*Dell-Alienware & AW Legacy Replacement Systems-Warranty Repair Issues*

I hope all goes well Infernia, got my fingers and toes crossed for you! Keep me updated on how it goes. And yes there's no question on the temps being over the line, I don't think anything other than the case itself would hold up under those temps! And on my case they also stated that in the event they do have to change the processor to the 920xm that they would have to cancel the order entirely and start over again so 2-4 weeks of an inital wait then probably another 1-4 weeks after that for the new order. Putting me 3-4 months without a functional computer and most likely out of warranty!!!!!!!!!

 

Just to update everyone, I got a call from DELL/Alienware, and they told me my system is in production and will be shipped on the 25th. Additionally, they did change some things, here is the system I'm getting:

1 224-8107 Space Black - Anodized Aluminum
1 310-0173 Airborne Documentation, System Exchanges,Factory Install
1 313-8791 AlienFX Color, Mars Red
1 313-8944 5.1 Channel Audio
1 313-8977 8X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive,QuickSilver
1 317-3658 Intel Core i7 820QM 1.73GHz (3.06GHz Turbo Mode, 8MB Cache)
1 317-3663 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz
1 320-8856 17-inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 RGB LED (1200p)
1 320-8858 Dual 1GB ATI Radeon Mobility HD 4870 in CrossfireX
1 330-3924 Name Plate Engraving
1 330-6106 Personalized Nameplate Trigger
1 330-6352 Automatic Updates: Off
1 330-7841 Alienware M17x 240W A/C Adapter
1 342-0668 500GB 7,200RPM SATA-II HDD
1 410-1883 ADOBE READER 9.0 MULTI- LANGUAGE
1 410-2461 MCAFEE PEARL MUI,30DAY,Without Media
1 420-6436 PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
1 420-9691 DataSafe Local BackUp 2.0 Basic
1 421-1304 CyberLink PowerDVD 8.0 Software
1 421-1305 Nero 9 Media Burning Software
1 421-1360 Steam and Portal Factory Installed
1 421-1398 Genuine Windows 7 Ultimate, 64bit, English
1 421-1573 Alienhead 3D
1 421-1721 Soft Contracts,Banktec Care,Alienware
1 421-2261 Alienware Command Center, M17x
1 430-0628 Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR
1 430-3688 Dell Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini Card
1 464-7384 Exchange


I'm very happy, I wanted the 5870s but I guess I can upgrade later on down the road as I know the 4870s should do everything I want for atleast the next 2-3 years. I can't wait till it gets here! Well I guess I better update my signature. Thanks everyone who helped!

 

Well I found some more info out tonight myself, my rep blatently lied to me today. She stated Dell/AW didn't have any i7-820qm processors in stock, she stated they were on backorder with no eta on getting more, she also stated that them being backordered was the only reason for me not having my computer shipped by last Friday as originally promised. Well it was a complete lie I just got off of the phone with a tech rep and he stated that they had 10+ i7-820qm's in stock not scheduled to be used for anything. Anyone have a recommendation short of calling her out on it over the phone? I'm one lie away from lawyering up and going after triple damages like my state allows.

 

duc1976 I got the 4870 and I have seen several people having problems with the drivers. I am happy I got the 4970 no problem's
Enjoy your new system

 

4970? I didn't see that in your sig? Is that a desktop part?

 

Dane,

I can appreciate your frustration, but I would be hesitant to call her out. A tech rep may not have the same "visibility" as someone who is placing an order, as the systems that they are using may be different.

Manufacturing may have different sku's, as part of an assembly than do tech reps; who will pull or offer parts.

Their systems may be arranged in such a way, such that if there is a shortage indicated anywhere in the process; it will flag or delay an order; even if there are parts available elsewhere in the company.

Just because there are processors in Texas, doesn't necessarily mean that there are any at the factory in China.

Who knows, maybe they are full of BS; but I really don't feel that they are intentionally lying to you.

Besides, what's the point? She lies, you call her out; she delays your system for yet another week, or oops; cancels your order outright.

Also, keep in mind, once your lawyer up; they will no longer deal with you, period.

They will insist that you, or your attorney, communicate directly with their legal department.

You attract more flies with honey than with vinegar.

Just my two cents worth.

Good luck, and let us know how things turn out.

 

Thanks for the advice Dan, I'm going to give them til the end of the month to make solid and provable progress progress/send me a laptop before I do anything at all. I really don't understand why Dell/AW is putting so many of us through so much. And what I really don't understand is how a company that acts like this becomes so sucessful. I don't know anymore. I'll keep you all updated. And dcu if I had to guess what Alienwolf meant to say is he's seen a lot of driver issues with the 5870's(there has been a lot especially in crossfire) and that he is glad he got the 4870's. Don't be disappointed the real world difference between the two is slim, check out some of the forums where owners comment about the difference I think you'll be surprised!

 

DaneGRClose, check your PM

 

Well you know my opinion, however I would give them the time and then... do what you have to do.
I'm going to bed soon Robot chicken is ending. Before I go, I just now heard one of the fans in the gpu's start to make some funny noises. Guess it doesn't like running between 80-106C constantly. No word, call, or email yet.
Still waiting. As always good luck to all.

 

Hey Infernia, did you open your unit up to see if they added/applied thermal compounds to your gpus and cpu. That might be a reason for such high operating temperature.

 

Actually I didn't. BUT, when they sent me the prior video cards and I had to attach the heatsinks (multiple times) I always used the artic silver cleaning solution and applied as5 for good measure.
I really think, as some other forum members have posted to another thread where I asked about the temps, that these cards are ticking time bombs in the heat department. I have this laptop on top of an aluminum laptop cooler with a 120mm fan blowing on it constantly.
I have some good news though. My critical issues rep. got back to me with the temperature threshold and for these 9800M GT's it shouldn't be running above 90-92C peak load. And.... they are going to refund me. *sigh* relief.
After all this time and all this worry about the warranty and heat issues... finally a light at the end.
All I can say to all those that helped me... Thank you.
Without this forum, particularly this thread, I don't think I would have a happy story to tell. I will update as soon as it all goes through and I know for 100% sure.

 

Great to hear Infernia! I'm glad you finally see the door at the end of the road, and that it's a happy resolution!

 

Quite a long and bumpy road. I just can't wait til the day that both you and I can get rid of the frowns/sad faces at the end of our sigs! Here's hopin.

 

Whats the plan with the refund another brand?
Or you going to take the Bull by the horns and order another Alienware?
Me if I did it over I'd order a m15x maxed out duel cards run everything way hot for my taste..just me

 

Infernia-I am looking forward to that day too, and while I'm gonna keep hope up for the both of us the day is sooner than you think now that we both have the answers to what lies at the end of the long and bumpy road! ;-)
@Alienwolf-The sad part is with what she's been through an m15x with dual 480's(if it were possible) would probably run at lower temps than what the lappy's she has been throug did. If I were in Infernia's position it would be tough, honestly if Sager made a lappy that had switchable graphics and/or a bigger battery I would have possibly gone with them to start but sub 1 hour battery life all the way accross still puts Alienware in the lead on an all around top of the pack system, at least on the systems that actually work X-)

 

Honestly, I have no idea. I have the bitter/sweet sort of taste in my mouth right now. I couldn't have asked for a better resolution, but how much 'stuff' I went through for almost 5months now, and the deception. Well like I said, I don't know. The only other I would consider is the Sager for what I need to do, but it's missing the two things I love about AW. Strange person that I am, I love the amazing screen and the backlit keyboard. I type in the dark and the keyboard is great for late night writing which is a must with kids. Only time I get when it's nice and quiet.
I really want another AW, eventhough relatives and friends think I'm insane. They did have to live with me during all this.
I think you are right about the heat from the dual card setup. The Ripley case, that I have/had placed both cards right next to each other and I think the heat dissapation(even the passive kind) was kind of poor. Laptop cooler fan placement is usually in the center and the Ripley had the gpu's towards the upper corner.
Anyway... we shall see once it is truly resolved and my frown turns to a smiley in the sig.


DaneGRClose said it best. And the Sager isn't really a cut above for what I need the laptop for. But I will have a bit of time before it all comes through and I can do a lot of research in the meantime.

 

What I think is odd, is they had your unit for 4+ months and they didn't notice those high temps, I wonder if they do any quality control or do they just build and ship.

 

No the laptop gpu's reached temps beyond 107C in February and it killed the rest of the components. From February to April I replaced multiple gpu's they sent to me to determine it was in fact more than a gpu problem. They screwed up on orders multiple times so that it didn't get to their facility until May and they kept it over a month. In my Hive it shows them replacing the barebones, lcd, case and the number of video cards exceeded 10 different ones before sending it back to me.
As far as I can tell they use a cpu test Prime95 and 3Dmark06. BUT yeah how did it get through quality control? When I ran 3Dmark06 it still ran 99C-103C in the demo modes. So I don't know. Without monitoring temps continuously or with a program that logs the max and min temps, maybe this problem slips through the cracks, so to speak.

 

i just got my r2 replacement today , and the alien fx around the touch pad do not work lol.

 

Sorry to hear it Dan. The sad part is if I could have my lappy in my hand today and nothing was wrong other than the light on the touch pad I'd be ridiculous happy! But either way sorry to hear it man! That should be a simple fix at least!

 

dirtydan - I hope there is a simple fix for this. Otherwise... more waiting

 

dirtydan the touch pad works but no lite around it?
remember with a mouse hooked up touch pad has no lite you have to go in and disable that..worth checking.

 

My mouse pad has always stayed lit unless I either turned it off in AlienFX or used the FN+F12 combo. Now if I plug in a mouse it would disable the touchpad from working but not the light.

 

infernia sorry for bad taste know what you mean, the sad thing is when it works right it is the best i have ever had.
Your right the the RGBLED screen and the lite keyboard, yes.
But also the metal the weight, I take this to work and it just feels unlike any plastic one's I have had. Sold my Qosmio 305
for this, nice but a toy compared to this. anyway hope you stay both of you..

 

That was the way the R1 system worked. The R2 system will shut down the light and the touchpad as soon as you plug in the external mouse(to the best of my knowledge). However the system works and the light is not an issue I strongly believe all R2 system to be designed like this.

 

Hi guys just got mail from my rep he gave me the tracking number ..delivery will arrive in the next couple of days its been shipped from the factory but not arrived yet in the uk ...may be next week I will get the system....

 

That's awesome shadyboy what were the specs on your system again?

 

Intel® Core™ i5 Processor 540M(2.53GHz,3MB cache)
OPERATING SYSTEM
Genuine Windows® 7 Professional, 64bit,
GRAPHICS CARD
Single 1GB ATI® Mobility Radeon™ HD 5870
MEMORY
4096MB 1333MHz Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM [2x2048]
HARD DRIVE
500GB (7,200rpm) Serial ATA Hard Drive
They have changed 3 things processor which an upgrade to old one windows instead of windows 7 home I will get a professional and the graphic card instead of the old 260m I will get ATI...

 

That's gonna be a pretty sweet setup you're getting there man! Very similar to mine other than the cpu and ram! Hopefully you get yours soon mine is starting to look like a ghost computer as it's been about a week and a half and it still hasn't even been built.

 

Thats a nice system you got there!

 

Thanks guys ..dane hopefully u will get ur soon.

 

Dane yours will probably show up shipped and never built seen some do that, mine never boxed went right to shipped then tracking showed nothing till half way here.

 

My rep told me today they still don't have the CPU, she said it does have a service tag now and that she usually sees them ship within 2-3 days once a service tag has been created. Here's to hoping!

 

Its all down hill once you get a service tag. I'm still waiting on mine(still in production)

 

Reading ur comments make me think that even though u guys been in touch with ur rep for such log time and u r still waiting for ur system and I was just in touch for about 2 month and I will get my system soon are they joking with me or this is real ...?

 

Shady boy a service tag and a tracking number are very different, if you have a tracking number then it's built or they wouldn't have anything to ship. Now there is still problems that can happen to delay it but it's a lot more unlikely. A service tag is just a number to identify a system, a service tag existing doesn't even mean that the system exists in any way yet it's kinda like an order number til it's built and/or shipped it doesn't mean anything.

 

I am talking about the tracking number not the service tag number , because the rep sent me order number and customer number now when I put those numbers in tracking link it just say that product has been shipped then I made a called to ups they says that ur product hasn't been arrived yet in the uk it will be here next monday or tuesday then I will get it in 2 days ...let's hope if this is true ....

 

Dane,

Once you have the service tag, it really is in the home stretch. I would not be surprised to hear that it ships before the end of the week.

Once you see the tracking number, the system has already been shipped from China to the US.

 

A lot of the R2 replacements don't come from China, if you are in the U.S. They are built in Tenn. and your product info will read this a couple lines down.
Airborne Documentation, System Exchanges,Factory Install
Also it may say Latin America..if it has that then it was built for sale in South America and a team set it up for U.S. use.
Just thought you'd like to know.

 

Alienwolf mine says exactly that "Airborne Doc......." but doesn't say anything else is it supposed to say a location? And I don't have a service tag, it wasn't given to me my rep just said one had been issued for it and was showing in their systems. I really hope all this is true I'm going through major withdrawals and I haven't even got it yet! :-(

 

We will see! Reason I said something is because yours is prob being built in Tenn like mine was. Once you get the service tag prob will say the South America, dont worry mine said that but runs in English
All seems to be fine for you right now hang in there.

 

dwarf you are correct. the r1 stays on all the time but the r2 will turn the light off when the touch pad is disabled. good looking out bro.

also i would like to point out that the 2 5870 cards are 10x better than the gtx280m sli. its almost day and night on some games i play.

 

Thanks Alienwolf,

AW manufacturing won't be in the US for long, as operations move overseas.

Alienware Laying Off Employees (outdated/ 2009).

 

Dan did you notice the date on that? I think either it's a joke or it was wrong the date was like March 25th, 2009 and AW still has a US plant.

 

Thanks Dane,

Yeah, noted that it was a little outdated,

Let us know how that replacement works out for you.

 

Will do, when/if I get it! LOL Hoping that it might ship some time between now and Monday based on all the info I have.

 

Dane,

Maybe this will provide a little motivation for the consumer resolution specialists at Dell.

New Orleans Authentic Voodoo Doll - eBay (item 130400814024 end time Jul-15-10 13:33:54 PDT)

Good Luck.

Dan

 

That's funny, I think that would most likely get me no computer and a company who would no longer take my calls though LOL!

 

new update.... well i spoke to the specialist incharge of my case and he has ordered me a 256gb ssd as well as a 500gb 7.2krpm secondary drive. i guess this is a result of calling this guy everyday lol. this is niiiicce

 

Nice job dirtydan, what did you say to swing that out of him? And did they give you a ship date or anything else?