Just got my refurbished M17x R3

... and I have a few questions. The Laptop is in perfect condition except a couple of minor things, but I'm a bit picky so I'd like to have them fixed.

1. The second drive bay caddy is lacking the L shaped SATA connector, so any second HDD I install won't reach the connectors. Any idea where to get an extra one? Should I talk to Dell, or is ebay my best bet?

2. The previous owner seem to have been picking away at the inside. A few screws are missing, but most notably one of the 4 screws fastening the heatsink to the GPU. It's still in place, but I'd like to get it fastened correctly, so I'm wondering, where do I go to buy those tiny screws (I doubt Home Depot has small ones like that), and do anyone know the dimensions?

Thanks.

 

I'd return it. Normally refurbs are inspected. Clearly this one failed hard (how the heck do you miss screws?)

 

i wouldnt return it as this is completely normal for a refurbished one. wanna be picky? get a new one for full price! In case you need screws there gotta be some local tech shops you can go and show them the screws u need they will find u equivalent to those.
cheers

 

In response to your two questions, I'd say eBay is the best option. For what they're worth I wouldn't really be able to justify going through Dell to have them replaced. You can get an entire set of replacement screws for M17x for $25-30 (obviously finding the specific ones you need will only set you back a few dollars) and the interposer will cost you as little as $8 delivered (and you'll only need that if/when you decided to put a 2nd hard drive in).
I understand it's frustrating having a few little bits and pieces missing, but they really are insignificant and quite cheap.

 

I saved $800 on getting this one, so no, I'm not getting a new one over a few screws, picky or not, since it's flawless otherwise.

Just wanted to see if someone knew the dimensions on the screws, and where to get them, but it's no big deal. The most important thing for me though is to get the SATA connector so I can install a second Harddrive. My SSD ain't gonna cut it for storage needs.

And thanks Chuzzz, but I've searched all over ebay for that connector, or interposer or whatever it's called, but I just can't seem to find one that matches the one in the main drive bay.

 

Even though it's a refurb, those parts should not be missing, and it is not your responsibility to replace them. Take advantage of your warranty, call Dell, explain the situation, have them ship you the missing parts. Case closed.

 

Sata Hdd interposer Connector for Dell Alienware M17X | eBay

Is this not it?

 

^^^ totally agree.....!!!!

Refurb or brand new does not matter.. All that matter is FHA YOU deserve a fully inspected laptop and Dell will send you both those parts in a jiffy... Why go to eBay when dell can send them to you in just 24 hours.

 

I couldnt agree more except for when I tried to call for additional parts, I received not just a screw but a full box of those, plus, wrong kind. it is really hard to explain to techs (partially because they are outsourced) which screw is missing and where should it be. also dont forget they dont just work with AW laps, but XPS, precision & others, they got manuals there - thats how they find out what to send you. is there anything like manual that shows which screw is where? this might help

 

I don't think that's the correct one, I swapped out both of my drives and if I recall, it looks similar on the drive end, but then it is more like an "L" shaped piece moving the connections to point down instead of out the back of the drive.

Better off getting the exact part from Dell ...

For your screws, check out The Parts People, they may have what you need, although I just looked and there are no parts specific to the R3 there yet. Good resource to bookmark though.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll contact Dell first thing on Monday.
To be exact which screws are missing. It's 3 of the 5 screws that you unscrew to loosen the keyboard. And 1 of the 4 screws that fasten the heatsink to the GPU.

I actually find myself wondering what the hell the previous owner was doing before he returned it, more than I ask what Dell was doing when they missed this, hehe

 

Dell won't help me. They either want me to return it, or pay for the parts (even though they don't know which part).
Guess I'm stuck with 1 HDD then.

By the way, how can you make a Laptop and not know what part connects the Harddrives? That's like if I make a car, but I have no idea what a wheel is.

 

"That's like if I make a car, but I have no idea what a wheel is."

HA HA HA HA

 

Apoxxx...I personally recommend you return it for refund and repurchase another one. If it's in that shape now I forsee issues in your future

 

Well, like I told the rep I talked to; I think it's madness to return a perfectly functioning laptop because it's missing a couple of screws and a HDD connector, and the fact that they can't just send me the parts instead of wasting time and money replacing the entire laptop.

But I found a connector on ebay now, so I'm keeping it, I don't have the time to go weeks without a laptop again just because Dell chose to be squares.

 

No. Not even close to reasonable.

 

So, I'm returning it afterall.
Tried to install more RAM, but it seems one of the screws that secures the keyboard is impossible to get off. Also, lacking more screws on that side. This is unacceptable even for a refurbished unit, and Dell can have it back and give me one that's properly screwed together.

Edit; If only their support page would load. *sigh*, and here I was saying I'd never go HP again because of their poor buildquality and horrible support, and Dell doesn't seem to be a tiny bit better.