The WPF UI is blurring and broken while the Alienware NahimicOSD.dll injects

[walterlv]

I know this is not the right place to post this issue but there is nowhere else to post ever. I've tried to communicate with DELL but failed, again and again, and elapsed two weeks. So I'm writing this issue here to apply for your help to give stress to DELL Alienware to solve this issue.

As we know, the DELL Alienware pushed a new Alienware Command Center update and breaks all WPF apps rendering. The critical file is the NahimicOSD.dll which is injected into any process and adds some post rendering to the UI which breaks all WPF apps.

Someone else discussed this problem in the DELL community and I joined them too, but no DELL software developer answered the topics. The topics are:

• Area-51m R2, blurred text and images in some apps - Dell Community
• m17 R2, WPF apps distorted, disappearing window contents - Dell Community

---

To the WPF repository owners:

We can set the RenderOptions.ProcessRenderMode to RenderMode.SoftwareOnly to solve this issue temporarily, but I think you could do more such as contact DELL or keep a place here to let others contact DELL. I'm one of the WPF repo contributors, and this voice on this page is one of what I'm doing to make WPF better, not only contributing to the code.

[walterlv]

Ralated files:

• C:\ProgramData\A-Volute\DellInc.AlienwareSoundCenter\Modules\ScheduledModules\NahimicOSD.dll
• C:\ProgramData\AWHeadset\DellInc.AlienwareSoundCenter\Modules\ScheduledModules\NahimicOSD.dll

Related links:

• https://github.com/dotnet/wpf/issues/707
• Area-51m R2, blurred text and images in some apps - Dell Community
• m17 R2, WPF apps distorted, disappearing window contents - Dell Community
• WHAT DID DELL DO? All WPF apps are rendered in a mess! - walterlv

Related pictures:

▲ The picture is from here

[realZhangChi]

+1

[tomzorz]

Can confirm here too, our LOB app was broken on a coworker's machine. We added our app to the list and that fixed it, but hopefully someone could reach out to Dell so they fix their broken software.

[dejudicibus]

I have exactly the same problem with MyFamily Tree, a WPF UI based application. The problem occus on a DELL G5 with AlienWare software. Is anybody out of DELL taking care of it?

[dejudicibus]

[SOLVED] The problem occurs on DELL machines which runs AWCC service, that is, AlienWare Command Center. You DO NOT need to uninstall AWCC to fix the problem.

Here is the solution:

1. Go to C:\ProgramData\A-Volute\DellInc.AlienwareSoundCenter\Modules\ScheduledModules\Configurator
2. Edit the text file BlackApps.dat
3. Add at the end the name of the WPF-based application (just the filename with extension, not the full path)
4. By Ctrl-Shift-Esc open the Task Manager
5. Go to Services
6. Look at AWCCService
7. Restart it
8. Launch the WPF-based application: the problem should be fixed

[walterlv]

@dejudicibus Thank you for your reply and I didn't find out the black list file before. Maybe we can write some code in our software to edit the file to put our software path in.

But it is still a temporary solution just like the RenderMode property setting solution. If this issue exists one day, more and more WPF developers will be suffered from this problem. As a result, the root solution is that DELL fixes the bug and pushes an update for all users. This is what the issue wants to do, not only providing a solution for end-user but also wanting a solution for all WPF developers.

[walterlv]

@dejudicibus I plan to edit the blacklist file in my code. Can you please rent the BlackApps.dat file to me so that I can know how to edit the file?

[lindexi]

@dejudicibus I plan to edit the blacklist file in my code. Can you please rent the BlackApps.dat file to me so that I can know how to edit the file?

BlackApps.dat:

firefox.exe
chrome.exe
iexplore.exe
opera.exe
steam.exe
gameoverlayui.exe
vlc.exe
skype.exe
SkypeApp.exe
RzSynapse.exe
MovieMaker.exe
Photoshop.exe
blender.exe
googleearth.exe
XBMC.exe
BOXEE.exe
hammer.exe
hlmv.exe
hlfaceposer.exe
LoLLauncher.exe
acrobat.exe
IpOverUsbSvc.exe
wmpnscfg.exe
acrord32.exe
ieuser.exe
wmplayer.exe
KMPlayer.exe
lync.exe
lynchtmlconv.exe
XSplit.Gamecaster.exe
XSplit.xgcbp.exe
XSplit.Core.exe
XSplit.xbcbp.exe
obs32.exe
obs64.exe
metroLL.exe
metroLLbenchmark.exe
BenchMarkLauncher.exe
LP2DX9.exe
LP2DX11.exe
BioShockInfinite.exe
Unity.exe
fifa16.exe
fifa16_demo.exe
Tobii EyeX Controller Core.exe
Tobii.EyeX.Engine.exe
Tobii.EyeX.Interaction.exe
Tobii.EyeX.Interaction.Hub.exe
Tobii.Service.exe
GazeNative.exe
conhost.exe
PowerDVD.exe
PowerDVD12.exe
PowerDVD12ML.exe
PowerDVDCinema12.exe
PowerDVD12Agent.exe
PowerDVD13.exe
PowerDVD13ML.exe
PowerDVDCinema13.exe
PowerDVD13Agent.exe
PowerDVD14.exe
PowerDVD14ML.exe
PowerDVD14Agent.exe
PowerDVD15ML.exe
PowerDVD15Agent.exe
PowerDVDMovie.exe
PowerDVDCinema.exe
MCEPacifier.exe
PDVDLP.exe
PDVD12Serv.exe
vthum.exe
MediaEspresso.exe
winword.exe
powerpnt.exe
outlook.exe
excel.exe
msaccess.exe
onenote.exe
ccsvchst.exe
mpc-hc.exe 
mpc-hc_nvo.exe
mpc-hc64_nvo.exe
mpc-hc64.exe
Media Center 19.exe
ryse.exe
Camera.exe
GTAVLauncher.exe
subprocess.exe
WuXia_Client.exe
elementclient.exe
CounterStrikeOnline2.exe
3dmark.exe
3dmark06.exe
3dmark11.exe
3dmark11Workload1.exe
3dmark11Workload2.exe
3dmarkicfworkload.exe
Firefly.exe
metro.exe
metro_benchmark.exe
iTunes.exe
XSplit.Video.Editor.exe
HipChat.exe
PerformanceTest32.exe
PerformanceTest64.exe
blindlove.exe
EyeAsteroids.exe
EyeronDefender.exe
AnimalSoundsPainting.exe
HidingFacesPainting.exe
PerspectiveStagePainting.exe
ZoomImage.exe
GoF_Demo_mod.exe
GrabYourEyes.exe
NSc.exe
avcenter.exe
QQPCTray.exe
QMAutoClean.exe
browser_x86.exe
Valley.exe
IvAc.exe
notepad++.exe
ApplicationFrameHost.exe
nvcplui.exe
Darkest.exe
gldriverquery.exe
gldriverquery64.exe
origin.exe
Battle.net.exe
Battle.net Helper.exe
OriginThinSetupInternal.exe
TslGame.exe
FortniteClient-Win64-Shipping.exe
Treasure Hunt.exe
Video.UI.exe
EpicGamesLauncher.exe
WinStore.App.exe
Maxthon.exe
seamonkey.exe
QQlive.exe
OverwolfOverlayHelper.exe
ow-obs.exe
Minesweeper.exe
PCMark8.exe
PCMark8Manager.exe
PCMark10.exe
CamtasiaStudio.exe
CamRecorder.exe
Microsoft.Photos.exe
WindowsCamera.exe
LeagueClient.exe
LeagueClientUx.exe
LeagueClientUxRender.exe
League of Legends.exe
pallas.exe
tcls_core.exe
tgp_browser.exe
tgp_daemon.exe
PaintStudio.View.exe
Maps.exe
SimCity.exe
NVStWiz.exe
kodi.exe
uTorrent.exe
uTorrentie.exe
BitTorrent.exe
BitTorrentie.exe
TR.exe
ASPLnchr.exe
awesomium_pak_utility.exe
awesomium_process.exe
MapleStory.exe
Patcher.exe
dnlauncher.exe
DragonNest.exe
5kPlayer.exe
huyaplayerMini.exe
huyaplayerModule.exe
VLC.Universal.exe
ViveInstall.exe
Path of Building.exe
xeoma.exe
xeoma_win64.exe
WINPROJ.exe
PotPlayerMini64.exe
houdini.exe
SketchUp.exe
RadeonSettings.exe
JWE.exe
Avenue.exe
Rhino.exe
Ssms.exe
PointBlank.exe
Arena.exe
Alley.exe
CADReader.exe
CADReader-Editor.exe
BilibiliUwpApp.exe
qqvideouwp.exe
RadeonSoftware.exe
AMDRSServ.exe
amdow.exe
PCManager.exe
AutoTest.exe
eva_player.exe
step.exe
meshlab.exe
meshlabserver.exe
ARCHICAD.exe
Cura.exe
youkudemo.exe
vMix64.exe
vMix.exe
N0vaDesktop.exe
needforspeedpayback.exe
war3.exe
jx3clientx64.exe
qqx51_game.exe
tgame.exe
gta5.exe
sc2_x64.exe
asphalt8.exe
gamemd.exe
ra3_1.12.game
gameapp.exe
mymain.exe
client64.exe
oxygennotincluded.exe
qqgame.exe
starcraft.exe
frostpunk.exe
diablo iii64.exe
tkmc.exe
aow_exe.exe
ldsgamecenter.exe
ldsbox.exe
teniodl.exe
civilizationvi.exe
hearthstone.exe
dnf.exe
nemuheadless.exe
qqchess.exe
aok hd.exe
memu.exe
cities.exe
hyxd.exe
newsjrpg.exe
k8dlplatform.exe
k8gm.exe
slaythespire.exe
foxwq.exe
solitaire.exe
dyie.exe
nemuplayer.exe
ccmini.exe
ts4_x64.exe
kartrider.exe
plantsvszombies.exe
crossproxy.exe
eocapp.exe
tphelper.exe
x2.exe
yxexternal64.exe
hlddz.exe
citymania.exe
terraria.exe
dreamweaver.exe
san12pk.exe
wpflauncher.exe
300.exe
360game.exe
6wangame.exe
dh2.exe
diablo iii.exe
ffxiv.exe
fifazf.exe
freestyle.exe
freestyle2.exe
GacRunner.exe
GLWorld.exe
gprender.exe
heroes.exe
HeroesOfTheStorm_x64.exe
hlmj.exe
jfzr.exe
lataleclient.exe
lymain.exe
mahjongjourney.exe
maplestory2.exe
mhmain.exe
mir3.dat
msango.bin
onmyoji.exe
qqhxgame.exe
QQMicroGameBoxService.exe
QQPenguin.exe
qqsg.exe
ra2ol.exe
rich4.exe
sogougame.exe
soul.exe
this war of mine.exe
tkcltnet.exe
twcs64.exe
txwebgame.exe
tygemeweiqi.exe
wdqk.exe
webpageplay.exe
wegamesetup.exe
wuxia.exe
wyclx.exe
xxsj2.exe
ylztgame.exe
younghero.exe
gta_sa.exe
_moe_w8.exe
citiesxxl.exe
civilizationv_dx11.exe
cts6遨游中国2.exe
darksoulsiii.exe
DevilMayCry5.exe
diablo ii.exe
dontstarve_rail.exe
dontstarve_steam.exe
empiresx.exe
eu3game.exe
exefile.exe
fifa18.exe
forzamotorsport7.exe
FutureWar_W8.Windows.exe
gangstarneworleans.exe
gujian.exe
gujian3.exe
H5_Game.exe
heroes3.exe
hoi4.exe
instantwar.exe
iworldpc.exe
madgamestycoon.exe
marssteam.exe
masseffect2.exe
mb_warband.exe
medieval2.exe
mkingdoms.exe
mmh7game-win64-shipping.exe
NBA2K17.exe
nba2k18.exe
nba2k19.exe
NBA2KOnline.exe
nox.exe
omsi.exe
pal5q.exe
pathofexile.exe
pathofexile_x64.exe
pes2013.exe
PES2017.exe
planetcoaster.exe
PlayGame.exe
prototype2.exe
qqffo.exe
ra3ep1_1.0.game
raft.exe
reliccoh.exe
reliccoh2.exe
rimworldwin64.exe
roadredemption.exe
rome2.exe
san11pk.exe
san13pk_tc.exe
sango2.exe
sg7.exe
sgsc.exe
shogun2.exe
sporeapp.exe
stardew valley.exe
stellaris.exe
sudoku.exe
survivors.uwp_x86.exe
the scroll of taiwu alpha v1.0.exe
theescapists2.exe
thesecretsociety.exe
thetribez.exe
theyarebillions.exe
torchlight2.exe
township.windows.exe
ts4.exe
unturned.exe
warhammer2.exe
wilbur.exe
xgamefinal.exe
zjz.exe
_dk_entrypoint_.exe
gemsofwar.exe
WinDVD.exe
Viber.exe
IGCC.exe
MyDell.exe
MyAlienware.exe

DellInc.AlienwareSoundCenter Configurator.zip

[lindexi]

And I fixed it by added my application to C:\ProgramData\A-Volute\DellInc.AlienwareSoundCenter\Modules\ScheduledModules\Configurator\BlackApps.dat file.

@dejudicibus Can I ask someone to help me to add my application to the BlackApps.dat file by default?

[dejudicibus]

You need just add the name of your EXE file WITHOUT path to the end of list. It is a plan text file.

On Thu, Nov 25, 2021 at 12:20 PM lindexi @.***> wrote:

And I fixed it by added my application to C:\ProgramData\A-Volute\DellInc.AlienwareSoundCenter\Modules\ScheduledModules\Configurator\BlackApps.dat file.

@dejudicibus https://github.com/dejudicibus Can I ask someone to help me to add my application to the BlackApps.dat file by default?

— You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/dotnet/wpf/issues/5708#issuecomment-979109902, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAK5PEBT3E4XBEVNXCVNBKTUNYLWNANCNFSM5IJKABZA . Triage notifications on the go with GitHub Mobile for iOS https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1477376905?ct=notification-email&mt=8&pt=524675 or Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.github.android&referrer=utm_campaign%3Dnotification-email%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3Dgithub.

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[lindexi]

Thank you, @dejudicibus

But can DELL add my application to the list by default?

[dejudicibus]

No, sorry.

On Fri, 26 Nov 2021 at 01:58 lindexi @.***> wrote:

Thank you, @dejudicibus https://github.com/dejudicibus

But can DELL add my application to the list by default?

— You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/dotnet/wpf/issues/5708#issuecomment-979575135, or unsubscribe https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAK5PEEEOBRV3IUARSQWFOLUN3LR5ANCNFSM5IJKABZA . Triage notifications on the go with GitHub Mobile for iOS https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1477376905?ct=notification-email&mt=8&pt=524675 or Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.github.android&referrer=utm_campaign%3Dnotification-email%26utm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3Dgithub.

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