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

Thanks Micky - very informative ;-) Is there any reason why it's a bad idea to reinstall the OS on the MSata as I might do that only if it's ok to do so (i.e. not doing long term damage to the drive if that's even possible)?

 

IMO, not particularly, just the small size. 64Gb is just enough for the Windows installation and some programs. For caching, it may be a bit large LOL. The best thing is to sell it and get a proper 128/ 256Gb. They are so cheap right now...

 

Ok, thanks for letting me know. I managed to get a Sammy 830 256gb in one of Amazon's lightening deals a few weeks ago so I'll put that in and use that as my main drive. Thanks again.

 

In this case you can just leave the cache drive speeding up the original HD. Nice easy and safe transition to an OS SSD as well. Just put the drive in, change the boot order and install . If it goes badly you can revert to the original, and after you have finished you could just format the HD with it still accelerated by the msata SSD

Edit: If you did remove the caching and use the msata drive as a normal ssd it will operate slightly slower as this port is sata II.

 

Brilliant! Thanks Micky. I'll add my own SSD and change boot order. Would it be best to format the current OS then or just leave it as it is and change boot order to the new SSD I'll be putting in?

 

It's up to you. When you change the boot order, the BIOS will read the SSD instead of HDD, so really, it doesn't matter if the Windows is there or not.

 

Correct, if the SSD is set as the first booting device it doesn't matter if the HDD still has an OS installed, it'll just boot up straight to the SSD.

 

Yup. as said. The original OS install will not have any effect on a clean install to a new drive and you can just format it when you are happy with the new one

Forgot to add, since the caching is in hardware and firmware you do not need to do anything to set it up in the new install, it will be there.

 

Ohh, yes it does! My apologies CryoBolt!

Hrmm, Have you attempted a driver re-install and if worse comes to worse, a OS reinstall? If it's only a few seconds of static, it honestly wouldn't bother me. If it does bother you however, I'd contact Dell and get them to see if there's a remedy for the problem.

I can completely confirm however, that there isn't that problem whatsoever with my system.

 

I haven't try reinstalling anything. Not really worth the time right now as I will be off of school for Thanksgiving, or see what happens when I get around getting a ssd for it.

As of right now, it only happens when waking the computer up and it is very light and at most lasts a second, so it isn't that big of a deal. I'll just keep an ear open to see if it gets any worse. Not worth tearing the system apart at the moment.

Plus, I'll find a true pair of head phones. The tactx cheats as the separate wires converges into one, if that could do anything.I'm not sure though.
Sent from my SGH-T999

 

I've just installed the win8 pro upgrade and wasnt sure what to expect, but so far im really liking win8 (after installing classicshell to get the beloved start menu back). I went the lazy route and just did and upgrade keeping my old files intact rather than a fresh install. everything ported over without incident. windows 8...i find it more....fun, for lack of a better word.
Installed most of the new drivers off the dell website and only had problems with the OSD. Installs but none of the buttons work, so had to go back to the win7 version. Works now except the brightness on screen indicator. The indicator flashes up but the levels of brightness dont go up and down (but the screen itself dims or brightens as desired). So sadly u can't tell which level of brightness you are on just by looking at the on screen indicator. Strangely, the built in windows 8 indicator appears at the same time in the top left corner, and that one shows the brightness level. Super bizarre. I saw a lot of ppl are complaing about the OSD on their M18x, but less so here on the M17x's. Oh and my windows startup sound stutters. But that's it. i also saw windows update has a creative sound blaster driver optional update but i went with the new dell one. You reckon there is any difference?

 

I wonder, is there a thread like this.. because I feel like there should be one:

First things to do when you boot up your Alienware for the first time. Information on updating the BIOS, video drivers, any other drivers and software that should be installed.. So the computer is fully up to date before people start installing their junk on it

That's something I would definitely want to do, and will be doing.. But does anyone agree there should be a thread for that so it's easy for everyone?

 

A generic Alienware FAQ and cumulative info/resource thread by the user for end users. I like! Write it up. However, since there are already plenty resources for the same, you could write one up specifically for Windows 8 so that it's truly unique.

 

Awesome well yeah all new Alienwares from now on are gonna come with Windows 8 right?

Hmm I'm not too sure I'm the right person to start writing a thread like that Alienware hasn't arrived yet, and I am certainly not the one to talk about BIOS etc EDIT: had primarily mac for the past 5 years, now switching back to windows but the amount of research and knowledge I have about stuff could fill a library xD preparation for coming Alienware... But I haven't personally tinkered with BIOS settings, overclocking and whatnot just yet.

What do you suggest?

 

You talk the talk, and you walk the walk.

 

I guess I could give it a shot I'll probably launch the thread then, and update with information I get from other users... If only the thread could become a sticky and a legitimate discussion and not just wishful thinking

 

i am now also a owner!!
yesterday my m17x arrived!

first thing i noticed is that the 7970m runs really cool!! like 66 Celcius max ingame starcraft and everything on and max.
even if i stress with benchmarking i didnt go above 68 degree or so.

Already formatted cleaned the laptop, very nice laptop, very happy about it!!

 

Well I reinstalled the drivers so many times, that windows crashed and didn't want to boot. I used the refresh option in win8(something like reinstall). After that I installed the 12.10 drivers, restarted and everything work fine now. First time I probably forgot to restart, and then installed some other video drivers, that made a mess. Its all now working fine on my m17x r3.

 

Wow overclock that bad boy xD haha

 

You may be happy to know that your temps are working exactly as they should. Enjoy!

 

Does anyone know if I make an image of my current Windows 7 install, do the $15 upgrade to Windows 8 then decide to go back to the saved Windows 7 image, will it still be authenticated and valid for Windows updates etc?

 

Of course, good luck on your ventures Cryobolt! I hope everything is resolved. BTW, they have sales on headphones for $10 all the time..... also your local (if there is one in your area) Ross or Marshalls or even walmart has their $8-10 headphones all the time. Everytime I make my trip out to these stores I pick up a set or two because my fiance (hopefully she's not readign this) always seems to break or lose the headphones on her.

That's great! As for the quote above you, I think I'm happy that I'm forever an Nvidia fan. I've talked to plenty of Nvidia--->AMD users and they all say they wish they just stuck with Nvidia, even though the pricetag is heftier.

You can make another partition, using a partition manager, and attempt a clean install off of your windows 8. Therefore having 1 drive for Win 7 and 1 drive for Win 8.

Is the $15 upgrade released yet? Because I will start my purchase if it is

 

The offer is available. You will have to download the Windows upgrade. If you qualify, they will send you a discount code that you can enter upon the purchase. I think the total is $16 including tax. I made that far but decided to hold off my purchase LOL.

 

Also, i've been soo busy lately I haven't had time to test it out, but it's been confirmed over at the XPS 17 forums that the Synaptics drivers do not work properly YET for laptops. So I haven't bothered installing Win 8 yet...

I am definitely sticking with Win 7 for a loooong while, can't find any bad reasons to having it hehe.

And thanks leeshjnn, I will consider it soon I did qualify, and everyoen qualifies so long as they have a system, it's a "glitch" type thing with Microsoft and everyone seems to have a CD key now lol.... I am just unsure of whether or not I will upgrade.

 

Don't really want to do a dual boot. Thinking more along the lines of trying an upgrade to Windows 8 and see if it actually works and how I like it then having the option to jump back to my current Windows 7 setup. Sucks if that is the case with the Synaptics not working. I was checking out the Synaptics website and it was showing the functionality so I thought it was all good.

 

I don't know enough about this to give a tip. But... can't you just make a back up? Would that only store your stuff, or would it backup the whole OS as well? That's the first thing I would think about :S

 

I have made an image of my SSD, that part's all good, was more curious if I could just go back to using Windows 7 after I had "upgraded" the product key to Windows 8. I'm sure it's fine.

 

I assume you are worrying about the W7 will not activate? Because you already upgrade to W8, I guess you will not be able to revert the key either way. I think you can flash the SSD with the image of W7 for a few days and try. I was going to suggest you try Windows loader. But oh well, it is not legal. Very much.

 

This is how things worked with Vista... The activation key for Vista always works, even after upgrading. The upgrade key for Win7 required that Vista be preinstalled before Win7 could be activated on top of it. The upgrade key would not work on a clean install of Win7.

I purchased the $15 copy of Win8 pro, since I got my m17x r4 2 months ago. I'm still playing around with figuring out how to get UEFI to work and what not, so I installed Win8 on my OEM HDD. I did it as a clean install and it activated just fine.

You should have no problem reverting back to Win7... either by restoring from an image that you made before the upgrade to Win8, or by reinstalling it.

 

very informative anseio

 

Great news. Now I know I can safely upgrade to W8 and still can go back to W7. I just need to pay for it LOL.

 

Hey all,

I have been looking into purchasing a SSD as well as upgrading my system RAM. I have spoken to a Dell rep via online Chat and twice I have been told that you can upgrade the system RAM without voiding your warranty , however, adding any type of hard drive will void your warranty. I was looking at a SSD mainly for boot times.

Then I came across this on a forum. This signature is from a Dell rep -

Luis Porras
Dell | Alienware Technical Support
Opening your case and/or replacing parts yourself does not void your warranty, check our disassemble videos on YouTube
Quickest way to get support from Dell: Twitter via @AlienwareTech or Facebook.com/Alienware using the "message" link.
I can't always reply to PM's, please for extra assistance use any of the Facebook and Twitter links

Can anyone help clear this up?

 

Luis is indeed an Alienware rep. And replacing your RAM or hard drive do not void unless you miraculously damage other hardware during your installation process.

 

Thats good news,

The person I spoke to from Dell's online chat said installing a new hard drive (In the case a SSD) would invalidate my warranty. When I asked what was I expected to do when that hard drive was full I got the reply - use an external hard drive..

When I dug further he mentioned something about a contract with other vendors..

If my laptop needs to go back for repairs will I need to take the new parts out and replace them with all the original parts?

 

Sadly, like too many support reps, the rep you got is clueless. We, here, tend to have better technical and warranty knowledge of our products than the tier 1's who are paid to know better. I digress...

Yes... in the event that you'd have to send your lappy in for service, you'd need to remove the after-market upgrades and replace them with the OEM parts.

 

Just to add in, you don't have to send in your hard drives unless it is the faulty. So your personal information is safe.

 

Hi all,
I've been wanting to be a part of the R4 owners lounge for a few months now - and now can proudly say that I am!

Last night, I purchased a new M17xR4 w/ 7970m. She's an absolute beauty - feels like I've just brought my newborn child home LOL! Just want to say thanks for all the help and advice given from everyone here on NBR, who helped sway my choice to go for an AW. They aren't that reasonably priced here in the UK, and it was hard work finding a great deal - but with some patience I managed to do so!

My question now is, are there any aftermarket upgrades you guys would strongly advise? I got a stock machine, but wanted to put an SSD in there, is this a good idea?

All advice welcome

 

An SSD is definitely the way to go otherwise you should be set. I'd upgrade RAM if it's 8GB or lower because its cheap and well... YOLO! (kill me for that please)

 

Soooo happy my R4 will arrive on the weekend

If anybody wants to add on Steam, I've stocked up on a ton of games

CS:GO, MW3, L4D2, Payday, Tribes Ascend 90% are single-player only or not too popular for multiplayer.. But I got a ton of F2P games so far too

Steam: MrNagasaki

 

At last, been quite while since you started your journey .

If it's cheap enough get portal/portal2 on steam to see the best 3D around, along with a brilliantly funny storyline. If you've ever been into platform games this takes to to another level

Enjoy man and welcome to the club!

 

I would love to try Portal but for me it's not worth $20 guess I'll have to... get it some other way

 

Yeah a bit pricey for a game you might not like. I tried portal 2 first then gave them the money for 1 as I liked it.

 

Sorry for posting this on a couple threads but

Could anybody check out my thread regarding a keyboard and help me out would really appreciate it

http://forum.notebookreview.com/accessories/695308-keyboard-playing-tv-couch-bed.html

 

If you like puzzles w/o killing, the Portal games are amazing. The first one has snarkier humor than the second, but the coop play of Portal 2 is pretty rich.

 

it's everybody's guilty pleasure If you'd like to TRY the game on multiplayer, they have these programms like Tunngle, where multiplayer is available by joining a room in the program, and just connecting via LAN on your game.

 

So my rep just confirmed... That my M17x will be shipped out today shipping should take about 3 days!! And I'll be a proud and overjoyed Alienware owned haha

 

congrats dude!!

 

I just got a SSD for my m17x R4, but discovered that the HD interposer was missing in the second HD bay. I bought it refurbished from Dell Outlet and saw that this was a problem for the R3s but did not see any recent threads about the issue. Does anyone know where to find this part (I'm not sure if the ones off ebay are correct for the R4) or should I just contact Dell about it?

 

Gotta call Dell. I got my R2 via a systems exchange. It didn't come with the second interposer. I called up Alienware support and they sent me a new second caddy and interposer. However, that was in 2010 so it may not be so easy now.