*OFFICIAL* M17xR3 Owner's Lounge Thread - Part 2

No peeling here yet either.
But my lid doesn't line up when laptop is closed.
My battery isn't a snug fit. You can push up on it and it'll wiggle a bit.

I verified that my RAM timings were set to XMP Proflie 2
I did read up on the underclocking of the CPU, but could that have anything to do with my BSODs? I will up it anyway.
Also, Memtest over night passed, but after rebooting, I get the BSOD. Got it after 2 repeated reboots. Then finally, I didn't do a restart, I shut it down, then waited a minute before turning it on, and it worked. What does this sound like?

(Off topic)
Since AHCI seemed to be the correct SATA configuration for one HDD in laptop, is it the same for desktop because I checked it just now and it's in IDE mode.

 

Looks like every lid is misaligned when closed. I saw it twice and others confirm. Rattling of the battery can be fixed by 3m- or scotch-taping a business card under the battery.

As for BSOD, consider uninstalling the driver for the SD card reader (check your BSOD messages for something like sdbus.sys or something. I had those and ended up installing a driver from the preinstalled directory on my first unit (and simply moved the OS SDD from the old one to the new one when the new one arrived). I can, probably, find you the driver i used to install it as the one from resource dvd or online caused grief.

 

Are you running a clean install? If so, uninstall your NVidia driver and run your computer with the stock VGA for a little while to see if you get BSOD. Unfortunately, you'll be using your comptuer at 1024x768 during the test but I'll bet you that you won't get any BSODs... If this is the case, you need to search for Mandrake's thread and find the 3rd party NVidia driver that we had to use to avoid the BSOD. Dell's driver didn't work for us in a clean install.

 

underclock won't cause bsod. I was just referring to the ram frequency.

When you bsod, is it while windows is starting up? If so...
1. Do you have anything plugged into the usb ports when this happens?
2. Do you have intel rapid storage technology installed?

 

The finish on the R3 is similar to the Lenovo/IBM thinkpads that has been used for years. Sooner or later the rubber will peel off especially along the edges. However, most of the thinkpads with the wear simply looked "distinquished" kinda like grey hair. Nothing lasts forever and at least it is cosmetic.

More than likely in a few years, the parts will be available on ebay to replace the worn parts so that if you care, you can make your laptop look new again...

 

kune, Since our r3 has only 2630qm processor and does not support natively the 1600Mhz ram we got. So are we basically overclocking the cpu?

 

nope. The ram has pre-loaded XMP profiles in addition to standard timings. The bios has the option to load these profiles.

 

Thanks kune, Will ask you more questions when my system arrives.

 

There are many other users much more hardware literate than me; I'm still learning. I'll be happy to answer what I can though.

 

Woot!!! It's here. Got the house cleaned and vacuumed before the wife got home so she wouldn't be able to stop me once I started (Hahaha). Got my Orion bag about 30 minutes before the lappy. I am piddling now. Screen looks good-just missing that extra real estate already. Maybe it'll grow on me. Touch panel is popping up too (knew that was coming). Screen actually seem brighter, just the colors aren't as vibrant. Still looks very good I think. Mousepad/trackpad is waaaaaaaaaay better. Will post some pics later maybe.

 

Can the misaligned lid be corrected in any way at all? I hope mine doesn't have problems

 

is pretty easy to adjust see those 3 screws on the hinges each side of the screen ?
well just loose it all a little adjust the screen and then tight them back

 

My lid lines up fine. Only issue I've noticed was the touch panel popping up. Took it off, bent it (it's metal), put it back on and it's been holding for 30 minutes no problem. Just an AW oversight. No biggie. Gonna work on a few benches bone stock tonight if I get enough time.

 

ok guys, today I am ordering my new Alienware R3.... the big question is HD 6970 or GTX 460m with the 120hz 3d screen? If I go the 3d route when the new cards come out for the system I can switch to a more powerful card like the 485m and have the 3D.... with the 6970 I don't have that option...

I'm just not sure what I want to do, I'm a hardcore gamer so it has to be powerful... but in the future the 3d might be cool to have

 

I have read up to page 42 of this thread entirely and I know the battery life is approximately 3 to 4 hours depends on what you use. I still want to find out what is the actual battery life for just pure web browsing (I need the internet for work) ? I hope some users may provide any feedback regarding that based on your "real-life" usage/experience. I am trying to determine whether I need to purchase an extra battery for work where power plug is not available most of the time.

Thank you

 

Buy the battery.

 

We do not know if Alienware will support 485m in future. It is really hard to judge as they tend to "update" the spec depends on the market demand. The safe route is keep waiting and see if there is any major update.

 

Since the 485 hasn't been confirmed or even announced, I wouldn't make that the deciding factor. I would make sure that I would be content with the 460 being the only nvidia option for a long time, since no one really knows what Dell will do. If you want to order soon, at this point I would say decide what is more important to you. 3D or GPU power and battery life?

 

battery life is really not a factor for me, I almost never have this laptop on battery power, because none of the things I need this computer for will function on battery power lol. However the GPU power is fairly important to me... I just know that if I buy the 6970 and they release the 485m... im out of luck becuase I cannot order it with the 120hz 3d screen.... where as if I get the 460m I'm relatively safe... is there really that much difference in the power of the 460m vs the 6970? can you link me a comparison page on 3dmark scores, fps averages in games, reviews etc?

EDIT: also consider that I can buy everything I need on the 460m with a budget of 3,400... I can get the premium 3 year protection plan, 16gb ram, literally max everything out

 

Check out the link:

Eurocom Racer: Why the Radeon HD 6970M Rocks - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

 

VROOOOM, thanks for the link, looking pretty strong comparatively... I have some serious considering to do... its really too bad the 485m is not an option

 

I understand. Was thinking about the same thing myself. However, I wanted to be able to switch between integrated and dedicated for battery life.

 

What is the best accessory for the M17xR3? He already has a G700, external Logitech keyboard, a back pack, and a shoulder bag. What is there left to get? (I need a gift for my hubby DaneGRClose).

 

Alright, did another clean install. So far so good, except, upon successful installation of the SD card reader, a notification said that a disc drive driver was successfully installed? Nothing is in the PCI slot, could this be F'n with my system?
Also, the BSODs from before at first happened while in windows, after the restart, it would BSOD before Windows even started to load.

Not sure about the business card idea, since I don't want to warp the plastic. I instead placed the battery upside down across my heater and a box upside-down to maybe warp it the opposite way.

As for the lid being able to re-align, that's a big relief, thank you. I just won't be undoing the top panel too soon yet.

And a little note:
It was great to have the drivers saved to my jumpdrive named and numbered. Makes the repeated clean installation a hitch.

For those considering 460m vs 6970. It depends on if you really need the power right away. I opted for the 460m to be able to get the 120Hz screen that cannot be upgraded so easily. But 460m for me was good enough for the time being. I'll upgrade to 6970m if support becomes available, or if 485/5xx nVidia becomes available.

Thanks everyone!

 

What an F'n coincidence!
Right after I installed the SD card reader, I did a voluntary reboot and waddaya know! BSOD. $*&^*#^)&^#)*#@^&!!!!

Alright. I'm gonna remove that driver, and wait to install Command Center until I get the old driver for the SD card reader.

I went into safe mode to uninstall it, rebooted, BSOD! Error? sdxxx.sys So uninstall didn't work. Gonna do another clean install... Argh! I'm spending way too much time and incurring way to much stress.
This is really frustrating.

 

So I got my M17x R3 a week ago, and i have to say... terrible. Have had to reinstall OS twice, lost some big files, and most everything is laggy. That being said, a) should i wait it out? or b) get the RMA while I can. (I am leaning toward option two, myself.)

 

How sweet! I think dane's got everything he wants. Except for a new R3 with 6970m GPU.

 

guy's I think im going to have to shoot for the 460m, the prospect of 3d is just too cool to pass up, I'd rather only be able to play a game in high on 3d, than have the highest settings... plus 3d movies etc which are going to be very prevalent in the future. plus this leaves me the ability to upgrade in the future. where as the 6970 leaves me severely limited. its really to bad they wont allow you to get the 120hz 3d screen with the 6970... especially since the card itself does support 3d

 

The 460m is still powerful compared to other cards. And it handle demanding games fine. Its not like it will suck at gaming. Plus, you get to play with 3D. Goodluck on your purchase.

 

Can I buy one of those yet? I heard they are not "available as a part" yet.

 

You're right. Unfortuanately, It still is not available as a part yet.

 

Dane has the 3d package. Its cool, but the 460m is just not strong enough to play games at the settings most people will want with 3d enabled. Now if they offer the 485m or another similar stronger Nvidia card, the 3d would be worth it.

 

thats what im hoping... at least if I want the stronger graphics I can disable the 3d to get a little more performance

Or... damnit, second thoughts.... should I go with the 6970?

 

Just came to a resolution with Dell regarding my issue with them missing promised delivery dates on a replacement and flat out canceling the replacement order.

Seems like the fastest way to get a replacement is going to be returning the computer and ordering another.. I'm going to be calling DFS and Dell customer care and returning / canceling payments if I don't have a brand new 2820qm m17x being built by Thursday (as promised by the rep I talked to... though we all know how much promises from Dell hold up)

Still on the fence about returning and just flat out going with Origin PC (A company started by old Alienware execs..) I called and they said they'd give me a $300 discount and free shipping to "convert me"

 

Damn those second thoughts!! The level of performance each card delivers is subjective. Are you someone that needs 60+ fps on maxed settings? Or are you somebody thats ok with playable frame rates at very high or maxed settings on MOST games? If you need maxed settings and high frame rates the 6970 is a no brainer, if not getting the 460m and waiting may be a good option.

 

yea I play games for the love of games, I am satisfied playing a game on high instead of ultra high and I always have been. Your probably right i'll just stick with what I've ordered. Which I HAVE ORDERED!!!! they did the cancel new order like X3NIA is talking about for me. MY specs are

Alienware M17x R3 3d edition!!!!!

Alienware M17x Soft Touch Nebula Red
Intel Core i7 2820QM 2.3GHz (3.4GHz Turbo Mode, 8MB Cache)
16GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz (4DIMMS)
17.3-inch WideFHD 1920x1080 120Hz WLED w/ NVIDIA 3D Vision Bundle
1.5GB GDDR5 Nvidia GeForce GTX 460M
1.5 tb 7,200RPM HDD

 

Havent you considered just getting the stock 4gb ram and do an aftermarket upgrade later to save money?

 

MissLeiona- BUSTED!!!!

I have to agree that the 3D is cool but honestly unless you play everything in 3D you're going to get used to the higher settings and want more, if Dell introduces a 485m a strong 5XXm or even a 470m then it will be well worth it, if not the 6970 is a stronger choice in quite a few ways. Also have to agree with Typecast that the best thing for you to do is stick with the stock ram and buy 16gb of HyperX ram at half the price to get 1600mhz ram

 

I wouldn't save money, it's an exchange and I got the highest premium plan 4 years too. I needed to match the original price I paid. This was within like 60bucks. Any money I didn't use I lose

 

Oh ok, I'd still go with some accessories like a bag or something and add HyperX afterwards, or even an SSD and add the HyperX later. Either way it's an awesome rig, congrats!

 

another thread here is claiming the 485m is supported in the BIOS - came from Dell Tech's, Dell just isn't providing it yet.


Mr Butter, I agree with your thinking, it's exactly why I went the 3D route, if you don't want 3D you can turn it off, that option simply isn't available in the none 3D system, it wasn't too long ago when GPU's like the 9800m GTX Sli where the dogs#######s, a single 460m is better so not too shabby

 

Thanks, and then in no time I'll be installing the next 3G GPU. I can probably buy and Nvidia gtx 485 or gtx 4xxx/5xxx from xoticpc and install it.

 

What do you mean it's an exchange and something about 4years ago???

 

I bought the original M17x, I've been having serious problems for a while... they have replaced the gpu's 6 times alone, and countless other parts. They are doing an exchange for a new laptop, I pay for a new laptop, and they do a cancel order on my last and refund me the money I paid originally. THERFORE, I needed to spend as close to the original amount as possible, so I purchased the 4 year premium protection plan to make up part of that difference.

 

How do you "disable" 3D? Would doing so increase regular performance and or battery?

 

Performance yes, battery no. Still can't use the IGP since the screen is 120 Hz

 

But how do you "disable" it? Is it just something you set your games to and isn't passively active in the background?

Also, does anyone have the first batch of SD card reader drivers? The new ones and or the ones that come with the new resource CD does not work for me. Is it gonna hurt if I install the driver later. I don't really need the card reader this instant.

 

but people are reporting getting 3-4hrs from the 3D machine anyway, don't forget peeps we are dealing with more power efficient technology that is able to adjust itself based on demand, just because the IGP is not accessable does not mean this system is power hungry it ultimately depends on what you are doing

 

Ordered last week and I had the exact same dilemma as you, go for the more powerful 6970 or get the 460m with the 120hz display and the 3d capability and then upgrade to the 485m or a 5xxm card in the future, and I went with the 3d as you can see in my sig
It would really have been too bad if I passed out on the 120hz 3d screen knowing that there will definitely be a better nvidia card offered in the future, plus the 460m is by no means weak and is handling all games at least on high and most on ultra.
Welcome to the wait group

 

Look in the NVIDIA Start Menu Group -

Start Menu ----> All Programs ----> NVIDIA Corporation ----> Enable 3D / Disable 3D shortcuts

Make it easy:
Right click on each and select 'Pin to Start Menu'

When you want to watch a DVD or Bluray or game in 3D, just click the Enable shortcut in your start menu. When you want to disable, disable shortcut.