*OFFICIAL* Alienware 17 Ranger (2013) Owner's Lounge Thread

oh great, after installing the new ssd it won't even turn on.

EDIT: never mind - found i had disconnected a cable while taking off the top panel.

 

Just had my Alienware 17 develop a short.

It was repaired two weeks ago, because pressing on the palmrest while warm pressed the left arrow key. They replaced the top cover, and everything seemed to work ok, except the AlienFX complained it was turned off (red AlienFX eyes in the status area). Last week the laptop powered off while playing a game heavy on AlienFX, and after that the AlienFX lights didn't turn on at all (even the caps lock and hd lights), but the laptop booted ok. I could turn off AlienFX and turn it back on and that returned all lights.

This morning, the laptop shut off again with smoke coming out the back. Power brick turned off, laptop wouldn't turn on. Called Support, they asked me to check whether removing HD/RAM/Battery made the laptop able to be powered again. Once I removed the battery, I plugged in the power supply, at which point a component on the mainboard (on the edge between fan and wifi module, next to the fan connector there) vented smoke.

Called support back, now they're picking up my laptop; this surprised me somewhat, seeing how I paid for NBD support for 4 years, but according to the support agent they could send someone to replace the mainboard, but if that didn't help they couldn't send anyone else for 7 days.

So, I will be without a laptop for the next 6-11 days once it's picked up. Which is damn annoying, and not exactly what I thought I paid for.

Anyways, just venting. I'm not sure what caused this. I have a suspicion that the AlienFX module wasn't connected 100% correctly by the service engineer, but not sure.

Is there any way to test stuff like this once it comes back? Is there a test procedure to follow to check correct behaviour of things like AlienFX?

 

CPU is running into the 70's and i can't tell what's doing it.

 

Idle speed?

 

You can use Task Manager to montior your total CPU usage, as well as which Processes are using how much CPU power.

 

I'm interested in the possible configuration of memory modules too; I'm currently watching 2 x 8gb for cheap and if they can both go on the 'easy' side I'll do it, but not if it involves fitting to the 'hard' side......

 

It will run in dual channel mode as long as the sticks are installed in matching slots, so either both in the bottom or both in the top.

 

Good news guys, might have finally cracked the AW17 R1 fan speed limitation, turns out if you cut the PWM wire to the fan it will run at the full 5V all the time! It brings my CPU fan up to 5300 RPM!

I just put in an order for some more 12V switches and will be doing the GPU fan this week. I'm testing Prime95 performance right now to make sure the laptop is OK with having the PWM disconnected... here's hoping we finally got this fixed.

 

sounds great! please share when you get more test data.

 

That thing sounds like a jumbo jet taking off at 4,600 how does it sound at 5300

I would love to do that on the GPU fan though

 

Will do, I ran Prime96 on FFT mode for an hour at each max RPM. With the fan at 4600 it ran 77-78C and at 5300 it ran 73-74C on average, monitored in HWiNFO. That was with the stock 1.6CFM fan, I'm curious how the 2.3CFM fan will perform.

The laptop seems to run fine with the CPU PWM signal disabled, even when it thinks the fan should be off idling on the desktop. Flipping the switch on will immediately change fan speed as well, no need for reboots.

The GPU is going to be glorious, it should spin ~35% faster with the PWM disabled. And the CPU fan is noticeably louder, as expected.

 

Can't wait to see how will the GPU one make an impact ! but now without the PWM there is no way to control the fan using software ... Only an external button right ?

 

Yes, a laptop uses either pwm (4-pin) or direct voltage control (3-pin). Cutting the pwm results in full power due to a safety-feature; there's no signal from the system anymore, so it'll assume a worst case scenario and goes 100% to avert overheating. Without pwm no pwm-software can control fan speed and on a pwm-system there's no direct voltage control either. Would need an external potentiometer/trimmer instead (such as found in a fan controller).

Interesting bit, btw, might explain it never did 5300 rpm in the first place (erroneous reporting of the actual rpm's):

 

Someone has upgraded the Aw17 R1 with a Gtx 965m? I can't find anyone. Yes i know, there is the 970m, but i wanna 965m just to save some money.

 

It should work with an INF mod+ j95 Driver + Prema no-throttle vBIOS, doesn't exist atm (no mod then it will throttle in dGPU mode, you have a 120Hz so you will surely get throttling) custom BIOS mods won't happen any soon I guess.

 

I've contacted Eurocom. They will sell a 965m kit soon.

update: now is available http://www.eurocom.com/ec/upgrade(1,263,0)ec

 

" BIOS Required: A14 (unlocked)" ... Unlocked bios ? do they know something that we don't

 

Don't get the 965M... I'd get a 970M... CEG has 970Ms for sale here in Europe and Eurocom is overpriced.. I got my kit from Hidevolution and they were much cheaper then Eurocom..

 

FInally my 330W PSU arrived and woodzstack has shipped my GTX 980M - if you're looking for a great deal: see woodzstacks.

 

i can't make any sense of @j95's instructions here.

http://forum.techinferno.com/nvidia...-driver-support-modded-inf-30.html#post135452

 

Have you done any modifications on the PSU to make it compatible ? & if not did you make sure it is supplying 330w and not throttling @240w ?

 

no mods needed: i already knew it was compatible and the system detects it as 330W.

 

Sweet! Enjoy your new toy mate ... As soon as the next refresh is there & the 980m is cheaper I will take the plunge and get both the GPU & PSU . Did you flash the GPU in UEFI environment ?

 

yes, i flashed it while running in optimus mode then switched to dedicated mode. the first boot after switching will make the pc stutter but doing a hard reboot does the trick and it doesn't stutter any more.

the only reason i go to dedicated is for adaptive vsync which isn't available while using optimus and optimus is a pain to deal with.

the only caveat is you have to boot with driver signing disabled in order to install new drivers....no big deal.

also, woodzstack is offering a decent price on 980Ms so you can go ask them for one

 

The problem is that I don't have Optimus cuz of the 120HZ-3D screen, so I have to somehow flash in UEFI. I read that there is a way to flash in UEFI so thought you might have done it that way.

 

you could try and flash it via DOS if you're using the legacy bios, though even if the GPU has no drivers or is disabled in DM it will still get a signal.

better if you know someone that can flash for you, Woodzstack told me that the factory will offer to flash it for you but you might want to double check that.

 

Who are Woodzstack never heard of em ?

 

A fellow NBR member.

 

Oh when you said "the factory will flash" I got confused thought that it was a company with a factory

 

Speak with woodzstack for clarification.

 

Here's the post for flashing in full UEFI without disabling the GPUs from Device Mngr this Prema modded NVFlash saves you 2-3x Reboots !!

Spoiler

Can even ask Prema when you get the GPUs for NVFlash in case any doubts or J95 he has an M17x R4 120Hz only on TechInferno ofc

 

What I understood is that all I have to do is rename my vBios & then use the .bat file in Windows and follow on-screen instructions, as simple as that ?

Also, this applies to a CLEVO GPU with CLEVO modded vBios on an AW system with no iGPU ?

 

That will never effect AWs because first the iGPU doesn't effect the modding of GPUs at-all 9xxM cards were never made by dell & the GPUs were either Clevo or MSI but Clevos are only popular in these NBR forums afaik, adding to that the Clevo cards can be used on AWs as well not just Maxwell, Kepler too, vBIOS is for all machines and that Prema's beta vBIOS for Maxwell (post v1.1 release@TechInferno, not yet public) that fixes the throttle on AW's (120Hz /dGPU /SLI setups) tricking the card about the P-state and the command/ signal that's being sent to machine to cripple the Maxwell's performance and defeating the purpose...for now it's exclusive for beta testers.

And for the .bat file, Sorry I don't know much, but IIRC that's made by prema saving us all hassle of rename, commands etc...
Why don't you just open with notepad++ and check the cmd in that .bat. Plus better ask J95 while upgrading to 9xxM series .

 

Any word on prema's new vbios?

 

Greetings guys. I've made some test with 3D Mark and i've seen it report 4x RAM Hyundai at 800Mhz. So i installaed CPU-Z, and it's also report 800Mhz for the RAM. But i've bought a 1.600Mhz RAM Aw17 (my signature). Do you have same problem? I'll call Dell on monday and asking about.

Update: sorry, i've googled and it seems a common CPU-Z issue/behavior.

 

curious as to which CPUs need a 2-pipe heatsink or a 3-pipe heatsink?

 

Ram is measured as 800MHz (800x2 = 1600MHz)

All mx/mq processors in Aw17R1 use 2-pipe heatsink.

 

oh ok, was thinking of getting the 4810MQ after i am done with all my tattoos

 

When you first switch; Choose either i7-49xxmq.

 

hmm.....$800+ for a CPU? not sure about that.

 

i7-4900mq US $345.95
http://www.amazon.com/Intel-i7-4900MQ-2-80GHz-Processor-BX80647I74900MQ/dp/B00D60068C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1433741737&sr=8-1&keywords=i7-4900mq processor
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Core-...140?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cfb91c8f4

 

is there any modded inf files for the latest nvidia win 10 driver?

 

I got two switches installed in my Alienware R1 to override the fans. I've been playing through Metro: Last Light Redux again and figured I'd post some of my temps. Running on a cooling pad in a warm room for about an hour got me these temps with my 780M running at 966/[email protected]:



With the 780M at 850/[email protected] it sits between 62-65C.

Here is a picture of the two switches, left is CPU, right is GPU:



I didn't have time to repaint the front yet because I needed to use the laptop so that's a future project. There was barely enough room in the front to put the switches and it needed a bit of work to get them to fit. The light bars are the only real thing in the way but they are flexible and can be bent out of the way. I will get my pictures together and write up a guide if anyone is interested.

 

Looks solid !

Got an identical switch for a 12V fan mod, problem is the 13.3" is a bit cramped. There are smaller switches, yet none of these can handle 8W.

 

Thanks! I like the looks of yours, especially the thermal controller idea, very nice. I'll be watching your thread to see the results.

 

Hi, i have a alienware 17 r5 with 770m
I want to upgrade it to the 970m. Do i need a 100w heatsink? Or the default 2 pipe heatsink would do the work???


Sent from my iPhone

 

from what i've heard: yes since the TDP is lower than the 980M.

 

Both the 770 & 970 are around 75 watt so same cooling solution applies ... Would be awesome though to get the 3 pipes heatsink to give yourself overclocking head room and run the card cooler

 

I know gtx770m has a TDP of 75W, but I think gtx970m has 83w. Recommend whatever heatsink as you recommended, with 3 pipes. .

 

IIRC,
These contacts on mobo reset the BIOS right ?
http://imgur.com/a/dhQBH/embed#23
http://imgur.com/a/dhQBH/embed#24
How do the 2 contacts help, I mean function of both ME and CMOS can anyone explain the stuff..?

And anyone who is a bit into the Hardmods could push an idea / throw some light on this for a switch or something even with an external cabling that can do the reset job without going through all the hassle (Teardown, removing RAM, CPU, GPU re-inserting them back in a partucular order to reset the NVRAM-bios or needed to plug in an i7 47xxMQ in case of a failed OC with an XM /MQ CPU OC failure or a soft brick due to GPU installing or whatever the cause )

This would really help and save a million lives

thanks !!