The Area 51 m15x hinge

I had to replace my plastic cover as well, so I can't say for sure. But i think it wouldn't work because there are latches under the cover, which will prevent you from just pulling it out. Maybe it would be enough to remove the screws in the upper part of the cover... (attention: there is one screw under the sticker)

Btw the hinge cover is further secured with two screws, which are under the battery.

Removing the whole cover is really a bunch work, because you firstly have to remove the fans, the keyboard, the CPU heatsink (at least the screws) and the hard drive to be able to remove all of the screws of the top cover.

 

wow, that sounds miserable. I figured it would be tedious, but not that tedious. And I am fighting the temptation to spray the area with wd-40, which would probably be a disaster waiting to happen.

 

I tried WD-40 and also machine oil on the hinges, but there was not much difference.

And one further hint: after you've loosen the hinges, make a test assembly of the screen first, because it could be too loose
If you assemble the cover first it might be a bad surprise when the lid doesn't stay where it should

 

Yeah, thats a good point. However, I think I am just going to leave the hinges as they are. Though they are extremely tight, hopefully this fix will be strong enough to do the job.
My epoxy is just about set, and I have been taking pictures along the way, so I will publish my experiences with this fix when I finish in an hour or 2.

Edit: Did this procedure successfully, worked real well. The problem is, I was having issues w/ my lcd screen, and while I thought I might find out the cause of the problem, I didn't and thus my hinge is fixed and my lcd is not, so once I fix the LCD screen problem, I will add my 2 cents in a follow-up post, with pictures included. Good luck to anyone who is attempting this.

PS: One quick tip, when you are positioning the nuts and supergluing them, TAKE YOUR TIME! Check and see that each nut is aligned with the holes on your hinge after you have glued them but have not yet put in the epoxy. Once you put the epoxy in, there is not much you can do. Unfortunately for me, One screw wasnt perfectly aligned, and after epoxying it I realized the issue, and I can't Figure out any way to fix it. GOOD LUCK!

 

Nice work guys...Very informative..

Am planning to do the same with the hinge of my m15x,
which is creaking but not yet broken.(just to be on safer side)

@trees415 - looking forward to your detailed review too.

Peace~

 

What kind of issues do you have with the LCD?
I've had some flickering problems and fixed them, so maybe I can help...

 

please! its been a while since i last wrote and i will say that if i told you the experience ive had with alienware very recently you would all flip OUT! i dont have enough time to write it all now. but maybe soon? anyway... I would really appreciate an update on how the epoxy is holding up, also what epoxy should i buy?

 

epoxy is still holding up. i used epoxy steel. the one i used is Quik epoxy steel from hammerhead america. i tried finding it on amazon again but i cant find it there anymore

 

epoxy is still holding up here too. don't anticipate any problems with it for a looooong time.

 

How is everyone's hinges holding up with the expoxy ???

 

my alienware is about in 2 pieces just a couple wires holding it together.
i noticed after my warranty expired, my plactic was cracking and the screws were popping out and chunks of plastic were fallking off . the black frame is in 2 parts now
I prop the back up and push the keyboard up close and game away.
about the same time i got my alienware my friend got me an apple air
i hated it alot and loaned it out
when i got it back it was about in the same shape as my alien
but apple totally repaired and replace my air. as if it were in waranty.
so i got curious maybe alienware would honor a repair for a default.
problem is i cant get an address to complain. dell wont talk to me cause i have an AW sales number .. cant find an email address.
any suggestions. the on line sales tech are clueless
?
if i have to do the repairs myself im sure gonna need you guys to help me.
tell me exactly what you think i should do?
i feel that AW is responsible for free repairs.

ty
deja

 

Has anyone used Araldite?

 

I had an inspiration from Zforce1 on ebay.

I tried to put two screws into each nut, from either end. One to hold the lid and the other to hold the hinge. I figured that the nut is 6mm long. I ordered 16 M2.5x4mm screws. Unfortunately, there isn't enough thread for screws on both sides. Too loose!

I understand that Zforce1 doesn't do the mod anymore.

I ordered a new grade B panel B instead.

The lesson here is be careful when you open the m15x lid! In my case the plastic nut holder came crumbling out. They will eventually rot, so it would be prudent to put epoxy down. I think I will go with the PL Premium. I used that still to glue my concrete pool steps. Ugly orange color but it was solid.

 

bumped. How's everyone's hinge reinforcements doing?

I just took apart my display and used J-B Weld epoxy (from Lowe's). It looked like the strongest stuff they had (I think it was rated just under 4,000psi). I'll let it sit over night and see how it feels from there. I need to loosen my hinges a little also.

 

i posted in the wrong forum earlier but im having major problems

im still within warranty but after two replacements they have suddenly decided that the broken hinge is my fault?!?

they went from one minute saying yup no problem we'll replace that for you to no YOU did suck it up

though i have never had a problem with AW/Dell up until now, theyve always been very helpful especially as over the last 2 years theyve seen more of my £1600 laptop than i have (hinge, hard drive, motherboard + hinge, hinge)

but stumped as to what to do. The laptop has gone well past point of repair screen doesnt work, corner is missing a screw, power pack cable has come loose.

((starts ripping hair out!!!))

 

Sorry to hear you are having problems. Yeh, this m15x had issues with the hinge.

 

its getting more than a bit stressfull!

i even got accused of kicking it which would be a neat trick as ive been a wheelchair user for 10 years after a motorbike accident!

any tips on what to do next? i KNOW i didnt cause any damage to it and i really just want a laptop that works not anything new or singing and dancing just a laptop that works

this is really starting to get me down

 

Wriggley,

At this point I'd place a call directly to the folks at Alienware's headquarters in Miami. There are folks there who can and will help you: (305) 251-9797

These guys are all that's left of the 'real' Alienware. All of the other support numbers will get you to Dell folks who's only real interest is getting you to pay more money for another notebook.

There is NO excuse for their behavior... this is a KNOWN issue and has been a known issue since about 2-3 months after that model was released for sale.

In the unlikely event the corporate folks can't get this matter straightened out for you, there is a third-party company Ztronics ( www.ztronics.com) who should be able to repair your notebook... they are one of the few Alienware authorized service centers that still exist.

 

thank you for your help. the issue has now been escalated to the next level up.

i'll let you know how it goes

 

Hi all,

So my m15x has joined list of other with the hinge problem, my m15x is nearly two and a half years old now.

I spent £2700 in total on this laptop so I am pretty upset, warranty expires at the end of this year.

(Previously I had graphics card issue and hair line crack near main keyboard)

I have always heard the creeking noise when opening my laptop but iv always looked after my laptop, being careful to open it each time. So when i see the screw just fall out on Sunday I was shocked.

Spoke to the Alienware tech on Sunday..said his supervisor was in on Monday and id have to wait until then, so i sent him an email with the 3 pictures (below).

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

So today (Monday) I waited until 15:00.... nothing...so I phoned Tech support, explained no one contacted me and asked what happening. The techi said to me that alienware have closed their repair service and might just offer me a replacement machine from their new range... i asked if it would be something of a similar spec (processor, graphics card ect,), He said it would depend and id just have to wait to see what was going to happen.

Waited until 18:00 when they have just asked me to send another 3 pictures of the hinge + case closed (below)

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

Aleinware said contact will be made by Wednesday...that probably means me chasing them up Wednesday to see why they aint contacted me ¬¬'

Im really unsure if they offer me a new system it will be a fair offer and if they offer me a new system would it include a new warranty.

Any advice? Anyone had experience of aleinware making an offer? (was it fair ect.)

Will keep you guys updated.

 

What they told you was complete bull - certainly here in the UK they still have the irish depot repairing these systems. They fixed the screen on my m9750 just last month!
If your getting no joy then send mr Dell a direct email regarding this issue giving a phone number and the best time for them to call. You should receive a callback within 24 hours to resolve the issue.

 

Thanks for the info, any telephone numbers / emails I could contact you know?

So I got an email just saying they confirmed the hinge problem and they wanted my original invoice.
Iv not got this [after 2 and half years], so iv attached the email auto generated after i paid with my credit card which basically states all the information of the invoice they sent me, which includes invoice no. and order number. Also I sent 2 screen shots of my online 'My Hive Support' area invoice - showing the same info.

Just waiting to see how they respond.

 

Update:
So I called aleinware to see whats going on as iv had no calls / email about this 'offer'.

I spoke to the same techi who I started this process with and he just told me apparently now they do or more accuratley will have the parts to repair the computer, but they dont know when they will get them.

I said 'you got 10 working days to contact me or I want a replacement system'.

I think they are playing games with me to be honest.

So im gonna email dell as suggested, any specific contact email you guys know?

 

well ive just had alienware on the phone i actually think im going to cry.

theyve turned down the repair of the hinge on my laptop saying i caused the damage. at one point it was even suggested i kicked it (which would be a neat trick for a cripple!!!) it looked a lot like yours zeggy

Dont know what im going to do

 

Update: Yesterday 23/05/2011 was the 10th day I agreed to wait for contact about these parts for the repair..

..no one contact me as expected.

I called alienware spoke to some techi who said something like "oh noes our internal database system is down call back thursday!" ...for this I gave them a good ear full and said i wanted to speak to somone now as I was not going to wait for thursday and wanted a replacement system not a repair as the deadline had now passed.

Sent an email to [email protected] and [email protected] with a everything that was said in the conversation and said I wanted an immediate response.

TODAY

I checked my email and had an email form their specialist escalation techi and he basically said in previous email they agreed the replacement system option and that they would honour that option.

Said they would offer me same value new m17x as my current system and that I would need send the current system back to them at my own expense..

Good deal??? - need some people views plz so i can make my mind up

Total Price of M17x system I have chosen: £3,309.00
Total Price of my current system : £2,717.78
The difference money I must pay Aleinware : £591.22

Included in your system:
COLOUR CHOICE -Alienware M17x Stealth Black
PROCESSOR -Intel® Core™ i7 Processor 2820QM (2.30Ghz, 6MB, 4C)
OPERATING SYSTEM -English Genuine Windows®7 Home Premium SP1 (64 BIT)
GRAPHICS CARD -2GB GDDR5 AMD® Radeon™ HD 6970M w/ PowerXpress
MEMORY -16GB 1333MHz DDR3 Dual Channel (4X4GB)
HARD DRIVE -640GB (2x320GB) SATA Raid 0 "Stripe" (7,200rpm) Dual HDD
LCD17.3" Wide -FHD (1920 x 1080) WLED LCD
OPTICAL DRIVE -DVD+/-RW (DVD, CD read and write)
WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY -Intel Wireless LAN 6300 3x3 (802.11a/b/g/n) Card - EUR
PRIMARY BATTERY -Primary 9 cell Li-Ion Default Base Battery
SECURITY SOFTWARE -No Antivirus Software
SERVICES AND SUPPORT -4Yr Next Day Hardware Support
ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE PROTECTION -4 years Accidental Damage Protection

Accessories

AVATAR -Alienware Logo
STEAM AND PORTAL -Steam® Client and Portal™ Game - Factory Installed

Also included with your system

BLUETOOTH -Dell Wireless 375 Bluetooth Card - EUR
Gedis Bundle -Reference N05W7V01
Order Information Alienware M17x R3 Order - UK
Shipping Documents -English Documentation
Dell System Media Kit- Alienware Resource DVD
Power Supply -240W AC Adaptor
Keyboard -Internal UK/Irish Qwerty Keyboard
Call Dell Experts One free Dell Expert call to help with your PC queries within 60 days of purchase
Standard Warranty -1 year Next Business Day Hardware Support included with your PC
Hidden NamePlate Engraving -Generic Name Plate Engraving

Carrying Cases No Carrying Case
AutoMatic Updates AutoMatic updates - On
Speakers No speakers required
Camera Integrated 3.0 Mega Pixel HD Camera
Cables UK 2M 250V Power Cord
TimeZone (GMT + 00.00) Dublin, Edinburgh, Lisbon, London

 

Hi, can you give me the brand of Epoxy Metal used?

 

I have been searching how to fix hinge issue and came across this forum and 2 videos on youtube. I have same question that many asked but didn't find the answer.
1. How to remove hinge cover, so that I can loosen up the hinge? In the youtube video MysticIncarnate suggests to use force, but someone on the forum mentioned that there are 2 screws. Panel is disassambled right now and I see that one of the hinges is not vertical to the keyboard, but under appr 45 degree angle. I am afraid it would prevent me from putting everything back together unless I remove hinge cover and loosen hinges up.
2. If two nuts out of 8 that need to be glued are misplaced - would 3 on each side be able to support the screen?

 

Hi,
I have made some videos when I replaced the LCD cover about 5 months ago. Never got time to stitch together the videos and upload it :-(. To answer your question, there are two screws in the bottom of the hinge which needs to be removed (I think beneath the battery). If you apply force, I am afraid it will break off. It is quite simple process to remove those 2 screws!
I am having 2 screws on one side and 3 on the other side of the screen bottom. So far it is holding good - I guess the glue is doing a good job there!

 

Hey i've had my m15x for just over a year an ever since i had it the hinge was starting to go now ive kinda had to do DIY.... pic will be attached (pic shows a big screw going through hinge to the back where i chopped screw so would stab myself travelling.

i was wondering how you have 1920x1200 res? as i only have 1440x900. also my cpu is stuck at x4 T9300 2.5Ghz so im having to use throttlestop to put it back to normal an well couldnt help but OC to 2.7Ghz. did u ever come across a problem with the cpu stuck at x4?

 

That's a sad picture of a M15x

 

indeed

What are your CPU temperatures?