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

Thanks!. I just got a single ati 6970m for $210, with 30days warranty. but now I'm thinking of getting the 6990m or 7970. lol.

 

Well you could use the 6970 for awhile in your laptop and then sell it on and buy the 7970 . Thats what I would do . Plus you can get some practice of upgrading the graphics card on it too . I would also recommend when you go to take the power button part off your laptop do it very carefully the ribbon cable is very sensitive .

 

That's a very good suggestion. Make sure that cable doesn't get broken or you may get a lot of headaches.

 

My cable is badly frayed from opening and cleaning out my laptop . I would say its general wear and tear . I'm on the look out for a new cable or a different cable but one thats longer so it doesn't get damaged again . I have found this cable on ebay and was wondering would it work as a replacement for my cable ? http://www.ebay.ie/itm/321276314257?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
It's a pain having no media buttons especially the slot load driving one . Last time my laptop crashed and I had to do a re-install I had to pop the cable off the slot loading drive install windows through USB .

 

Guys my CF 5870M on my M17X R2 has died on me. I'm looking to replace the two. Whats the fastest ATI card I can install on this laptop, and where can I buy one that is priced reasonably?

 

You can install either an AMD 6990 or 7970 i believe not sure about the later but it does require a lot of patience and you have to make sure your machine has a modified A10 bios and the programing side of it also takes some time. There's plenty of guides on the forum, take your time and do your research.

 

Heyy...:hi2: Try to go to : " http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-17-m17x/677680-another-7970m-m17x-r2-installation-photos-54.html#post9581658"

and check the last few post.

 

Hi guys,

Can any gentleman here assist me on solving this issue?

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...id-related-problem-my-m17xr2.html#post9583569

 

Hello fellow m17x users, well it is sort of a sad day for me. For the past month or so, my system fans have been making a grinding noise and I have been getting a white screen when the system powers on. Tech support determined it to be a motherboard problem and needs to go to the depot for repairs. The rep told me parts for the R2 are limited and that they will call me when they have any news. Has anyone had a mobo replacement lately, and if so what is the turn around time?

 

335.23 is working in the Alienware M17X R1 . I have them installed on my laptop .

View attachment 109785

 

Any one have the latest Nvidia drivers working on gtx m260m sli. Every time I modify the files it seems to fail. ideas or file would be appreciated.

 

My modified inf and list devices file works for 260m SLI . I have them running on my laptop at the moment . Place the list devices into the the Main Installation folder . Then grab the other file and place it in the display driver folder . Then run set up and it will work .

 

what files are you using?

 

Download this attachment and it will work for you . I have 335.23 working on my Alienware .

 

This should work fine, give it a try and let us know.

 

To get these modded drivers to work . Don't place the files I have provided straight into the folder . Let it fail it's first installation and then put the files into the the folders they need to go into . Then they will install for you .

 

[SOLVED] used the guide on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPsyyHKMewY&src_vid=dYcfIkXr-3g&feature=iv&annotation_id=annotation_326442

But I cannot activate my SLI cards?? (cannot deactivate the 9400 onboard card) [SOLVED-just deactivated both hybrid and onboard in bios, then enable sli in nvidia control panel]


I get a windows "failure to identify certificate" error, if I choose to continue, it installs, however I cannot open any games etc, (no error or anything just shuts the games down)
Furthermore I cannot acces nvidia control panel...its like its installed but just not working
Last Working driver was 286.33...

I have an Alienware M17x R1 (260m gtx)...

P.S after 300.00 nvidia there is no changing from onboard graphics to "external" anymore right?

 

That is correct the only drivers that allow you to switch between dedicated and onboard are the beta drivers from alienware . When you modified your inf and list devices file did you do a clean installation this always helps it to install much better in my opinion .

 

yep did a clean install...It have never run better!! yay!!!

 

thanks so much, you're a big help.

 

Now I have a m17x r2 another machine which will not update ccc the cards are 5870 in crossfire.

 

What drivers are you running ? If you are running non alienware drivers you need to enable crossfire in the drivers manually . It should be in the drivers under crossfire .

 

it's like the nvidia drivers ccc fails out of the gate.

 

I would tell you unistall all your drivers install the dell drivers from the drivers section and then install the newest ati drivers . You dont need to unistall the alienware driver before you install the latest driver .

 

My 260m GPU is now officially dead. May I get a moment of honorary silence... and then some recommendations on what to do with this R1 now?

 

Hi,

i have just bought an M17x R2 , but it's so black ... i am totaly in love with nebula RED so i have found part on bay but they are all plainty of scratch, you can find some like brand new but for something like 100 € ... For the case it's not à big deal but i would like to have an nice LID cover , does someone know an seller with correct price ?

Thanks

 

I have RED and I want it black. LoL

 

Why do you prefer black ? I think it's a bit too classic, the red seem to be more flashy and less "plastic" . I have an other laptop for works so the AW side isn't a problem for me Anyway i am in france and mine isn't in good shape ...

 

You can find those easily online for a cheap price.

 

Exactly because it's classic, I don't like flashy things. But I got my laptop refurbished so I had no say over its colour. To your horror, I plan on spray painting it black...

 

I guess it's just a personal choice anyway. :thumbsup: It would be boring if we all liked the same things.

 

I got the black one too but red just stands out too much. To each his own.


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

I was looking after m18x r1 left heatsink :

Alienware NVIDIA Video Card M18x R1 R2 Left Heat Sink 100W 680M 580M 0JW8P7 | eBay

They look pretty similar to m17x r2 left heatsink , does anyone tryed to do the swap ? Maybe with a bit of dremel work it will fit, with the third pipe maybe we can inproove cooling performence , some G73Jh user do that to there gpu heatsink.

What do you guys think ?

 

It would be great if it could fit but looks like it won't to be honest.


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

It look a bit wide yeah , that would be nice if someone know the size of the m18 heatsink, i will take some measure in my m17 to see if it's possible without cutting out the case.

 

Keep us updated about this bro.


Sent from my iPod touch using Tapatalk

 

ill re-download may be a corrupt file

 

Does anyone know where to get a power button and ribbon for a m17x-r1 I have wanted to rebuild this laptop for two years but can't find this one part. It is driving me crazy. Any help will be much appreciated.

 

NEW Dell Alienware M17X R1 R2 Replacement Power Button Ribbon Flex Cable FD86P6P | eBay
NEW Dell Alienware M17X R1 R2 Replacement Power Button Ribbon Flex Cable FD86P | eBay
Genuine Alienware M17X R1 X R2 Power Button Hinge Cover W779M | eBay

 

Hello!

Anyone kind enough to share the latest .INF for GTX280M here?

 

Hello guys, do you know if the RGB LED screen for R2:

1. Is just plug and play on the M17x R1?

2. Does the RGB LED from R2 uses an inverters as the regular LCD from the M17x R1?

- Thanks

 

It should be possible as long as you use the 0HP693 cable.

No, the RGB LED no longer needs an inverter.

 

Thanks for the information.

* what's the 0HP693 cable?

* Do you know if the M17x R1 actually supports 1333 MHz RAMs?

 

Post your feedback here please.. >> http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/755913-amd-14-6-rc2-driver-out.html


AMD Catalyst 14.6 RC2 (14.200.1004.0 June 20)

Feature Highlights of The AMD Catalyst™ 14.6 RC Driver for Windows

Plants vs. Zombies (Direct3D performance improvements):
AMD Radeon R9 290X - 1920x1080 Ultra – improves up to 11%
AMD Radeon R9290X - 2560x1600 Ultra – improves up to 15%
AMD Radeon R9290X CrossFire configuration (3840x2160 Ultra) - 92% scaling

3DMark Sky Diver improvements:
AMD A4 6300 – improves up to 4%
Enables AMD Dual Graphics / AMD CrossFire support

Grid Auto Sport:
AMD CrossFire profile

Wildstar:
Power Xpress profile
Performance improvements to improve smoothness of application

Watch Dogs:
AMD CrossFire – Frame pacing improvements
Battlefield Hardline Beta:
AMD CrossFire profile

Known Issues
Running Watch Dogs with a R9 280X CrossFire configuration may result in the application running in CrossFire software compositing mode

Enabling Temporal SMAA in a CrossFire configuration when playing Watch Dogs will result in Flickering

AMD CrossFire configurations with Eyefinity enabled will see application stability with BattleField 4 or Thief when running Mantle

Catalyst Install Manager text is covered by Express/Custom radio button text

Express Uninstall does not remove C:\Program Files\(AMD or ATI) folder


Download:
AMD Catalyst 14.6 Beta Driver for Windows

 

cannot extend moniters in sli. it says they have to be connected to the same gpu ideas? They are connected to the same gpu ideas? it worked before it just quit working,. could it be the inf files and other modded files

 

Google it. It's a special cable for LED LCD display for Alienware. M17x R2.

M17x R1 will support 1333 MHz RAM but it will not run at 1066MHz, it will just downclock to 1066 MHz.

 

Hey guys,

Just wanted to stop by and say hello to any R1/R2 owners still rocking their laptops.

Mine is holding up pretty well, the slot-load drive is somehow stuck but i haven't used a CD/DVD in years so left it alone, opened the laptop for cleaning a few times, HDD performance has degraded over time, maybe a SSD would do the trick.

Having changed thermal compound on the CPU and replacing the MCP thermal pad with thermal compound results in great temps especially in idle.. However, i've noticed that the CPU fan isn't really efficient under load anymore. It just doesn't rev up as much as before, it lets the CPU heat up. I think it's because of the bios updates (A05/A06/A07), they must have changed the fan control algorithms. I've tried HWinfo but it only lets me do 0RPM/2000RPM/4000RPM and it's annoying because you have to start it each time and you can't use 3000RPM which would be the perfect balance between loudness and temperature.

I remember someone tried to cook a modded bios, guess that died huh? I've taken flashing an older bios into consideration but i don't think i want my CPU throttling back.. Not even sure if the bios can be downgraded.

So anyone has any solutions to this problem with the fan control please share.

 

This is my first Alienware laptop, and it is an Alienware 17 R1 (P18E model) with an Nvidia 880M GPU and 4710MQ processor. When I owned an Alienware desktop in the past the bios had a quick and easy level 1 or 2 overlock setting, and the current crop of laptops seems to be more complex.

What are the guidelines, as well as guides, to overclock this laptop without voiding the warranty?

Thanks!

 

You are in the wrong topic, here it's for the old R1 and R2 ( Core 2 Duo-Quad and First Gen I7)

 

Hey guys, am I thankful that there's a forum for the Alienware m17 series here.

Anyway, to get things started I need help with my unit. I bought an R2 from a friend of mine and it has the stock video card on it and I was just wondering what is the best video card upgrade that I could put on it nowadays? and where should I buy it from.

*I'm not a big techie guy so please be patient with me.

So far, I already put a 250 SSD on it as a boot drive and a 750 hdd 7200rpm as the storage drive.

I don't know if this'll help out my question but... what i'm trying to accomplish is play DOTA2(Steam game) on ultra setting with good fps.

Well, hope to hear from you guys soon. I appreciate all the help.