ALIENWARE m17x problems

Hi, I just bought alienware m17x.

It had Visa 64 bit installed, the first problem I noticed was that the laptop wasn't charging - I've tried the methods mentioned in this forum - nothing helped.

I've installed Windows 7, after the instalation I upgraded BIOS, and after this the Laptop woudln't load. Then I decide to swith AHCI -> ATA, it helped now it loads

Issues I am suffering at Windows 7:

- Battery does not charge.
- I think I am running in stealth mode, I am not sure, but when I look at Graphics it shows that GeForce 9400M instead of 2GB ( IN vista it showed okay)
- ATA issue, strange why it does not allow to change from ATA now, the Windows were installed on AHCI.

Any help will be appreciated

 

I've just installed OSD, it seems it solved 2 issue, but I am not sure if it really works because Command Center does not load "Fussion" - the program just hangs up

 

Windows 7 has issues with Command Center. Until Dell releases an updated version - its not going to function properly. Use the OS Power Schemes to change profiles.

Also see the following KBs:

What is HybridSLI?
http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/alienware.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=6079

Why is my Alienware M17x mobile system not detecting its discrete video card(s)?
http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/alienware.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=6084

How can I enable / disable the battery charging feature of my Alienware M17x mobile system?
http://4help.alienware.com/cgi-bin/alienware.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=6074

 

Yes Geforces are running now, but the issue with Charging is not solved. Any ideas ? I've tried removing the batter and holding power button, but did not help. Still "Plugged in - Not Charging".

Also any ideas regarding AHCI ?


P.S. After Installing new Command Center from dell drivers.

It opens "Fussion" but FX is gone from command center ? Do you all suffer this issue ?

 

Please ppl help

 

Is the Led on the power cord lid?

If not, unplugg your Power brick from the wall socket wait for 10 Sec. and replug it, then fire up your machine again.
If so do exact the same..

 

The led is ON, i think this led indicates if the power is going to charger, as I told before I can run laptop smoothly directly from the power cord, but It does not charge the batter

And I tried your suggestion - still no luck

 

Have you called Dell Support yet? You may want to so they can walk you through the issue relating to the battery and the ATA/AHCI issue.

The issues with Command Center are Win7 related. FX should be available. When you reinstalled Command Center, did you uninstall CC first or just run the installer again? If so, uninstall it first - reboot, then reinstall CC.

 

Moo had once such a problem, I think? Gonna look for it...

 

Couldn't find it...
But you did:
- Unplug your AC adapter, then remove battery and the power button for 10 seconds? (discharge)
- FN+F2?
- Waited untill your battery is at 20%?
- Tried another wall socket?

 

- Tried at least 5 times
- Also tried
- Battery is 2% now
- Just tried - did not help

About command center - yes now I managed to make it work, the only issue is AHCI/ATA and Charging.

Well guys I am not American, I am from Europe, and in my country we do not have dell center which supports alienware.

 

??? I'm from Europe (hence the name?)... but When calling Dell here they do support Alienware unless you have an Area 51 m17x, M17 etc, (the legacy AW models)...

 

Well We do not have official dealer here...

Doesn't matter. The thing is I want know what can be cause ?
Defective circuit i motherboard? Charger? Battery?

I can check the charger with tester? See how many Volts and Amps it provides ?

P.S. About AHCI/ATA this is not the first time I owned 2 Dell laptops before, and they both had same issue..

And as I remember there is a guide(How to install Windows XP + DRIVERS) in this forum about 1520 inspiron, and one of the steps is to change the mode from AHCI to ATA, otherwise it just returns bsod.

I am not worried about this one, everything seems to work okay. But that charging thing annoys me

 

What type do you actually have?
DELL/AW M17x "all powerfull",or Alienware m17x?

(It could be, that I had the wrong search, because of this?)

 

Alienware m17x i think I didn't know that there is a difference.

 

sick of my command center not working.. Also I cant switch between intagrated and dedicated graphics.. Which is a real kick in the balls when the power is out and im running on a WWAN card trying to save battery....

 

My dog accidently pulled out AC power source, of course the laptop turned off, after turning ON, now it shows "NO battery detected", i suspect faulty battery

 

The Battery is not charging. I did all the steps regarding a way to fix this that was suggested. NOW the keys stick! I am very over Alienware. It also does not save Display settings. Why are sooo many things wrong with a $2880 USD machine. This took way way longer to type due to the keys not working now. Back to my HP!

 

Sorry to hear that and enjoy your HP
The higher cost doesn't necessarily mean less tweaking. Same as with expensive cars.
If you really want to have the uber-power, you should find some time and patience to learn about the system, its maintenance and troubleshooting as those are often needed to become a happy gamer.
It's not enough to buy the RGB LED, you need to calibrate it.
It's not enough to get the stock OS+drivers, - you need to tweak those for your current games.
Etc............

In your case, all that needs to be done (assuming there are no hardware issues) is to:
Turn the system off, unplug the power cord, remove the battery pack, press&hold the power button for 20 sec, replace the battery and turn it on.
If opened and messed with the system, the keyboard connector may got improperly inserted, you might need to re-seat it again.