things to check after receiving your new alienware?

Hello.

Can anyone here teach me the things to check upon receiving a new alienware, like a checklist?

My new alienware will be shipped to me next week, it's brand new but it's not directly from dell, bought it from a retailer.

Anyway, this will be my first laptop. I don't know how to check if there's something wrong with the unit that i'm gonna receive.

So upon opening the box, all I can do is to check for some damages on the cosmetics, but that's all i know.

When it comes to terms like BIOS and other stuff I dont know how to check it.

Also, where can I check the real specs of the laptop? How will I know that the specs of the laptop is the same as the one written on the box and also the warranty?

Dead pixels, dead hardware, dead anything. how will I know these stuffs?

Thanks to anyone who can help me.

I apologize for being a spoon-fed noob.

 

I would recommend you to run an AlienAutopsy and PSA
Those are the 2 built-in diagnostics. Besides that you can try running a Video Card Benchmarking tool (3D mark, Furmark, Unigine). And some memory tests (PSA Extended is fine).
You can also try some HDD Benchmarks such as HDTune.

 

check the hinges on the back, make sure both hinges are tight and flush with each other. one of mine were not.

 

There really isn't anything you need to check. If anything seems out of the ordinary you'll notice. Not like warranty expires in the first couple days

I'd just go about normal tasks... check webcam on skype call copy & paste some files, play some games, browse internet... if it's working fine, chances are everything is in perfect condition.

You could download GPU-Z, CPU-Z ... msi afterburned etc, to check the clock speeds and temps of your components

 

Thanks for the tips.
What will I do with the benchmark? Should I just compare the results to the results online and if there are big discrepancies does it mean my Video Card is messed up?

\

 

Run the PSA like Luis said, that will check the CPU, memory and motherboard for most errors. Benchmarking with Crystal3D will test the GPU's prowess.
Check ALL your ports, make sure the cables/peripherals plug into them and are working correctly, as well as the optical drive, webcam, and memory card reader.

Test AlienFX to make sure all LED lighting zones are functioning correctly and run thru all the colors to make sure no LEDs are defective.

Go into device manager and make sure there are no devices in their with a yellow exclamation sign which would indicate a problem with the device or drivers.

Finally, check your command center media buttons (the ones upper left of the keyboard). Make sure they light up correctly with AlienFX and each button does what it's supposed to.

 

Got my device! I ran PSA and it's all fine.

downloaded AlienwareAutopsy and it suggested to update my bios. I did. But now I cant boot it up anymore. Please help.

It says raid volume is disabled.

then it prompts to Windows Boot Manager and asks for windows installation disc. I don't have any of that. darn it. Please help.

 

I think updating the BIOS flashes it to default settings? You need to go into bio (F8) on bootup I think it is, and change the HDD mode from RAID to AHCI ? maybe.

What are your specs, it might help us, since you might have a msata cache or not etc.

 

this is my settings:

DELL ALIENWARE M17XR4 LAPTOP
Intel Core i7-3820QM Processor(2.7GHz with Turbo Boost 2.0 up to 3.7GHz,8MB Cache)
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
1TB 5400RPM Hard Drive +1TB 5400RPM 2nd Hard Drive
32GB mSATA MiniCard(Caching)
16GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM(4x4GB)
8X DVD+/-RW Drive with DVD+R double layer write capability
Integrated Digital 7.1 Surround Audio Support
2GB GDDR5 Nvidia GeForce GTX 675M
Integrated 10/100/1000Mbps Gigabit Ethernet NIc
Intel Centrino Wireless-N 2230 With Bluetooth 4.0
Stealth Black with Soft Touch Finish
17.3""(43.94 cm) 120Hz WideFHD(1920x1080) WLED LCD
FullHD Camera with dual digital microphones
Alienhead 3D / AlienFX AQUA
9-cell Primary Batt

After pressing f2 on bootup, here are the details:

BIOS Version : A09
Product Name : M17xR4
Fixed HDD : WDC WD10-JPVT-75a1YT0 1000 GB
SATA ODD : PLDS DVD+/-RW DL-8A4SH
Second HDD: TOSHIBA MQ01ABD100 1000GB
e-SATA : [NOT DETECTED]
mSATA DEVICE: SAMSUNG SSD PM830 mSATA 32GB

I did not state other details like CPU, etc etc

After booting up it says press CTRL + I for configuration. something like that.

here is the pic. click here

I am a complete noob on this. please help me.

 

Press F8 when you power up the laptop, it will bring you to the BIOS screen, go to Advanced, Check which SATA mode you are on, it would have reverted to RAID since you updated the BIOS, change it to AHCI and exit the bios, saving your changes, and it should boot then.

 

OMG! thank you!!!! thank you so much. it's really helpful! thank you sir.!

Just one more thing, I have a generic targus mouse, but the laptop cannot detect the driver for it or something like that. any tips?

 

Should be plug and play I think, just give a bit of time to install, as long as the laser on the bottom lights up, it should be working I guess. I use a cheapo generic wireless Trust mouse and its fine, just needs a few seconds to install. Laptop is probably busy in the background updating stuff etc.

 

I would pull the bottom cover plate off and do a quick check on all the screws...

I had several screw "loose" but still connected, ( the fan on the gpu was loose ) I hand tightened everything.
as well as my 2nd HDD caddy had a screw that was not screwed in correctly ( at a slight angle.. and causes some stripping )
I had to them send me a new caddy and screw set.

 

the mouse is plugged 3 hours ago and it still says USB Device Not Recognized every now and then. The mouse is properly working on my other laptop. Any tips sir?
Tried every USB port. still the mouse doesnt work.

Oh. I don't have any tools here. Thanks for the tip though.

 

the only thing i think you need to pull off the back is a small/micro Phillips head (X) screw driver,
I don't think they use any of the crazy anti-tamper screws like apple does.

Should be able to find one from a local Hardware store... I think i used one from a glasses repair kit, just don't twist too hard as some of the small bits are soft...

 

On Faulty Sound Blaster Recon3d:
Uninstalled the software then downloaded the driver from dell website, reboot, then boom! sound blaster is being detected again.

ohhhh. I saw mine and it's not tight. it has spaces between. can we fix this manually?
The hinge is like this one.
( the bottom m17x, you see theres a space between the plastic case on the hinge )

i am a bit frustrated. I can't have my laptop replaced because I have to send it back to the seller on Malaysia and I'm on Singapore. ( Can I just ask the local Dell Store here to fix my laptop? )

Any advice on the hinge issue?