So, I got my m17x today, and...

It's already blue screened once while randomly surfing the web, keyboard has cut out countless times for no apparent reason, and whenever I try to play S.T.A.L.K.E.R., the game glitches and the whole thing reboots. When it has loaded, the resolution has gone from 1900x1200 to 1024x768.

Now, I know I could troubleshoot this and probably get it to working condition, but my question is...why should ~I~ be the one that has to do it? I thought this was all supposed to be gone over during the building process.

Rather than go through the headaches that I've read about others going through with the CS, I believe I'm just going to pack her back up and send her on her not-so-merry way. I'm truly dissapointed... I've gone through an AW desktop for 4 years prior to this, and never really had a problem. But for all this to happen, within a few hours of unboxing? Thanks AW, but no thanks.

I'll take the 900$ (gets kicked in the ribs) hit and count it as a learning experience. And a very expensive one, at that. The only reason I can honestly give for posting this here, is just because I needed to vent. I'm sure not all AW systems are sent out in this state, but mine was. And this one was one too many...

 

try video drivers from laptopvideo2go.com, that's could solve your problem.

 

Adding on to Nirvana's post. Try this:
http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showforum=94

Download the 177.92 drivers as well as the modded INF file. After you extract the files, copy the modded INF file into the folder you extracted the drivers in. Uninstall your current drivers, reboot, then install the new drivers.

I've had a few BSODs back when first used my m15x. Simply updating the drivers completely fixed that issue and improved my FPS substantially. If you still want to send it in, then be my guest, but I think it may be worthwhile to try this out first.

 

What Spec is your machine?

I had problems when I upgraded to 177.83 drivers but as Oceanus has already said the 177.92 are great IF you're running 8800GTX's in Sli...

ANother "silly" question, have you had a good virus checker running whilst you're on the net? If not you could have a virus, if your Pc crashed whilst surfing as you have said...

Just my 2p...

OB

 

I can understand being over the whole AW thing to have a machine act like this straight out the box, but at the same time, its like you're rewarding their incompetence by handing over $900 for that fee. I'd mess with it a little more to see if its fixable before calling it IMO

 

A restocking fee for returning a new, perfectly working but unwanted product is one thing. However, I'm pretty sure a restocking fee for returning a faulty product (not fit for purpose) is highly unethical and would be worth pursuing with Trading Standards - I may be wrong but I think that charging a restocking fee for returning faulty goods is an illegal violation of consumer rights.

Of course, I'm speaking from a UK perspective here - your mileage in other countries may vary.

Edit: it is illegal here, as per Sale of Goods Act 2003 and Consumer Protection Regulations 2000.

 

in the UK you can get it returned for no restocking fee. But you have never dealt with American Alienware

 

Ahhh.. gotcha!

 

You can return it with no restocking fee.

Just call your credit card company and explain to them the situation if Alienware wont give you full credit.


* not legal advice just a consumer to consumer thought

 

Yeah I would try to diagnosis it a little bit first. Many of us have m17x's and I don't think there has been any real issues reported yet.

 

Hi deathdragon and welcome to the wonderful world of alienware.
im sorry to hear your having problems straight out of the box. i went through the same situation with the m15x

if you are going to try and sort it out before you send it back it would be a good idea if you send a PM to Alienware Armando or Alienware James who might be able to give some help.

 

Well, here's a small update...

I woke up this morning and decided I had overreacted, and that I should indeed at least try to figure things out before returning it.

So, I installed the 177.92 drivers, and that has seemed to remedy the problem I was having with the game. Thanks for that suggestionm by the way.

I am still, however, experiencing the blue screen problem. I was sure to install an antivirus program on my computer, prior to plugging in the internet cable. It happened again as I was browsing the internet though. I ran to get pen and paper to write down the codes and whatnot, but it was gone by the time I got back. I vaguely recall the words "empty" and "IRQ" though.

Vista is reporting it as a video hardware error, then the blue screen 1 minute later. I can post details, if anyone thinks they might know what the problem might be.

At any rate, I'm going to stick with it for now. Thanks for all the help and advice thus far. This is a very helpful community, and I appreciate all your help and work.

 

deathdragon,
Alienware James and Armando are good but so the Roswell team are very good when it comes to technical issues.

 

I can check it out to see what the problem is. Until then, I suggest doing three things:

#1) Check to see if there are any updates via Windows Update (Control Panel > Security > Windows Update). Microsoft may sometimes release patches that may fix problems like this.

#2) Run an error check on the disk. To do this, go to My Computer, right click on your C:\ drive and then click on "Properties." Once you're in Properties, click on the "Tools" tab, then under Error-checking, click "Check Now."

It'll bring up a smaller window that gives you "Check disk options." Click on both boxes and then click on start. When it tells you it can't "check the disk while it's in use," click on Schedule Check Disk and then restart your computer.

#3) If your problem still persists, contact Roswell and describe to them the problems you've been experiencing.

In any case, I'll throw you my findings tomorrow (or tonight if I find a solution early). Your descriptions are a bit vague, but I suppose I can work with what you have described thus far.

Cheers.

 

I contacted Roswell earlier tonight, explained the problem, and since both BSOD happened while I was surfing the web, they suggested I try updating the driver for my wireless card. So I've done that, and so far, no more blue screens. I'm not confident that solved the problem though. But since I can't recreate the issue at will, I'll just have to wait and see, I suppose.

One thing I've noticed though... Looking at the drivers list for all the devices, I can count on one hand the drivers that are from 2008. Most are from 2007, some even from 2006. Is this normal? I'm wondering if it wouldn't be a good idea to just go ahead and update all my drivers for everything.

Edit: Oceanus: I'll be trying your suggestions next. Sorry for my being so vague. I'm not the most tech savvy guy, but don't go to any extra trouble for me. I do appreciate your help though. Thanks for your ideas, they are much appreciated!

 

Some drivers are better left off untouched. If it really bothers you, then at least create a system restore point in case something happens after you do update your drivers. Better to have something to fall back on if something goes wrong.

And yeah, you're pretty much hit it. I was starting to assume that it was the wireless card's fault for your BSOD's since it seems like it only happens when you're surfing on the web.

In any case, if it does happen again, you know what to do.

I strive on helping people, so don't worry about it. I'm an addict when it comes to the feeling you get after you've successfully helped someone out. It's a really rewarding feeling.

 

I don't think AW will give you a refund right off the bat. They will do everything and then some to talk you into sending it in for repair. AW will not let go of your money just like that.