What I do is on the factory image, I uninstall all the drivers/utilities, then I use Driver Store Explorer to wipe every single driver off the system, then I install the latest drivers. So this way I have the factory image/easy restore if I needed it but with the same effect as a clean install.
True, they give us the hardware, then we as enthusiasts have to make it work.
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Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative
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Arkengelus likes this.
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With the bags, I have an Everki Titan as well as the Area 51m Elite Backpack and Gear Bag (messenger). Of the three, I strongly prefer the elite backpack. It fits the gear nicely, is the most stylish and certainly appears more compact than the Titan (although I'm not sure the dimensions are all that different). I prefer the zippers on the Titan but build quality of the elite backpack is still pretty reasonable. The gear bag is okay (same materials/quality as the elite backpack) but it's smaller and much less comfortable to carry with the full kit inside.
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Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative
It looks ok but I had a client last month who purchased an Area-51m R2 from me who didn't like its looks so we ordered the Alienware Vindicator 18 for him and he says it fits perfectly. Looks much better IMO:
@etern4l I am not able to find the white limited edition that I ordered with my laptop on Dell's site anymore. Do you know where to find it or do you think it's out of stock as it said limited?Last edited: Sep 27, 2020DreDre, Aroc, etern4l and 1 other person like this. -
https://www.thenorthface.co.uk/shop/en-gb/tnf-gb/surge-backpack-3etv
Super comfy, takes two laptops and has the easy airport security function which of course is useless now.Papusan, Aroc and Spartan@HIDevolution like this. -
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https://www.thenorthface.co.uk/shop/en-gb/tnf-gb/backpacks/router-backpack-3etu?variationId=JK3 -
Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative
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Well an update and in 35 years of buying high performance computers I have never had these many issues with factory software image. Spent over 12 hours waiting on on-line chat support over the last 48 hours total using Microsoft Technical Support as Dell folks are in the weeds. Bottom line waiting on a level 3 tech to call me tomorrow to see if they can get my Outlook to run correctly. Dell has sold their last piece of equipment to me that is a factual statement lol. Buggy and really not much better or faster than the HP Omen X it replaced.
Live and learn I guess.. I still like the machine especially the keyboard but Alienware can only go so far selling on bling. -
Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative
The only thing I did was to uninstall every single driver from its roots and update them all to the latestnormand668 and DreDre like this. -
The Tobi had to be disabled completely (Dell tech) as it was causing my display to dim after 15 seconds or so of not touching a key, TB or pad. Alienware has installed or attempted updates to the AWCC for 3 day's and hangs up about 10 minutes into the process. Still have to call about that one.
To your point cannot tell you how many of the drivers were replaced however, the level 1 tech spent 30 minutes or so removing windows and office files and drivers replacing with new ones. Over this entire process my machine was rebooted I would say 15 times. -
Busa Dave likes this.
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do you know if there are any other differences between the two motherboards except the RAM XMP profiles?
Thank you in advance! -
Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative
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ratchetnclank Notebook Deity
Wait there is a different mobo just for faster ram?
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http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/official-alienware-area-51m-r2-owners-lounge.832848/page-84
Here are some posts talking about why this could be the case. I don’t recall seeing any solid rationale yet, though. At least, no solid technical rationale. -
win32asmguy Moderator Moderator
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After a few hours on the phone with Dell tech and taking the back off and disconnecting the battery even. 20 reboots later the escalation from Dell means now that Worldwide is coming to see me in a few days with a new motherboard. Also got a call this morning from the Level III tech with Microsoft about the other issues. Have decided that I am going to defer that activity until the new motherboard is installed because if the motherboard does not fix it then a new machine may be in the works. That means software install again.
Got to love it. Laugh or cry but would rather laugh.normand668, jclausius and Papusan like this. -
Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative
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Further to my previous post if anyone knows the date that the 360hz monitor option is available, Dell has now officially listed the 360hz as an option on their website.
I will also be placing my order now.normand668 likes this. -
Made the call to return it. New replacement being built. Hope to have better luck with that one!!!
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ratchetnclank Notebook Deity
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pathfindercod Notebook Virtuoso
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win32asmguy Moderator Moderator
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Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative
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For example see a proper external display specs:
https://www.asus.com/Monitors/ROG-Swift-360Hz-PG259QN/
0.5ms monitors are also beginning to crop up.
These very high refresh rate are most relevant to high-level online gamers (CSGO players most of all perhaps), and in that case a laptop screen is a non-starter to begin with due to insufficient size. Worth looking at other specs too, such as contrast ratio and colour reproduction.normand668 and Spartan@HIDevolution like this. -
ratchetnclank Notebook Deity
The difference between 300hz at 300fps and 360hz at 360fps is less than 0.5ms frame to frame time.
It literally doesn't make a difference. It's a marketing number, anything over 240hz is just a marketing number, some would even say 144hz. -
* The difference between 144 / 120 Hz and 240Hz is very clear
* The difference between the different overdrive modes: 4ms, 2ms and 1ms is again clearly noticeable (unfortunately 1ms is just a marketing gimmick in this monitor due to heavy ghosting)
* FPS dips below 200Hz are noticeable (although not fatal)
* There is no perceivable screen tearing at all (with Gsync off)
* Gsync does cause very noticeable input lag
* The extra scrolling smoothness in desktop is again noticeable even vs 144Hz
Based on these observations, my conclusions are:
1. The whole "240Hz/very high refresh rate monitors are a gimmick compared to 144Hz" is a myth - there is a clear benefit
2. I would rather have a monitor which delivers 1ms GtG, although 2ms is playable
3. By extension, I assume I should be able to pick up on the improvement offered by 360Hz vs 240Hz, but a hardware upgrade would be in order in order to consistently push 300Hz+ fps.
300Hz vs 360Hz in a laptop display would indeed be harder to distinguish, I wouldn't bother because the display is too small and has inferior response time and contrast ratio to begin with. Sounds like another trick to push out the remaining deprecated RTX Series 20 stock.Last edited: Sep 29, 2020raz8020, normand668, Papusan and 1 other person like this. -
Is this similar to audiophile talk? Can a human really distinguish more than 60 FPS? What does he see? Would a "blind" test (sorry for the pun) reliably point out a 240Hz vs a 120Hz monitor+system?
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https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frame_rate
"Modulated light (such as a computer display) is perceived as stable by the majority of participants in studies when the rate is higher than 50 Hz. This perception of modulated light as steady is known as the flicker fusion threshold. However, when the modulated light is non-uniform and contains an image, the flicker fusion threshold can be much higher, in the hundreds of hertz. [2] "
https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/overwatch/t/mythbusting-human-eye-cannot-see-beyond-60-fps/420316normand668, Kalen, Aroc and 1 other person like this. -
pathfindercod Notebook Virtuoso
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Yes the 5ms for the 360hz is a disappointment but since Dell took off the option for 300hz there's no turning back
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The 300hz was there early today on a certain configurations when I looked.
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win32asmguy Moderator Moderator
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This guide was there like 5 years ago. It was never updated. For example they forgot to include in the regestry these key to delete:Ordinateur \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Dell\AWCCService
and this one doesn't exist anymore: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WOW6432Node\Alienware
This is why is asked you 2 months ago to write a procedure for this, because even Dell's procedure is not up to date. Only a SPARTAN can do it .MikeBloo, Papusan and Spartan@HIDevolution like this. -
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pathfindercod Notebook Virtuoso
https://www.razer.com/gaming-laptops/Razer-Blade-Pro-17/RZ09-03295E63-R3U1
Yes sir, sells for 3799.00. I have the three years Best Buy accidental damage warranty on it also that cost $400. Going to look at $3k shipped (not set in stone) and insured to the lower 48 US. Only 3 months old and used for a review and thats it. Never traveled with and less than 5 hours use never left my desk and packed away back in the original box.Last edited: Sep 29, 2020Kalen likes this. -
Just got my Area 51M R2 last Friday and liking it so far. Question though: can the rgb for the power button be customized? Seems dumb that it is called out in the ACC software as a zone and you can make changes in color, but the changes arent made on the physical button.
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Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative
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"The power button acts as a battery-charge indicator, you will not be able to manage it the same as the other lights to set the colors or effects you set on them."
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Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative
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Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative
FYI Guys,
I have 4 Western Digital PC SN730 NVMe SSDs in my Area-51m R2. When I tried creating a RAID Array, only 3 of them appear so I am guessing the 4th slot isn't NVMe.
I physically checked, the 2 slots next to each other are slot 2 and 3 NOT slot 1 and 2 (on the right hand side that is).
Also just for the sake of testing, I tried creating a RAID Array out of the 3 SSDs, the performance is exactly the same so don't bother unless you simply want one large big partition.
@ratchetnclank @MogRulesLast edited: Sep 30, 2020 -
I have an all red theme which I have now made my active theme(previous was default out-of-box blue). I also have themes assigned to different games; when those games run the assigned theme activates. However the power button color remains the same as whatever the default theme currently is. Not sure if there is a work around for that.
It's amazing that you were able to offer more support on this as opposed to the people who are paid to do so. Thanks again and hope to be able to contribute to this forum as time goes on.. -
Just came here to mention that I recently ordered 3N3W3 heatsink for M.2 NVMe SSD. It comes with a thermal pad attached (even though the rep told me otherwise and I ended up ordering a set from Amazon). This post is to help anyone in the future who needs to order heatsink for NVMe SSDs on Area 51m (R1 & R2). It cost me $6.99 CAD + Tax. Shipping was included.
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Spartan@HIDevolution Company Representative
If you had upgraded to this, have you tried a clean install by uninstalling OC Controls, then Command Center, then rebooting then deleting all the Command Center files under C:\Program Files and from the registry?
I still need to do a full guide on how to do a clean install when I have time.
If you had done all of the above, a temporary workaround perhaps would be to set the default active theme to Red since you said the active theme works but not the ones you create, then set the one you create manually to the default blue color or just ignore this for now I'm sure a future update would work. -
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*OFFICIAL* Alienware Area-51M R2 Owner's Lounge
Discussion in '2015+ Alienware 13 / 15 / 17' started by Spartan@HIDevolution, May 9, 2020.