Unsolved
1 Rookie
•
30 Posts
0
47
August 10th, 2025 14:14
Area-51 R5, upgrade issue with MSI motherboard AWCC
I've been using my R5 for years, and the hardware can't keep up with the pace of gaming these days. I recently upgraded to an MSI-Z790 Edge, a 12700KF CPU, and a 5070Ti. Everything's working fine, but my R5's AWCC can't recognize Fio, which means I can't control the lighting. I've read a lot of posts, but only saw one from a Korean man who successfully managed it and posted a video. I've read his post, but it still doesn't recognize it. I don't know what went wrong. Has anyone else succeeded? I'd appreciate some advice. Thanks.https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/alienware-desktops/are-you-having-trouble-upgrading-your-alienware-area-51-r4-and-r5/67d84c5ad11194778fef0462?page=3No Events found!
redxps630
9 Legend
•
14.6K Posts
0
August 10th, 2025 16:33
you need to upload more clear picture of FIO and USB 2 cable connection plugged in on both FIO side and new motherboard side. also unplug both cables and take picture of cable connector pinout on both FIO and motherboard side, then upload high res pics to forum. seems you are moving FIO outside R5 case to test now.
(edited)
yujunjun
1 Rookie
•
30 Posts
0
August 11th, 2025 03:30
@ redxps630
Yes, my motherboard is in another case, and I don't want to move it until the fio recognition problem is solved, but the three necessary cables are all connected.redxps630
9 Legend
•
14.6K Posts
0
August 11th, 2025 03:42
this seemed a complex test with R5 and another case.
try this: disconnect R5 led cables from R5 FIO.
move the FIO into the other case, upload pic of three cables:
1. front panel cable 9 pin to 9 pin btn FIO and MSI mobo (upload pic of 9 pin connector on both ends)
2. USB 2.0 cable 9 pin to 9 pin btn FIO and MSI (upload pic of 9 pin connector on both ends)
3. 4 pin molex power cable from psu in another case to FIO
Use Dell registry key trick to clean install R5 AWCC after clean install of Windows 11.
AWCC Has to be clean install.
when done run AlienFxTester.exe in AWCC folder.
yujunjun
1 Rookie
•
30 Posts
0
August 11th, 2025 09:23
@redxps630
Use Dell registry key trick to clean install R5 AWCC after clean install ？
Is there a tutorial? How many parameters do I need to change? Can you send me a link? Thanks!
AlienFxTester.exe in AWCC folder？ AWCC 5.x It seems there is no such thing
yujunjun
1 Rookie
•
30 Posts
0
August 11th, 2025 09:38
@ redxps630 How to Install Command Center for a Non-Alienware Motherboard
This? But there is no BIOS backup for R5redxps630
9 Legend
•
14.6K Posts
0
August 12th, 2025 00:06
Dell forum has a copy of R5 bios key, but in my experience you really only need to modify three fields in the new motherboard bios key to pass the AWCC install check.
these 3 fields are
SystemProductName=Alienware Area-51 R5
SystemManufacturer=Alienware
BaseBoardManufacturer=Alienware
here is a copy
Area 51 R5
_______________________________________
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE\DESCRIPTION\System\BIOS]
"BiosMajorRelease"=dword:00000005
"BiosMinorRelease"=dword:0000000d
"ECFirmwareMajorRelease"=dword:00000011
"ECFirmwareMinorRelease"=dword:00000009
"BaseBoardManufacturer"="Alienware"
"BaseBoardProduct"="0N4R4N"
"BaseBoardVersion"="A00"
"BIOSReleaseDate"="05/27/2019"
"BIOSVendor"="Alienware"
"BIOSVersion"="2.0.3"
"SystemFamily"="Alienware"
"SystemManufacturer"="Alienware"
"SystemProductName"="Alienware Area-51 R5"
"SystemSKU"="836"
"SystemVersion"=""
yujunjun
1 Rookie
•
30 Posts
0
August 12th, 2025 02:46
@redxps630 Successfully identified! But just like what he said! By chance! I can't recognize it if I pretend it again! I'm studying the rules! Why is it okay! Thank you very much for your support.
redxps630
9 Legend
•
14.6K Posts
0
August 12th, 2025 16:56
AWCC only needs to check those three fields in DMI to pass the check stage and proceed to install.
HarryKane51
1 Rookie
•
6 Posts
0
August 15th, 2025 11:26
I’m in the same boat after upgrading my R5 with a new MSI board AWCC just won’t detect the lighting controller anymore. Saw that Korean post too, followed everything step-by-step but still no luck. Seems like once you move away from the original Dell board, AWCC becomes really hit or miss. Would love to hear if anyone's actually gotten it working reliably.