Alienware 18 sound drivers

Not sure what I'm doing wrong, but both the driver from dell and this latest one ( http://www.driverscloud.com/en/serv...38/realtek-0005-win7-win8-win81-win10-r279exe ) - doesn't make very good sound.

Music seems flat even when playing FLAC files through foobar2k, not lively as my desktop.

Using the same pair of cans, split mic/audio 3.5mm, plugged correctly to the audio out and mic in. (not headset in).

Any suggestions? Maybe I use the wrong drivers?

 

Nope. That's IDT/Realtek sound quality for you, a garbage chipset really. The Soundblaster on the M18x R2 was much better (when it works....)

 

My motherboard is also using realtek chip, sounds much better than the Alienware 18 now.

I changed the sound quality to CD (16b, 44.1khz), it sounds better but not close to what my desktop can output.

 

After "experiencing" the pitiful audio system on the Clevo P570WM, almost every laptop audio system seems better that that. It has 5.1 built-in and it doesn't sound any better than a cheap pair of earbuds from the Dollar Store.

@Mobius 1 - I think there are some threads on this. I am not an audiophile, but I do remember reading about some tricks others found to maximize the audio quality. I know Brother @Phoenix spent a lot of time tinkering with his Alienware 18 audio to get the most from it.

 

you can try fiddling with the IDT control panel to see if you can get better sound.

 

The alienware audio application?

 

Well I don't know about the quality of the chipset but I use the default dell driver which says Realtek-ALC3661 (3.66) _W74W84_X11-A00 and then Install the INF from the Realtek's website's R2.79 Exe, It's surely inferior to my old SGS's (Voodoo Soundmodded) Wolfson DAC.

And for the Foobar config, try this out, It helps - F2k 5.1 headstage. And I don't use that Dolby software which bundles with the driver (switched it off from start up found not particularly useful), Instead I use dolby headphone DSP for foobar with the above config.

 

I don't think I have that enabled. I'm using the dell drivers since they sound MUCH better compared to the latest one from driverscloud. Even my M15x has better sound quality compared to the AW18.

I don't think I enable the dolby software, where can I check?

 

I think the Win8.1 installation had it disabled at startup, With Win7 It was on always on startup and this new OSes post Win7 have serious issues with OpenVPN and Startup.

 

I'll check for dolby, is it in the alienware audio control panel or is a separate application?

 

Its a Dolby application not in AW Audio. Which ships with the dell driver that I had and from RealTek website too.

 

Playback devices - > realtek high def audio -> properties - > dolby?

 

Oh Yes ! I forgot about that and a standalone app also, Dolby hometheater v4 to tweak settings.
Seems like I had it ON for quite sometime on Win8.1 With 7, It was always Off.

 

Dolby is turned off in that tab, I just checked. And I don't think I have any standalone dobly apps.

How do I check?

 

On my machine I have a Dolby Home Theater v4 folder It has an pcee execs, that package installs with the Dell driver and even from Realtek drivers R2.79 also ships with that software and It's an OEM based installation iirc, If I perform a "dolby" search in start the app shows up.

 

@Mr. Fox - out of topic, got a wrong setting on xtu (cache 36, cache volt -10mv) and now won't boot -____-

Remove ram trick and try to boot trick need to be applied?

I believe that @Phoenix had the same problem with the Alienware 17?





@Ashtrix - I'll do that once I get home and unbrick the mobo

 

Yes, that should do it for you.

I do not recommend using negative offsets or trying to go lower than default voltage on the 17 or 18, for the reasons you just discovered. Aside from that problem, undervolting in general is way overrated and downright silly, IMHO. Using too much voltage isn't a good idea, but using less than Intel designed it to use doesn't make good sense to me.

 

@Mr. Fox - thanks for the answer. Seems like a weird way to reset the bios.

Iirc even apple supports doing this without major hardware removal, but not the haswell AWs (ex-user of 2008 macbook unibody here)

Reason for downvolt is that I was able to get the 4700mq to 3.4g (indefinitely) based on your tutorial to unfuk the 4930mx to 4.3g, but the cpu was pulling 60W which is over the tdp limit (47w) using OCCT large data set (not LINX) and breaching 85c (default fan setting).

I'll not downvolt or adjust the cache this time. And I'll also roll with 2x8gb under the service panel to cut time if this ever happens again.


Thanks for the help Fox.

 

@Mr. Fox - now can enter bios but cannot boot windows (always bsod when loading os)

 

What BSOD code? It may still have voltage too low if WHEA_UNCONTROLLABLE_ERROR (0x124). Try resetting BIOS defaults and disable overclocking then see if you can load Windows. If you can, shut down, restart and then try new BIOS settings.

 

Oh yeah, RAID was enabled ._.

Sorry about that, all good now.

How do I reset all value in XTU to default? It bricked the bios setting (again).

 

Uninstall and reinstall XTU, or better yet, uninstall XTU, leave it uninstalled and use the newest version of ThrottleStop that @unclewebb has prepared for us.

 

Using TS 8.10 I can't get the CPU to stay turbo on OCCT large data set (3.4g, -100mv / 56w tdp)


I go into the OS once more and manually reset XTU to default value. Seems ok now.

 

Stop using OCCT. Don't use XTU benchmark, etc. Those make CPUs act spastic.

Try wPrime, ThrottleStop benchmark, Cinebench, etc. Try punching the Core Current Limit and Processor Current Limit up to 130.000 in XTU and see if it holds. You don't have to worry about those being set too high. It's not static like setting voltage, and the CPU will only use what it needs. Just make sure you make more available than it can use.

 

Ah ok.

If I were to use throttlestop, what would your recommended setting be (for a 4700MQ)?



@Ashtrix

Here is my dolby search result, I don't think I have any application.

 

I don't know. I have never owned a 4700MQ. You'll have to test and see what works in terms of voltage. You should be able to set the Turbo Power and Pri Plane limits on the TPL screen to 130 in all 4 boxes.

I think I remember something about needing to use an older driver for Dolby. I don't remember if it was @Phoenix or another person that figured that out, but I vaguely recall that they did something stupid and removed it from newer drivers. If you don't find an older version for download from the Dell support page let me know and I might be able to scrounge up and older driver for you that may have it.

 

@Mobius 1 - I found this early release driver in my stuff. You are more than welcome to try it and see if it works better for you.

[ Download - Alienware 18 Audio Driver]

 

We need to know what version though.


On another off topic note, what's the replacement part number for the top lid cover ( 18N13 / MPNHN)? Mines pretty scratched up and it would be nice to get a backup.

Or is it easier to just buy a new screen assembly (I can't find this either)?

https://www.parts-people.com/index.php?action=item&id=17029 or https://www.parts-people.com/index.php?action=item&id=15336 out of stock.

 

Check my post above your last one for a driver from my old stash. [ Download - Alienware 18 Audio Driver]

Part numbers are here. http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...-18-owners-lounge-thread.721574/#post-9236225

I do not know if they are interchangeable or not. I suspect that they are. Best approach would be to remove your bezel and look for the part number tags. The bezel is really easy to remove. Stick your fingers between the plastic and the screen and unsnap it, working your way around the edges and it will come right off.

If the info received from Dell is accurate and part numbers have not been superseded by newer numbers the 18N13 is for the models that came with WiGIG and MPNHN was the "normal" and most common version. I suspect the 18M13 has screw holes for the WiGIG transmitter and the other version does not.

Parts are getting hard to find for the M18xR1/R2 and 18.

 

I'll try that, thanks.



Does remove bezel need screen assembly removal from chassis also? :|

What's the WiGiG? Wireless video connection?





From service tag, this is what dell says about the parts list.

 

No, you do not have to remove the screen from the chassis.

WiGIG is explained here: http://www.pcworld.com/article/2048404/wigig-is-great-but-wont-replace-your-wi-fi-network.html

 

I'll try that, I have the service manual loaded on another screen.

Maybe I should call dell to see if they can provide me the parts instead? I know they're going to charge me an arm and leg but still...

 

@Mobius 1

Dell removed Dolby from the newer drivers, thanks to the Dell clowns team of drivers.

Here is the latest one at the time where I integrated Dolby from an older driver into the newer driver:

Realtek ALC3661 Audio Codec Driver v6.0.1.7260 (A01)

 

I'm using Mr.Fox's previous driver, it sounds closer to my desktop compared to the most recent one on Dell's website.

I'll try this driver later, I don't have access to my FLAC files right now.

 

Using Phoenix's driver,
The new Dolby is good tad more improved over the previous INF way A.k.a using the same Mr. Fox's driver 044 / one from dell + R2.79 from Realtek.
Using stock 044 vs this one I have to test but this Dolby UI seems updated the old one was Home theater v4 this new one says Dolby Digital Plus Home Theater.


EDIT :
The Driver I had from Dell is - Audio_Realtek-ALC3661 (3.66) _W74W84_X11-A00_Setup-044GN_ZPE
From RealTek site - Realtek R2.79 ALC 3661 Win7, 8.1.1, 10 which I had to use the INF from.
Mr Fox's driver also says 044 but the difference is X08 Mr Fox's one the Dell one is X11, I didn't test the latest which is updated on Oct 2015 though.
The Phoenix's driver is 3.96, sounds better than everything except that I didn't test Mr. Fox's one.

Previously had to disable the Dolby HTv4 when I use F2k because I have Dolby dll wrapper with my F2k installation and they don't seem to bode well together but the new 3.96 with Dolby Digital Plus HT goes along with the dolby dll of F2k, adds some true clarity, openness, extension and overall emphasis, TL;DR : Boom !

Dell clowns are real ! True gimpsters, Dumpster crowd.

 

No modification needed. Not specific to AW 18. Other Dell laptop models has the same hardware and was updated. I don't know why Dell/Alienware don't associated this updated driver for the AW 18. I installed it with no issue and the sound quality is really excellent.

http://www.dell.com/support/home/us/en/19/Drivers/DriversDetails?driverId=40Y3T