M17X R3 Plagued with Problems

I was wondering what kind of problems are common with the M17X. Mine has all kinds of problems and it's certainly not worth what I paid for it at the moment. Here are some of the problems I'm facing:

• HDMI Input works about 1/3 of the time, and this was a major purchasing point.
• System crashes whenever the systems hybernates.
• Video card driver crashes are pretty common and I have tried different drivers, and used driver sweeper between installations.
• 3D Vision drivers have to be re-installed each time I connect my external monitor.
• Alien FX does not work on my system. (and yes I know how to use it, I have an m11x and its basically the same )
• I was told by sales team that this system had Nvidia Vision 2 w/LightBoost
• The keyboard is wavy and warped.
• The battery randomly starts/stops charging by itself when plugged in, while the battery is less than 100% charged.

I realize that I could probably troubleshoot most of these problems, but I was hoping that a ~$2000 laptop wouldn't have issues straight out of the box. I'm really looking to see if my system is the rule or the exception.

 

Is Dell support not helping you get resolved or replaced?

 

wow, those are serious problems. Hardware, build quality, and software... I'm with Bob, I think it's time to jump on the phone. I've rarely used the HDMI but have had no issues, no issues with hibernate except when I had my intel storage drivers installed for the SSD I have, I can't speak to 3D because this was not a selling point for me, I really don't enjoy the 3D experience. Which vide driver are you using?

 

My point is that I'm not sure I want it replaced. If I'm going to get another system like this. I was wondering what others have experienced something like this with new systems.

 

I'm using the 285.62 drivers

 

I love mine. No problems for the year I have owned it.

Send it back and get a replacement.

 

Looks like that's what I'll be doing.

 

sounds like someone dropped the laptop from a 10 story building.

 

And I got charged for every foot that it fell.

 

• 
  have you installed the new beta drivers available here?
  
  
  don't have an answer for this one
  
  
  Sales team BS'd you just to get you to buy the laptop, vision 2 got released a few weeks ago, not enough time to get it tested and implement it.
  
  
  this would justify a replacement system
  
  
  this is for protecting the battery, I believe its completely common.
  
  
  My m17x came flawless and I never had an issue with mine. If you call up dell support I'm sure they will get you a replacement system sorry to hear you had so many problems

 

I like the gaming performance of the system when it works, but I'll have to call them and see what we can do to right this situation. I certainly don't think this system is worth what I paid for it, so we'll have to see. I'm staying positive that we can reach some middle ground.

 

I think that despite how often you may see these type of posts on the forum (people are much more likely to complain than compliment a product...especially on the interwebs) these build quality problems are a vast minority.

Most people get their $2K laptop in tip top shape and have few problems. Get on the phone and either get a replacement or a refund...and be firm about your choice.

 

never had a problem with mine, Sorry to her you are but i would call dell and get a replacement, maybe they will up-grade you for all your troubles.

 

Update : It seems that I could not reach a resolution with them and my system is being returned.

They wanted me to basically have my system refurbished after owning it or 1 week. I'm not letting that happen.

 

Sorry to hear that bus_dr1v3r...but in your case, this is the only way. Your laptop is messed up

 

Can anyone recommend a fairly priced alternative to Alienware that they have had any experience with?

 

There have been lots of sales recently of Asus g74's...i've seen them as low as $1199...and i saw the asus g53 for $999

These will be comparable to your R3 with a nvidia gtx 560m

 

Sager/Clevo and MSI branded laptops are the only alternatives close to alienware in terms of specs (from what I remember when researching gaming laptops). Check out xoticpc to look at others, I found it to be a little bit more expensive then alienware but only because I could haggle 20% off. I had the Sager 8150 with the gtx485m and got rid of it and opted to get the r3. I do not regret my decision. Razer is coming out with a wicked laptop that I think will redefine mobile laptop gaming it is called the Razer Blade but will cost a fortune (and specs are terrible).

I had problems with my first m17x r3 as well, and I called and said you either issue a replacement system or my full money back. They agreed and my current system is great.

My friend just bought a m17x r3 with the 6990m and he encountered countless driver problems right out of the box and also demanded a replacement or refund. His replacement is working perfectly, sadly better then mine -.-

 

For the physical issues alone, I would just request a replacement from Dell under warranty. Otherwise, everything else sounds like just software issues.

 

Damn, seems like you got an already refurbished laptop!


Anyway, seems like you've "solved" your problems.

Falcon-Northwest is a company i strongly advice you to check out, they let you choose the components etc in your PC aswell. the DRX Laptop can even hold up to two 580mGTX's!


Good luck,

- Scott.

 

oh NO!!! I had a g53 and it is not a good laptop, seriously 15 inches laptop bigger than m17x (no kidding, this one is getting into the bag which g53 was not able! ) also gtx 560m is like half the performer of 6990m, imo it is just an unnecessary desktop replacement unit (which will eventually get outdated very quickly, especially with 28nm coming soon)

definitely it is the most bang for the buck, but I would call it a very very little bang, not even a bang, maybe bing

I would say a sager np8150, there is a very nice discount on it right now

 

These are actually re-branded Clevo/Sager's, you can save a ton of $$ by going with a reseller like mentioned previously unless you want a crazy custom paint job.

 

Damn. I weren't aware of that. Seriously? The Falcon-Northwest branding seems just so much more serious than Clevo and Sager..

- Scott.

 

hehehe...the Falcon Northwest branding just means really expensive compared to a sager that you can get through a reseller

 

Aha, i see..
Well, glad i ended up buying an M17x instead then...

Sorry for OT and badly-informing.

- Scott.

 

lol its no big deal. They look pretty but they cost a serious amount of cash

Out of curiousity, I just went to the website and configured a base Falcon TLX

15.6" 1080p
core i7 2630
8 gigs of ram
Nvidia GTX 580m
250 gig 7200rpm
wireless N

Grand Total: $2926.88 (plus maybe shipping and taxes)

 

Falcon is sorta like Origin. Both rebranded clevo/sager and more expensive O_O but they each offer stuff that most sellers don't.

 

It seems I'll be keeping it after all. I took a few hours to reformat and re-install all of the drivers and it seems to have fixed all of my hardware problems. My keyboard is still waving at me, but I think I can deal with it. However, I'm not happy that I had to do all this to a brand new computer, but watcha gonna do!

 

lol...i'm glad you got it all sorted out.

I reinstalled windows onto my SSD and plugged in 8gigs of ram as soon as i got it...so although you were forced into it, i did it by choice. So now, i have the config exactly the way I want it which probably means better performance too!

 

I have noticed that my charger is still going nuts, but I'm sure they will send me a new one. Better get BACK on the phone.

 

I would get a Sager, ditch the "boy-racer" looks of an alienware (along with "boy-racer' build quality that AWs have) and get a computer that can game, doesn't throttle, and is just as viable in an office as in your room playing SC2 or KOTOR or SWTOR or whatever game. Additionally, Sagers can do things such as RAID 5, possess x58 (the LGA 1366 motherboard) and the resellers (MALIBAL, Xotic, PowerNotebooks) provide USA support through chat, email, and 24/7 USA-based phone support. (There's something nice about customer service that speaks English and doesn't require you to waste time with mindless drivel-steps intended to make time and fulfill "low-level" requirements.) The only thing you give up are GPU throttling problems, and a ridiculously bulgy laptop suitable for a 12 year old.

I'd go with a Sager / Clevo any day of the week. Have owned 2, no problems with either.

Jason

 

might end up buying a clevo as a real desktop replacement just to compare to Alienware, but its not gonna replace the battery life I get with this thing with the discrete card off. I bring this thing to school on a daily basis and the battery life plus a nice screen is a must have. On the support issue, My screen has gotten scratched over time due to various things. I called up dell, and within 48 hours I had a new screen at my house I got it on Friday and I'm having it replaced today at my house. I don't even have to send my laptop off to get it fixed

 

Sager can't beat the next business day in your home service. That's one of the pluses of alienware...

Plus Dell often goes above and beyond with their alienwares...you have issues, they replace your laptop. For example, don't like the fact that you have to pay $75 for a 30day pixel warranty on the Sager. With alienware, you have a screen issue, as long as its under warranty, they replace it. No questions asked. Could be 1 month...could be 2 yrs, as long as its under warranty, they treat you good.

ganzonomy, sagers aren't perfect either. They have their fair share of issues. Computer hardware is computer hardware, sometimes you go years without any issues...sometimes, you get a lemon and have issues right off the top.

Anyways, i'm not 12, but i do like the look of the alienware. The sager is nice too, in a conservative, boring kinda way

 

That speed of service and the battery life is a nice thing that admittedly Sager doesn't have. +1 and point conceded. But the X58 (soon to be X79) platform is a nice thing to have when on the mains and you need a desktop replacement that happens to be carryable (even with dual 300w PSUs).

Sagers aren't perfect, every company has their lemons, but as someone who has to take his laptop to school every day it's nice to have a laptop that doesn't attract undue attention to itself. I'd rather have boring and stealth than flashy and have my boss / professor looking at me funny.

Jason

 

I gotta say the only attention I really get is when I have the lights on which isn't very often at school. Other than that the stealth black blends in with the crowd The Nebula red is a bit to flashy for my tastes though

and if I wanted more power i'd just buy an M18x with a 2960xm, that thing is a beast

 

Jason, i completely understand what you are saying. The alienware is definitely not something you'd bring into the boardroom for a meeting. But hey, if the wife likes it, i like it. That's the rule in my house

 

bigTony, just get the Xm processor and plug it into your m17x...lol

 

better cooling with the m18x, but one day i might pop one of those things in this rig gonna be after the SSD and this graphics card fiasco though

 

well, ganzo... something, ok, that's nice for you to point out in alienware m17x forum that people who are using it are 12 years old and so on, so did you accomplish your mission?

 

You missed the point. I never said that people who use alienwares are 12 years old from the LITERAL perspective. (Clearly we are not a bunch of middle-schoolers on here.) When I said "suitable for a 12 year old", I meant that it looked like something a 12 year old would use due to the level of shiny lights and gee-whiz effects it has. There are many people who are adults that use alienwares (ie: the wife likes it... thanks Slickdude80 for the best reason in a while ) and have no qualms with them. But at the same time, in a professional setting the glowing head, bulging fenders, etc., just isn't going to look right to your boss / professor. My XPS m1710 at home has lights and all that, but I wouldn't use something that garish in a professional setting.

Thus, I am not calling AW users 12 year olds, but that the computer looks like a 12 year old would go "OMG!" over it.

I never thought I'd have to explain something like that...

Jason

 

I take mine to work every day and all I get is compliment from my Alienware M17XR2 laptop from manager and down I have used it in some of the meetings I have gone to with no bad comments from anyone just the opposite most people like the bling, I have even had some offers for it for when I get my M18XR2 in the future. By the way I work for a multimillion dollar company. Were expectation are very high. Sager IMO are boaring to look at I would never own one., But like everything thing they have there pluses also.