Issues Running on Alienware Area51 R2 (desktop)

[JustCryen]

1. Expected behavior.

• Running sudo alienfx should recognize my FX controller.

2. Actual behavior.

You are running alienfx under Python-Version: 3.10.5 (main, Aug  1 2022, 07:53:20) [GCC 12.1.0]
ERROR:root:No Alien FX controller, defined by a supported model, found!
would you like to perform a zonescan? (y/n):

3. Steps to reproduce the problem.

• Install AlienFX on a clean EndeavourOS installation and try to run it.

4. Specifications like the version of the project, install method, operating system, and hardware.

• Project Version: 2.3.4-1
• Operating System: EndeavourOS
• Hardware Version: Alienware Area-51 R2

5. Additional info.

• python-setuptools wasn't pulled as a dependency and had to be installed manually.
• I had performed a zonescan but after getting the controller address and working zones, I have no idea how to get it working.

These are your zonecodes for current controller ("0x187c / 0x0526"):
right pannel up: 0x0001
right pannel left: 0x0002
right pannel right: 0x0004
left pannel up: 0x0020
left pannel left: 0x0040
left pannel right: 0x0080
alien head: 0x0400
front left: 0x0800
front right: 0x1000

• the current controller address matches the address from alienfx/core/controller_area51_r2.py
  But the zone codes are different.
• sudo lsusb -v

Bus 003 Device 005: ID 187c:0526 Alienware Corporation A-51
Device Descriptor:
  bLength                18
  bDescriptorType         1
  bcdUSB               0.02
  bDeviceClass            0 
  bDeviceSubClass         0 
  bDeviceProtocol         0 
  bMaxPacketSize0        64
  idVendor           0x187c Alienware Corporation
  idProduct          0x0526 
  bcdDevice            0.00
  iManufacturer           1 Alienware
  iProduct                2 A-51
  iSerial                 3 5.5.0
  bNumConfigurations      1
  Configuration Descriptor:
    bLength                 9
    bDescriptorType         2
    wTotalLength       0x0029
    bNumInterfaces          1
    bConfigurationValue     1
    iConfiguration          0 
    bmAttributes         0xc0
      Self Powered
    MaxPower                0mA
    Interface Descriptor:
      bLength                 9
      bDescriptorType         4
      bInterfaceNumber        0
      bAlternateSetting       0
      bNumEndpoints           1
      bInterfaceClass         3 Human Interface Device
      bInterfaceSubClass      0 
      bInterfaceProtocol      0 
      iInterface              0 
        HID Device Descriptor:
          bLength                 9
          bDescriptorType        33
          bcdHID               1.01
          bCountryCode            0 Not supported
          bNumDescriptors         1
          bDescriptorType        34 Report
          wDescriptorLength      56
         Report Descriptors: 
           ** UNAVAILABLE **
      Endpoint Descriptor:
        bLength                 7
        bDescriptorType         5
        bEndpointAddress     0x81  EP 1 IN
        bmAttributes            3
          Transfer Type            Interrupt
          Synch Type               None
          Usage Type               Data
        wMaxPacketSize     0x000a  1x 10 bytes
        bInterval              10
Device Status:     0x0000
  (Bus Powered)

[JustCryen]

I've modified the alienfx/core/controller_area51_r2.py file to match the zone codes, added new zones in alienfx/core/controller.py to better distinguish between all the led zones. (since it's a desktop, zone names like "Left Keyboard" are confusing and unhelpful)

Additionally I've modified the /alienfx/data/themes/default.json file to get the new zones to initialize successfully. I guess I should not save it as a default but a preset made specifically for area51, right?

I think all of this is worth making a pull request but I'm still having a minor problem with this setup.
Every morphing animation seems to have very limited brightness range.
Alien Head seems to have only 8 brightness states (from the off state to full brightness) and other zones seem to have only 14 brightness states.

This makes any color change / fade to black animation really rough.
Is there anything I could try to smooth it out?

[BooHyperad]

JustCryen... Did you ever get any further with Alienware Area 51 R2 (Desktop)
My 2016-17 I've just converted to Ubuntu (Given up on Windows 10)
I have manged to install and run the app, (with unrelated Zone Names as you mentioned, but any attempt to apply any new colour gives me a "spinning circle" of failing to apply.
PS: If you can assist, please speak in "non-coder" language.... I'm on my limit. lol

[JustCryen]

Hey @BooHyperad. I didn't pursue the topic any further.
In fact I don't even remember exactly what I have managed to do but I ended up setting a single color and called it a day.
Currently I don't have access to that PC so I can't help you any further, sorry.

You might be successful using the OpenRGB software to set colors. Good luck!

[BooHyperad]

No worries, understand; thx for the tip I might try there.
But mainly, thx for replying to an old thread!! +++ ;)