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    A Recent m17x Happening...

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Silent_Sc(+)pe, Oct 14, 2008.

  1. Silent_Sc(+)pe

    Silent_Sc(+)pe Notebook Geek

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    So I fire up Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway (In single-card configuration), play a couple of levels, and BOOM my laptop goes dead (keyboard lights off, no video, no sound, no fans, no anything). I press the power button - nothing. I change the AC adapter's power source - nothing. I run it on battery only - nothing. So I call Alienware tech support and they tell me to unplug the AC, take out the battery, and hold down the power button for 5 minutes (drain remaining power) - still nothing. They then proceed to guide me through removing the video cards and diagnose each card separately. Turns out my Master 8800 GTX had a hardware failure - just like that, no warning, instantly. Brand new computer and already a major problem...anyway, here are my questions:

    Has anyone had this problem also?

    and

    Is it possible that the software (BIA:HH) could do something so drastic to my hardware?
     
    Silent_Sc(+)pe, Oct 14, 2008
    #1
  2. Oodle-Bear

    Oodle-Bear Alienware Mug, Testpilot

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    Bummer... Shame you've got problems already...

    From memory (which can be alittle hit and miss lol) you're the second person to have a GPU failure so far... The first case, card went down, AW sent a replacement, fixed problem.

    It could be this Nvidia problem with 8 series GPU's but I doubt it as that seems to be mostly the middle of the road cards...

    I'd just treat it as a one off and request a new card or ask for 9800GT's instead...as a confidence booster of course (",)

    OB
     
    Oodle-Bear, Oct 14, 2008
    #2
  3. Silent_Sc(+)pe

    Silent_Sc(+)pe Notebook Geek

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    I just can't believe after all the problems I went through with my m9750 that fate chooses me for this to happen! I keep my computer plugged in for weeks at a time - could that be the cause of this failure? Is the 9800 GT that much better? I've heard it's about the same as the 8800 GTX. During the tech call I asked if they were testing the 9800 GTX's in the m17x and the tech confirmed my suspicions.
     
    Silent_Sc(+)pe, Oct 14, 2008
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  4. whizzo

    whizzo Notebook Prophet

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    9800m-gt = 8800m-gtx

    it's the exact same card.
     
    whizzo, Oct 14, 2008
    #4
  5. maceto

    maceto Notebook Evangelist

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    smaller gpu so less heat and potentially improved manufacturing...
     
    maceto, Oct 14, 2008
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  6. Oodle-Bear

    Oodle-Bear Alienware Mug, Testpilot

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    Yeah to honest I didn't suggest it because it's better, it's not they are basically the same cars with a different label but the 9800GT runs a little cooler is all. I was thinking of compensation.... For your hassle that's all (",)

    I hope you get a new card soon!

    OB
     
    Oodle-Bear, Oct 14, 2008
    #6