I have an Alienware 17 R5 laptop.
My first question is SSD related (I’ll post the second separately as it’s a different query)

I already have the 1TB one that came with it and a HDD.
I know there’s additional slots for more SSDs as long as it is the PCIe variety.

Does it matter what amount of storage a second SSD can have? I watched a video recently where they said Alienware only recommends 1TB SSD additional drives for my particular laptop.

Is that true? Or can I crank the second one up to 3-4tb?

Thank you in advance. Very new to upgrading and terrified of messing up such a pricey bit of kit 😭

I've had this laptop a few months now. Ever since I first got it I've noticed a weird and annoying issue with the screen.

In Windows Power options I set it to turn off the screen after 5 minutes when plugged in. I always keep it plugged in. Windows shuts off the screen as expected but then sometimes the screen backlight will come back on. Blank/black screen but it is lit up instead of just being off.

For months I've been trying to notice if this is caused by a certain thing or program running, etc. but as far as I can tell it's completely random.

Sometimes the issue doesn't happen at all and it just stays completely off.

Sometimes it stays off for a while, then comes on after a random about of time. Could be minutes, could be hours.

The weirdest thing is when it goes off for a while then the screen backlight starts blinking on and off slowly. There is no image/picture. It stays blank. But the screen lights up for a couple seconds then goes off for a couple seconds and repeats until I intervene.

With all the scenarios above, moving the mouse causes the desktop to come up for 5 minutes, then it shuts off again as expected. At this point it will sometimes fix itself and just stay off forever with no problem, even though all I did was just move the mouse. Other times it will go back to doing the backlight problem until I intervene again or reboot. Again, there is no pattern that I have been able to discern. It just randomly does this about 50% of the time.

Has anyone else noticed the backlight lighting up when Windows has the screen off?

I'm not sure if this is a hardware issue with Alienware or a win11 issue. I never thought I'd hear myself say I miss win 10 haha

I need help with picking out a good model. I dont mind price range as ill be saving up for one.

My usages for this will be for gaming, internet usage like streaming, djing apps, apps for music making, and thats really all about it.

I see some online but theres only a few from their site. So im not too sure which to pick out.