*OFFICIAL* Alienware M17x R3/R4 Owner's Lounge Thread

post up your replacement specs when you get them. You were long overdue for a replacement after your experience and your loyalty

 

Dell has always taken care of me, thats why I continue to buy from them and recommend it to my friends.
I asked for another r4 with a 120hz screen, but they are not sure they can find one...

 

Well if they agreed to look for one you should be good. From a recent replacement I was watching in the US they try to spend around two weeks looking at the outlet. At that point it appears they go for a new one to close the call out, and the build process starts...

It happens quicker here in the UK but the outlet does not get anything like the number of returns the US does.

Good luck

 

I would not be shocked if you get a new Alienware 17, had a similar situation with a friend of mine.

 

As long as I get something befor the next wedding I have to DJ I should be good
THe m14x just doesnt have the hdd space I need for 183,000 songs with backups.

 

You can always 'jolly' them along a little. Call saying how important your machine is to your income and can they possibly speed this up? It could result in an immediate outlet check and offer of new one! That's how it went for me (I have other important things my machine is used for) but the UK is a smaller, faster operation

Also keep your eye on the outlet before you call. If you see something suitable then you can mention it but they will probably find it anyway so time your call to your benefit :thumbsup:.

Good luck and keep us posted .

 

Yeah, was checking the outlet this morning.... nothing in the r4, aw17, 18r2, or aw18 sections well, there were 3 r4s, but they all had 660m's in them.

 

I have the same alienware logo problem, my lcd panel has been replaced a couple of times and it has not solved the problem. I believe the problem is with motherboard. However a simple replacement of motherboard won't be sufficient, I guess. As far as I remember, there is a set of instructions to be followed before and after motherboard is replaced. I tried this with a motherboard I was sent a couple months ago, and it didn't work as well. I had to tell techs to remove the new motherboard and put in my old motherboard, because new motherboard had a defective dedicated graphics card slot. I don't know if I could have made it work with the new motherboard If I had more time with it. Nevertheless, I'm thinking about giving a chance to a new motherboard again.

I also have a problem with my speakers. I don't know why, but sometimes when I open my laptop, windows warns me that speakers are not installed or something like that. There is a cross on my speaker logo at the bottom-right of the screen. After a couple of restarts, it just comes back. No bios flashes, driver updates or windows formats have solved the issue.

 

So im just waiting for a proper replacement now. The newest models though wont work for me
the new ones lost a usb port, and lost the vga port... both of them I need.

So I am pushing for a m17xr4, or a m18xr2.
Things that are top priority on a replacement for me.
5 or more usb ports
vga, hdmi, display ports (some places I play have vga still for video output)
3 or more hdds

A thing that is not super important, but would bug me is the power adapter plug.. my table and stand are set up for a rear mounted plug, the side mounted power plug might get in the way of my amp rack.

anyways, hoping for the best.

EDIT--------------------------
Just got a call from alienware, they are processing a replacement now. They should be calling me soon with a list of what I am getting.
I did get a dispatch number, but for the life of me, I cant find a place to input that number to track anything

 

Hey guys, I have a Alienware m17x r3 with intel 2920xm.
But I got very high temperature, and throttling while playing (even on not so heavy games).
I got temperature around 90-95 celsius and I am running on base cpu configuration without any overclocking.

Do you have any idea why is this happening? Should I change the thermal paste, the heatsink or whatever, thank you.

 

2 things really. 1) Use a can of compressed air to blow any dust out of the heatsink fins & fan. 2) Repaste the CPU. Do number one first, and if temperatures are still bad, then try step 2.

 

The fans are okay, I should try repasting I guess.
Which paste is good, so I can look it up in ebay?

Idle is around 55, and medium load to 90 (and throttling, so it can't get higher) .. those temps are not pretty normal right?
Thanks

 

I think those temperatures are too high, especially if it's creating throttling. I use Arctic Silver 5 on mine, but it's probably not the best paste out there anymore, but different pastes only make maybe 3 degC difference, so it's more about just doing a good job with the application that effects the temperatures the most. My CPU operates at 56W 'all day' under Prime95 with a max temperature of 83 degC at a room temperature of 21 degC - so that might be able to give you some ideas about what's normal or possible. I've used both the spread method & the pea method for applying the Arctic Silver 5, and both gave the same results, although I'd recommend the spread method for Arctic Silver 5:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appmeth/int/ss/intel_app_method_surface_spread_v1.1.pdf

If you want to know more about the potential of the 2920xm then check out this thread (it won't lower your temperatures - the opposite, but it's a way of getting more performance):
http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...-2960xm-cpus-m17x-r3-without-modded-bios.html

 

So im just waiting on dell to give me a call about my replacement specs.
My thought is that they are going to offer me a new 17 with a 780m. While it would be a nice computer, I am not so sure getting a 17 is a upgrade for me.
Would I be out of line to request a 18? I have been without my m17xr4 for a 30 days.
Part of me really wants the 3d screen, but then the other part of me sees how much I will loose by going from the m17x to the new 17 and think the 18 may be the next best option.

 

What are you loosing (apart from better styling!)?

The only guy I saw get an AW18 was an R2 owner who successfully argued that he purchased the machine for SLi capability. As a developer, just because the new 17 was faster it did not meet his needs. If the replacement does not do something you need then it's a valid argument. Like-for-like is a subjective term .

Good luck

Edit: Just remembered, if you have a blu-ray drive dell seem to have dropped this option on any of the builds. To get one you have to ask for a free external one. They have done this for one guy recently. Argument: It was sold as a 3D machine and I can't play blu-ray 3D movies anymore!?

 

I have my own blueray

Problem is like for like doesnt work so great, I need 5 usb ports, and 3 video output... plus holding of 2 hdds and a ssd.
I dont think the 18 has the extra usb or video ports I need either.

My DJ equipment takes up a pretty decent amount of usb ports

 

Yup I see, as it does not work for you then you should be entitled to a full refund if they do not have anything that is equal to the machine they sold you. Country dependent but that is what happened to me.

I'd go for some 'consolation' consideration. They can add in the aftermarket upgrade of the drives or agree you can keep the ones you have, then see what else they can do, get the BR anyway, you can quickly turn that into cash . Maybe even see if they do an active USB 3.0 hub?

 

Do they have the 18 with a single gpu 880m?
If I could get a single gpu version then I would be able to put the mpcie to usb adapter in and just run the wires out the back vent where that gpu would normally be....
That would give me the usb ports I need without cutting things up.

 

Afraid not. Another thing much complained about with the new model - only dual cards. Is a hub a non-runner for you?

 

I would rather not use a hub... If the hub dies mid gig, I loose everything connected to it. If it becomes unplugged, I loose everything.

At least if each one has its own plug when something gets uplugged I dont loose it all.

 

I see your problem, but having more cables coming out of the laptop is probably more likely to get one pulled? Duct tape is king here!

I don't know if HDMI/mini-port splitters are possible or visible as separate devices but that would also be worth research.

 

Lol.
I think I can get away with a triple head 2 go for my screens.

I will do some adjusting and what I can do

 

Cool, let me know how it goes

 

Hoping to get the phone call today with my specs!

As part of my proper planning for when they call, I checked some specs on the 17 so I can make my requests.

looking for a i7 4930mx, 780m and the 120hz lcd.... everything else can be base model since I have ram, hdds, ssds, blueray, and a 1103 nic.

 

36 days now, still no computer

While I am a patient man, im starting to get a little aggrivated. I checked my support history, it shows it is "in progress", Hoping that means I will get a call very soon.

 

Chase it up on the phone, this is way too long to get an offer, and you'll still be into a two week wait for it to be built after that!

 

Here is my support log as of right now
Im going to put a post up on dells forum to see if I can get some help there.

4/22/2014 9:00:17 AM In progress. -
4/21/2014 3:59:15 PM Customer initiated phone contact. -
4/16/2014 2:54:29 PM Agent initiated email response. -
4/15/2014 4:44:16 PM Customer initiated phone contact. -
4/10/2014 6:41:20 PM Customer initiated phone contact. -
4/8/2014 3:09:05 PM A parts and/or labor dispatch has been initiated for this support request.
4/8/2014 2:54:07 PM Agent initiated phone contact. -
4/4/2014 7:48:55 PM A parts and/or labor dispatch has been initiated for this support request.
4/4/2014 7:48:17 PM Customer initiated phone contact. -
4/2/2014 7:00:54 PM In progress. -
4/2/2014 6:58:51 PM Agent initiated phone contact. -
3/27/2014 10:11:28 PM In progress. -
3/27/2014 5:49:38 PM In progress. -
3/21/2014 9:12:17 PM Agent initiated email response. -
3/21/2014 9:06:54 PM A parts and/or labor dispatch has been initiated for this support request.
3/21/2014 8:49:24 PM Customer initiated phone contact. -
3/19/2014 9:45:18 AM A parts and/or labor dispatch has been initiated for this support request.
3/19/2014 9:39:37 AM Customer initiated email contact. -

 

Just call, it will be much quicker to get a status than a forum request.

 

I had called yesterday, didnt get very far other than we are working on it.

 

Time for escalation then. Since you are in the US the AW reps here on NBR can help, hopefully one of them will read this.

What did they say was the delay?

 

Thanks, I've used Arctic Cooling MX-4, not sure if I did great, but it seems to be working a lot better.

I have around 52 idle, and around 80-84 max under load, and no throttling, even with a bit higher turbo speed.

 

Kept saying pending review for days, now its pending review for specs.

 

Good job!

I repasted my GPU today as the temperatures were starting to creep up with increased fan noise. I used Arctic Silver 5, like I normally do, but not too pleased with the results so far, will let it bed in some more to see if it gets better, otherwise I'll repaste again.

 

It could need another repaste.

 

I think it's OK now, I ran Unigine Heaven benchmark at max overclock for 30 mins, switched off the laptop & let it cool for 30 mins. Now, when I run it temperatures and fan speeds are ok, it's bedded in a bit. I'm a bit fastidious about the temps and fan speeds, and it was only a couple of degrees more than normal after a repaste, looks like it will be fine now.

 

Day 37... hoping for a call today?

I called last night and got no real help other than, "we are waiting"

 

I called again today, just to see if there is any update... I did get some specs out of them this time.
Looks like I am getting the 4700 cpu, 780m , killer nic, dvd, 1tb/80gb hdd, and the 1080p lcd.. no 120hz, kinda sucks since I dont like matte finished lcds. I guess I can always upgrade it my self later.

Should take a week and a half to get it. The guy told me to call when I get the computer and talk to a manager about warranty. Since the computer has been broken for 37 days now, and then another 12 days wait for the new one to get here puts my 49 give or take days of warranty that I have not been able to use.

 

I got to say man, you don't seem to be getting very good service, and for a US user I am a bit outraged.

The offer machine should be agreed with you - no questions, if they want to send you something different to your original purchase you have to agree to it before it is built and supplied!

If you had 120hz 3D then only a 3D model is acceptable, and they are still making them so no excuse.

As for the warranty it will come with a fresh one year and if you have longer warranty then it should be added to the new machine after it is built.

When I mentioned the lost time I had had (same as you) they gave me a couple of upgrades - better CPU, Killer wireless, bigger HD

It really sounds like you've got a poor case manager, I just can't fathom what they are thinking (unless they have found an outlet model and are now back-pedalling to get it to you?)!!

Hmm, seems I still get 'mr angry' when I see bad customer service, sry for the rant, time for some R&R....

 

Wish I had the 3d screen to start with, but I had the standard 1080p one. I just want the 120hz due to not liking matte finished panels.

Overall the specs are a upgrade from what I had, the time wasted is a little bit of a let down though.
I posted on dells support forum about it and they just passed over it everytime I bumped it.

 

Oh well not as bad as I thought but still way too long to get to this point. Maybe they do have an internal policy in the US of delaying to see if an outlet machine appears - we will never know...

 

I think they may of spent some time looking for another r4 for me, It was 14 days from replacement offered to when I got info on what I was getting. It would of been fine if I was kept in the loop about what was going on with the exchange.

 

I remember now, and they sure have messed up the communication side.

Well at least it's looking like you are on the last leg of a painful journey

 

Hoping I can get my 50+ days of warranty back though.

 

It should be a fresh one year warranty so you're getting an extension of some sort. The only time I have seen a problem is with multi-year warranties, and then someone in Dell has to fix it.

 

Here they dont give you extra on top when you get a new machine. So as it sits I am short 50 days

 

That is strange, I've seen a lot of replacements around the world and a new build or outlet replacement have always had a fresh warranty. If they had actually done their job and sent you the specs the warranty is usually there, otherwise wait until you get it and see what the new service tag say on support.dell.com. Call in about getting your 50 days back if you are loosing out...

 

That's not 100% accurate. In the US, if you get a system replaced even when it's a brand new system it will only have the warranty that was left from the previous one. It would be a good idea to renew the warranty @OP.

 

Wow that sucks, you would have thought I would have seen that over time. Good to know another 'cultural difference' in the warranty. I guess you (Dell) have to go through allocating the remainder to the new machine's tag? I do know in some locales limited warranties on repair parts are illegal - AU has something like this I was told where Dell cannot use refurbished parts.

Seems a little harsh to supply a new machine with only the remaining warranty but whatever the public are prepared to accept as normal business practice.

Would you think the OP has cause to get his downtime added back?

I always recommend extending the warranty anyway, good VFM from my perspective

 

Haha, with a 580M/675M, then a warranty is imperative! Your warranty probably offered a return on investment of 1000%! (Did you ever work out how much your warranty saved you?)

 

No, but now you've got me thinking about it. I'm too lazy to research all the retail parts costs but this should give you an idea:

Original R3 3D -£2600 with single year and accidental.

3 x heatsinks, 2 x GPU's, one SSD, and three engineer calls (dell charge around £100 for a chargeable call)

Then replaced with this one with new warranty so 6 months extra free coverage.

On this one; 2 x GPU's 1 x keyboard (a cap popped), 2 x panels (the first one turned out to be unnecessary), and the latest was a MB as well as the GPU. The panel failure was a connector issue and although he returned with the new cable the depot had given him a new panel as well so he put that in . Three engineer calls.

I've renewed twice now at £165.00 and it's still an awesome machine with room to easilly upgrade when I can't renew it any more