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    I bricked my M17x R4

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by senshin, Dec 23, 2012.

  1. senshin

    senshin Notebook Evangelist

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    :(


    After some problems with my alienware i decided to do a bios flash and it failed horrible :(.
    I did a flash and had like 1 million beeps, then it stopped and the fans stayed spinning like 110%.
    After 2 hours i pulled the power cord out and now it's dead, i dont do anything, no reaction on whatever. :(

    I dont know what to do now, i just had it for 2 months...... :(

    Geuss calling tomorrow dell services and hope, you guys have some tricks? :(

    Sjoerd
     
    senshin, Dec 23, 2012
    #1
  2. Joe85

    Joe85 Notebook Deity

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    Ok, firstly, can you list your specs?
     
    Joe85, Dec 23, 2012
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  3. James D

    James D Notebook Prophet

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    Warranty will help you.
     
    James D, Dec 23, 2012
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  4. naldor

    naldor Notebook Consultant

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    Depends what bios you tried to blindflash on it, and what bios was on it be4(versions)
     
    naldor, Dec 23, 2012
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  5. NuckinFutz

    NuckinFutz Notebook Enthusiast

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    First things first.......

    DO NOT TELL DELL/ALIENWARE THAT YOU FLASHED THE BIOS!!!

    I did the same thing with my M17xR3 and made the mistake of telling them I updated the Bios that was available on their website. They told me that I void the warranty if I update the BIOS without troubleshooting with them first which is complete BS!

    According to Dell, users are only supposed to flash the BIOS if it is a recommendation from Dells troublshooting team. They log it in your profile and say go for it! Then if anything happens, its on Dell and they fix it or send a new laptop.

    I finally won the debate after talking to a higher up. I explained to him how the website mentions nothing about getting permission to flash the Bios. It just simply gives you all options for your model and lets you download. There are no warnings about voiding your warranty anywhere. So they finally sided with me after 5 days of hassle.

    Good News Last.....

    I sent the M17xR3 in and Dell replaced the Motherboard. They sent it back and Fed-Ex lost it!!! So Dell did the unexpected and built me a brande new M17xR4 that is 10x better anyway with the new IVYBridge CPU and gave me an extra 3 months on my extended warranty that I had just purchased 2 weeks before this whole thing started.

    Don't tell Dell the Truth, Simply tell them that the damm thing just stopped working and nothing else.
     
    NuckinFutz, Dec 24, 2012
    #5
  6. martin541

    martin541 Notebook Consultant

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    i have told dell before that i had bricked my bios i fixed it but they didn't care. and dell were talking crap to you to be honest you can flash your bios at anytime you don't need permission but i agree with you DON'T TELL THEM YOU FLASHED IT !!!!
     
    martin541, Dec 24, 2012
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  7. funkmasterta

    funkmasterta Notebook Evangelist

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    This is why I buy Dell. In our family, we have 5 laptops + 2 desktops all Dell but one HP (which was a gift). Parents used to have Gateway, told them to switch to Dell, siblings only use Dell.

    Their customer service (in my experience) is like Nordstrom, Amazon, Costco.
     
    funkmasterta, Dec 24, 2012
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  8. senshin

    senshin Notebook Evangelist

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    Hello,

    I contacted dell and they send a technician with a new part.
    So i cannot wait and its pretty damn fast :).

    Edit: Credits to the people working @ alienware!
     
    senshin, Dec 24, 2012
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  9. senshin

    senshin Notebook Evangelist

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    I told them i flashed it and its still under warrenty cover.

    Sjoerd
     
    senshin, Dec 24, 2012
    #9