*OFFICIAL* Alienware Area-51M R1 Owner's Lounge

and i have a different opinion.. so what? 99,x% can live 2 or 3 days without pc... they dont want but they can wait the very least ,,need,, it

 

2-3 days without? Maybe read (re-read) @QUICKSORT's posts. And he isn't the only. Oh'well. No need to fiddle more on this

 

and nomadsan gets on site support... no problem there. Maybe Quicksort havent got oSS because the problem was new and unknown? Maybe the phone supporter had a bad day or no parts in spare? dont know. usually oSS fix everthing within a few days.

but have the same opinion regarding Quicksorts situation -> more than 1 month waiting time a spare pc would be nice.

we should stop here if you want to discuss this -> pm me

 

Sadly there are people on both sides of that. I've had great support from Dell and terrible support from Dell.

I've had onsite stuff done the next day and onsite stuff that I've waited a month for parts to come in. Likewise I've had mail in stuff be shipped back to me the next day and I've also waited a month for it... It depends on what the part is and how good their stock is.

No point in arguing about it though. What works for one person (a tablet vs a spare laptop) may not work for someone else...

 

As I posted previously, I am one of those whose GPU, it would seem, is dead. Updated bios and vbios and came back an hour later to find my screen was black with no signal (laptop screen). I have done literally everything I can think to do - reinstall windows 10, roll back vbios, driver switches, all kinds of weird ideas gained from internet, etc... I don't know if it is the PCIe slot the GPU is plugged into, or the GPU itself, but when you enable to nvidia drivers in device manager, the disconnect sound is heard, and always 5 to 7 seconds later, black screen.

Of course I have called Dell tech support. They ran through the steps with me and say my only real option is to refund or send in for repairs. Unfortunately I am currently stationed in Afghanistan, and mail goes out once a month, always at the end of the month...so I definitely can't make the refund time-table of 30 days... and it would likely be 3 or so months before I could get this laptop (which works for everything but gaming at this point) back in my hands. I need it for work related things, and it is all I have now as my previous laptop died necessitating this one in the first place. So, I think I bought a $4300 excel and powerpoint maker.......... And of course, the DGFF RTX 2080 is not for purchase from Dell or anyone else, so I'm out of luck for just buying a new one according to the Sales Dept. Anyone want to sell their DGFF GTX 2080 for more than they paid for it? Haha.

 

dell is a huge conglomorate. if they released it and never pulled it back, they had validated it. if it wasn't validated, it would not have been released in the first place. this goes the same for the GTX1080 R4/R5 models. the issue with the older models is not the vbios but rather the VRM cooling which i've covered extensively with guides on how to fix it.

the higher the wattage, the more heat those VRMs pump out, so the more sensitive it becomes when it comes to cooling tolerances

 

Sorry about your predicament and thanks for your service.

I would ask to talk to a manager and do one of the following:

1. Ask them for an exception to the 30 day policy - I've done this multiple times and was never an issue. They just have to forward your case to some department and you usually get a response a couple of days later.

2. Have them ship you out a 2080 and you can replace it yourself and send the dead card back. I've done it with other components and they are usually happy to do so.

 

You mean the shipped 180w vBios was the Guinea pig versjon? Azor was fast pull out the 200w after people start complaining. Maybe re-read about the GTX1080 R4/R5 models and the later 180w validated vBios. I have posted it some places. People was angry due what Azor said and then released. Aka said other OEMS pushed fake. See He was taken with his pants down

Edit. The validation wasn't done within 3 or 4 days.

 

I’ve seen somewhere before about 2080 gpus just burning up and dying for no reason on regular desktops. If this issue only affects the 2080s then it may not be related to this computer but the 2080 gpus themselves? It’s pretty boastful to claim to know why people bought a certain product and what everyone’s needs are. To say most people would buy something for work because that’s not why you bought it is just highly presumptive. You should really get out into the real world if you think everyone is they same and thinks like yourself, because I promise you they don’t. As an example I know plenty of people in construction that use a cake decorating too that a ball roller on their construction site. So it would be a wrong and dumb statement for a cake decorator to say this tool is only used for cakes. It’s a big world out there maybe work to expand your horizons?

 

Seems different, yours was still running but screen was off.

Mine literraly stopped working, no fan noise, nothing...

Not to mention the famous smell of burned component if i get close to the laptop vents ^^

FYI : I'm a software developer & project manager working for a big company here in France, i work from home. This computer is mine (BYOD) but it's garanted by my company.

The only thing that helped me in my case to keep working (and not gaming, as it's the same computer in my case) is that i had a spare Surface Pro 5, core i5 that i was about to sell...

Guess i was lucky ... but yeah in my case, if i was supposed to wait without any solutions from Dell, i'd be pissed too..

I see a legitimate reason to be pissed here, if i buy a Alienware i don't except it to react like a 200$ laptop ...

 

Thanks for the advice. I can certainly try the first option. Maybe they would make an exception.
As for the second option, I did call sales and, after a lengthy back and forth, they told me there was no order-able part number for the dgff 2080, and that they couldn't sell that. Which dept would you recommend that I speak to in order to try the one for one swap?

 

So if someone wants to upgrade today, they can’t? lol

 

Wasn't expecting great battery life but maybe around 4-5 hrs. I thought the non gsync models would have optimus graphics so I'm pretty upset it's not available, I would have gone with the gsync model otherwise. Though to be honest I didn't notice any screen tearing while playing apex laptop. Especially with these 17 inch screens and 1080p is Gsync really necessary.

 

Does this mean we now have a semi-official 2xPSU product for Alienware's?? My 980m SLI M18xR2 better not hear that!

Homer

 

Well after having my laptop for a day I have discovered my first problem. So I was typing a message today on it and I guess it's the first time hitting the b key and turns out it's not installed properly. And it's just not connected to the keyboard. So I call Dell and they say I can get a refund, or turn it in and get it back in about a month. I just got it yesterday, so a month is so far away to fix one key. Also they say this is not something they can send a technician out to fix. So press all of your keys and make sure they are actually attached. I did upgrade the SSD on it so I don't wanna go through all that trouble again in a month of cloning the os and files. Edit: it was just something that needed a bit of good pressure to push into place, so no big deal thank goodness.

 

Ask for a replacement part from tech support since no on-site tech is available (assuming you are capable). I've had Dell (and other companies) send me the repair part directly to replace myself numerous times. I much prefer to replace parts myself than some tech who isn't going to care as much as I do about how my computer is handled.

 

Well it looks like Linus managed to water cool the CPU and GPU on the Alienware 51m motherboard lol

 

Hmmm. It was a tech support guy that recommended I speak to sales about it. I can call via skype with the wifi here, so no problem there. Is there, perhaps, a number or e-mail that goes to stateside tech support instead? Might help avoid some of the confusion of me asking for it.

 

I think it's absolutely hilarious how some reviews make the area-51m's weight sound horrible and to pick it up and move it is a serious chore. 8lbs was not a big deal a few years ago. I've been unplugging it from my desk and taking it to work with me every single day since I got it. I haven't had any more difficulty in carrying my backpack than anytime before. I really need to take a picture of it next to an old HP Pavilion laptop I still have. It's so close in size and weight.

 

1-800-254-3692 between 7am and 11pm CST. That's Alienware's number.

 

Well after getting my laptop 21st march and having a few issues where it would just black screen. i reinstalled windows and everything seemed to be working ok untill playing division 2 today and now the game keeps crashing the laptop with like checkerboard effect and freezing.



I assume this means this is a dead gfx card? i have a 9700k / 2070

 

Call and ask for technical support as they can ship parts to you for repair.

*on edit* I see that someone beat me to it, lol

 

Maybe, but could also just be unstable clocks/voltage. Try changing the curve and see what happens.

 

this is actually with no overclock or anything :S

 

Looks like Dell is not going to be pro active and will just keep waiting for each one of these machines start biting the dust one by one, and just fixing them under warranty. Guess it's more cost effective this way, but it's certainly going hurt sales and PR going forward as people will be hesitant to buy.

 

That’s artifacts full rtx issue back in October last year. I didn’t have that space invader but two 2070 Evga black dead on me, one DOA, and other last only 3 weeks shut down immediately while gaming, yeah I OC it mostly maybe that card isn’t made for that. Some user downclocked it to solve that issue but I think with 51m for the price user shouldn’t have to downclock it. It was I think memory issue from micron, now I step up to xc 2080 with Samsung memory, so far is great almost half year.

 

It's because of capitalism. Advertising and marketing convinces people that something they have easily managed to do in the past (like carry around a 7 - 10 lbs laptop) is now impossibly tedious or back-breaking.

It's even more hilarious when marketing convinces young, physically sound individuals not to get anything heavier and thicker than a macbook pro. If your usage is just email, browser, office, watching videos etc then by all means enjoy one of the many nice thin & light options.

However if your work/ gaming demands a powerful system then man up and carry the damn thing. Just be grateful you're alive at a time where technology has allowed desktop level performance in something that easily fits in a backpack or messenger bag.

 

LOL, pretty much. I've been looking forward to a portable desktop since I used to carry a large tower desktop back and forth to work.

As for back breaking, I had back surgery a little over a year ago and this works perfectly as my physical therapist recommended carrying around about 10lbs regularly to keep my core muscles strong enough to support my spine.

 

Actually I was correct before the b key on mine just keeps coming off even after it stayed in place for a short time (real short time). So it has to be sent back in, so more waiting awaits me.

 

If you are still within the 30-day refund period and your machine has blown, IMO you should not be talking about spare parts but full replacement.

 

Id be very interested to hear what you find when support open it up. I had the same issue as you but refused the tech support and just opted for a full refund and bought another system. Ordered on 31/3 and it shipped yesterday due for 16/4.
I also installed new bios and 200W vbios as soon as i reinstalled windows 10 on it when i got it and came back to a black screen. I could still power mine on but it wouldnt post and even connecting an external monitor didnt help so they said the lcd panel, GPU and Motherboard needed replacing.

Im quite hesitant to install the vbios again when I get my new system. I would be interested if anyone has done some real world gains measurements on the before and after 200W vbios for FPS in games?

Also I think you should mention to tech support you are considering a refund and have them note it in your case file, because if repairing your system pushes it beyond the refund period you wont be able to refund it in future.

 

" ugger"

 

I bought my system new in the box at my local Microcenter and my return period is up in 3 days. I’m praying this thing doesn’t die after that period .....

 

Yeah would be interesting to see how much gains you get with the 200W vbios. I'm already getting around 2000 mhz on the core clocks when overclocked which is pretty impressive.However then again it's better to try the 200W vbios now and have the system break then later down the line when the warranty is out.

 

Finally some progress on my replacement machine, only took nearly a month.. it now says 'custom built item complete.'

Let's hope it ships soon! Crossing my fingers that it comes in perfect condition and doesn't have any issues. Rng needs to be on my side just this once...

Got the replacement due to backlight bleed and the bezel for the panel on the bottom wasn't glued down correctly.

 

May the RNG shine favorably upon us all. My first system had bad backlight bleed before it stopped working so I didnt even need to return it for that reason in the end. Im not really that fussed about it tbh as I will only be using the laptop display whilst away at work and have it connected to an aw3418dw when gaming at home.

 

3 days?? Man they are way too generous lol.

 

I’ve had it for 12, 15 day return policy

 

That makes more sense, still 15 is pretty low.

 

Thanks! GL with your replacement as well.

I'm hoping I dont have to Frankenstein them together to get a solid machine, definitely going to run it through its paces when it arrives.

Quick question if anyone can answer, can I just swap my OS drive into the new machine when it arrives and be good to go? They're the same specs and such.

 

When I got mine I cloned a new nvme ssd and put it in, and everything worked just fine. Thought I’d have to change the boot order or something, but nope. While on the phone I told the rep about this and she said the os is tied to the motherboard so I didn’t have to worry about it.

 

I believe they are talking about changing the original NVME M.2 SSD that came with the first system to be placed into the new system, so a new motherboard. I would say Win10 will have a sad about it due to being tied to hardware.

 

I mean just placing my SX8200 pro OS drive into the new system as is with everything on it. Is it just plug and play since Windows is tied to hardware?

 

Which BIOS version were you on?

Just because the laptop charges doesn't mean it's working at full potential.

Dell uses a pin in the middle to identify the power supply. How can a single power adapter break past the 330w limit if the firmware limits performance to 180w regardless of PSU if only 1 is connected.

I'm skeptical is all and it would be interesting to see. It'll work in M18x series and M17x series but idk about the Area-51m which they are advertising.

Possibly, but we don't know if it works properly until someone from here tests it.

 

it has not worked with M17x series since 10 years ago. the center identification pin is a must for a psu to work

 

M17xR3 & M17xR4 not M17x/M17xR2.

M18x & M18xR2 work with dual PSU perfectly fine.

 

i think we are talking about the same thing. regardless, area-51m bios will need to detect two PSU identification signal before allowing the laptop to run at full power, something i dont think eurocom psu can mimick or bypass.

 

Well, my 9900/2080 still shows delivery by 4/30 which seems accurate considering it shipped yesterday afternoon and has a FedEx scheduled delivery date of Tuesday 4/9...getting pumped up now!

 

Greetings from Sicily guys! I'm new here but it's as if I've always known you because I've been following this topic since its creation. After so many doubts I decided to buy an area-51m with 9900k, rtx2080, ram 32Gb, ssd 512Gb + sshd 1Tb, lcd 144Hz, win10 pro for the modest sum of 3600 €. ordered 26/03, order processed 29/03, dispatch 09/04, delivery 20/04. fingers crossed

 

The Cancer was introduced on the Alienware 18 early 2013. And I'm 100% sure Dells engineers follow same path... http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...gtx-1080-upgrade.814711/page-46#post-10734553


Btw. See also Azor's work with it's other brand. The XPS line (How he handle misstakes / flaws)... https://www.notebookcheck.net/Frank...many-DPC-latency-related-issues.415861.0.html

Dell has been quiet on its progress with addressing these issues having redirected all DPC-related updates to its social media team last month, and prevented one of its engineering technologists from doing so... You see not all from Azor is how it should be.

Azor also claimed that Dell will be issuing a new BIOS revision within two weeks, which will "solve most of the other root causes" of these DPC-related issues. We remain sceptical as the company said back in October that they would be fixed "soon" and it has a history of delaying XPS 15 9570 BIOS releases. We are now in April.