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    [Resource] Index of Links to Helpful Threads and Posts (See Post #1 for Index)

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Mr. Fox, Feb 25, 2012.

  1. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Below is a compilation of popular links for the Alienware Community so they are easy for everyone to find. I will add to it as necessary. Anyone that wishes to link to this post in their own signature, please feel free to do so. Since we cannot make every good thread or helpful post sticky, if you have a suggestion to include in this index, please post a link and I will consider adding it to the list.

    ALIENWARE LAPTOP TECHNICAL INFORMATION





















    AMD 6990M CF or NVIDIA 580M SLI? Please help me decide on a GPU (Red vs. Green *OPINIONS* for those struggling with what to buy)​

    Clash of the Titans: GTX 680M SLI and HD 7970M CF ( Red vs. Green *FACTS & EVIDENCE* for those struggling with what to buy)​


















    Alienware Laptops: Beep Code Table | Dell Support- Beeping at boot? Try this first [ LINK #1 ] [ LINK #2 ]​

    HELP! M18x 8 Beeps Switching from IGFX to Dedicated GPU <<< Don't panic - read this and fix it​



















    Lost your Windows 7 DVD? See this thread: Legal Download from DigitalRiver: Windows 7 SP1, 13 languages​












    Blind BIOS Recovery process for all M18x R1 in case of corrupt BIOS (If you own an M18x R2 see the link in the first post.)​
















    M18xR1/R2 Screen Calibration - profile included (also works for M17x R3/R4)​


    Where can I buy an AC adapter for my M18xR1/R2/18? What does Dell charge for them? (Tip: Search Amazon or eBay for part numbers F0K0N, 0XM3C3 and 0Y90RR - all are compatible 330W AC adapters)​


    USEFUL THREADS FOR ALL FORUM MEMBERS
    All members of the Community are required to know and comply with forum rules. The information on how to search the forum is especially useful, as it should help members find information quickly, avoid creating new threads to ask questions that have already been answered in another thread, as well locating appropriate threads to participate in an established discussion.
     
    Last edited: Aug 2, 2015
    Mr. Fox, Feb 25, 2012
    #1
    imest, jallar1234, Robbo99999 and 5 others like this.
  2. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    So, I am opening this thread. I still have it linked in my signature so it will always be easy to find.

    Any suggestions on new links to add to the list?
     
    Mr. Fox, Aug 8, 2012
    #2
  3. Johnksss

    Johnksss .

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    looking good.
     
    Johnksss, Aug 8, 2012
    #3
  4. juliant

    juliant Notebook Deity

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    Nice... Very useful thoughts. Already added in my sign :D
     
    juliant, Aug 8, 2012
    #4
  5. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    Awesome thread Mr. Fox! thanks for the effort and time. +1Rep
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Aug 14, 2012
    #5
  6. ltcmdrQ

    ltcmdrQ Notebook Consultant

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    Good one Mr.Fox, very handy indeed!
     
    ltcmdrQ, Aug 15, 2012
    #6
  7. alcaloide

    alcaloide Notebook Geek

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    So precious this thread... Thanks a bunch!!!!!!
     
    alcaloide, Aug 15, 2012
    #7
  8. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Mr. Fox, Aug 19, 2012
    #8
  9. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Added a link to this post:

     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 12, 2015
    Mr. Fox, Oct 9, 2012
    #9
  10. sunster168

    sunster168 Notebook Consultant

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    One of the most helpful threads I've come across. Thanks Mr.Fox for your efforts! :D
     
    sunster168, Oct 24, 2012
    #10
  11. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Mr. Fox, Dec 1, 2012
    #11
  12. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Mr. Fox, Dec 4, 2012
    #12
  13. ForestEX

    ForestEX Notebook Guru

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    ForestEX, Dec 5, 2012
    #13
  14. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Good idea, ForestEX. Done!
     
    Mr. Fox, Dec 5, 2012
    #14
  15. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    New links were added to the index in the opening post:

    • M18x R1 Upgrade > M18x R2 Motherboard
    • Killer Wireless Discussion Thread - Look for Solutions and Ask Questions Here
    • Sound Blaster Recon3Di Discussion Thread - Look for Solutions and Ask Questions Here
     
    Mr. Fox, Jan 4, 2013
    #15
  16. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    One of the leading causes of poor performance with computers, especially high performance gaming systems, is the accumulation of dust and lint in the fans and heat sink radiators. A small amount of crud can cause huge problems with overheating and adversely affect performance in a dramatic way. Because their cooling systems are not as robust, the effect on laptops can be even more dramatic.

    The instructions in the Service Manual are for part removal, not "cleaning" and you simply follow the instructions for removing the appropriate parts. Below (inside of the spoiler) are the steps directly from the service manual. You can skip step 4 for the processor and video card fans, as there is no need to unplug the wiring for the fans. This is a fast and simple procedure.

    And, if you have a vacuum cleaner, there is no need to run out and buy a can of compressed air. If you are a noob at working on computers, ground yourself to the chassis of the computer before touching any components inside of it. This will discharge static electricity. Simply touch a screw head or the metal connectors for the system battery. Don't let this scare you. It is a very simple task and you will be amazed at how easy it was. (I have been working on computers 25 years and have never damaged a part by static discharge, but I am always careful about grounding myself to the chassis before I start handling things on the interior.)

    Be sure to use a screwdriver that has a tip that fits snugly into the Philips screw. If you use one that is too small it may strip the screw head. You can buy a jewelers screwdriver set for next to nothing at common places like Walmart, even Walgreens Drugstores. It is normally the largest screwdriver in the jewelers screwdriver set that fits the screws best.

    Note: the images below are hyperlinked to the corresponding pages of the Service Manual.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Those GPU temps are higher than ideal for your system being idle, but what really matters is load temps. So, those numbers do not mean a lot while your system is not under load.
     
    Mr. Fox, Jan 6, 2013
    #16
  17. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Mr. Fox, Jan 10, 2013
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  18. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Mr. Fox, Jan 14, 2013
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  19. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Mr. Fox, Jan 24, 2013
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  20. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Power Drain:
    • Remove system battery
    • Disconnect AC adapter
    • Hold power button down 30 seconds
    • Connect AC adapter
    • Load Windows
    • Install system battery
    Clear CMOS:
    • Remove system battery
    • Disconnect AC adapter
    • Remove bottom cover
    • Hold down power button for 30 seconds
    • Ground yourself to the motherboard by touching a screw on the chassis
    • Disconnect wire from coin cell battery
    • Touch screwdriver tip lightly against pins the wire connects to for 1 or 2 seconds
    • Reconnect coin cell battery wire
    • Connect AC adapter and power up
    • Press F2 to enter BIOS
    • Set date/time and any of your customized settings
    • Press F10 to save and exit
    • Load Windows
    • Install system battery
    Note: your system may start beeping after clearing the CMOS. Don't panic. Hold down the power button to shut it off. Turn it on again, and it should restart and clear itself by resetting BIOS defaults. If your OS was installed incorrectly with the BIOS set to AHCI instead of RAID, you may need to manually set that back to AHCI in the BIOS for Windows to load.

    Clear CMOS (Alternate Method):
    • Remove system battery
    • Disconnect AC adapter
    • Hold down FN key and power button simultaneously
    • While they are still depressed, re-connect the AC adapter













    5 Beeps after turning ON the Alienware Laptop system










    Article ID: 530513
    Date Published: 2012-03-07
    Journal ID: 9a2a3fd7-0836-4d7b-96ed-b867ba7a4598
    ​
    		[​IMG]













    Article Summary:
    This article will guide you to make quick Bios recover by pressing a key combination when turning ON the system.




    [​IMG] Note: Please bookmark this article as restarts of the computer are recommended during the process to help resolve issues.
    Table of Contents:
    1. Applies for:
    2. Problem
    3. Discussion
    4. Solution



    Applies for:

    Alienware M11x R3
    Alienware M14x R1/R2
    Alienware M17x R3/R4
    Alienware M18x R1/R2

    Problem

    Some laptops after turning "ON" makes 5 Beeps and also did not POST.




    [​IMG] Note: POST refers to POWER ON SELF-TEST and is a set of routines that verifies the functionality of each internal component on the computer. If a computer is not posting, one of the issue it may experience is a no video, beeps, computer freezes at the BIOS screen, or any other behavior that didn't allow the computer to start loading the Operating System.
    Discussion

    Several things can affect a system for not to complete a POST. In this case, static electricity or BIOS outdated can cause this behavior.

    Solution

    To fix the issue and have your system working again, please perform the following steps:

    1. Remove the system battery.
    2. Remove the Ac/adapter.
    3. Hold the power button for 30 seconds without any power source.
    4. Plug back the Ac/adapter only.
    5. Hold the “FN” key and without releasing the key, Power "ON" the computer.
    6. After step 5, you will notice the system will try to turn "ON" and after 5 seconds will restart, at this point you can release the “FN” key.
    7. The computer will POST and starts loading Windows.
    8. Shutdown your computer and plug back the system Battery.
    9. Download the latest BIOS version for your Alienware System and run it.




    [​IMG] Note: For How to run a BIOS update, please refer to the following Article: How to run a BIOS update on an Alienware Computer?
    10. Turn OFF your computer after the Bios update and test your computer.

    Thank you for your inquiry,
    The Alienware Support Team
    Quick Tips content is self-published by the Dell Support Professionals who resolve issues daily. In order to achieve a speedy publication, Quick Tips may represent only partial solutions or work-arounds that are still in development or pending further proof of successfully resolving an issue. As such Quick Tips have not been reviewed, validated or approved by Dell and should be used with appropriate caution. Dell shall not be liable for any loss, including but not limited to loss of data, loss of profit or loss of revenue, which customers may incur by following any procedure or advice set out in the Quick Tips.​
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 6, 2015
    Mr. Fox, Mar 18, 2013
    #20
  21. vs3074

    vs3074 Notebook Evangelist

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    It's quite easy. Once you have all of the parts, just create alien respawn DVD and then change 2x hdd with 2x ssd's and run respawn DVD. Your system will be installed on ssd's in raid0 (if you do not change raid settings in bios).

    Next install spare hdd on third slot which is sata2. Install msata drive, but no point using it as a cache drive as it will slow down 2x ssd's in raid0 rather than giving it any performance boost.
     
    vs3074, Apr 3, 2013
    #21
  22. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Mr. Fox, Apr 6, 2013
    #22
  23. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Mr. Fox, May 15, 2013
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  24. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Mr. Fox, May 23, 2013
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  25. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Mr. Fox, Jul 28, 2013
    #25
  26. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Added a link to index in post #1 for the "SLI On-the-Fly" tip...

     
    Mr. Fox, Sep 21, 2013
    #26
  27. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Mr. Fox, Apr 3, 2014
    #27
    katalin_2003 likes this.
  28. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Link to original added to the index in the opening post...

     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 6, 2015
    Mr. Fox, Apr 17, 2014
    #28
  29. DumbDumb

    DumbDumb Alienware !Wish money wasn't the problem.

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    why isnt this stickied?!?!?!?!
     
    DumbDumb, May 12, 2014
    #29
    Mr. Fox and Rafix like this.
  30. Rafix

    Rafix Cave Canem

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    I agree, it should be. There's so much valuable information here.
     
    Rafix, May 12, 2014
    #30
    Mr. Fox likes this.
  31. Mr. Fox

    Mr. Fox BGA Filth-Hating Elitist®

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    Thank you... appreciate that. It use to be, but did not get very many views and I unstickied it. People still started new threads to ask the same questions over and over, so I just gave up, LOL.

    I have a link to it in my signature so that it is always easy to find for everyone.
     
    Mr. Fox, May 12, 2014
    #31