Add support to Aurora R7 Desktop

[dmallinger]

System information

• Distribution name:Ubuntu
• Distribution version:18.04.2
• Python3 version: Python 3.6.8
• akbl version: N/A
• Computer model: Aurora R7
• Daemon status: N/A

I'm running an Aurora R7 with Ubuntu. My device lists as being from Dell, not Alienware, FYI.

Device: ID 413c:2113 Dell Computer Corp. 
Device Descriptor:
  bLength                18
  bDescriptorType         1
  bcdUSB               2.00
  bDeviceClass            0 (Defined at Interface level)
  bDeviceSubClass         0 
  bDeviceProtocol         0 
  bMaxPacketSize0         8
  idVendor           0x413c Dell Computer Corp.
  idProduct          0x2113 
  bcdDevice            1.10
  iManufacturer           0 
  iProduct                2 Dell KB216 Wired Keyboard
  iSerial                 0 
  bNumConfigurations      1
  Configuration Descriptor:
    bLength                 9
    bDescriptorType         2
    wTotalLength           59
    bNumInterfaces          2
    bConfigurationValue     1
    iConfiguration          0 
    bmAttributes         0xa0
      (Bus Powered)
      Remote Wakeup
    MaxPower              100mA
    Interface Descriptor:
      bLength                 9
      bDescriptorType         4
      bInterfaceNumber        0
      bAlternateSetting       0
      bNumEndpoints           1
      bInterfaceClass         3 Human Interface Device
      bInterfaceSubClass      1 Boot Interface Subclass
      bInterfaceProtocol      1 Keyboard
      iInterface              0 
        HID Device Descriptor:
          bLength                 9
          bDescriptorType        33
          bcdHID               1.11
          bCountryCode            0 Not supported
          bNumDescriptors         1
          bDescriptorType        34 Report
          wDescriptorLength      79
         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     0x0008  1x 8 bytes
        bInterval              10
    Interface Descriptor:
      bLength                 9
      bDescriptorType         4
      bInterfaceNumber        1
      bAlternateSetting       0
      bNumEndpoints           1
      bInterfaceClass         3 Human Interface Device
      bInterfaceSubClass      0 No Subclass
      bInterfaceProtocol      0 None
      iInterface              0 
        HID Device Descriptor:
          bLength                 9
          bDescriptorType        33
          bcdHID               1.11
          bCountryCode            0 Not supported
          bNumDescriptors         1
          bDescriptorType        34 Report
          wDescriptorLength      52
         Report Descriptors: 
           ** UNAVAILABLE **
      Endpoint Descriptor:
        bLength                 7
        bDescriptorType         5
        bEndpointAddress     0x82  EP 2 IN
        bmAttributes            3
          Transfer Type            Interrupt
          Synch Type               None
          Usage Type               Data
        wMaxPacketSize     0x0003  1x 3 bytes
        bInterval              10
Device Status:     0x0000
  (Bus Powered)

[rsm-gh]

Hello @dmallinger ,

I just added the first commits, normally you should be able of launching the software and your computer should be recognized. I added for the R7 the configuration of the R4 so I guess that some features should work.

Please keep me updated, and I'd be curious of knowing your full USB devices list (lsusb) since the keyboard was listed as a dell device instead of an Alienware. I may add some extra automatic recognition for that cases.

Regards,

[dmallinger]

Unfortunately, while the R7 appears in the list, the device isn't selectable in the GUI (grayed out).

The reason for the Dell, sorry, is that I don't use the original keyboard but was hoping to control the other lights on the desktop as they are annoyingly bright in Ubuntu. However, I got annoyed and unwired the lights. So that solved that.

Lsusb is below and if you want me to keep testing, I'm happy to. The R7 does show up, but is not selectable as an option.

Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0003 Linux Foundation 3.0 root hub
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 0cf3:e009 Atheros Communications, Inc. 
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 413c:2113 Dell Computer Corp. 
Bus 001 Device 002: ID 3938:1032  
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub```

[tuxkernel]

Hello @dmallinger

The problem is here -->> iProduct 2 Dell KB216 Wired Keyboard

This device is a simple usb wired keyboard (not backlight supported). We need to know if Aurora R7 have usb internal backlight chip. Run these commands:

• sudo apt-get update
• sudo apt-get install usbutils
• sudo update-usbids
• sudo update-pciids
• lsusb
• lspci

Copy and paste the following outputs (lsusb and lspci) again.

Tuxkernel...

[mcever]

Hi, I am running Ubuntu 18.04 on an Aurora R7. It look like I cannot select the Aurora R7 in the menu, but I'd be glad to help test on my machine if it means I'd be able to control my lights on the tower. Thanks!

[tuxkernel]

@mcever

You need to learn about reverse engineering USB protocol. Read this:

https://github.com/openrazer/openrazer/wiki/Reverse-Engineering-USB-Protocol

Then you can develop a tool in userspace for control the lights in your Aurora R7. Since @rsm-gh is the only developer of akbl, many users with new alienware devices are facing some issues with the lights (probably changes in new usb protocol that are incompatibles with antique alienware devices like M11x's, M14x's, M17x's and M18x's)

Good luck!