New hardware with new problems.

Hello guys,

I recently had most of the hardware in my computer replaced. This includes: Motherboard, Video card, Memory, Hard Drive, Keyboard, media Keys, and even the cooling fans. The problems i was having before the hardware was replace was that my computer would blue screen after installing the Video Drivers regardless of Version. Every time. Sometimes my computer would not start for hours, sometimes right away. The blue screens were random as most others with the GTX 460m have had. After the hardware was replaced however the problem of my touch pad, HDMI, Lights on the speakers and touch pad, and LAN will not work. There is an error message right after the alien head start up screen that tells me that the PCIE for the Ethernet LAN isn't connected and to check. I figured i would cross that road if it came to it and attempted to use the computer normally. Not only am i having these problems, but the blue screens are still present. Although it took a while they finally returned about half an hour after i started using the computer and trying to get my drivers up to date. What i wish to know is that is it possible the tech that came out and replaced my hardware could have placed it improperly. Also a little history. I have had this computer for almost 2 years and have been dealing with tech support and attempting to fix it since 6 months after i had gotten it. I have sent it in 2 times and had techs come out 2 times to replace my hardware to no effect. My second question is will they replace this computer and if so do i have to option to trade parts or simply trade to the less expensive m14x? I'm not asking for a refund of the difference just a computer that can actually work. I apologize for the novel of information and thank those willing to read and reply. I have looked into the 14 inch and found that i can actually build a computer more powerful than mine for over $400 less than that of the cost of my own when i ordered it. If dell stays true to the promise of a "new" computer replacement instead of a used that may end up giving me different problems i could help myself out with a better computer and dell with a lower pricing.

On another Note I have read a researched and found that there are a Plethora of people with the 460m having the same problems, a lot of which are strait from the box, so instead of a complete computer replacement i could simply trade for a different card altogether. I don't even mind if it has 3D capability. To be honest 3D didn't run as well as i had hope with the exception of movies.

Again thanks to those willing to read and to those willing to reply.

 

You are likely to get more responses in future by breaking up your posts into easily readable paragraphs

With the level of problems you are having I would recommend asking for a replacement unit, you could try asking if they would let you swap to a current M14X considering the issues you have been having.

 

Assuming you have an m17x, if you do get a system exchange, then Alienware will exchange it for another m17x. The only difference is if you have an R3, you can ask the exchange system to be an R4 if you want. And they should be offering you a system exchange at about this point. They seem to have replaced all the components inside your machine and still the BSODs and other issues remain.

As far as the repair tech possibly damaging or incorrectly installing parts, that is almost a certainty. I've only had one home repair tech visit (out of 8 or 9) that repaired my notebook properly without damaging it.

 

Appreciate the help guys. Ill work on getting that. After everything they have done there is no way they can tell me that there is still some problems they can fix. Again i apologize for the long read. It was late and i hadn't actually intended to write that much. Hopefully i might even get a more powerful system out of this.

 

On another note, is there any way to check and see if the ribbon for the touchpad is damaged or even plugged in, Or maybe even check to see if the computer is even picking up the hardware?

 

Device manager will tell you if the touchpad is plugged in and being detected. If it is, the touchpad will show up under mice and other pointing devices. If you want to test the ribbon cable, then you will need an ohmmeter, voltmeter, or multimeter. Something that will show continuity. Then you just press the point of each lead onto each of the contacts on each side of the ribbon and see if there is continuity. If there is none on one of the contacts, then there may be a break in the ribbon.

 

Several other devices are either showing up as unknown or not at all. I also noticed after opening it up that the replacement of my hardware was sloppy at best. A lot of cables were loosely plugged in or not at all. I'm not able to get to the Touch pad yet, however I'm hopeful that its a simple connection issue.

I will mention that the technician said that Alienware laptops were tricky to work with, and would like to point out that I am in no way blaming the technician. My warranty ran out some time ago, and yet since this was an issue unresolved before it ran out they have tried to work with me.

Im hoping that the people helping me are simply gone for the holidays, however I have had no followup calls or e-mails since the hardware was replaced over a week and a half ago. So if i can't get them to work with me i am on my own with more issues than before with little knowledge about the hardware or laptops in general.

 

Hi Florick,
I read through your post and I apologize for all the issues that you have been having with the machine. Electronics might fail from time to time and it's just a matter of finding the components that is really causing the issue. PM me your service tag, phone number and a brief description of the issue and I'll do my best to help you out.