M17X is a BIG pile of junk

Hey guys i am very frustrated by my Alienware now, its only 4 months old about. So far Bad hard drive was the first 1-3 weeks, now its another hardware issue, and just now the frinkin buttons on the top that control volume, eject, etc are all out. They do not light up nor respond to any command. Last 2 months been hell for me trying to fix this thing and figure it out. Yes the DPC Latancy is hella anoying, but that seems to be the least of my issues now. The Dell tech is coming tommarow, i will update status. It just seems this is the worst laptop i have ever had. (and its true) I can't even play frinkin Dawn of War without lag in the game. This is sad. How hard is it to get dell to give you your money back? I am sure its hard, but i am so over this thing. I am getting a Sager 9280 as soon as i get the money back for it. I can deal with the DPC latancy, yes its really annoying but i can't deal with the hardware issues. Any suggestions or anything i am really at the end of my rope and i am a very pacient person. (2 retail jobs lol)

 

Hey Stinger, sorry to hear that. You are owning a top of the line system but you are just unlucky with a defective (maybe) one. Wait and see how Dell guys will help. Take it easy atm man

 

I second that... I had similar issues with my first Alienware desktop rig back in 2005... however this laptop has been nothing but awesome in just about every aspect. It is one of the best designed PC/Laptops i've ever seen.

 

Have you tried a clean wipe and reinstallation of your OS and only necessary drivers, etc? I find doing this usually clears up 99% of any problems I'm having. My M17 is a dream come true. It never lets me down.

 

I hope they fix it, everyone deserves a working laptop for xmas ^^

 

Oh ya only reformated about 4-6 times so far. Lol I have updated, rolled back, and have done everything i can think of. Tech just called and is on his way already. We will see...

 

Best of luck man. There is a lot of expertise here, so if he doesn't fix it, let us know.

 

Did you open the machine recently? It might be a good idea to check the connectors. Just be careful, it's really easy to turn a powerful system into a pile of junk by misuse.

 

Only thing I have done is switch out ram, and harddrives and that's it. I'm kind of paranoid since desktops are my expertise not laptops

 

I'm about to get my 3rd M17x here in a little bit. After my original order was "stuck" for over 5 weeks I had it canceled and reordered and the new one took 10 days to get to me. It worked the first 1/2 day I had it then it would not post 1/2 the time I turned it on. After running hardware diags, reseating and swapping parts I got it replaced. The replacement system posts all the time but hangs constantly. Again I tested all the hardware and nothing failed. Multiple reloads and it even hung on a clean load of Win7 on a different HDD as it went to the desktop for the first time before I had a chance to load any drivers.

Now here's where it gets fun. Since Dell screwed up and didn't give me the 10% EPP discount on the reorder they claim they cannot give me anything like a 3rd replacement or free warranty upgrade because I got my "one free thing" already when they gave me a 10% refund and that they system would reject another one. So I am stuck sending the replacement back for a full refund and then I get to place a whole new order again. So with the holiday it most likely means that I don't have a chance to get a working M17x now until the end of Jan, which is over 3 months since I placed my original order...

 

Good luck man

 

I hope so, but i doubt it will happen.

That sounds fun... Frinkin Dell, its like it took me over 3 calls and 6 online chats to get a replacment harddrive in the first 1-2 weeks. So their is a way to get your money back just in case you know what hits the fan. The Sager 9280 is looking pretty damn good right about now.

 

Seems like your problem is a matter of technical support versus the actual product. Does Sager have the support that you're looking for? I've never dealt with them.

 

Its both so far, my laptop had has its issues with things. Plus Dells tech support is usless. Its pretty sad how you have to call your sells rep to get parts sent to you and techs also. So pretty much if my sales rep wasn't so nice and helping me out i would be screwed.

 

The m17x is not a pile of junk, just the one you got >_>

Sorry if that sounded too negative lol. Hope yours gets fixed. I always feel bad for people who get an awesome gaming laptop and have to spend months just getting it to work

sucks man.

 

Damn, I hope mine doesn't have these problems.. I hope everything works out for you in the end!

 

Make sure to ask your tech if he ever work on a M17x before you let him touch it. the on site guy are out sourced so watch out. I had a tech service my M15x end up causing more issues than solving them. so beware

 

Wow o.o thats a little embarrassing on dells part lol.

 

yeah, started with a screen replacement now ending up having to replace the whole system. Waiting for replacement to come, hopefully by new years.

 

Thats it I quit. Still doing same issue, tech broke the pannel for buttons. They said I need to do it.

 

they broke the panel? Jeez :s

This doesn't suck this...well I can't think of another word.

 

I warned you about the dell onsite tech most of them don't have a clue.

 

I feel bad for you.

 

From your avatar it looks like you want to kill him...and everyone...

Unless thats not you.

 

What is your next move Stinger?

 

He should get an M15x..and if that explodes then idk what he should do.

 

I am so mad didn't get your message until After my computer was back up and running LOL.

Thats me right now, and even he looks like he is a little happier then me right now.

Don't know yet, i might be getting a new replacment one. I just need to cool off a little before i talk to Dell, doubt it will help though. After talking to Dell for 2 minutes i already want to kill them..

 

whoever tried to fix your computer was just jealous that they don't have one

 

Stop right there Terminal, reading your funny posts everywhere makes me laugh to death

 

Only if you change your avatar so I can sleep better.

 

Update: No audo Stuttering, no video issues with frame rate drops.. YAHOO ITS FIXED! Finally it was one or both of the GPUS this computer is running so much faster even in windows... Now Dell just needs to fix the DCP latancy and i will be one happy camper.

 

So does this mean your not going for the Sager? Happy with the M17X? How did you fix it?

 

Err what? So you got it fixed? I thought Dell on site tech guy broke something.

I didnt know you even had trouble with Yahoo

And do you have any specific job relate to DPC Latency? Because I dont find it annoying that much for audio or video playback and stuff. I know with those who do the recording its a lot of trouble tho.

Glad to hear it tho. Better X-mas now

 

A lil question, the first generation ssd's gets slower once they get fully written, even slower than a normal hard drive. So, my question is, does dell/alienware give the option of good ssd's or the bad first generation ssd's?

Am waiting for a m17x with core i7, 8 gigs of ram, and a 500 gig ssd drive ^^ Need to know if they sell the good stuff....

 

the M17x dose not support the Intel i7 chip yet.

 

This should be it's own topic or use the search feature, but as of yet the M17X 256GB SSD is a samsung and does not have trim support. So you might be waiting a while. And theres no i7 support yet

 

I know there isnt a i7 yet, thats why I said im waiting x D anyway il make a different thread for this subject. But could u you explain the trim support? is that the difference between the old slow ssd's and the new ones?

 

after he put in the gpus computer was still retarded, all I did was deinstall and update to 190.68? Driver 12/09 one. I am not sure if I am yet I am still have to fix the part the tech broke. It iratates me how Dell wants dell to do if the tech was having issues sure will.

still broken pannel need to try to fix it today not looking foward to it.

 

The new 19C1Q fw is flashable on the PM800's so yes, they do have TRIM support

 

Wait. What about 128GB version?
And what does "fully written" mean exactly? No more free space or long term of use?

 

omfg i just got the part right now. (Its the long plastic piece with the Alien head and touch buttons on it. I don't know where to start... Keyboard probaly? anyone know Dell won't send a tech to help.

 

UPDATE: Problem NOT fixed, Got a BSOD playing WOW demo. It WAS a display error of somesort. I wonder if the tech put it in right. When i first turned on laptop it said Sli may not work because the cable may not be connected or somthing like that. Thats it ive had it now.....

 

If you look up some of Mr Moo Reinstalling CPU or GPU it would be on his Sig. The frist part of the video show you how to take off the Plastic panel and plug it in.

The video start of on the bottem and then he flips it over and show how to pull the keyboard and plastic part with the alienware head on it off.

 

Stinger, I'll buy your M17x for $2000. That way you can get rid of your headache and buy a Sager. Win/Win yes?

 

link to the videos here

 

Sorry to hear that the problem hasnt been resolved yet? I think just follow moos guide it should be better than having a dell tech poke at it, lol

 

If your serious I will defintly keep you in mind. I am goin to call Dell tommarow and "talk" with them. If that dosnt work I am selling it, which it's going to be either way

 

Are you serious Stinger? You have a great rigs. I mean, QX9300, GTX 280 SLI etc... Dell will either have to fix it or replace it for you for Christ sake!!! You have the right to have a working machine.

 

Yup I'm serious.

 

I know I spent a damn fortune on it to almost 4gs. But I am so sick for reformating, driver installs and deinstall and bsods. All I want is a working laptop. I think I was right the first time, I think the MB is bad.