Install Alienware Alpha UI on non-Alpha HTPC hardware?

[sevredox]

I do not actually have an Alienware alpha. I have never touched one, and it is possible that I never will. However, I do have my own HTPC, and I am always looking for good ways to streamline the experience and make it more user-friendly and accessible like a console. Ever since it was announced that the Alpha would ship with a custom UI based on Windows 8.1, I have been eagerly awaiting its release to see if I would be able to somehow download and install the Alpha-UI on my own HTPC. Now that it is out, I see that I can download the Alpha-UI, but when I try to install it on my non-Alpha HTPC hardware, I get the error message "Alpha UI is not supported on this platform." So, I wondered if anyone else out there was geeky enough to actually figure out how to get this to work, and if so, what is the experience like? Am I better off just sticking with Xpadder?

 

[James Mason]

I'm pretty sure the alpha UI is designed to only comunicate with the specific hardware of the alpha (namely the motherboard, and GPU as they are the only non-changeable parts)

Why not just use the steamOS?

 

[sevredox]

I'm pretty sure the alpha UI is designed to only comunicate with the specific hardware of the alpha (namely the motherboard, and GPU as they are the only non-changeable parts)

Why not just use the steamOS?

As much as I'm sure everyone will agree that it is not a good idea to do so, one of the key reasons why I built my HTPC was to be able to play the PC version of BF4 multiplayer from my couch with a controller. Until SteamOS supports non-steam games that require MS Windows, I won't be using SteamOS. Steam big picture mode and Xpadder work great for me, but my ultimate goal is for my wife to be able to do basic things like watch Blurays without my assistance.

 

[James Mason]

I mean, you can also just use windows 8 and steam Big Picture mode to accomplish the same thing.

I believe SteamOS (which is what alpha-ui is based on as well) is just a free-OS to run steam games in steam big picture mode, so you can build your own console without the "hassle" of windows.

 

[sevredox]

Yeah, that is what I am doing right now. It works pretty well, but there is lots of room for improvement if you are really going for a full console replacement. Like I said, I've never actually touched the alpha, and, for all I know, maybe the alpha ui is not a great improvement over what i already have today.

 

[arvinzd]

Why don't use xbmc??
XBMC have a downloadable add-ons that can integrate steam big picture in it.even shortcuts to apps i think,(for bf4,u mentioned)
Xbmc is a media center app,that can play almost any media files,song,videos, play disc (bluray) features. And this apps fully support controller.

Give it a try,it's free

 

[Stryph]

Have you tried this it was posted on a reddit thread for people that wanted the Alienware UI on non alienware pc's by some one at dell .

 

[Chozo Echo]

as far as i know you can - its def not hard ware based cuz it runs off of windows 8.1 and the drivers take care of the hardware so that wouldnt make sense - what i have read to understand is its based off of xbmc so like i said i think you can