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

Guys have a non-gsync RTX2080 ever existed in these laptops?

Can anyone share a VBIOS dump for it?

 

Any advice on what AX/wifi 6 wireless card to get for the A51M R1?

 

The one in my signature:

Intel AX210NGW M.2 NGFF WiFi Card Dual Band BT5.2 for PC better than AX200 Card

 

Thanks!

 

Good news for you guys. BGA Nvidia Max P 30XX can't touch you.

 

Hi, the modified vapor heatsink on ebay is useful? Thank you

 

In the last 2-3 days when I boot up or restart, I get a long black screen before the login screen. When that eventually shows its unresponsive for a good 10-15 seconds before it lets me enter my pin. Anyone else had any issues?

If I remove PIN/Password from my account it seems to work fine.

 

This sounds like a "winlogon.exe" issue. If you have a backup of windows or a restore point, I would suggest reverting back. I had something like this a long time ago. (A windows update failed).
Another thing you can try is to reinstall the GPU driver (maybe WDDM is the one responsible and affects the init of the Windows scheduler, etc).

This is defo not a hardware issue, but an annoying software issue

Cheers

 

This stuff never gets old..

 

Ho hai, i've got a question.

I'm using 51m R1, 9900k 2*8gb rtx 2080 full stock, a replacement machine from a faulty 17r3, since august 2019. After one year of use, around august 2020 I have had a bsod and a diagnostic error related to one ram stick. Dell changed the ram stick with the different model/brand than the original one. Fixing the problem but leaving me with 2 different ram sticks.
Instead of two 8gigs hynix, i have now one original hynix plus the replaced stick, an Micron.

After the swap, Dell told me that it was temporary, and when the same stick as the original one is available again, they will change the "temporary micron one" by an hynix one.

I revived my case in october 2020, support told me that the part is still not available.

Before (original setup)


Actual (1 original + 1 replaced stick)


Considering that:
- I havent had any problems with the 2 sticks from different brands since (no crash, no error, no noticeable performance lost).
-The orignal ram stick is not produced anymore, soldeout everywhere ( hma81gs6jjr8n-vk ) so Dell is not going to have new ones I guess.
-The computer support contract end the 6 of march 2021 (its the 17r3 orignal support from march 2016).

Should I relaunch a support ticket? Or its not worth it?
They cant swap the two sticks I guess ('cuz only one was faulty), or if they replace the Micron's one, it will still be with a potentialy different model from the hynix one (or a refurbished one).

Dunno what to do.
contact them and make it worse? or stick with my sticks as everything works

Imagine in a few years, I want to upgrade the ram, is it risky to get 2 more 8g sticks? For a total of 4x8gigs, the Hynix original one, plus the replaced Micron stick, plus the two future new 8g sticks from whatever brand it is.
Maybe ill go for brand new 4*16 gigs, or maybe i wont upgrade at all because i wont feel the need for it, 16gigs are fine for a long time.

Thanks

 

Memory is so cheap, and there is better, why not just get a full new set? Dell's is mediocre anyhow.

EDIT: KHX2666C1554/16G is the memory I replaced with in my system, I run four sticks for 64 GB and it runs on the AW 51 R1 flawlessly (at 2400 though smh).

 

I normally like to use the drivers that show up in GeForce, I notice close to the end of the update I always get a blue screen (watchdog I believe) and it reboots, but drivers always seem good after the fact. Can anyone else confirm the same symptoms?

 

I have never seen a BSOD while installing a GPU driver. The only BSOD errors I usually ever see are from when I have undervolting turned on to far. Are you undervolting the GPU by chance? I could see that causing issues if your trying to change drivers while it's applied.

I believe it's also a watchdog error I get when I get the BSOD when I am undervolted to far.

 

Disconnect all USB devices and try again. I had the same issue before and that solved it.

 

I have a very similar situation, when I install the drivers from geforce at the end of the installation the pc shuts down and restarts but no BSOD in my case, everything works fine.

Maybe my USB mouse is doing this then?

 

new nVIDIA Driver v457.73 from Dell

 

Good point, thank you, yes I got a slight undervolt... I'll definitely shut down After Burner before trying next time...

 

I normally have a Xbox controller plugged in, I will remove it for the next update. Thank you.

 

Neither will they do for the successor R2. And the AGA won't be an option for you as it looks like. So no upgrade paths for none of you. Both the Area models reached the dead end. Same also for the thinner BGA models.


http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...2-owners-lounge.832848/page-269#post-11074538

 

Well, I have an amplifier, but since it doesn't even drive the internal screen, its useless unless I am using my laptop to drive an external monitor. Considering I have a desktop also, really no point. I am literally about to put up an EVGA 1080 Ti FTW3 on Ebay since the GA for me now serves no purpose.

I changed jobs and don't travel like I used to, so I doubt I will be buying a laptop for the foreseeable future though I religiously use my Area 51 R1 (typing on it now). For home side gaming from the main desktop a 2070 Mobile + 9700K is fine, but it doesn't make Dell's laziness (and that is all it is) any less irritating.

To your point about the R2, I predicted they would welch on it so I am not surprised. The next time I go for a new laptop, I will go for a Lenovo series most likely if they continue to excel.

 

screen flashes black for a second (using an external monitor) but it doesn't blue screen or reboot.

 

Haven't been here for a long time. I built a desktop with 5900x and 3090, but I sold it...I love DTRs...

Now I wait for the Area 51m R3 with 150+W 3080 and until then I keep using my R1.

I have several questions:
- has the R2-fans a other noise-characteristic?
- they are incompatible with the R1, right?
- has the R2 a other fan-controller chip? (R1: Ene KB9543QB)

Thanks in advance!

 

So set BIOS to only charge to 80%.
Turned off via shift key held down(reduces drainage of battery by switching everything off)
How long can I have Laptop not used or plugged in without needing to charge battery?

 

I wouldn't bet on an R3 personally. So far its been a typical bait-and-switch on "upgradeability" now for two generations of Area 51Ms. The only advantage I can think of now with the Area 51M series is they are easier to open and clean out. Steep price to pay for that convenience, I would strongly personally recommend Lenovo next time around. Same (or better) performance for one hell of a lot less money and BS.

 

I don't think that we will have R3. I heard some rumors from Dell side that they don't plan to continue this. But if I am wrong I don't think that buying from them the R3 would be a wise decision. Dell screwed up us two times in a row....

 

Thank you for your opinion / assessment.

I hope there will be another Area 51m. This year I don't need a new one, but in 1-3 years (R4, R5...).

A big advantage for me for an Area 51m or a DTR is the fan-noise. I play without headphones. With undervolting and little clock reduction you can play quietly (I play at 1900/1900 RPM, and the fans from the Area 51m are very pleasant at this speed). This is not the case with thin notebooks...

Other DTR aren't quieter or cooling better, but they're thicker, heavier and not so nice (design).

 

What does Lenovo have that equals the performance of the Alienware Area 51m? Maybe I haven't checked them out in a while but I would find that hard to believe. Link please if you have one!

 

I'm not a believer in Lenovo either (the one Yoga I owned had build quality issues and mobo failed after like 2-3 years) but there could be a delta in quality, upgradeability and support. Would be interesting to know more about those aspects too.

There is definitely a price delta - not getting ripped off is important too.

 

This particular system changed my mind: https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/lenovo-legion-y740-15-inch

Perhaps it won't hold up, but AW's in general show issues after about 2.5 to three years I think that is just the state of the industry. This from someone who has owned about 7 or 8 AW laptops and two desktops now in succession and I am very careful with my equipment. They may not have a system equaling the Area 51m outright, OTOH, they haven't double-talked their way around their systems the way Dell has repeatedly. The system I linked was not far off from an A51M for significantly less cost.

The only saving grace is the onsite repairs now. Without Frank at the helm I am not expecting much from Dell on handling of AW from here on out personally.

 

If there isn't another Area 51M, you can try Clevo's DTR offerings. Yeah the designs aren't flashy, but that can be a good thing since nobody will want to steal your laptop. I actually like their DTR designs, but that's because I like industrial style things.

 

Yeah, and I mean we are talking true upgradeability - even The Implacable @Mr. Fox is happy after heavy tweaking, naturally.

 

That one's not for me sadly - I stopped reading at: "Poor battery life."

For me it would be either a Clevo or Tongfang now, I think - maybe Asus Strix 15, ticks many boxes, but sadly seems that only the TB3-less Ryzen is only available. No such issues with Tongfangs, MUX switch, hefty battery.

All in all, prob just best to wait for RTX 3080 stocks to stabilize and the next gen of CPUs with PCie 4.0 and USB4 or maybe even for the RTX 3080S.

 

Next gen CPUs will come with PCie 5.0 and DDR5. Tiger and Rocket lake is a minor change over current gen before we see real changes. And not so sure AMD will be first

 

It just goes to show it's not easy, e.g. Ryzen 5000 mobile still has no PCIe 4.0. Good thing they are still there fighting, the market needs some competition.

 

Reposting as no reply too:

So set BIOS to only charge to 80%.
Turned off via shift key held down(reduces drainage of battery by switching everything off)
How long can I have Laptop not used or plugged in without needing to charge battery?

 

LOL its a gaming laptop - poor battery life is about like saying a Sports car doesn't get good gas mileage.... but to each his own I suppose.

 

Hey guys,

this is seriously starting to drive my nuts to hell.
I finally installed Windows 10 20H2 without having a DRIVER IRQL NOT LESS OR EQUAL every two minutess.
But I still could not get Intel XTU to work!
It crashes on splash screen not more than 5 seconds after launching it.
Here are the error messages on the event viewer :



I had this issue for like maybe a year but always downgraded to Windows 1909 were I had no issue.
Do you guys could make Intel XTU back to work on 20H2?

I'm kinda f*cked here.

Thanks

 

Well, it's a light laptop, not a DTR. Light laptops tend to be sought for people needing mobility, and thus battery life. Tesla Roadster has what, 250 miles range? I'd be happy with that

 

Probably no one knows bro, test it! Let’s us know lol!

 

Lithium Ion batteries left charged and untouched have a shelf life of multiple years.

My recommendation to you is if you plan on not using the laptop's battery for an extended period of time is to charge the battery, take it out, then store it in a dry, temperature controlled environment.

 

They all will rip consumers if they can. Just look at AMD. We have never ever seen mainstream chips at $799 MRSP and ongoing +1100$ for the same chips if you are lucky to find one.

Why bother with XTU? Use ThrottleStop. And it will be worse. Dell's bios in combination with Dell's awful software and Windows 10 as Services into the mix won't be any better.

 

That's not right, AMD are supposed to rip threads, not customers!

But seriously, things would be strictly worse without AMD around.

 

I agree, I like this silence. I am usually using my machine with only one power supply, in this way, there is no noise but there is enough fps in Div2, or HZD. If I need to run benchmark or I want more fps, I would use both power supply.

 

btw: you can use (with a hw-mod) only one 240w or 330w psu with full gpu-power. Here my howto.

 

Anyone else notice this - I seem to have to seat my headphones (standard, not USB) two times to get them "seen" by applications. Is it just me? I don't recall this on any other AW laptop buy my A51M R1, and not any work laptop or Mac.

 

Started happening to my m15 R1 from time to time, the older 15 is fine.

 

Your how-to, the eBay.de link for the 'emulator' is dead/expired. Post a new link here &/or edit a working link into the original how-to, perhaps a perma-link to manufacturer website for the product

 

Perhaps. My AW 13 R3 never had it, nor any other. This has always done it from day one. I figured its software, but I am guessing maybe not?

 

I turned off automatic jack detection in the Realtek Audio controls... I just kept them at headphones and mic, no repurposing...

That fixed what for me was annoying of disconnecting and reconnecting and telling the PC what I hooked up (which sometimes prevented signal from coming through (audio) or going in (mic))

 

Thank you. I have updated my howto (permalink to the seller = https://www.ebay.de/usr/mihai1965?_trksid=p2047675.l2559).