So I picked up an m15X yesterday

So I picked it up yesterday off craigslist for next to nothing. I love this thing.

It was all messed up though. Physically, perfect condition. But bios was acting up, drivers were messed up, half hte stuff didn't work, no optical drive, etc. I managed to format and install windows off a flash drive, hunted all day for the drivers, and got it running. Optical drive has still only read 2 out of like 20 discs I've put in it, one cd, one dvd, both burned, won't read factory discs or any other disc I can find, so I don't know what that's all about. Still, I'm enjoying it, I'll be playing some FFXIV, it'll be my mule's computer, and probably my work computer once in a while when I have huge queries to run.

I have never, in my entire life, fought so hard to make drivers work on a computer. It was a nightmare, but it's done now, and I'm glad.

Here's a picture!

 

Congragulations Mate.. Its an awesome machine. Gather up some money and go for the upgrades in a year or so and you'll not be disappointed for atleast 2 years..

Besides i will recommend you to for the warranty extension asap coz these machines can give up at any time and the parts cost alot..

 

Shame the DvD drive isn't as easy to slide out and replace as most laptops.....! You have to dismanle nearly the whole thing to get it out.

In the meantime you could consider a slim USB powered external one to keep you going.......

Something like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Porta...ptopDrives&hash=item20bcbcec8b#ht_2710wt_1139

 

If you have high speed intertubes many developers these days have 'free' downloads of software as long as you have a legit key in part due to the creation of netbooks and likely in part due to digital distribution becoming a norm. I'd be tempted if it's a regular CD/DVD to find a caddy and add a second hard drive.

You could try blowing some compressed air into the drive and see if it's dust built up. Could be though the drive took a dump.

 

Thanks all. I have an external usb dvd drive, but this is a secondary computer to my i7 950 with 6gb ram and gtx280 with tri-28" monitors. I can connect to my 16tb file server so I can access every iso i need, so an extra hard drive isn't really necessary. The only reason I'd use an optical drive is for OS install, I didn't have a thumb drive set up for it. I tried to use the restore thing, but that didn't work. I think I need to set up acronis to make a backup image now that everything is working, drivers installed, etc. And from what I saw in another forum, bluray's are only $50. and for $200ish for the 6850, i can bring this thing to current. The processor and ram are more than enough, just need to upgrade video card.

Can you get an extended service plan on a laptop if you didn't buy it from them, and you're not hte origional owner? i looked for a place to register it on their site but couldnt' find one.

Also, I was @1600x900 resolution, then i reinstalled windows on it and got everything set up wtith drivers, installed my game, set resolution to 1600x900, and it didn't take up the full screen. I checked resolution, and i'm at 1920x1080 somehow. Any idea how that happened? I thought max res was 1600x900.

 

if u r at 1920 x 1080 then congratulations... u have a FHD

 

Neat. What's an FHD? Was it an option at purchase time or an after the fact purchase?

 

Full HD stands for 1920 x 1080p screen Resolution. You are actually having that one. Your gaming experience would be enhanced only if you could swap for a greater GPU and Play those in highest Ultimate setting i.e 1080p Resolution..

 

Well you can enter your service tag on Support.dell.com and see the original specs, if it werent there then it must have been changed later..

 

Sweet, thanks for the info. I'll definitely be swapping the video out,, though it's not terrible at full 1080p resolution. 20fps in an mmo is tollerable, especially if it's a mule.

 

going from 1600x900 to 1980x1080 in reality probably won't net you that much prettiness. You'd be best off with a slightly lower res with more AA/AF on and textures and the like cranked.

 

Now that you have everything working right, I would suggest creating an image backup of the fresh install so you don't have to go through so much trouble next time.

 

That's exactly what I'm doing, I have Acronis installed and i'm going to image it once i get SP1 installed. I deleted a partition and crashed the install, so I had to reinstall from scratch. Much smoother the second time around, but now for some reason I can't connect to my bluetooth mouse. It just sits on "connecting...."

Also I want to get this winamp led light thing figured out. I saw videos and that is awesome, but currently only my alien logo is blinking.

 

I am sorry to hear about your computer, while I am new here and new to the alienware laptop line, let me inform you, you have the best support here on NBR
many members will help you out in the most dire situations!
take care and have fun, hope your computer is fixed/repaired soon!
Welcome!