My new Alienware Area 51 m15x

i thought my laptop has webcam but my system does not detect it does anyone know if m15x come with webcam?

My powerdvd doesnt even play any movies it says not allowed to play acc something but its working now because i have upgraded the software to a newer version than the one that cam with default software.

It has been a terible experience with this alienware i bought it from a computer shop called Austin COmputers in Osborne park australia. I ordered this computer brand new for my 8 year old daughter only to find out the shop owner and his employees had installed all sorts of games and playing games on it he didnt realise i was coming to pick up the laptop. They stole her new computer experience I feel really angry with that shop.


Problem1:

The Shop owner at Austin Computers and his employees took my new Alienware m15x out of the box and cover then installed games on it, played games on it then left it on public counter display so their customers could also play on it. The day we went to pick it up our so called new laptop had unauthorised games such as quake war and call of duty 4 on it ( have recorded the serial install key of the Call of Duty 4 from my registery as proof.



Problem 2:

the software powerdvd refused to play any dvd or blue ray because of some law against playing it lol ***? weirde but fixed i had to buy a new software to play blueray.



Problem 3:

Here are the photos of my horrible nightmare please dont look it will make you sick !!!!




Problem 4:

The screw that holds the lcd display and the cover is missing.


Problem 5:

The covers around the key board is warping due to not being able to handle heat.


Problem 6:

The AlienFX suddenly dies and refuses to work.



Problem 7:

some of the screws that hold the hard drive cage are destroyed by power tools (either done by Austin Computers or Alienware but I think it could have been done by Austin Computers because they installed the hard drive for me before i picked up my new laptop) - some screws are missing from the back panel and hard drive cage too.



Problem 8:

Instead of using electrical tape to cover exposed wires they used sticky tape instead.



Problem 9:

The key board sometimes doesnt respond



Problem 10:

The mouse sometimes has lag or doesn't respond like a normal mouse.


Problem 11:

Customer service doesnt call back after leaving messages for them to call me back.


Problem 12:

The webcam didnt work because the driver was not installed by AW.



Problem 13:

The name plate still hasn't arrived after almost 4 months


Problem 14

The plastic cover at the top panel around the keyboard outer area towards the lcd display screen near the volume control and power buttons are starting to warp because it couldn't handle the heat being generated by the laptop.

The biggest problem was buying it through a vendor such as Austin Computers in Osborne Park Australia. They thought i wasn't going to pick up my Alienware from them for another 4 weeks so they took this opportunity to put our brand new laptop on their customer display counter to advertise and sell more Alienware products.

They installed games on it without my permission, they played with it and had finger prints all over the display screen from god knows who. They have violated my brand new laptop to such an extent that it didn't feel new to us.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A PRESENT FOR MY DAUGHTER BUT THEY STOLE THAT FROM HER !!!

DO NOT BUY ALIENWARE FROM AUSTIN COMPUTERS YOU ARE WARNED.


Good news today: 20/08/2008 <<---- this is even better it's my birthday today yippy heheheh

Today Alienware rang me and told me they are giving me a refund but i wanted to upgrade to the m17x - they told me the 2 computers come from different manufactorer so i am more than wrapped. Having said that let me say this i am disappointed that i wont be around to pick it up for a month or more because i am flying off to work again

THANK YOU ALIENWARE FOR HELPING US PUT THIS NIGHTMARE BEHIND US.

THANK YOU ADAM (ALIENWARE CUSTOMER SERVICE YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB)[/

 

you can just do a reinstall with alien respawn. since you bought it from a shop that would be the first thing that i do. that should fix your software problems. you dont know what the previous owner was doing so its best to respawn first.

 

Holy crap man. That is pure BS. I would be kicking up a stink about that. Ask for refund and order one direct from AW. And if they are an authorized AW reseller I would be contacting AW corp office.

 

I didnt bother contacting ALienware because the shop owner had used an excuse on me when i caught them red handed playing games on my laptop and having it on displayed on their counter the computer had all sorts of finger prints on it.

His excuse was he wanted to make sure the computer ran properly.

 

you bought a 3000$ lappie for your 8-year-old? geez... anyway, yeah, i'd do a complete fresh start from the respawn dvd/file. oh and the m15x does have a webcam. you might need to reinstall the drivers for it.

 

i did just that and thats when ifound out the pwerdvd wouldnt play any BD movies so i was forced to use a new version i purchased on the net.

 

What a load of BS man. I wouldn't have been able to control myself on that one. lol... I would snap LMAO.. Glad to see you have more constraint then I. lol. Just kidding, a fresh install will make good as new. And I believe the FN + the camera ICOn on one of the F keys will enable your Webcam. I had to do the same with mine when it arrived.

 

Well my friend that's where i ran into other problems ALienware website wants acount number and since i bought it from ther authorised store i never got an account number.

Hence my problems starts here and i cant update my bios or vid drivers or webcam. It actually ended up costing my daugher (well really me) $5600.00 Australian Dollars.

 

If anyone is thinking of buying from an Authorised store i highly recommend buying from alienware direct.

It is an aweful experience I cant believe they robbed my daughther of owning a new laptop especially Alienware.


To make matters worse they dint even engrave the plate with my daugther's name as ordered.

 

woah. that's waaaaaaaaaaaaay too much. return it IMMEDIATELY. get a full refund, and buy one directly from AW. and then spend the change on a proper lappie for your daughter.

 

There shoudl be an Alienware leather Binder with your System, with all that info inside. They should not have taken that from you. If you don not have that binder I suggest going back to the store and asking them where it is.

 

On what ground could i ask for a refund? he used that typical excuse although he shouldn't let his scumbag employees played on it. Besides he shouldnt have opened the new laptop box and put it on display at his shop counter that's waht really pissed me off.

 

I got all that i just wished they engrave the owner's plate with my daughgter's name it would have put a bigger smile on her face.


THe key board is having problem too sometimes it wouldnt type eventhough i pressed some keys.

 

you're perfectly entitled to ask for a refund (if you've legally bought it) within a set amount of times, usually like 14 or 30 days. he's not allowed to refuse you a refund if you want to return your product.

therefore, bring it back IMMEDIATELY, ask for a full refund (your 5600 AUD).

 

His shop has a no refund policy unless it's broken or not working. Although the webcam is not working right now that might not be enough excuse to get a full refund.

Does anyone know any Alienware Reps? I would like to let them know of my horrible experience which will deter me from getting the m17x for myself.

 

Whizzo is absolutly right. You have 30 days to ask for a FULL refund.

Also in that binder there shoudl have been a White Card(plastic credit card type) with your account info and other details on it. IE PHone number, web addresses adn email addresses etc.

 

well i didnt get the card and there were only 2 cds/dvds the respawn and the drivers. I noticed the other 2 cd holders were empty aswell. Were there supposed to be 4 cd's or dvd's?

I got the laptop for 1/5 week now and i am not able to get back to the shop because i am on an oil rig for another 3 weeks

 

Alienware-Steve surfs these forums alot. I am sure if he reads this, he will be PM'ing you really quick.

To me man it seems they need a good boot in the butt. I would be boxing that sucker up so fast and returning it. If they refuse you have alot of Legal rights there, and woudl tell them YOU will be contacting a lawyer. I know it sounds harsh but they really aren't respecting you as a paying customer. And the longer they Delay, teh closer you get to 30 days of owner ship.

 

webcam isn't working, dvd's won't play. definitely broken. if he wants to be anal and have a pedantic refund policy, you might as well be anal and complain about minor faults as well. maybe you can ship the laptop to a friend of yours so he can return it?

 

I believe I had 4 CD's. Respawn CD, drivers, POWER DVD and Nero.

What oil rig are you on. I hope your not up in Moomba. lol.

I just got my system back from the repair depot, and I am stuck offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Be another few days before I get home.

 

have you tried hitting f2 right after the bios screen that should respawn your system

 

I think it's F10 and yes i have done a respawn and because of that a few things doesent run unless i get a bios and webcam and other vid display updates.

 

o ok gotcha which GPU do you have?

 

i got only 1 8800M GTX 512 the shop owner said i cant get SLi

 

your m15x comes with a years warranty. This must be returned through the seller that you bought it from. Return it to the seller and tell them your thoughts. Since your system did not come with a working webcam or engraved nameplate, then you did not recieve the device as advertised.

YOU ARE entitled to a full refund. If he tries to make some stupid excuse, please contect your local authority and AW support.

I am going to assume that he did not give you the orriginal packaging. Since he did not do this, he accepts responsability to take care of any problems that arrise with your system (just in case he tells you to F off and go to AW with your beef)

His excuse for installing programs on the laptop and putting it on display is totally bogous as AW "say" that they test everything before dispatch. Oppening the packaging without your permission is against the resellers rights. He will be in big trouble for this. I hope AW steve sees this.

I reccomend posting the store that you bought this at so he can get in contact with the reseller and sort this out.

 

yeah, SLI is only on the m17x. just out of curiousity, why did you buy a used laptop for 5600$ for your eight year old daughter?

oh and btw you really should try to return it.

 

he should not try, he should do it no matter what. you may have to be a bit agressive for it.

 

you're right helios. threaten him with the law. he knows he has to give you a refund.

 

i didnt buy a used one i ordered a new one from that shop but they opened the box up and played their games on it before i took delivery of this new laptop.

I saw them put my new laptop on counter display and installed games on it with dirty finger prints all over the screen.. That's what pissed me off it was supposed to be a new one.

He said "Oh I thought you were'nt gona pick it up for 4 weeks - I told him i will not be ablel to pick up the laptop since i work offshore on Oil Rig. Regardless of what i have told him he shouldnt have put my new laptop on his counter display and having his customers along with his employees touching it.

 

Helios is correct. You hold all the cards here. And be firm and at the same time not rude. Just inform him the info the Helios gave you, I am sure if you mention authorities, that guy will cave. I bet alienware steve woudl love to sort this out for you. He has pretty muched helped everyone of us on this forum, who have had issues.

 

How do i contact Steve and who is Steve?

 

Here is his contact info.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/member.php?u=17278

[email protected]

Not sure how much he can do without the account number.

 

tyrone, do you still have a reciept from the shop, or some proof that you bought it though that store?

"oh i thought you were not going to collect it for 4 weeks" what he pretty much said was "oh, crap, you cought me messing about with your now used 4000dollar laptop, how am i going to talk my way out of this one."

Since they whent all crazy with your m15x when it came in, i can accurately guess that thats the only m15x that they have gotten in ever. Because of this, you can contact AW or AW-steve here and give them the details of the reseller. they can then check their account and get the number for you.

try to contact the reseller first and sort it out with him first. take drastic measures secondly, even if you think you wwill have no luck. trust me, my whole family are money hungry lawyers. you must give him a chance first to fix the error. If he does not comply, let loose, but be firm and civilised.

 

i don't think it was an authorized reseller... just a guy who said he could get m15x's... you give him your order specs, he orders it from AW, slaps on a grand or two and sells it to you.

EDIT: nope, looks like they're legit. http://www.austin.net.au/ProductList/tabid/103/Category/ALIENWARE/Default.aspx i hope AW-Steve will take drastic actions...

 

wow, what a roundabout way that they use for you to customize the system.

 

tyronne, this is completely BS of them!!!!!!!!!!! seriously!!!
have you already paid for it before you picked it up? if so, this is ridiculous for them to came up with "Oh I thought you weren't gonna pick it up for 4 weeks" sh!t. they have absolutely no right to open it no matter you are gonna pick it up in 4 weeks or even 4 months. it's like you bought a Ferrari for 300K from the dealer and their employees drive it home or restaurant daily for test drive. WHAT A PREMIUM CUSTOMER SERVICE! aside from that, no ones supposed to touch the screen! that will potentially reduce your screen life.
No need to request a refund at this point, but ask them for a brand new replacement!

 

also IMO the whole "brand new experience" worth quite few hundred bucks. If they opened it then it would be more like a refurbished product to me.

 

I still don't understand why you would be compelled to buy such an expensive laptop from a reseller (not even sure if they are an official AW reseller). I mean it isn't right for them to be messing around with YOUR laptop at all, I would be super pissed off. But why didn't you just order it direct from AW? Anyway good luck to you, sorry to hear about your misfortunes.

 

@Daedric, unlike people on this forum, there are lot of people out there want to buy a laptop from the stores. such as my parents, they rather bring in the laptop instead of ship it when it need to fix.

 

@tyronne - The M15x actually has CPU downclocking issues. Tell the owner that as well if you try to return it since you got the 2.8Ghz which is the processor that actually has been known (as of a day ago) to have the most issues with downclocking.

Also: I hate to say it but you paid WAY too much for that laptop. I'm looking at their prices for the 8600GT and they are out of control. I would suggest you do ANYTHING (legal of course) to get your money back for this system. I do not like AW because of some reasons but they are not as bad as you think. Return this and buy direct from Alienware and you will have a better experience.

 

If you look on their site, they label their opening and playing around with the laptop as their "AlienwareInspection". You've totally gotten scammed for a good $1.5k+. You should definitely do as much as you can to get a refund.

 

yea its therefore an open-boxed item. If they end up not returning your item you can take it to court, or ask for a very big discount back. Cant he take it to the BBB?

 

dude they openly say they inspect it in the stores booth .... Austin build computers/laptops And have a strong reputation in Perth in both enthusiast and general consumer comunities.. you should be happy that Austin tested out your laptop and made sure it had no down clocking heating or build issues before selling it to you..

fingerprints are nothing compared to down clocking issues or heat... this laptop is bleeding edge performance.... it has to be tested for safety and quality esp at its price tag... and curtainly with a novice computer user like a 8 year old child using it... a most unusual case that would require utmost levels of safety.


i would rather clean it with microfiber than have it molten and burning on my child's lap looking like a fool.

im a regular user of Austin computers and this kind of personal service is top class... this is not a Barbie doll... its the most powerful boutique laptop in of its class. Its like asking for a high performance sports car to never be test driven and still in bubble raping...

at the end of the day its technology... not a toy... a mistake many on this forum seem to make

 

you are joking, right?

 

its a long way to ship a laptop from Miami to sydney(i assume) and then 2 Perth...we are the second most isolated city in the world and shipping stuff back for repairs is VERY expensive from this location (and with the value of the laptop not worth the risk if your a unprotected consumer )

i would be complaining if they didn't test it out before handing it over to the questionable responsibility of 8 year old child.. and your kidding if you don't think that would be full of warranty woes if some thing did go wrong.

also seeing how you'r a location less "internet" person and have no clue about the nature of this local store (which i can literally walk too).. means you'r the misinformed joker not I.. We are not talking about some massive high volume department store... let alone a store in a busy shopping center.. we are talking about a isolated discreet store with little traffic and a very professional atmosphere

a retail product is a retail product... not some magical 100% perfect item off the internet... which the m15x is far from being.

 

wait... you're defending a store that makes you go through an annoying ordering process, overcharges you more than a grand, starts toying around with YOUR laptop in the shop (which i daresay they don't do with stuff like desktop components), and gives you only half the stuff your lappie was shipped with?

 

Ok for one your from Europe and have no understanding of the price ALienware Australia sell there systems at or the level technology is taxed in Australia.. from what i can gather he got a x9000 and 8800 with quite afue extras and 4gigs.. which easily puts it around the 5700.AUD number on the Alienware.com.au price config...

but thats not whats important...

What do Alienware do?... run 3dmark... test games to see they perform well with the drivers installed. mabye mabye not mistakes are made... by the sounds of this forum

I'm not sure on the details of being a Alienware reseller or the rules but i'm fairly sure if theres a issue u take it to them then they deal with alienware... ??... thus them making sure you'r Hardware is 100% operational and defect free before handing it over to you is nothing short of top class service above and beyond any internet order from china..

hell i've seen one or 2 american online store unboxing videos from the where people have said they can see fingerprints from the people who constructed the laptop in the first place and just as this man reacted badly to that..? what do they expect? we dont pressure seal performance bikes or cars... or any high end respectable technology other than a fashionable mac or some thing..


this argument is really silly a odd fingerprint and a quick batch of game/3dmark installs tests outlay the fact you now wont have to pay 250 both ways to send it back to america for repairs... let alone the risk of a item 25xtimes the above value being damage or lost in a very complicated and risky mail root...

hence the reason for using a reseller in the first place.

 

i do agree that you probably shouldnt of bought your 8 year old daughter an m15x. if it were me i would spend money on a laptop with a more durable case. The m15x just doesnt seem like a laptop for a 8 year old to me. I also doubt any 8 year old would know how to use the amount of performance :/.

In the end it is up to you if you want to refund it or not. Since you already have some problems and you seem pretty unsatisfied i would go with a refund. I would then probably buy a different laptop since if your daughter does drop the m15x thats going to be 3000 down the drain.

 

your unsatisfied. thats the only point that matters. Even if it was a perfect model with light titanium allow case and perfect parts. If you are unhappy, you have the right to get a refund.

 

oh my, that makes me laugh out sooo loud

crap im still laughing as i was typing...