Ripley M17x-R1 questions

I am having a problem with my now out of warranty m17x. I got one of the first ones back in 2k7 and have been fairly happy with it. I believe it is the Ripley (now called R1 I believe) Only had two problems with it after I had it.

Current problem. For the past few months the screen is pink and then clears up after a second or two after coming out of power save mode. Today the display is blank. I noticed after trying to troubleshoot that the bios boot screen is VERY faint and I can't see windows at all. After looking on the interwebs, I see there is a flaw with the lcd power mode chip. I was wondering what the part price is on this and if it is easy to replace. Alienware recommends sending it in to ztronics.com. I don't think it's the GPUs, since I swapped each one in and out to see if there was a difference. Both times I barely saw the intel logo, so I am thinking it's not the GPUs and it is the lcd power mode chip.

Anyone hear about ztronics.com? I have replaced the keyboard and GPUs, so I am not afraid to try to replace the chip if it isn't much more complicated.

Also, I wanted to know if there were any upgrade options for the GPUs. I currently have dual 8800GTX (Nvidia). I think ztronics said I could go up to 9800 Gt. Would it be a good performance boost to upgrade? I am currently playing Shogun Total war 2 on it and the performance is good considering the age, but I wanted to know if I could upgrade the GPUs to something more modern to get some better performance or is the architecture rigged for obsolescence?

I might consider upgrading the motherboard and cpu if it's possible. Suggestions are welcome.

Thanks for the answers in advance.

Also, it came with 2GB and I upgraded it to 4GB. Would an 8GB upgrade be good or possible?

 

Maybe the ccfl(s) died? Would be cheaper then replacing a chip.

motherboard upgrade => impossible
Cpu upgrade => x9000 is the best cpu possible

gfx upgrade => a member has sli gtx 280m running but is still expiriencing some problems. It might be possible to get dual 4850 in this laptop but good luck finding these cards.

4=>8 gb , depends on your applications and games, most don't benifit from this upgrade. There are lots of topics about this subject, search on the forums and you'll find more info.

 

What is the CCFL? Is it a generic part I could buy and install?

I use the computer mostly for games. Would a cpu upgrade vs a gpu upgrade only, be beneficial?

The radeon 4850 is what i assume you are talking about. Are they not made anymore?

i guess the 9800 vs the 8800 isn't significantly different?

Thanks for your answers!

 

Also, can I connect the computer to my tv by using a svideo cable? I see an svideo port.

 

Cold cathode - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - inside your screen to light it up. It might be broken (not lighting your screen anymore). Probably not as hard to replace as a chip on the motherboard but not sure how you could test this. (other display?)

Indeed, radeon 4850 crossfire. Don't think this has ever been tested before and it might work in your laptop. Little bit faster then a 280m sli but risky and expensive. Upgrading to 9800gt sli would be really stupid since it's exactly the same card as your current 8800m.

Only viable upgrade is an gtx 280m sli setup which a member tried recently:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/gaming-software-graphics-cards/563923-280m-mxm-2-1-sli-vbios-driver-hack-no-cable-area-51-m17x-dual-gtx280m-project-thread.html

Not working like it should but already a bit faster then sli 8800M. I'd not get this untill he gets it 100% working, not worth the cost!

And yes you can connect a television using the svideo port.

 

Do you know of any dis assembly guides for this machine? I have found some, but the don't seem to be the same model as mine. According to Alienware hive, I got the Area-51 m17x back in may of 2k8.

I will hook up my computer to the tv via svid. If it works, then it probably is the screen, if not, they I guess it could be the chip.

I just don't like the idea of sending my laptop to cali (ztronics.com) and paying for a $129 diag, if I can fix it myself. do you know of any reputable vendors on the east coast, that might be able to repair this?

Thanks for you help.

 

Sorry but i can't seem to find a guide myself (and i've been looking, i've got a m17x barebone and lots of small parts coming my way to build a working laptop )

Unless your 8800m's are broken you will get a decent image on your tv since it has it's own backlights (or it's a crt tv)

There is probably something wrong with the chip or inverter (voltage convertor) or ccfl. Unsure how you could test this since you probably do not have any spare parts available.

eBay.be: New Alienware Area 51-M M17x-R1 Full Complete Barebones (object 190526398506 eindtijd 24-mei-11 23:11:44 CEST)

looks like a good deal for you, you'll get a new motherboard - plastic housing - display so you can be certain it'll work again and have a like new laptop.

And you can sell the parts which still work on ebay so it'll cost you less then a diagnose + fix will.

 

Thanks. You have been a big help. You've earned rep from me.

Last question. As you can probably tell, I am not as tech savy as I once was. Fortunately I am not as into PC gaming as I was so, i am satisfied with this old laptop. I bought it with all the bells and whistles. I was told it was one of the first ones off the assembly line. It came with some broken parts, so I think it was a test model before they ramped assembly up.

I wanted to get the warranty extended and stayed on top of them about my desire, but I think they lied to me. When I asked why I hadn't gotten a notice about a warranty extension, they said they sent one and spelled out my email without my asking. They transposed the last letter from n to m.

They seem to have gone well down south since the Dell takeover. Anyway...

The ebay auction might be tempting if I knew how to open the lcd assembly, but since I don't and the fact that I have a lighted keyboard, kinda makes the auction a little less appealing. Also since I don't do business with ebay since the became a scammer haven at the turn of the century and they are now in bed with PayPal, I refuse to deal with them.

I would have hoped that maybe (like back in the good old days, with pc cases) they would have made the laptop able to be upgradable. I guess I will encrypt my hard drive and bite the bullet sending it to ztronics for repair.

Sorry to ramble and thanks again.

 

Sorry to hear about the warrranty problems, my brother has a xps 1710 and has had some problems with it. It got repaired very very fast each time, can't complain. But i've read some bad things about the Alienware legacy support departement

Repairing your m17x using the barebone as parts and then selling everything depends on your technical skills and if you aren't very confident i'd not buy it. Still looking for the service manual myself, if i ever find it i'll send it to you!

Upgrading memory and cpu shouldn't be hard, even for you . Unscrewing a cover, some crews, swap cpu's and screw everything back together! What's your current cpu? It might be worth upgrading if you still have a 65nm c2d.

 

CPEN,INTEL T9300 CPU,2500/800,6M,FCPGA6 SCREENED

I don't think I do anything cpu intense, but I would be willing to upgrade, what do you think?

bought and s video cable and everything shows up on my TV. Your probably right, it's the ccfl and not the power mode chip.

You think the cpu upgrade would be worth it?

And if you find the manual, i would appreciate the hook up. But don't count on it. all I got with my system was a 5 page booklet telling me how to plug in the power adapter, literally. composed of pictures. It didn't even explain how to turn it on with the touch power button. I had to call tech support to figure out how to turn it on and I work with computers.

It would surprise me to find out they went back and composed a disassembly manual.

 

I have not heard of a manual, but there are a few documented procedures with pictures on the Alienware Hive. They are for things like replacing the video cards, wireless cards, disk drives, keyboard, etc. Search for "area 51" and m17x in the FAQ/Knowledge Base of the Hive. They do have one on replacing the CPU heatsink. Since the motherboard appears to be only used in this system, I don't think a manual will ever be found unless it is smuggled out of Alienware.

I have the X9000 2.8 GHz CPU (best one that is compatible) in my Area 51 M17x. It got 12,800 on outgoing test from Alienware in 3DMark 06. With current drivers, I get around 12,300 on the same test. My cards are SLI 8800M GTX which is supposedly identical to the SLI 9800M GT.

 

There has to be a service manual for techs to use during service, it just hasn't been leaked.

And upgrading to a x9000 is only a 300mhz boost which you probably won't notice Unless you are not afraid of overclocking! If you get a X9000 and throttlestop you can raise the multiplier and get it running at higher speeds

i know someone running his x9000 at 17x200 - 3400mhz in a area 51 m17x, 800mhz upgrade! That's probably worth it but only if you can grab a cheap x900 100$ish, not 200$.

 

9800M GT is a 8800GTX rebadge. 9800GTX's or SLI 280M's are the only upgrades, barring the 4850's, which would murder if they were compatible and you could find some.