Having way to many problems for a 3K laptop. Advice?

Hi, I've just received my laptop on Saturday and I've had many problems out of the box. Such as a dead pixel on the screen, my optical driver sometimes unresponsive, the buttons by the power button sometimes unresponsive and glitchy, system hanging on shutdown, and my left speaker is shot. And now to top it all off, my sound card keeps getting 'disconnected'. I've done a system restore to make sure it wasn't a faulty driver installation and such. I've installed the drivers 100% perfectly and the sound worked until I restarted my computer. My chip is being detected as high definition audio device, only an hour ago being detected as 3di creative sound. This is totally ridiculous, I can't believe how many problems I'm having with this laptop. Anyone have any advice on the sound card problem? A tech is going to be at my house tomorrow to replace the speakers and display..

Thanks..

 

The sound card issue was one with the BIOS. Look here for some resolve. I know the new R4's are coming with the A04 BIOS, but it seems downgrading to the A02 BIOS fixes the sound problems.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/677205-m17x-r4-bios-a02-released.html

 

didn't we have a thread somewhere here that says A02 is actually old bios, and new laptop is actually rolling in the newer A04?

EDIT: just found the thread and re-read it, turns out A02 is the newest and A04 is misspelled A01?

so this is the 3rd thread you started mentioning exactly same problems.
have you actually contacted dell and ask for a simple system replacement?
as i recall a dell rep here also already willing to handle your problems via email.

EDIT: good for you a tech is coming to solve your problem, hope all goes well after.

 

No, black-bean, you're right. One of the Alienware techs said in one of those threads that the R4's are coming preloaded with A04, it just hasn't been posted to the Drivers & Downloads page yet...supposed to happen any day now. Only problem is people are reporting the sound device issue reoccuring with the A04 BIOS, so we will see if it still goes live or if they will suspend it to fix the sound issue...again.

 

Well I'm on A05, the tech updated my sound. But he fk'ing left my bluetooth cable unconnected as my device manager isn't detecting any bluetooth modules. Trust me, I've done everything software sided trying to fix the problems. System restore, driver updates reinstallation of drivers, wireless toggling etc. I guess I'm going to have to open my system unless I decide the return the fker.

 

m17x disassembly manual : http://www.google.co.id/url?sa=t&rc...qrTkAg&usg=AFQjCNH2Zr-SALi0F1k82a9mN12s-mpULA

video on how to do it : Alienware M17x R3 R4 complete teardown / how to take apart / disassemble - Hidevolution.com - YouTube

 

Shouldn't be struggling with all this since it's a new machine. I would have asked Dell for a direct replacement. Or at least get the tech over to fix everything that was wrong with the machine.

 

You probably already checked to confirm that the bluetooth is still set to enabled in the bios?

 

yea it's scary to read all these horror stories, for brand as coveted as Alienware, you'd expect better QA or assembly before the computers are shipped out, I guess it's not the case.

I really hope my first Alienware will not leave me with a bad experience that I will regret.

 

So not surprised the tech screwed something up. I agree, that's a lot of problems for a new machine. But if you're that unhappy with it, just return it...or demand an exchange for another new one.

 

^^
This

I don't understand why:

a.) If you just received the laptop they should have offered you a replacement no questions asked. If the rep gives you a hard time tell them you want to return it. I bet you a replacement will magically be offered.

b.) You just received it Saturday and agreed to have a tech fix it. Refer to a

 

They will always offer to fix it even if you just got it in my experience. You have to ask. I have returned 2 machines in the past year. Both times I asked for a replacement and both times they said that all they could do is refund and I have to re-order. No 'restocking' fee since the machines had problems. Prob being a little lazy since a replacement is a lot more paperwork for them

 

Yep, of course. I've disabled it then booted, then re-enabled and booted. I've tried everything. By the way, I flashed back to A02, and that seems to have fixed my sound issues for now. I'm waiting for my brother to pick me up some precision screw drivers so I can disassemble my machine, doesn't seem too hard plus I already have an anti static wristband. Wish me luck. Also I'd rather not get an exchange, I've waited long enough for the damn thing

 

I've just taken apart the whole thing (Typing on it now ) and the tech left the bluetooth connector half-way plugged in -__-. It's working now but after I restarted the computer to make sure everything was working properly, the damn sound stopped working again. Anyone else having this problem with sound not working?

 

This is what you gotta do to fix that. I'm glad you fixed the issue with the bluestooth