*OFFICIAL* M18x Owner's Lounge Thread

I'm sure you can get it replaced under warranty.

On a different note, does anyone have a problem of aero disappearing once in every few boots?

 

Every now and then when an app turns off Aero (some games) it doesn't turn back on when the app closes, that is the only Aero issue I have seen. I need to do more testing, it may be related to Aero being off when it goes to sleep.

 

Dunno... my system boots w/o aero now and then. Also, I've noticed that sometimes one of the cards forgets to downclock itself and the temp difference may reach 10-12c. I wonder if it's a driver related issue or something else...

 

You could completely wipe the drivers (cccleaner or such) and re-install I guess.

 

yep my card #1 reaches from 50c to 64c just by browsing the web. it must be flash or something triggering the clock changes.

 

It is probably trying to run a WEI measurement. I would do this, go to start - task scheduler - expand task scheduler library - expand Microsoft - expand windows - click maintenance and delete the winSAT which runs at a schedule like a reboot or idle time and it does disable aero when it runs.

 

Disabling winSAT didn't help, but if turn the CF off and then ON again, the clocks drop to the lowest and stay there during normal operation. The brightness goes max in that case till the next reboot. I already went from stock to AMD drivers, no difference...

 

i posted this in the wrong place.

got mine today, they didnt set up raid. Also, where the webcam is, is the screen glass flush with the cover? mine is not flush were the webcam is. Also, when i open it clickes out off the cover a little???im gonna ask for new replacement.

 

Alright weird question,

I happened to go into my BIOS today to check settings and I noticed that my Storage controller was set to RAID. I am not raiding my SSD with my Seagate XT, so I figured change it to AHCI. This did not bode well, I tried to boot and blue screens galore. Tried to repair windows start up and no luck. Am I missing out a lot from not being on AHCI? Should I start from scratch? When would I have changed the BIOS to AHCI during installation?

 

Yes I'm experiencing the same behavior every few boots, i have a feeling it may have something to do with an option we checked off during the intel iGPU/AMD driver installation, somewhere along the way i remember checking of a setting that said "enable/disable aero automatically" or something like that.

 

If the OS was installed with raid enabled in the bios (which it was, same on my machine), it will ONLY work with raid enabled in the bios. This is not like switching between AHCI and ATA where a reg edit is all that is needed. So you need to leave raid enabled or re-install. I went the re-install route as I knew I would never be raiding drives in my M18x and did not want to wait for that additional screen when booting. You should leave it raid enabled though if you will ever be doing raid down the road as you can just clone that install to the raid array and it will work properly since it was setup with raid enabled to begin with (even though a single drive this will still work)

 

BAH! Am I missing out on a lot of real world speed difference with my SSD? Between Raid and AHCI that is.

 

mine was also set up with raid. so its left like that for now. my boot is set for my ssd now with my seagate hybrid as a data drive. 2 different drives yet in raid via bios. dells only mistake on my laptop lol.

 

Raid and AHCI operate the same actually. RAID includes all AHCI functionality and them some additional stuff. You will have no performance hit, just a couple seconds slower boot time lol while waiting on that screen

 

Ok cool. You can just hit ESC to skip that screen when the reboot starts, so no worries than.

 

Weird my m18x was set as RAID as well, I ordered with 1 drive. When I first got it I was going to post asking the same question about the difference between RAID and AHCI, but decided to just try to change it to AHCI. Machine booted fine. I haven't re-installed the OS it is the factory install.

 

Interesting. My Factory install would not even boot properly for me, only tried once though before loading Windows on the SSD lol

 

Must be nice for you guys... you get RAID setup when you don't ask for it. I a specifically order it and it's not setup on my machine. So let the calls begin... bah!

 

Mav, it could only happen to you fella.....

God knows why they cant get something so simple RIGHT at the outset to avoid lots of misery upon arrival....Im sure you will sort them out

 

Mine just arrived! But the happiness only last 5 mins....after I open the lid....there are two dents on the media button panel...and keyboard is a little bit flex...the rest parts are ok. Now it's time to call customer service...should I ask for replacement or just repair....It looks not very difficult to replace the media panel....but it's brand new.....I hate this situation.

 

Raid was enabled in the bios but I still only had a single disk in the system.

 

my crossfire is all messed up, getting a replacement shipped out.

 

wow that some mayor damage you have, what they they did to it bite it?

When Mine arrive the Accessory box was kinda squeezed and I feared something wrong might had happen to the computer, but luckily nothing was damage.

I have to say that I am surprised FedEx (add Delivery company name in here)wouldn't care better for the machines, they clearly marked Fragile.

 

Same for me.

 

Fragile means throw it across the warehouse dude...

 

got another year of warranty =p

 

well, mine is getting replaced due to the paint chipped lid. I will get the order number in a bit and hopefully it should be shipped soon. I tried to get it upgraded for the hassle, but no can do.

Meanwhile, I am using this machine and loving it.

 

Update on my DOA m18x: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware/580888-alienware-service-calls-2.html#post7539376

To summarize:
Dell CS told me they couldn't change my replacement order (I requested to remove the factory 4GHz overclock and change from 460m SLI to 6970m CF)

Dell Corporate Escalations took care of me and cancelled the order and replaced it with what I requested. Pleased if it goes through soon

 

Same here! try to ask them for freebie but no...they already sent me the Ups returning slip yesterday right after I requested for exchange. Will you be able to see the status of the replacement in your account? Did you get service call number?

 

How is everyone's experience of the Dual Crossfire 6970s as compared to the Dual Crossfire 5870s from their previous M17x R2 systems?

Now I know the entire M18x is a beast of performance however I would still like to read your thoughts and experiences. Should be awesome stuffs!

Cheers.

 

my 6970s are not doing well in crysis 2.

 

any m18x owners with a vertex 3 ssd in it? wanted to confirm there are no "wake up from sleep" issues with it

 

I have one installed. Running fine so far.

 

Did you have to jump through hoops to get it to work? I was considering getting one but NewEgg has sooo many reviews of frustration and dissappointment with the Vertex 3. Those that get it to work say it is screaming fast but there is so much agony of defeat.

 

There is just one tweak to do now that the new firmware is out. To prevent freezing LPM needs to be disabled with a simple registry change.

 

Ditto...

My M18x came with RAID setup, even though it only had one SSD drive (I added the other drive myself the same day I got the laptop). I changed it to AHCI with no issues.

 

I just updated the firmware, installed windows 7, and disabled LPM.

 

It is unanimous. Thanks for that info. It seems like others in the OCZ forum are still having problems inspite of the new firmware and disabling LPM but since you both got it working with teh m18x, maybe I should get one. Did either or both of you get the Max IOPS?

 

Just a correction - i fixed it on my M17x-R3 which now goes back, my M18x is still in production..

 

Mine is the regular version

 

Anyone else getting a ton of use out of their Wireless HD besides me?

I've been playing a ton of Starcraft II (maxed setting) on a 50" plasma and it's been rocking my world. Not to mention a small amount of Leverage (from Amazon Unbox). Really impressed so far.

 

Just ordered mine .

 

I tried setting up my wireless HD yesterday, I have the vizio setup. For some reason it is not being picked up by the computer when I try and set it up?? I thought maybe the SiBEAM was not working, but I looked under hardware and it shows up, says its working fine.

 

Make sure the receiver is set up properly and that the TV/monitor is on with HDMI plugged in.

 

How's the working distance from with the Vizio JCrichton ? Can it go through walls etc ? how far can the laptop be from the receiver ?

 

I'm curious why you would try and play through walls...?

Anyway, JCrichton, I'm curious about switching between displays.

I've messed with my R1's settings time and again and it seems that the easiest way to switch between the laptop display and the TV is just to plug/unplug the HDMI cable in to the R1.

I'd really like it to be able to read and switch when the TV is on, or even better, treat the TV as a second display that only shows up when the TV is on, but no matter what I did, the settings would get wonky on me.

So I'm curious how you have yours set up and how switching works with the wireless HD.

 

Hey Guys! Is anyone into re-pasting right now? If so, could you please also disassemble the lid and see if you can check the exact screen model or count the number of pins on the LCD cable connector (the one on the LCD not the mobo connector) whichever is easier?

The info will help us find the best screen upgrade option for the M18x!

Your help will be greatly appreciated!

 

Second that!!!

 

IT HAS FINALLY LANDED!!! WOOOHOOOOO!!!! Oh man this is the greatest laptop I've ever owned. (it's only my 2nd lol) Though I had the same issue as most everyone else who ordered RAID. It wasn't. Setting it up now using Intel's RST that was included on the system. Seems easy enough.

 

I just use mine plugged in via HDMI so I didn't opt into the Wireless HD.

I have all 3 seasons of Leverage from Unbox as well