*OFFICIAL* "All Powerful" M17x-R2 Edition Owner's Lounge - Part 2

While we may not be able to get much in the way of discounts in Aus/NZ, we do get a good base system. The only customisations I made were the case colour (zero cost change), the Blu-ray reader, CFX graphics and an extra year of warranty. Everything else was base level.

For comparison, I've just configured a similar spec machine in the Dell US store. I had to use the 720QM CPU, and could only choose 1 or 3 years of the same level warranty (I chose 1). The price comes out at $US3192, which is pretty close. Still not worth my time trying to import though, because even if I got a good discount via the US I'd still have to pay for shipping plus 12.5% tax when it enters the country.

I think I will have to go for the Razer mat. It'll have to wait until mid September though, as a big chunk of my next month's salary is going into my final laptop payment. I'll just have to use a hardcover book under the pad for now .

 

Anyone tried running chkdsk on the C: drive and it hang on reboot? You can initiate a Chkdsk by right clicking the C: drive in My Computer, Properties, Tools tab, Check now, Start. Mine would hang after reboot on the countdown where you could press a key to skip the chkdsk. It would countdown to 1 and hang. I also could not click a key to skip the test. The reason chkdsk initially was running was because I installed new memory and I got the BSOD. During testing I determined one of the two new OCZ memory modules was bad. When I had only the bad module installed, it would blue screen within a minute after the O/S loaded. I found the Chkdsk hotfix on Microsofts site. This fix did resolve the problem.

The Chkdsk.exe program does not start correctly on a Windows 7-based computer

It says the problem is more likely to occur on computers that have infrared devices equipped which the M17x-R2 has. I would try a chkdsk to see if it happens to you before applying the hotfix. I remembered I did install a new Infrared driver from Windows Update. Maybe it caused this issue. I think it was an optional update. Just curious if anyone elses Chkdsk hangs. I only had one hard drive installed during this problem. I am also using the latest Intel Rapid Storage driver. Bios is set to AHCI.

Drew

 

Can anyone please explain to me why, after installing hwinfo32 my system bsods upon opening the utility?

If this is a dumb question I apologize.

 

Please make sure to use the latest build.
When the first welcome window opens go to Congifure and enable Debug Mode. Then run the scan and after crash and reboot please send the HWiNFO32.DBG file. I'll check it.

 

Thanks Mumak,

I went to HWiNFO & HWiNFO32 - Hardware Information and Analysis Tools and dl'ed from there the first time, after installing about 5 min into the program my system bsod'd and shut down. I then went to c.net and dl'ed from there and everything runs fine now. Don't know what happened earlier but now I can run it no prob. Btw, great program!

 

Hello fellow Aliens,

Quick question: I ordered an Intel 6300 WIFI, but it does not have the color code on it (like the broadcom that came with my system), it only has numbers (1 to 3); anyone with such an Intel Inside (this IS an inside ) can tell me what color goes where ?

For instance, could be black on right, white on left and grey in the middle...

Thx !

 

it should not matter, just plug the cables in the same places physically that they were on the broadcom card

The way they are bent will make this easy to see

 

sure, however, the broacom has only TWO WIRES; thus, me !!!

 

use the outside 2 on the intel card (1 and 2 - ignore 3)

 

Scook, I really appreciate your help, however, MAIN resason I bought this Intel one to replace my actual (Dell) broadcom is that the Intel one CAN USE ALL THREE ANTENNAS, thus the 3 wires instead of two...

Don't get me wrong, I fully understand you don't know which wire goes where by heart, and I am not neither asking you to open you puppy; but I'm just trying to figure out...

Anyways, it's not a rush, so if anyone would know for sure, I'd appreaciate; else, no hard feelings, I'll find out one way or another !

Cheers !

 

Do you have an M17x R2 or R1? In the R1 there are only 2 wires present. As for the order, it really should not make a difference which is which as long as there are 3 antennas connected to the card.

 

R2; was in my sig but couldn't leave it there since it was over (I-don't-remember-exactly) say 30 characters long... (weird rule btw)

I agree it should not really make a difference, however, there's color codes on both the R2 and the broadcom (Dell) card; so, I thought I would simply go by the rule but, hey, if there's no rule, who rules ? (answer is: WE !)

 

I'm starting to regret not upgrading to the Intel 6300 MIMO.

Does the M17X have the extra antennas regardless of the card you order and you can upgrade the card and just connect the extra antennas?

Or does the M17X come with less antennas if you order one with the DELL Half Mini card, does it not come with extra internal antennas that would allow for an upgrade to a MIMO setup?

 

regardless 'cuz they're located within the screen.

read the posts just above

 

That's good to know, ty. Do you happen to know how much alienware charges for it if I buy it after the laptop? Would it be covered under the warranty if i buy it from them, even if I install it myself? I assume it's not a complicated installation where you'd have to take the entire computer apart, hopefully.

 

I don't know how they'd charge, bought mine on ebay for ±40$.

No warranty problem if you buy from them, even if you install it yourself.

5 screws, 3 parts to remove; battery, under cover, palm rest.

 

That doesn't sound too bad. I just don't like doing any prying/flexing of plastic or removing of the screen. Those make me nervous, especially on something as expensive as this. Was it a new or used one you bought for $40? It would have been $60 if i bought it at customization, hopefully it's around as much if I buy it direct from AW.

 

I had this hang alot on my R1 when I had the nvidia storage drivers installed and not the windows built in one on windows 7. For some reason it would hang all the time or even in windows 7 without the /f command when it was in read only, it wouldn't run right. Once I went to windows 7 controller driver, all was ok. Just as a side note on what caused it on my system. What controller driver are you running on your computer?

 

You'll only have to pry the palmrest; not too bad.

And the the plastic part where is the power button; there are videos out there that shows ewverything...

And the keyboard; this is 5 more screws, so you might just be screwed here .

Althought the good news is there no such screen to remove...

New.

 

aw crap. I hate prying plastic, so easy to warp. Is any of it metal?, warping that would be even worse. Maybe I should buy a special laptop disasembly kit with prying tools. Not sure where I would buy one though.

p.s.

Is this the same as the one from Alienware? I called and AW wants $80 for one, this one is $40 @ CDW (but doesn't say MIMO and there are only what looks like 3 antenna connections)

Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 - network adapter and other Wireless Accessories at CDW.com

 

Well...

Same one;

Prying is the price you gotta pay if you wanna save money...

Look for videos google-youtube for removing plastic parts...

 

you actually do not pry the palm rest. it slides towards the front (speakers) of the laptop then lifts up

 

that is correct !

 

thank goodness. I've been looking for a laptop tool kit on newegg/amazon/CDW with a plastic pry bar and havent been able to find one, closest I found is a iPhone pry kit which I'm not sure would be the same.

I'd still like to have one just in case. Has anyone ever bought one (kit or just plastic laptop pry bars) that can point me to a good one for sale? Thanks.

 

I just use the lexan knife from my camping mess kit lol

 

I am using the Windows Intel Rapid Storage driver. In the bios it is set to AHCI. What I forgot to mention in the post is the M$ hotfix did fix the problem. I did not know if upgrading the Infrared driver in Windows updates caused it.

 

what kind of fix and fixed what?

by the way does anyone have issues with dns not recognized (random disconnections from the internet) when using wireless? it must be a windows 7 issue.

also taking about tools you use, dell sent me a bluetooth for free because they forgot to add it to my replacement order, and the box included a really good tool for those stuff. i can post a pic if you wish

 

It is located in my original post on page 367. Chkdsk would not run after a reboot. It would countdown to 1 sec and hang. The hotfix fixed this issue for me. Below is the original post.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...n-owners-lounge-part-2-a-367.html#post6579857

 

I was getting random disconnects from Comcast a few weeks ago. It was not happening on only one wireless computer, but three. To troubleshoot, I plugged my desktop computer directly to my cable modem using a CAT 6 cable, bypassing the wireless router. I still had the problem. So at least I knew it was not my wireless router. The next test was to ping the primary DNS server. At the DOS Command prompt, I typed "ipconfig/all" to see what my DNS settings were. At the DOS Command prompt i typed "ping -t 68.87.64.150". 68.87.64.150 is my Comcast Primary DNS. The -t tells ping to keep pinging until you CTR-C to cancel it. What I noticed was it was dropping a lot of pings. This told me the problem was Comcasts DNS server. No DNS, no internet. I changed my Linksys to use a different set of DNS servers and the problem went away. I later changed them back a few days later after Comcast fixed the DNS server. Make sure you are not pinging a local DNS like 192.168.x.x. You can also find your DNS on your routers web page. It was on the "Status" page on my Linksys. Hope that helps.

Drew

 

thanks for this. for me it looks like it happens randomly for many websites and especally when downloading many things at the same time plus browsing. it may be the noice of internet connection but however just disconnecting and connecting again to the router solves it until it occurs again. in event viewer i see always messages : Name resolution for the name www.xxxxxxxxxx.xxx (x is for every website each time) timed out after none of the configured DNS servers responded. and it must not be the routers issue

 

I'm not sure if this has already been mentioned, but have you tried OpenDNS?

OpenDNS | Internet Navigation And Security

 

That, or google dns 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4
Never had a problem with them

 

thank you both. it tried both ways.i still have disconnection when downloading many data. it must be the noice of my internet line or something else. however i saw many people on the net with same issue and no fixes-solutions for windows 7.

 

If you use a bootable linux disc (e.g. Ubuntu, Fedora, SUSE) do you still get the same problems when using the internet?

 

hi all, just check my M17x order status and it has been updated to SHIPPED! yeah! bad news is, it's saturday today and again sunday tomorrow. that's 2 days gone. also, it's being delivered by a company called walsh western. i still cant check my tracking info yet (said to be updated in 24hours). anyone here has any experience dealing with this courier company? how many days do they take to deliver?

 

Hi all just droping in to say im in the R2 club check out this puppy i picked up for 1800CDN in my sig

 

1800CDN? was it a refurb or something?

 

It had to be.. that price is amazing! Too amazing.. might be just a brick that arrives lol (no jinx)

 

Does anyone know how to back up the alienware software (AlienSense, AlienFX, AlienGUIse, etc...)?

I want to install a copy of Win 7 Pro I have but i don't want to lose all the software (ordered it w/ 7 Premium).

 

just reinstall windows and download this stuff off support.dell.com.
The only things you'll miss are the login screen alienware theme, avatar and wallpaper, those can be restored later.

Install chipset first, then everything else and CC last.

 

TY

Where do I restore the login screen, avatar & wallpaper from? Do I have to back it up before I format?

 

no,no need. there's a thread about it somewhere here, let me search and get back to you.
worst case, i've got them locally, so i can give them to you.

EDIT:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/458656-where-get-alienware-avatars-wallpaper.html

use http://tweaks.com/software/tweakslogon/ to change the login screen.


Cheers.

 

how was the alienware logon screen? i did a fresh format almost as soon as i got mine because i installed the ssds. so i dont remember how it was

by the way you can also use this

Windows 7 Logon Background Changer - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

this is how mine looks like now

 

it's one of those standard alien wallpapers, i think you choose it as part of the order process.

 

I'm having some nice discussion over in whirlpool over Asus vs Alienware. It always starts up.. then it gets fun. Because we win (I Better not start it up here)

 

give us a link so we can help

 

Yea, let me have a link so I can flash my benchmarks around

 

I can chime in too defending the Core 2 world of laptops

 

well i would be careful. if i am not wrong asus notebooks use their own asus motherboards and dell-alienware ones (ex. intel PM55) are not without issues (ex. ssd speed).

 

asus notebook motherboards are not even close to the same quality as their desktop ones....unfortunately....but the end result, is their notebooks don't stand a chance (look at how I thrashed the W90 scores.......)

Don't get me wrong, I have a Rampage II GENE in my desktop, and love it haha