Alienware m15x FAQ!

Great Pics thank you for that .RanT.

 

Can someone report hdd temps after heavy gaming (1-2 hours), without any cooling solutions [pads, coolers etc.]?

 

wow.. 12 hours and no response...

I will as soon as I get min


- 1 month

 

yes indeed. Well... most. I hate MacBooks

 

yea im waiting on black skullcap too
im ordering as soon as it comes out

 

If any 1 else is planning to order an m15x - beware - the shipping on this is going to be hell. I placed an order for mine on the 19th of Feb and guess what - it is still on phase 4.

The stories from customer service:

1. - Feb 26th - Everything on schedule for Mar 6th (I am on Phase 4 and happy)
2. - Feb 27th - Graphics card being validated (Still on phase 4 - Ignorance is bliss)
3. - Feb 28th and Feb 29th - Display/Chassis on backorder, should be available on the 29th. System will enter Phase 5 on Monday, March 3rd- today.(Still on Phase 4 and me very unhappy)
4. - Mar 3rd - Sales guy picks up - very rude - SAYS IT IS FRUSTRATING TALKING TO ME. Further reads out whatever little information he has WRONG. Convinced that whatever he says is correct - Later reconsidered and probable read the notes correctly and said YES! YOU ARE CORRECT!!!!!
Anyways - at the end of it I am still on phase 4 and for the money I have paid (In excess of $3600) very very frustrated.

 

You called them 5 consecutive business days? No wonder they're tired of hearing from you.

I ordered mine 2 days earlier than you, so I'm not sure how you got an estimated ship date of 3/6; mine's always been mid-March. Last week, I was told I was in Phase 3, although online status reports Phase 2. I'll call next week for a status update.

 

Hopefully the other thread about this will get deleted as i should have posted it here well here it is here - told chaz to delete it for a rep

1. If I get 2x1gb stick and 1x1gb stick for the m15x, will the actual performance/speed be worse than if I installed dual channel? Are there places that sell 1.5gb sticks?

2. Is it easy to upgrade ram on the m15x without digging through stuff? On my current laptop I tried to look at the ram, and I basically had to take the whole keyboard and the volume/quickstart buttons off... same with the fans - are the fans easy to clean?

3. Are there any negative effects of installing 4gb if windows can't read it all?

4. Is it true that if you get 800mhz ram, it will automatically be downclocked? If so, I get 667mhz?

5. If the ram messes up the computer (unlikely as it may be) will that void the warranty?

 

1> No such thing as 1.5 gb
2>Very easy to upgrade, pull out and put in. Restart
3>No negative issue other than waste money (most u can detect is 3.6gb)
4> Yes. Your laptop will be as fast as your slowest component.
5> Most it will cause is blue screen of death. uninstall and put back your original ram. In that case U got a bad ram or does not support (watch out for cheap rams as some of them are downgraded chips)

 

ok, I might just get 4gb and upgrade to 64bit ultimate when they support it

thanks rexi +rep

 

Yeah - I had to call every business day 'coz one of my friends ordered from Alienware and he had to go thru a miserable MONTH of waiting. (He was told by the sales person that he would get the machine in 2 weeks - Apart from that delay he is very happy with Alienware). Also - March 6th was what the website specified when I ordered - I didnt order with the Smart Bay - Additional Battery - If I had ordered with that., then yes - the ship date changed to Mid March.

Whatever be the fact - I would have patiently listened - BUT TO BE TOLD I WAS FRUSTRATING TO TALK TO - C'mon - What kind of customer service tells their customers that????????

 

hey guys i have a question about the smart bay. i did not want to waste space so im posting it here insted of making a new thread.

1) i heard if i call alienware after buying the smart bay. i can recive a discount. is this true? and what are the prices/ details of how i can order a 320gb smart bay?
2)320 gb is the largest size, correct?
3) if it fails how can i recover the data inside? is it a normal laptop hard drive in thier?

 

1. I think so.
2. Yes - positive
3. Again, I think so. Not positive on 1 or 3, better get other opionions, but i think yes for all

 

I am at the crucial website looking at ram choices for the m15x...

4GB kit (2GBx2)

Part #: CT776409 • DDR2 PC2-6400 • CL=6 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-800 • 1.8V • 256Meg x 64 • = $152

OR

4GB kit (2GBx2)

Part #: CT776426 • DDR2 PC2-5300 • CL=5 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR2-667 • 1.8V • 256Meg x 64 = $110

What is the difference in pc2? Is the more expensive any better?

 

1) If u have order your AW, call them and ask to upgrade, They will transfer to technical support (not gear shop dept). The price is USD 200 bucks for 320gb smartbay. After that ask for free shipping (normally give to first time upgrader) if not ask for 10% discount. They will normally give either one.

2) Yes. U can crack open and put in a bigger in future according to tech support (but size must be the same). Also Pls let me know the transfer speed when u have one on hand.

3) Yes its a normal Laptop HDD. If it fail crack open the nuts and get a usb type connection from best buy.

Edit: AW say if u crack the smartbay plastic, u are a goner. So open carefully. Dun ask me how to open cause I ask this question b4, They say "Good luck my friend"

 

They are diff in speed. More speed more expensive. IMO u wont feel the diff unless u use a tool to benchmark cache speed etc... U can try 800mhz for fun, but AW dun support them (dun know why). Their recommended max speed is 667mhz. Crucial is one of the very good ones. So buy it.

 

i just read from the website its 5400 rpm, think ill pass. also it would be kind of annoying to switch out the drives. and then i have to have a loose computer part to carry around. for 200 bucks i could proballly manage to get a 1 tb external hard drive.

 

santarosa chipset supports up to 667MHz for ram. it's because of this.

those ram sir travis posted, had CAS 5 (ddr2 667) & CAS 6 (ddr2 800, probably they will have cas 5 @ 667, too).

I bought 2x2GB ddr2 800 CAS 5, and they work pretty well @ 667 CAS 4. better timings, better performance

 

Ok, if it doesn't support 800mhz, i'll just save the $50 and get the 667mhz.

thanks ppl

 

Anyone else get this email - I just got this in today and boy! am I disappointed:


There will be a slight delay in your Alienware order, because the part(s) listed below are temporarily backordered. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and assure you that we are doing everything in our power to expedite the process of obtaining the part(s). Once the part(s) have been obtained, your order will be processed.

1- AREA-51 M15X 15" WUXGA W/CAM SIL-RIP-PNT .................... Expected Date: 3/10/2008

Well, I guess they arent going to meet any of their ship date estimates!

 

Hi,I'll buy soon this notebook but I was wondering if I not buy this thing>>"AlienRespawn v2.0 Recovery DVD – Windows Vista Edition" will I get windows vista on dvd?Because my brother buy some advent laptop with vista but hi didint get vista on dvd.The company gave him only the key to vista I don't no how its working on Alienware company.If I dont buy this recowery DVD will I have normal windows vista on dvd,all drivers,and all stuff?

2.If I will buy 4 GB of RAM will I get vista 64-bit?And what heppend if somebody choose 2 GB of RAM?They install 32 or 64 bit windows?

3.Can I plug PS3 to Area51 m15x by HDMI?I would like to se the video on my from ps3 on my notebook
Please help me

 

They'll meet mine, since I ordered the 1440 x 990 screen. The part on backorder is the 1920 x 1200 screen.

 

Mysterio - Hate to be the one to break it to you

BUt please check out this post:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=225987

 

i won't be too happy, if i were you.. i ordered the same screen as you and ALL screens are back ordered..

 

I haven't received the e-mail, so I'm assuming my manufacturing pick has already received its screen.

 

Hey there. this is my first post as I am new to the forums. Wanting this beautiful machine is what got me finding this site. as for your email from AW, I never received one and I ordered the same screen as you. I placed my order February 11th......
When did you place yours?

 

you're in phase 8.. you'll be fine.. lucky you.. the email are for people still in phase 4..

@mystirio - i didn't receive an email either.. i emailed them about it but haven't been replied yet.. a word from the wise, "assuming is not knowing.. and not knowing means nothing.."

 

No you don't get Vista with the recovery, although it is pretty usefull. As for as the RAM: No you don't get vista 64 alienware only offer 32 bit vista. If I were you I will not buy AW ram it's overpriced, you can get it cheaper from another store.

 

I meant to say respawn

 

Really? Assuming is not knowing? I didn't know. Thank you.

However, calling AW and being told none of my parts are on backorder is knowing. Besides, even if it is on backorder, so what. Such is the way of supply chains, and I have other things to do while my PC's being built.

 

You are a really patient soul - Just one question though ---- When you are paying an abnormal amount of money for something., wouldnt you atleast at the very minimum EXPECT THAT IT BE SHIPPED SOOOON!#@$????/

 

oh ok.. i didn't know you called.. must've missed that post. well, lucky you then! so you do know that your order will be ok..

well, if i don't get it soon, i'll have nothing to do during easter break.. was so looking forward to kill time with gaming.. sigh..

 

I stand corrected. If I was in your shoes, I'd be wanting it ASAP, as well. Can't blame ya there!

 

Phase 9: (Order Shipped)
Congratulations, the order has been shipped. We only hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed building it for you.

I feel like a kid on christmas! maxing out a credit card on soemthing i can't afford, hope it pays off with my soon to have online business!
Upon arriving, I will try to post some cool videos up as I've spent countless hours everyday since I ordered this beast a month ago and still see the same few videos everywhere. Any specifics on what you guys who are patiently waiting would like to see?

 

Congratz Buddy I hope it will be all you've been waiting for and bring you much joy !!

edit: maybe you could show us you playing an online game like WoW or maybe even Eve-online ....and plz don't forget to start something like Fraps before you do...if not also no problem. ( plz remember the possibility that your username could probably show dunno if thats a problem to you) Or better yet maybe a strategic game with loads of objects if you know what i'm talking about.

Thanks a bunch!

 

That the shame that alienware offer only 32 bit vista.How company can say that is one of the best one if dosn't offer so basic thing like vista 64 bit.Why the offer 4 gb Ram without OS 64bit?That ridiculous

 

You can upgrade to 64bit for free through Microsoft I thought. Alienware's proprietary programs for handling the fancy LED's and Stealth Mode may not be supported though.

 

I won't upgrade to 64-bit until they support them.. and people have tried it
;P

 

One more question,
1.Will I get Windows Vista on DVD or I will get only a key?
2.If I upgrade 32bit to 64bit the key to vista will by still working?
3.If I dont buy this dvd recovery will I get all drivers as well?
4.What about this HDMI?Is it HDMI out and in?

 

I think you will get a dvd with things that install the image.....
"2.If I upgrade 32bit to 64bit the key to vista will by still working?" That made no sense..
3. IDK
4. IDK

 

4. Only HDMI out.

 

1) U get a recovery disc. Never seen PC manufacturer give out Vista DVD (like the retail version)

2) Yes it will work but u need to pay some money to Mr Gill G. Here to pay:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsvista/1033/ordermedia/default.mspx

3) Driver are easily obtainable. Ask in the forum and ppl will give u. (I will at least)

4) HDMI out.

 

First post here so big Hello to everyone.

• Has anyone installed XP pro on the m15x? Possible?
• Can the AlienFX / control center (backlight settings) work with XP or will you lose that functionality?
• Where are specific XP drivers for the m15x and all the internals?
• Have you seen performance increase switching to XP pro on the m15x and how much?

thx in advance.

 

About 32-bit versus 64-bit Vista: if you already have a 64-bit Vista disc, the license you receive with your Alienware will work just fine with it. All you would be doing is paying money to Microsoft to obtain the 64-bit disc.

 

Just a small note in case you didn't know, to those planning on gettin Vista Ultimate with the m15x - "Microsoft has admitted that service pack one (SP1) for its Ultimate edition of Windows Vista will not be made available to everyone in mid-March as originally planned, because of a delay with 31 of its language packs." It should come out "later in 2008" was all that was said.
The SP1 for Windows Vista Home Premium (& family) will be released shortly.. My guess within 2 weeks time..
Happy Shopping

 

Does somebody knows if it would be possible to order a 9-cell battery in North America as it is available in Europe?

btw thx wraithers for the info on sp1

 

I've seen all of the problems that people have with overheating. I'm wondering how the heat problem is just watching movies and doing word processing tasks.

I've been looking at the m15x to take to class for notes as well. I figure I'd only be playing games at home and I can get a cooler for it and that in class I'd probably just end up watching movies and typing notes.

My laptop right now overheats when I just watch a movie on it, so I want to make sure that the overheating problems aren't as extreme on the m15x.

Thanks

 

I think the real problem is that the GPU downclocks when gaming, maybe because of overheating. I don't think people would have complained, if there was not this issue! I don't think it will overheat when watching a movie or just typing. especially if you use integrated gpu

 

ya thats what i figured i just wanted to make sure though

 

I'm going to unstick this thread for now as I don't have the time to maintain it at the moment, hopefully I will soon. Feel free to remind me via PM to update this if I don't within a reasonable timeframe.