*OFFICIAL* M11xR1 Owners Lounge - Part 4

THe people who said they "pushed" it back in, must have used some hydraulic machine. I had 2 replacements sent to me.
1st one had SAME gap issue and keyboard lighting, luckily second one the gap was very minimal but the keyboard lighting on white was way off on the entire left side from ESC to CTRL key.

I tried pushing the panel to see if I could but that aluminum/steel is build tough as nails! I tried one time and I think I had a permanent impression of the corners in my fingers for a couple of days.

so the gap issue is corrected, but it seems like every other day my keyboard on white LED color seems to be getting darker and darker on the left side. If it gets worse I will ask for a keyboard repacement.

 

Update on my BSOD on OC problem.

I have been more concerned with the ever degrading audio quality coming from the machine. It has gone from the odd annoying 'pop' 3 weeks ago when I got the machine to almost constant crackling noises (when gaming). After 3 or 4 phonecalls (the last of which I spent with my phone held up against the internal speakers) they have finally agreed to replace the motherboard.

If it fixes the sound problem I will be overjoyed. If it fixes the BSOD ... bonus. I don't hold out much hope though.

I'll post the outcome here.

 

Someone mentioned a while ago that their sound crackling was due to the system powering down the sound card, and they fixed it via a setting under power management. Did you try this? A new M/B could be a good result though...

 

Where would I find this setting in Power Managment?

 

I haven't checked (sorry going to bed now ) but there's bunch of options. Click on the battery, more power options, Change plan settings (on some plan), then Change Advanced Power Settings.

 

To those who are interested the rumour relating to the new m11x price in the uk for the £999 version will go up to about £1200 with a i5 core. That is way over my budget so will keep mine when it arrives in the next day or so. However it is just a rumour and general Internet blogging! The i3 in my opinion will not be a big enough jump.

 

No - it copies the commonly used files to the SSD portion of the drive. The flash memory is simply acting as a giant read-cache for frequently used data.
Note that the drive is continually deciding what data is "frequently used" - if you boot a few large games, or an alternative operating system, you'll likely have refilled the cache with new data (it's only 4GB remember) and your Windows files won't be in there at next reboot time. If you're the kind of user who uses the same OS and the same applications, then it's awesome. If not, you'll probably find the next generation of hybrid drive (ie, with lots more flash onboard) will suit you better

 

Good review on the Momemtus XT hybrid HDD.
Seagate's Momentus XT Reviewed, Finally a Good Hybrid HDD - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

I think I'll go for this model. When Intel comes out with a 320GB SSD for a price I can afford, I'll switch to full SSD.

For right now, this seems to provide the right amount of speedboost. I tend to use the same programs everyday so it'd work just right for me.

 

can somebody just confirm for me that when my new m11x arrives i can just swap out the internal HD and put in a SSD drive, then use the disk that comes with the laptop to put all the factory settings onto the new ssd drive? or is it more complicated than that?

 

So long as it is a Windows install disk, I don't see a problem there. I wanted virtualization so when I popped in my SSD I installed a copy of Win 7 Ultimate that I have.

 

err well you have to download your drivers obviously and you also might want your alien fx. i dont know if that comes on a CD or if you can digitally download it.

 

Thanks, i will check what software comes with the disk when the m11x arrives.

 

I have a little problem, I've buy on a forum my m11x but whitout HDD so i bought one and install windows 7 on it but that's a 32 bits version and the command center only support 64bits . And there is another problem , i don't know how to switch GPU because the seller doesn't have de recovery cd anymore. =/

I suppose that i'm forced ton find a 64bits windows copy ? Is there any "way to follow" for the installation of software and drivers ?

Thanks for your answers

 

imo you should find the 64 bit version. as far as gfx switching, i imagine you'll need the dell drivers... Drivers & Downloads

 

Your best bet is simply to upgrade to a 64 bit version of Windows 7, rather than scavenging for 32 bit versions of drivers you need.

 

Aren't the Win 7 cd keys interchangable between the 32bit and 64bit version when staying within the same version of Win 7? Sorry that sounds confusing I mean like, say you have a cd key for Win 7 Home Premium, should it not work for both the 32bit and 64bit version of Win 7 Home Premium?

If this is true, there is a thread here that lists legal Win 7 images that you can use..

Edit: Here is the thread. Link

 

Hey guys, any tips for a new m11x owner? Ill be happy to hear some from you guys.

One question I like having my laptop connected to my external monitor while at home and the 335m needs to be running in order for me to receive any video, is it a good idea to disable batttery from the Bios soo that the it does wear down from the plugged in A/C adapter?

 

emm.. bottom of my m11x goes pretty hot when gaming. especially the part where GPU and CPU is, even my palm rest gets hot hot. both chips operating temperture is fine when under load. GPU would top 60c while CPU never excess 50c.

any you guys experience this ?

 

Selling my sony vaio z but also want to trade for the m11x
http://forum.notebookreview.com/not...alienware-m17x-r1-m11x-also-sony-vpc-z11.html
also lie495fc answer my PM! lol

 

Yes mine gets hot too. The engraved plate at the bottom which obviously absorbs a lot of heat gets unpleasantly hot to the touch. As you say the palm rest is also uncomfortably hot under stressful gaming sessions. GPU and CPU temps look fine to me though.

 

Played l4d2 for 3 hours yesterday, can't it was that hot...

 

exactly. i think when heat pipe meets its limit, heat gets transfer to laptop body. numbers of solutions i can think of are, TIM replace thermal paste with AS5, A03 bio update, or notebook cooler.

i find coolermaster notpal u1 to be a nice add on to our m11x. a U shaped design allows m11x to be carried inside and adds protection against impact. plus removable and mounting fan to be mounted anywhere you wanted to.
here is newegg link - coolermaster notepal u1

i was playing split second and burn out paradise. these games are GPU intensive i believe.

 

Proud owner

1 224-9555 Alienware M11x, Cosmic Black
1 313-9590 Overclockable Intel Pentium SU4100 1.3GHz (2MB Cache, 800MHz FSB)
1 317-8954 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz
1 320-9963 11.6-inch WideHD 1366x768 (720p) WLED
1 320-9857 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 335M
1 342-8742 320GB SATAII 7,200RPM
1 330-9552 Personalized Nameplate
1 330-6106 Personalized Nameplate Trigger
1 313-8792 AlienFX Color, Quasar Blue
1 421-8558 Alienware Command Center Software for Alienware M11x
1 421-1400 Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English
1 420-9691 DataSafe Local BackUp 2.0 Basic
1 420-6436 PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
1 421-0092 DELL-DOWNLOAD-FLAG
1 313-9856 Integrated 10/100 Network Interface Card
1 410-1883 ADOBE READER 9.0 MULTI- LANGUAGE
1 313-9958 Integrated High-Definition Surround Sound Audio (5.1)
1 430-3796 Alienware M11x a/b/g/n 2x2 MIMO Wireless
1 330-6348 Automatic Updates: On
1 330-8995 1.3 Megapixel Webcam
1 950-3337 1 Year Limited Warranty
1 908-3647 Dell Hardware Warranty Plus On-Site Service, Initial Year
1 922-7060 Third Party At Home Service, 24x7 Technical Support, Initial Year
1 950-9797 No Warranty, Year 2 and 3
1 421-1721 Soft Contracts,Banktec Care,Alienware
1 994-3730 Warranty Support,Initial Year
1 330-0171 S and P Drop-in-Box Marcom forDHS Notebooks
1 421-1360 Steam and Portal Factory Installed
1 421-1589 Alienhead Flat
1 421-1598 Alienhead Flat
1 430-3773 No Internal WWAN Antenna Installed
1 430-8555 Optional Bluetooth Module, 2.1+ Enhanced Data Rate
1 330-5090 Thank You for Purchasing AlienWare

Sub-Total : $844.00
Shipping : $16.00
Tax : $54.87
Order Total : $914.87

$125 discount from an offer.
Estimated ship date is 6/8/10 :[
Do they usually ship before or after the date.

 

Update on my BSOD on OC problem. Especially for UK owners....

As I mentioned before, I have been having serious sound issues (and a few system freezes). So my motherboard has been swapped.....

.... I can now OC and the sound issues seem to have been fixed also.

As well as that, the machine feels cooler. That might be my imagination though. I will be giving it a thourough gaming test tonight, but initial impressions are good...

Finally happy that I have the machine I paid all that money for

 

how hot do the palm rests get and the touch pad becuase i can not bare hot palm rests

 

My girlfriend dropped my M11x 1.5m onto a concrete floor last night....

The back bottom right corner plastic is coming out and appears broken and the hinge is now clicking. Some minor scraping on the aluminium where the paint has come off. Amazingly, it seems to still work 100% and screen is fine!

Unfortunately, no accidental breakage cover and my contents insurance does not cover it.

Devastated as I only had it for 4 days!!

I live in Australia - anyone have experience with how Alienware/XPS react and deal with such situations? I'm just so devastated right now...

 

m11x now $699.99 on Dell U.S home.

 

where did you see that? the only sale I saw now is the memorial day sale which is $899 after $100 rebate.

 

link. i saw this on a bargain search site.

 

Nice, thanks for that. But I think I'm going to wait for the i processors. Are all three, i3, i5, and i7, going to be available from day one?

 

I know there is a cost to being an early adopter, but damn I can still be mad about the price cut! For a system equipped just like mine it would be $200 cheaper!

 

if you configure it like the one at best buy, it is the same price. probably the best bang for the buck configuration anyways.

 

I have a little question;

Is it better to let my m11x use the battery and then charge it, or is it better to put it in a socket when possible?

 

I was wondering, when the new versions come out, would it be fairly easy to swap out my current factory installed SSD with a Core i7 model? Would swapping factory installed ram work as well? I am only concerned about voiding the warranty or stripping a screw when swapping out parts.

 

Because it's a fixed battery it should be fine to have it plugged in when in use. I do! I suspect somebody will disagree but unless somebody can properly clarify the situation my impression it should be fine.

 

An SSD is your hard drive, what does that have to do with an i7?

 

Anyone know if I can charge my M11x using the AC adapter from my M15x? It fits, but I wasnt sure with the different power ratings.

Thanks,
Brad

 

@gman = the chassis should be roughly the same (RAM will still be DDR3 and HDD will still use the same controller head) so there shouldn't be a problem.

 

Anyone have issues with the card reader?

I just needed to use it for the first time and realized it's not working. I updated the driver and still nothing when I insert an SD card or Sony MS Pro card.

I should have an drive for this under "My Computer" right? All I have is my hard drive....

 

So I will be getting my m11x in about a week and I want to know how I would use the battery efficiently. I'll probably be keeping the laptop on ac power most of the time.

 

im wondering the same thing. I will need to unplug alot for class and stuff, but then in the dorms i plan to go plugged in. is that going to harm the battery?

 

yeah that happened to me too... i dunno, it seemed to fix itself lol...

but mine was working to start with.

 

Have you enabled it in the BIOS?

 

Thanks for the replies, but much like Freeride stated, it fixed itself?
No changes to the BIOS.

Now it reads everything perfectly, Very strange.

 

Yes you can I'm using my m11x with a 240watt ac adapter from my m17x and everything works fine with no problems.

 

Hi, is there a way of turning off the display with a single key stroke like a using a FN key or is using FN+ F5 to dim the only way of doing it?

Cheers

Spiff

 

I did too, I figured out I had to insert my PSP's memory stick duo in a bit far, then jiggle it around until the contacts registered it. I have a couple of mini/micro SD adapters, but those don't seem to fit right...

 

I think you can buy it up to 180 days after. Just saying.

 

Has anyone noticed an increase in play in the hinges? I just noticed tonight. My screen now has about an inch and a half to two inches in play at the hinges. I'm thinking return it, but I suppose I might as well wait till the R2 comes out. The screen cover is also slightly marked from the keyboard and the cover is coming out. Guess I'll take my chances and call tech back when I get back from leave in mid June.

 

Just bought the m11x at micro center. It was a little more expensive than through dell, but it was worth the convenience