AC Adaptor problem out of the box

So I finally get the Alienware M17X and prepare to shoot my unboxing video.

I was very impressed with the packaging, the case design, everything really

incredible. As I am filming the unboxing, I decide to power it up and get a

weird click, whirl sound and instantly have an error message on the screen:

"Warning: An AC power adaptor has been detected which is less than the

recommended 240W adaptor originally shipped. Stealth mode is enabled.

Connect a supported AC adaptor and restart the system to enable

discrete graphic. F1 to resume, F2 to setup.

Now what I have noticed is that I can get into the OS just fine, but the

system tray will not show that it's plugged in and charging like my other

laptops. Also, it shows only the 9400 GS video card, not the SLI 280GTX's.

The worst part about it, was I was filming and unboxing video, and as soon

as I hit the power up button, I got an error code right out of the box.

I verified that it was plugged in properly, etc. no problems there.

So I call dell tech support, and after 25 minutes, I get a person. I am sure

most of you have been through this, but I literally went through 7 different

tech agents on the way to the right department... very odd. I finally get

to the correct transfer I guess and the Alienware customer support rep hears

my issue and then asks me to call back in 2 hours after I tell him the error

code. Fine, Ill do that I guess, I am not complaining or bitter. Has anyone

else had this weird issue as soon as they got their computer or weird issues

with customer service? I am strongly considering returning it back for full

refund at their expense. Premium product, premium price, should go with

premium performance and premium tech service shouldnt it? Again, I am not

really bitter or complaining, just sort of shocked. Any advice would be great.

This community has helped me decide to purchase this m17x laptop, so I

know you guys all have experience here.

 

ok so your AC apater has some issues don't be upset

Call Dell give them your service tag then tell them your AC adapter does not work and you want a new one overnighted to you

simple as that

They will replace it @ request.

Don't be upset stuff breaks with computers and its a fact of life.

Also with this being a Alienware computer supported through dell and the fact they just merged 2 months ago thigs are still crazy

 

Update: on tech support with AW for 2 hours. I must admit the guy tried as best he could to diagnose the problem. Gained access of the laptop and configured as best he could. Even had me open up the case and reset the BIOS on the main board. All to no avail. The computer BIOS still says the power supply isnt supported when it posts, the machine stays in stealth mode, the AC adapter is not detected and it wont charge the battery (although it does run the computer when the battery is out). He is going to send me a new power adapter with the hopes it will work, other wise he said the motherboard will need replaced. I almost wonder if they sent me a refurb. My unboxing video I am posting on Youtube is funny (or not). I wa sin awe until I turne don the computer and it posted directly into an error on first boot. I just sorta froze and didnt say anything lol.

Also of interest to me is that the Warning message from the BIOS carries a typo in its description.... my screen says "recommonded" .. that doesnt make me feel like the powers that be have put enough polish on this product to let something like that make it past QA.

 

Sorry for the double post.... but this is too good to not report.

Not only did my brand new $$$ Alienware not work out of the box, I booted

"Annie" for my kids to watch on my 2 year old XBOX 360.... and instead it

freezes and shows three red rings and now refuses to work for more than 2

seconds. I kid you not, this really just happened on top of my other

problems today with tech. This is shaping up to be the worst tech day I

have ever experienced. I am now just waiting for my Sony HD-TV to just

explode into a ball of fire or something.

 

Least the Xbox is under warranty

 

Whew.. I read that microsoft set aside BILLIONS to fix the XBOX problem.. I knew my time was comming to with it, just didnt see it comming TODAY.

That said, I just read somewhere there is a driver that lets your computer detect the AC adaptor? I didnt know this, maybe they forgot to install it or something.

 

When that TV does explode, you better get a video of it or I will be .

 

You have inspired me... I am going to video tape my XBOX 360 DYING right now to add to my youtube Alienware debaucle... it would have to be seen to be believed! As far as the TV... ill keep my camera handy, but only god knows when thats gonna blow up... at this rate I hope my car starts in the morning.

 

COuld anyone who has a M17x sli 280 gtx or otherwise list the specs on your power brick? I checked online and Dell lists a different one than I have.

They recommend 220 watts but I cannot find that on mine:

Mine says this:

DELTA ELECTRONICS INC.

PA-9E family
MODEL: GA240 PE1-00
INPUT: 100-240 V 3.5 A
50-60 HZ
OUTPUT: 19.5 V, 12.3 A

Made in China


Could you please post yours and see if they gave me the wrong one?

 

Mine is the exact same model brick. I had no problems running my m17x in full load and recharge at the same time.

But, my brick did die out on me just under a month....

EDIT: I forgot to mention, my m17x is running Q9300 @ 2.93 GHz & dual 280s....

 

There seems to be a lot of problem with power adaptors with that thing.

And the Xbox 360 getting the RRoD...man you're not doing very good with gaming right now. (Mine has it too...currently in a repairs shop...I'm damn lucky I bought an extended warranty for it)

If you search on YouTube there's a very good method for fixing it called the 'Squeeze' fix or something like that...basically leave it on (even with the red ring) for 10-15 mins or so getting it nice and toasty and press hard on the back where the GPU is...because the heatsink is nearly touching the case at the other end, it basically applies a lot of pressure on the GPU and resolders it...which fixes the main problem. It is tempoary though.

 

Thx for the information about the power supply on the Alienware and about the XBOX 360 RROD.

I thought they might overnight me the new power supply for the M17X, but no such luck. I guess I assumed a brand new $3,000+ priced laptop would really have them

wanting to help. I dont have anyway to track so I guess it will probably be standard ground, so another week to wait to see if I can get this new m17x working. What a

fiasco, sigh. The RROD I have heard of those temporary fixes. I got this unit the first week they came out, so I guess it is no longer under warranty. I have resolved to

replace it with the arcade version and use my old HDD. The good news, the arcade version has an HDMI port and the new chipset from what I understand that has

better cooling and should work better.

 

... I read your post like a poem.

Btw, it's beneficial to install your most played games on your 360... much less stress on the system. (If you aren't doing it already)

 

Like a haiku poem?

__________________

Dell has made me cry

It is hard to tell you why

Bye, power supply

___________________

Does that meet the syllable requirement for a Haiku?

-- and yes I did JUST figure out you could install games now on xbox 360,

Right before it went burning ring of fire on me johnney cash style that is

 

yea it did meet the requirements

 

UPDATE:

Dell/Alienware overnight shipped the replacement adapter. I was skeptical, but this new adapter solved all the problems instantly! Now it shows from the OS that its charging and its finally out of stealth mode!

Problem solved, and solved quickly, Kudos tech support!

 

Can you take a close look at the power brick and see if its the same model info as the original? Delta? Thanks.

 

You can do that!?! Wow it's been a while since I've used my XBox lol..

 

Maybe you were just unlucky and they sent you an european or asian power brick lol.

 

It is the exact same model, made in China. The biggest difference is this one works. My assumption is they tested the laptop on an in house power supply and it was fine, and they packaged up the power supply separately assuming it was ok.

 

Sorry to disappoint you, but nowadays its all one brick, dual voltage, used globally....made in China....only differences are the wall outlets....but it's a snap to find adapter plugs. If you're in places where power "quality" is questionable, then I'd use a adapter/surge protector just in case....