*OFFICIAL* M18x Owner's Lounge Thread

Da_G: Try different things like only putting in one ram module and swapping around the video cards and starting it up (half assembled so you don't have to redo everything). It might turn on eventually.

 

I upgraded alienrespawn and made the restore DVDs.
I installed my 240gb OCZ Vertex Agility 2 SSD in the computer.
I "restored" to the SSD with respawn.
I tried to reboot to the SSD and got the following screen;
Intel UNDI, PXE-2.0 (build 083)

For Atheros PCIE Ethernet Controller v2.0.2.6(09-28-10)

Check cable connection!
PXE-M0F: xiting Intel PXE ROM.
No bootable device -- insert boot disk and press any key


After getting this message I have hard restarted many times , gone into F12 and changed the boot sequence to everything they have to no avail. I removed the original C drive and put the SSD into the 1 position and get the same message. I put the original HDD back in and get the same message. The only thing I get to boot is the Respawn disc. I even tried to do the respawn on the SSD again but now I get the message that I need a 298 Gb drive to do respawn.

I am lost. I was afraid the HDD ribbon cable was may have been messed up but that does not make sense as when I do the diagnostic it, shows the drives as ok.

I hope one of you has a fix for this. I would hate to have to send this back

 

I was going to suggest checking the ribbon but it seems you already did. I know when I ran into that message it was because my HDD ribbon was loose. Might want double or triple check its in properly.

 

Is your SSD brand new or out of another computer?

Lots of people have compatibility issues with various SSD's and OCS is definitely included. You might ask an OSC forum or at least an SSD forum for help.

 

Actually, I got that message after having the SSD installed all day, rebooting 3 or 4 times with no problems then running respawn. And after running the diagnostics that showed both drives as ok, I got the message. I took out the original HHD and moved the SSD to the original's spot, and got the message. I took the SSD out and put the original back in, and got the message. So I do not think it actually is a cable problem. I think it messed up both drives when I did the respawn, hence no recognizable boot drive.

But this is all guesswork from me.

 

I have had this SSD in my M17x R2 for about 8 months with no problems. It was not as the OS drive though.

The odd thing is that the original drive will not boot either.

 

Today I removed the original HDD from the M18x and put it in my M17xR2. It is recognized and I can read or write to the HDD. Therefore, I am going to call support and let them know what has happened and ask for a next day delivery of a new interposer / ribbon assembly.

I do not understand how I can F12, pick diagnostic and it run the tests on the HDD & it be called good if the cable connection is bad. But if the HDD is usable in the M17x, that is the only conclusion I can make.

 

I learn something(s) new everyday. I learned that I can do an independent "test" to see if the HDD is recognizable by inserting the Windows disc and running through the first few steps. It gave me the option of three partitions to install windows in. That should confirme that it is not the ribbon cable, but that I must have corrupted the boot partition somehow.

I am currently reinstalling windows on the original HDD. After doing this, I think I should be able to just repeat the process on the SSD.

--- The support guy has me doing this with the HDD in ATA mode in the BIOS settings. Will this make a difference? Will I be able to reset it to AHCI after finishing? I think I need the SSD set to ACHI before I start it.

 

If you change to AHCI after installling windows you will not be able to boot.

 

If you change the start value in the msahci registry and then reboot, set bios to ahci, then reboot again you will be ok

AHCI : Enable in Windows 7 / Vista - Windows 7 Forums

 

I must have done this when I popped in my SSD.

Yikes. Lucky me.

 

yeah there is always a work around and saw that but by default it's best to set this up before hand and not change after as it causes headaches.

 

I have no doubt. I have to admit I was a tad careless last night but all the steps are being followed going forward with a clean re-install.

 

side question, does one have to uninstall dell stock drivers before installing AMD drivers?

 

Was just looking at what I could have gotten in an X7200 for the same money if I went that route instead of my M18x and was pleasantly surprised

The M18x ended up being cheaper by a about $500 (who knew?) and should actually perform better (2920xm vs 990x) while also getting an additional year of warranty. I also immensely prefer the look and design on the M18x (although those Clevos come with some wicked cooling).

 

That's the same reason why I took the Alienware route. As long as I receive my unit with no defects, I will have no reserves skipping out on the x7200. Though being a year old machine, it still packs quite a punch.

 

Well, I am setting up an exchange for the paint chipped m18x. I was also promised something awhile back for all my issues before, so I will see if they can give me a upgrade in some way, or maybe give me a gift card to get the bag.

 

With Alienware support, I have done a Dell version of a clean install of Windows. I can run the M18x on the original drive. Now I want to do a clean install on the SSD but Windows could not find the SSD. Since I could not get the Windows CD to recognize the SSD, I installed the SSD in the second HDD slot and reformatted it.

I removed the original HDD and moved the SSD to the primary HDD slot and rebooted into the Windows disc. It still would not recognize the SSD. I put the original HDD and SSD back into their slots and I can read / write to the SSD, so I wrote about 9Gb of files to the SSD drive. I reinstalled the SSD in the primary slot and the Windows disc still does not recognize it, Windows suggests to install a device driver. My SSD is an OCZ Agility 2 240Gb. It has worked fine in the secondary slot in my M17xR2 for the past 8 months. Any ideas on why it does not recognize the SSD or says to install a driver for it?

I have also posted this question in the thread How To Clean Windows Install.

 

This might sound odd, but have any of you noticed minor scratches on your screen occuring from the keyboard rubbing against the screen from being opened/closed? I think that might be happening with mine. I only noticed it because I started seeing small rainbow lines on the screen, but a felt cloth easily rubs them away (and no, it's not hair).

 

I have noticed that on my M11x but not the M18x but assume it was just oil from skin that was on keyboard keys. I recommend not putting a lot of pressure on the lid when closed as it can flex and touch the keyboard.

 

A good tip is also to put a thin microfibre cloth on the keyboard so when you close the lid, its protected. Radtech has some nice ones.....

http://www.radtech.us/Products/NotebookScreenSavrz.aspx

 

Another happy owner here, the mothership has landed!

 

Grats Aikimox! Have fun.

 

As a harsh critic of screens, what are your thoughts Aikimox?

 

Thanks Bro!

So far my rating/impression of the system:

Workmanship: 9.5/10
Keyboard: 9.5/10
Connectivity: 10/10
Style: 10/10
Display: 7.5/10
Performance: 10/10
Temperatures: 9.5/10

It's mediocre/good but not even close to the IPS RGBLED.

 

Really quick side question, has anyone tried fitting the m18x into the 17 inch Orion backpack? I don't want to have to get a new pack and the m17x always had a little room for give.

 

Will do in a few hours, stay tuned.

 

The original 17" Orion backpack or the newer TSA one? I have the original 17" Orion backpack and could get the M18x in but was not able to zip it shut, it was VERY tight.

 

Lol, just noticed, the keyboard is in French . Time to learn it I guess...

 

They assume that all orders to Canada want a french keyboard?! Seems rather asinine of them lol

Quebecians must me loving it though......

 

At first I thought it was the new AW styling, lol.

 

I think it was an option of English or French, I sure hope mines not in French, that would be annoying.

 

I believe 5150joker did that, I heard his m18x-R1 barely fitted in the 17 orion.

Anyway My m18x landed yesterday and All I can say is wow, what a machine, is everything I expected and more.

Using the template here are my impressions:


Workmanship: 10/10
Keyboard: 10/10
Connectivity: 10/10
Style: 10/10
Display: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Temperatures:10/10


I have a m17x-R1 side to side to the m18x-R1 and besides the size I can tell that the screen is the same quality.

 

WOW - perfect 10's all round...you MUST be pleased! maybe if you compared the rgbled of the R2 to the M18x, you may drop a point or two....just maybe....

 

Well, I'm official. Surprise delivery this morning. Just opened it to do Alien Recovery backup.

 

Congrats. Isnt it nice when the "mothership" deploys totally by suprise

 

Thanks Stevie, it wasn't even "picked up" by FedEx on the tracking page.

 

I can confirm, the 17 Orion isn't the best option... Now I have to shell out for the 18" Orion... There go my SSD savings

 

First post on the M18x. Still backing up and downloading updates.

 

It looks better because you used a M18x. It must be the graph-feeks.

 

Anybody know a good place to get a mini display port to full display port adapter?

 

Newegg or monoprice

 

Man..mine is in french too this is not cool lol, iv been hitting the wrong keys all day, especially the top key on the tactx macro bar, i keep thinking its the ESC key, my esc key says ECHAP.. lol gotta get an English keyboard asap.

 

I was wondering about this too.....is there not a mini DP to Full Size DP cable for sale?.....without having to use an adaptor?? - I hate having to have "extra bits" floating about that really shouldnt be needed.

 

I imagine there is, I just have the Display Port cables already.

 

There it is your: " 6ft DisplayPort Male to Mini DisplayPort Male 32AWG Cable (Gold Plated Connectors): Amazon.com: 6ft DisplayPort Male to Mini DisplayPort Male 32AWG Cable (Gold Plated Connectors): Everything Else

 

Yeah, me too....well - the full size DP cable that shipped with my U2410.....it obviously wont plug into the M18x's mini DP port. and i'd rather keep adpators etc to a bare minimum if poss. - so, if anyone knows of a DP to Mini DP cable, let me know!

 

Cheers! - now all I have to do is find one in the UK lol - least I know they are actually available! - thanks! + rep.

EDIT: Found one - and in black too! http://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-Mini-DisplayPort-Adapter-Cable/dp/B002XVYZ82

 

Yeah, I'm gonna get an English KB too. Not funny anymore.

 

Are all the canadian models being shipped with a french keyboard? Can you call Alienware and get it replaced under warranty for the right one?