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    What to look for?

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Turmoil, Oct 21, 2009.

  1. Turmoil

    Turmoil Notebook Evangelist

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    OK, so here is the deal. I found a local person here who has a decked out M17X for sale. Its about a month old and in mint condition (his brother died and they have no use for it). Has all the original packaging, invoice, etc. and will transfer the ownership/warranty right there on the spot to my name.

    I built it on Dell's website and it goes for $4k, and he will take $2500.

    Specs:
    -Black Metallic
    -Intel Core2 Duo T9800 2.93GHz (6MB Cache 1066MHz FSB)
    -6GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1333MHz
    -Mouse Pointers, STANDARD
    -17in WUXGA, LCD, ANW, M17X
    -SLI Dual 1GB GDDR3 NVIDIA GeForce 280m GTX (NB10E-GTX1)
    -1TB (500GB x 2) 7,200RPM (xMB Cache) - RAIDO
    -ALIENFX Blue
    -Windows Vista Ultimate (64-bit edition)
    -Avatar1
    -Window Style, DFT
    -ADOBE ACROBAT READER
    -Slot-loading Dual Layer Blue-ray Combo (BR-Rom, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
    -Internal 300Mbps Dual-Band a/g/n 2x2 MIMO

    I plan on inspecting it to make sure its legit before I hand him a money order. My question is, what do I look out for? How do I know its not just an Alienware shell with random computer guts?

    Please advise!

    - I will probably sell the replacement I get from Dell...
     
    Turmoil, Oct 21, 2009
    #1
  2. The_Moo™

    The_Moo™ Here we go again.....

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    Nothing else will fit in the case .....

    It's a working laptop or not .... Btw make sure to get the warranty transfered over


    Also bring a gun ;)
     
    The_Moo™, Oct 21, 2009
    #2
  3. Brah

    Brah Notebook Guru

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    Ask him to open up the device manager when you inspect it and check to see if it has the same specifications as you listed.
     
    Brah, Oct 21, 2009
    #3
  4. Turmoil

    Turmoil Notebook Evangelist

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    I am getting the service tag from him tonight so I can check it with Dell, then tomorrow I am going straight in the BIOS to make sure the service tags match up and will review the spec via BIOS.
     
    Turmoil, Oct 21, 2009
    #4
  5. SillyHoney

    SillyHoney Headphone Enthusiast

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    Device Manager can be editted via Regitry Editor. I suggest you check the tag with Dell + a fresh OS installation then now check Device Manager.
    There was men who sell dirty cheap IBMs with faked registries which make them become high-end version in my country.

    Edit: You may want to check using other methods like dxdiag or My Computer properties. I mean it's $2,500 after all so just make sure you know what you are doing :D
     
    SillyHoney, Oct 21, 2009
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  6. Turmoil

    Turmoil Notebook Evangelist

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    But they can't edit the BIOS, and i beleive (correct me if I am wrong), I can review all the hardware via BIOS...
     
    Turmoil, Oct 21, 2009
    #6
  7. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    In a case such as this, you can download and place on a USB Flash Drive the following:

    HWiNFO32
    http://www.hwinfo.com/

    When downloading, grab the 'portable' version.
    http://www.hwinfo.com/download32.html

    I would also place HDTune on the flash drive and run it as well. Check the HDD for any issues using the Error Scan tab.
     
    BatBoy, Oct 21, 2009
    #7