List of Owners of M11x That Have Hinges Damaged or Repaired Already

I just ordered some metal epoxy after seeting this list

 

They replaced my screen today with another AUO screen I was hoping for a SEC screen but just happy to get it fixed.

I asked the tech if he was going to get a M11x. He said that he will when they get the problem with the hinges corrected! It seems as though the only problem that he has had to ever fix on this model is the hinge problem. He is now a well employed screen replacement artist.

 

jeremyshaw

you can make this preventive bonding if you can





and there is a youtube video for the easy fix for this M11X FIX VIDEO


hope this will help make preventive approach.

 

@Cpt. Zero Thank you very, very much!

 

list updated.

 

i hope dell would look into this problem seriously for thier r3 m11x, if it would be releasing soon.

 

So are we supposed to get our LCDs replaced every few months? Dell is not going to offer a real solution for this and just keep replacing them?

 

As far as we know, yes that's their plan. We've heard a slew of rumors, all of them proving to be false, from Dell representatives about supposed fixes being out there.

 

I am just going to complain until I get a replacement or credit towards my M17x I just ordered if they don't want to cooperate I will just return my brand new M17x and cancel the order that hasn't shipped yet lol.

 

If it were me, I wouldn't stop until I got a brand new - not refurbished - replacement.

 

What's the status of your hinges, Slickie? Have you had to have it replaced yet?

 

No, but my screen has scratches from the keys already and that despite the fact that for the first 2 months I always used some sort of insert for protection. Frankly I'm not concerned about it. I can only see it when the LCD is off.

I stopped worrying and being excessively careful with mine about a month ago and started treating it like I have all of my other laptops. If the hinges are going to go I don't think babying it is going to matter much if at all. I'd much rather have Dell start replacing hinges as early into my warranty as possible. 1 to 2 months out from the end of my warranty I hope that some of the people who have already purchased Square Trade warranties will have some feedback on whether hinges are covered the same as Dell would. I'll make the decision at that point whether to sell it or keep it shell out cash for an extended warranty. I will not be keeping it without a warranty, that's for sure.

 

that would be the luxury of having to request for a replacement because of warranty. but even if i can get a replacement, it would be much of a hassle to keep on replacing the hinges holder. hmmm i hope they can make those necessary changes in hinge holder design.

 

I hear you on that. My wife loves our M11x more than anything made by Apple or any other gear, so we've pretty much decided that we're keeping it and buying a Dell extended warranty and just sucking up the difference from if we had purchased the extended warranty when placing the order.

Even with the maddening PB issue and this hinge issue, I readily admit that aesthetically the M11x is still a way sexy getup in terms of form and size vs. performance and battery life that I'm still seriously considering an m11x-R3 whenever that may come depending on how good the upgraded GPU/CPU is and if there is a better panel included.

One thing is for sure, if I do ever buy another m11x, I definitely will be getting an accidental damage extended warranty

 

You can add me to the list, I'm sending mine off Monday morning to have the hinges repaired.

 

No chance of on-site repair? I believe the consensus here was been that that's preferable to sending it off.

 

ok list updated now

 

Any chance you can reduce the font size of the list on the first post? The size you have now makes it difficult to read easily.

 

Bought mine from Best Buy and it seems they will only repair mine if I ship it to them. I'll update when I get it back.

 

Is that Best Buy telling you that or Dell?

 

ok man, have reduced the first page post at its original font size for reading convenience. anyway, update list now.

 

it is much better that you might check the warranties for that. is it true that dell replace some m11x laptops with hinge problems with brandnew laptop?

 

I received it on Oct 7th and the only problem I am having is the different gap of the hinge on left and right and raised palm rest on the right side.

I heard from somewhere that the way to greatly enhance m11x hinge's life is to keep the angle of the laptop within 100 degrees. I hope this helps to give people's m11x hinges more life until Dell fixes it in the future, which seems unlikely at the moment =P

Iwill post again once I experience broken hinges. Keep up the with tracking those who have already experienced broken hinges. I support you.

 

From a dell korean cafe site who got so pissed off at his fifth broken hinge that the technician who helped fix his five times gave him an advice. I cannot translate it into English but the thing is that as it goes over 100 degrees, it starts to give the hinge pressure over the plastic part, the one attached to the metal hinge, can handle or something =P

Well.. who knows the truth ! Might as well try as see..
We have not much options.

 

i usually update the list in the first page, and i usually go to the old post of hinge problems and put them on list. hopefully i will search and enlist more of the m11x who has this problem. but i hope they would come and post themeselves to validate their being on the list soon.

 

the Updated list AT THE FIRST PAGE with color coding for the intensity of the numbers having problems with the hinge.

OMG after scrolling almost a hundred pages of hinge issue thread... whew its such hard just going through the conversations, i think the updated list would make STILL half or 25% of the list ... more or less i guess...

so for those who have just happen to have the same problem... please make your concern known and enlist here... i really hope dell would make a serious step in addressing this problem (the quick replacement of hinges and the lcd cover is such good news to those who can claim warranty is a welcome fix for the moment )... i love my m11x and hoping this hinge concerns would not make it less desirable laptop.

 

Great job, Cpt Zero!

 

Picture of my M11x's hinge.....

After having this hinge fail on me while travelling and having to purchase a new computer, external drive enclosure, productivity software for my new computer due to the inoperability of the m11x I have decided to send it back to dell have them replace it, put the replaced unit in a box and never touch it again. I literally had to spend 4 hours transferring files, email profiles etc scrunched over a limp flickering m11x screen laying flat on a desk. In this day and age I did not think it would be possible to have such a poorly engineered project released by the largest computer manufacturer in the world.

Chalk it up to getting caught up in the hype. I cannot trust this piece of crap while travelling. I remember when the alienware first came out everyone was talking about how great the build quality was. I have never heard of hinges failing within 4 months of normal use (if not less). I hope this thread proves to Dell that they have forever tainted the Alienware brand by releasing such a crappy product. Lesson learned never again.

 

hmmm i have been sketching some design for hinge holder for dell to consider lol

The Problem




hopefully a design concept to fix the hinge issue lol

 

Holy crap! I didn't even know there are that many people on forums with m11x!

Just wow.... And BIG +rep!

And this week there was 25% off in the outlet. Wanna bet we're gonna break 100 ? ^^

 

I'm curious as to how many of you had Dell come out to fix your hinges AFTER you've done the epoxy fix (and obviously it broke again or didn't work) and if the repair guy noticed anything.

 

i guess most of the guys enlist have their hinge replace. mine i re bond my left hinge with another brand of steel epoxy because the left bond came off. it was more of a bad mix of epoxy because it become soft unlike the right hinge of mine that is also bond but it bond really well. now the new bonded left hinge is really holding well.

for my opinion, it will really last longer than a replaced hinge because the problem of the design is that the plastic that holds the golden bolt that the hold the screw of the hinge was the CULPRIT. the plastic holder was thin that it will easily be broken with such pressure of the hinge in constant opening and closing. but when the metal frame of the hinge is being hold up by the EPOXY BOND, the pressure of the hinge is distributed entirely on the metal being clamped on the magnesium alloy that is where the metal hinge laid down. With no EPOXY BOND, the metal hinge are only laying on the top of the magnesium alloy but no BOND or no HOLD from both. the only thing that hold up is that THIN PLASTIC HOLDING THE GOLDEN BOLT where the metal hinge is screwed.



now you see... the bonded solution will be a real MESSY SOLUTION and not just a BAND AID that will be replaced from time to time that the plastic holder with broke off.

The EPOXY BOND is like this design where the whole metal hinge will be HOLD down with the BRACKET.



or maybe this design

 

sorry if this is not right but add me to that list

LockOn-usa-repaired at 3months they broke at 2months

 

You are already on the list - Cpt. Zero pulled you out from the big thread:

"65. LockOn i dont think a video is necessary basically any noise from hinges is not good mine makes a creaking sound as i open and close it or even just move around if its on my lap"

So it got worse...

 

87. iceColdgin/Philippines/m11xR1/ - left hinge has a slight play already after only 3 months of use. there are no cracks but lid does not close properly. i need to push the left hinge down a little

 

Hey guys. My right hinge makes a clicking sound when opening and closing. I can see that the plastics on the hinge seem to come apart then click back together when moving the screen back and forth.

I'm quite worried as I bought the laptop pretty cheap over ebay, its also a German version, with a German keyboard. Will I have warranty? If it does break, will Dell UK (I live in the UK) come out and fix it?

 

Count me in - 6 months, two busted hinges. three months seems to be the lifespan. LOL

 

Haven't had any hinge problems, but I did have the screen replaced because of the keyboard scratching the screen. Praise the Lord for warranty repairs, right?

 

have heard from an other hinge thread that dell is making it a global warranty where you can request for warranty repairs and replacement any deal outlets around the globe.

anyway just enjoy the laptop, and used the warranty when the hinge broke. after the warranty just DIY your hinge with EPOXY BONDING. bonding is a real solution and i can attest to it because my right hinge was bonded and it has no issues for 8months now.

 

Woohoo! I'm number 35!

I've said it before, I don't know if anyone else has caught the idea, and while Capt. Zero is right that continuing to have the panel replaced is only a temporary fix until they fix the design -

I still say the simplest solution would be to follow Microsoft's lead with the XBox 360 RROD debacle and just put a press release saying that broken hinge repair, and only broken hinge repair would get a free and automatic extended warranty for 3 years (avg. "use" life of a gaming enthusiast machine) on broken hinges.

And then honor that specific and free extended warranty for everyone until they implement a proper fix to be applied when applicable.

Just that move right there, while still risking future broken hinges, would at least give me peace of mind that I could really enjoy this beauty %100

Instead of how I feel now, which is enjoying it %80, with a good %20 of anxiety wondering if/when future wear and tear is going to incite this problem.

And even then, I'll probably still buy the extended warranty. Which I would've bought at order, if I'd known that they raise the price if bought later.

Mainly because there is a bit of a gap at the very top of my panel at the seal between the outer case and the display's front bezel. And after finding a microscopic hair of dust behind the screen that really can't be seen unless I focus on it almost putting my nose to the glass of the panel, the gap has me paranoid that it's only a matter of time before dust gets behind the screen that can't help but be noticed

And I knew I could have used the hair/dust I found behind the glass on this replacement during the 21 day return policy they gave me on the new unit - but I didn't because the PQ on the panel that came with this replacement is by far the best I've ever had. I've gone through 4 panels including this one. 1 AUO and 3 Samsung. With this one being the third. And even though the Samsung's are all the same model #, I guess LCD Manufacturing processes make it so that the panel is kinda like OC'ing a CPU/GPU, even though they're all the same model and specs, every one is different. Some come out with a little better brightness or luminosity, some come out with a bit better black level or contrast -

So the panel on this replacement manged to get the by far the best PQ of any panel I've seen yet on this machine. And I didn't want to risk getting a new panel with not as good PQ over a hair behind the glass I really can't see. But the gap in the seal between the panel bezel and the outer case has me paranoid that I'm going to get noticeable dust under the screen as soon as I start carrying this thing around or travel with it.

So for that reason, I'll probably get the warranty as nothing drives me more nuts than trying to look at a display that has dust or a dead pixel that can't help but draw your eye to it no matter what.

Of course, a free three year extended warranty on broken hinges would cover this potential mishap too as if it happened as was unbearable, I'd get the panel swapped due to "hinges"

Sorry to go off topic a little. But I had to vent. The only hardware issues I've had with the beauty of a machine is with the panel or hinge.

It's just maddening to get lucky and get a well manufactured panel in terms of contrast and brightness and color balance, etc. only to see a visible gap at the top seal showing how/where dust will get behind the screen if I start carrying this around day to day.

Dell, would save a lot of Face if they would just follow Microsoft's RROD solution and offer every owner a free, automatic extended 3 year warranty for, and only for, broken hinges. Until a proper fix is implemented.

Even if mine broke again several times over the next 3 years, it wouldn't bother me since I'd have the peace of mind knowing that no matter how many times it happens during the period I'd use it most, 3 years, that it will be fixed and it will not be coming out of my pocket.

If there's any truth to what I've heard (and maybe there isn't) that Dell is going to privately do this anyway to any that claim broken hinges after the one year standard warranty expires - then doing what Microsoft did and announcing it, would not only, not cost them a dime as they'd just be giving a press release as to what they're already doing - Yet it would also go to ease the anxiety of new Alienware owners who are also dedicated gamers and push them closer towards repeat business and customer loyalty rather than have them seriously looking elsewhere at upgrade time because of QC issues like busted hinges and horrible driver control/support.

Such a simple fix -

Extend every M11x owner a free automatic 3 year extended warranty to cover, and only cover, broken hinges like MS did for the 360 RROD.

For me, that'd be plenty enough of a solution until they can implement a proper fix. Makes no sense why they don't do it. Other than it means losing money on extended warranties.

Oh well, I'm number 35! Ahh Yeah Sucka!

 

Chris@Dell has already confirmed that a policy to fix hinges out of warranty isn't in place now and I have little faith that they're ever going provide any sort of fix for the problem.

 

i hope lightning would hit dell if they would not make necessary assurance for this mess. i really hope they do and extend a 3 years or 5 years warranty for broken hinges

 

Reasonably sure my left hinge is about to give up on me, makes a creaking noise, and is out of line with the rest of the laptop when you close the lid, feels loose etc.

 

Don't open it?

Otherwise, use it as much as you can to ensure your hinges fail within your warranty, so that Dell fixes it.

I've been 1 month now waiting for a Dell Tech to arrive, called 3 times... Dell support is crap outside the US, why do they even sell it.

 

LOL its like saying dont even think of using it

anyway, updated list bridging the 100 mark. hmm i just cant imagine those users who dont usually go to forums like this. i am damn sure they are dismayed to learn that their m11x is going to become a mess.

just imagine having a hinge breakdown in a middle of a very important meeting or presentation. NOW, dell you cannot warranty that...

nwe i hope they make production of the lcd cover latch and put necessary holders on the magnesium alloy or that metal hinge.

 

You can add me to this list, I had my screen replaced after a month of owning my M11xR2. I received it in August, the replacement LCD hinges seem to be holding up well, but it is way out of alignment and does not close properly. I did not call for a second repair because I wanted to see if the hinges would hold up, and the technician that came out did not inspire much confidence in me.

 

I already replied to your PM. I did not 'bury' the original thread. As I have mentioned many times over, multiple threads on the same issue are not permitted - cross posting is not permitted. See the forum rules and PM me if you have an issue and I will clarify.

Further discussion/posts concerning the closure will be removed.

 

In the thread that's been closed you stated that your post from the Dell web site was taken down. Are you referring to the one you made in the Alienware Forum or another one on a different Dell site?

 

I still see your post on the specific "hinge" thread. Did you post another somewhere else?

I can't believe that they removed your review! Makes you wonder how many other reviews they have removed?