*OFFICIAL* Alienware M17x R1/R2 Owner's Lounge Thread - Part 1

I'd hold off and see what the new m18x R3 specs will be (should be out sometime around Christmas). If the R3 is a big step up from the R2, then the R2's will go on super-sale and you can get it dirt cheap. Otherwise the R2s will stay kind of pricey. I'm of the mindset that if the m17x line doesn't shape up with the R5 release, my next upgrade will be to the m18x. But for the moment, I will stick with my R2. I like the feel, and the Silver color.

Personally, I'd get the upgrades, but do it in steps. CPU and RAM first, then get the new GPU and maybe an SSD in 3-6 months. Remember you can always take your SSD and RAM and use it in the m18x if/when you end up going that route. That's how I plan to upgrade. I will be getting an Nvidia 680m here in the next few months. Then by mid-2013, I will evaluate if I want to step up to a new system or possibly get an RGB LED for my R2. But that's just me.

 

Thanks

As I thought.

It is

AUO B173HW01 v4 (glare)
it has more than 90% NTCS gamut.
Quite a good panel. I had it in my M6600. One thing I don't like in it - the red colour. It was more pink than red.
It's one of the best TN 17.3" fhd panel.
There is also AUO B173HW01 v5 (mat). It's 72% NTCS panel. It almost covers 100% of sRGB

 

Hmm thanks thats a good point, I totally forgot about the new revisions around the end of the year. I too hope the new addition to the m17x line will be better than the last two (no offense R3/R4 guys I believe in a poly-VGA society:thumbsup . For now the RAM upgrade looks like a sure thing, but the QS/ES 920XMs have been creeping up in price the last month so I may hold off on that.

Well I guess its off to google to find unofficial leaked Dell info, if it exists of course.

 

It's definately a nice panel. In fact, going from the R2's RGBLED to this isn't that bad. I was very pleasantly suprised I just need to get hold of a Spyder so I can calibrate it.

 

I've also been checking out the prices of the 920XM QS/ES on Ebay for another project laptop I plan to do and have also noticed the creeping up in price recently. I actually was able to get the one on my sig for about $320.00 and I'm glad I was able to find one at a fairly good price. I did hold off in getting one waiting for the prices to drop a bit for about 2 or 3 months before I found what I eventually got. When I was starting to monitor the prices I noticed that "Upgrademonkey" sold 2 920XM QS CPUs for $188.00 last July. The price during that time was $293.00 for each and those lucky two people got it via "Making An Offer". I believe the price now is somewhere around the $373.00 mark. This brings me to my question.

What would be the best time of the year, if there is such a thing, to buy CPUs from Ebay? Is there some sort of really good months to dive in for a planned purchase? I fully understand about supply and demand, but are there some months wherein their sales really start to slow down? Some sort of a cycle. :hi2:

 

how does a 920XM hold against a i7-2630QM?

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...7-2630qm-better-than-intel-core-i7-940xm.html

Intel Core i7-2630qm vs i7-920XM

 

should i get a J2CY8 screen or stick with my r610k i want the best i am trying to get these parts as birthday present or at least ad them to my wish list

 

*FLY BALL FROM LEFT FIELD>>>

Going completely off the subject again, any of you software geniuses out there, I have...had an issue. Got a weird Windows error, not and unhanded exception or BSOD. I posted it in seven forums cause I didn't want to clog notebook review with a Windows OS issue. But if any of you got a minute, give it a look-and-see and let me know what you think: Strange error: System.Reflection.TargetInvocationException - Windows 7 Forums

 

Man that is weird, I'm not a software wiz but I tried the ever faithful Google and found a bunch of articles related to code building and .NET issues. According to the Microsoft Library, if the service finds a fault it will restart to clear the error and in some cases may restart the system. I did not see any fixes for it, but did find work around involving using Visual Studio .NET and code manipulation. Hope it helps dude.

 

Yeah, that's what my search spit back out. It could either be .NET or Silverlight related. I'm just hoping its a one time fluke. Thanks anyway.

 

After installing Windows 8 on M17x R2, i have noticed my cpu temps idling at 70-75c, and going up as high as 86c under load. My Gpu temps are normal at 44-45c and 67c under load.. When i touch the vents on the side of my laptop they are not hot but cold. Anyone here face this problem and have a fix for it?

Thanks

SOLVED

The problem was Alienware OSD software, it was using 70-85 percent of the CPU. I uninstalled it and now my temps are normal again.

 

Hello all owner,

May I know what is the highest GPU that my M17x-R1 capable to support? GTX680M?

 

The highest validated GPU for the M17x-R1 is the nVidia GTX 280m

 

Well ain't that some depressing news when he reads that xD unlucky

 

And for M17x-R2?

 

For the R2 it was either the nVidia 285m or the AMD 5870m

 

Hello, V-Moda, the M17x can take better cards than the 280M. Some members have successfully installed two mobility 5870 and maybe more.
Confirmed working cards in the M17x R2 are: AMD mobility 6970, AMD mobility 6990, AMD mobility 7970 single and crossfire, nVIDIA 580m and the list goes on.

I recommend you search a bit, this way you should be able to find answers to your questions.
Also, please note that installation of all of the above cards was possible thru community testing and credit goes to those involved.

Some solutions are not just plug and play so please document yourself before!

 

Sorry I am new member here. Thank you very much for your helpful comment!

 

Hey, no need to feel sorry, you're welcome

It's just that you'll be able to find better info than I could explain.

 

hi everybody! I have just install win 8 for my lap alienware m17x-r2 and there are 3 drivers that i cannot install! I go to dell.com to find m17xr2 win 8 but i cannot see anything in that site T_T and then i try to install driver win 7 but the board tells me that i must install net framework but the WIn 8 had net framework 4.5! T_T moreover, i cannot install osd and command theme to choose color for keyboard! Plz help me T_T Thank you so much.

 

I upgraded my M17x R2 to Windows pro. I only had three incompatibly problems, network card, blue tooth and free fall sensor. I fixed the first two with no problem by downloading the newest driver from the manufactures sites. The Free Fall Sensor I can not seem to find a driver that will work. I know I do not need this, but I dislike having any "!" in device manager, any ideas?

 

is this a r1 or r2 Alienware M17x R2 17" Gaming Laptop | eBay

 

It looks like a R1, with a duo core processor and the graphics card. It might be a R2, like a early version.

 

That's a M17x (R1), the M17x R2 had the 1st gen i5 or i7 core CPUs.

 

Yes, R1 for sure

 

Can someone help me with this? This is very frustrating since every single Dell laptop I've owned I've had warranty issues. From my XPS m1730 to the ugpraded (because of crap hardware) to the m17x. Please advise.

 

If it is still under warranty, start by calling tech support if you haven't already.

 

Start a thread in the m17x forum. In it, describe what system you have (R1, R2, etc.), your system specs, and what you were doing at the time of the BSOD. Also, download BlueScreeView from here: Blue screen of death (STOP error) information in dump files. you can get the dump file and error info loaded into a zip file and attach it to your thread. It's better to start a new thread asking for help because more users here will see it and can then chime in to help you. Generally speaking though, BSODs are usually caused by software or driver errors.

 

What is the most ram a r1 can possibly run even with mods?

 

The highest validated RAM configuration for the M17x R1 is 8gb 1333Mhz

 

Guys what video drivers should i use for my R2 with dual 5870 in crossfire ? I'm stuck with catalyst 11.4 or so and i want to upgrade them.

 

is their a write up on how to take apart an r2 to clean the dust out of it? my system isn't cooling as well as it once was, and now throttles almost every game a play at some point,
might try to re-apply thermal paste at some point.

 

Try this link:
Product Support
Click on Manuals & Documentation, then Service Manual.

I use 12.10 I downloaded from AMD.com and dont' have any problem. Give that a try.

 

Or watch the teardown videos for the first M17x, they're very similar:

M17x Teardown Video1 of 2 **READ SAFETY PRECAUTIONS PRIOR TO REPLACING PARTS** (Official Video) - YouTube
and
M17x Teardown Part 2 of 2 **READ SAFETY PRECAUTIONS PRIOR TO REPLACING PARTS** (Official Video) - YouTube

or
Alienware M17x R1/R2 Complete Disassembly Tutorial (Part 1 of 4) - YouTube

 

If you initially installed the 5870m stock drivers package from Dell, then you should be able to update to the latest Catalyst driver package. You initially have to use the Dell drivers to get the crossfire working, but once it is installed and working correctly, you can go with the newest Catalyst package, which I believe is 12.10. Just make sure to download the MOBILITY package. The full name of the 12.10 Mobility Catalyst driver is called 10_mobility_vista_win7_win8_64_dd_ccc_whql_net4.

 

Hello! I have the latest wi-fi driver for Windows 7 64 bits.

It is: Wireless LAN_Broadcom_5.100.82.135_W7x64_A (from driver agent).

Have you found other for Windows 8 64 bits? Thanks!

 

What wifi card model do you have?

 

Speaking of latest drivers, does anyone know or have the latest USB host/controller driver for Win7 64bit? I have a funny feeling this is giving me all the BSODs. Thanks

 

You can get them here.

 

Dell Wireless 1520 Wireless-N WLAN Mini-Card

Edit: I think that I have found it but I'm not sure.

File: Wireless LAN_Broadcom_6.30.59.20_W8x64UW8x86U_A

Code:

http://support.acer.com/product/default.aspx?modelId=3920

 

Thanks Alienware-Luis_Pardo, I'm glad you showed me that. I have been planning to do a full wipe and reinstall to see if it fixes the issues. If all else fails I'll hit you up on facebook.

 

looking for a decent a website to replace a removable disc drive for an M17x R1. Any suggestions?

Greetings, all.
I have several questions that I'm sure will show to most everyone here the extent of my knowledge regarding laptops, but here it goes.
Back in 2008 I purchased an M17x-R1 with an Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 and a GeForce 8600M GT. My first question is, under system properties it lists my CPU(s) "@ 2.10 GHz (2 CPUs)." Does this mean that my total clock speed is 2.1, or double that?
Secondly, will the properties list 2 graphics cards if two were installed? I can't find the paperwork that I got when I purchased it so I can't clarify for myself.
and lastly, I just installed a 64 bit Windows 7 upgrade after I decided I wanted to clean everything off of it and make it a dedicated gaming machine. What would be the best CPU to upgrade to? The best GPU? I have 4 GB of ram.
Many thanks

 

Hi kohi-san and welcome to the forum. I will start off and say based on your specs that you listed it sounds like you have an Alienware Area-51 M17x R1. This model was made by Alienware before they were taken over by Dell. The systems in this forum are Alienware m17x R1/2 systems (unfortunately case sensitive). Anyway your CPU speed will report two processors because it is a dual core chip. Each core will report 2.1 Ghz which is its max speed unless over clocked. For the graphics cards the easiest way to see if two cards are installed is to look in the hardware manager. Under display adapters two GeForce cards should be listed. You can also bring up the Nvidia control software and run the SLI tool and see if they are there. Finally for upgrades I believe its max cpu is the Intel Core 2 Extreme (x9000 series) and the graphics max was the Geforce 9800M GT. If you are looking for parts or possible upgrades google is your best friend and also check out Ztronics - Laptop Parts - Alienware Motherboards, Video Cards, and more! I hope this helps, and good luck.

 

If your looking for a caddy to replace your optical drive with a hard drive, try NewmodeUS, Hard Drive Caddys for Notebooks. That's where I got mine from. If you just want another optical drive, I usually get parts like that from partspeople.com or geeks.com. They usually have the best prices.

For your CPU, it means you have two separate processors on a single chip. Both of those are running at 2.10GHz. As for your GPU, if you have an R1 then you should have two GPUs. One is an Nvidia GPU integrated into the motherboard (iGPU) and the other is your Nvidia 8600m MXM card (discrete GPU).

 

Anyone try putting a geforce 660M kepler in the R1? Totatly should work, as it uses less power than dual 280m, I just don't know if the connectors are the same and or if their is room for it to fit. The power issue has been the biggest stumbling block so far (since the fermi 4xx and 5xx cards took so much power) but the 660M might work ....

Anyone know? 660M would be an awesome upgrade to the R1.

Thanks!

 

Can't tell you if it works but i can confirm that the Dell version (and a few others) uses MXM 3.0b connector so it fits in the M17x.

 

Hy Guys I have an m17x R1 Gtx 260m and gforce 9400, i have a question. Can i put another video card? Another gtx 260m on the right side, where is that empty hole?

 

You can. Or you can upgrade the GPU to a ATI 5870M. The slot should be on the right side opposite of the existing GPU once you remove the keyboard and indicator panel above the kepboard.

 

But the 5870m radeon is not better than de gtx 260m its 128 bit. Am i wright?