*XPS M1730 Problems/Dell Replacement Issues*

Hey guys, seems like alot of issues with the 1730's...guess i'll join the crowd.

If I may, I've been having nothing but problems with the 1730 model since I first received it about a year ago, I am literally have had 2 motherboard replacements, 2 LCD's, 2 power brick's, 1 keyboard and on my 4th full laptop replacement....to say the least I am quite dissatisfied with dell and this model.

Here are my current specs:

1 M244D Processor, T8300, 2.4, 3MB, Core Penryn, M0
1 NX196 Bracket, Support, Side, Metal Hard Drive, M1730
1 5120P Cord, Power, 125V, 6Feet, SJT..., Unshielded
1 KX412 ASSEMBLY..., BASE (ASSEMBLY OR GROUP)..., LAN ON MOTHERBOARD..., GIGABIT..., XPS-M1730
1 MK933 Card, Wireless, Minicard, 4965 Most Of World 1
1 P005H Kit, Software, Roxio, 10.2-0, DellEdition
1 JN570 Case, Carrying, Nylon, Back Pack M1730, Swiss Gear
2 PP102 Dual In-Line Memory Module, 1G 800, 128X64, 8, 200, 1GBIT
1 F979M Card, Graphics, Nvidia, G92 9800M-GT2
1 HR360 Assembly, DVD+/-RW..., 8X, Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology M1730
1 N530F Hard Drive, 320GB, Free Fall Sensor, 9.5, 7.2K, Seagate Casey
1 RY946 Card Circuit, Graphics, Physics Processing Unit, 128MB, Notebook
1 R789G Liquid Crystal Display, 17, WideUltra Extended Graphics Array True Life, Multi-Media, LGP, V2

I called in on the 4th of february regarding two issues, one with a sticking key and another with the left side of my screen flickering like crazy. The told me they were going to send me a replacement. Here are its specs (got them on the 17th):

1 224-5967 Black Metallic $.00
1 313-8977 8X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive,QuickSilver $.00
1 317-0815 Intel Core2 Duo P8700 2.53GHz (3MB Cache, 1066MHz FSB) $1510.00
1 317-0856 4GB Dual Channel DDR3 at 1066MHz 2 x 2048MB $.00
1 320-1000 1GB Dual NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260M - SLI Enabled (NB10E-GT1) $300.00
1 320-8140 17.0in, WUXGA,LCD,ANW,M17X $150.00
1 330-3924 Name Plate Engraving $.00
1 342-0248 640GB,5400RPM WD ML320,XL $130.00
1 410-0204 McAfee VirusScan Plus - 15-Month Subscription $89.00
1 421-0360 Avatar1 $.00
1 421-0361 Wallpapers, C03W $.00
1 421-0721 Terra Green $.00
1 421-1398 Genuine Windows 7 Ultimate, 64bit, English $150.00
1 421-1724 Soft Contracts,Dell In Home,Alienware $.00
1 430-3558 Internal 300Mbps Dual-Band a/g/n 2x2 MIMO $.00

I have enjoyed (for some degree) the dual 9800's but I have a few other general concerns:

1. How does the dual 260's compare to the 9800's?

2. I heard a rumor that even though alienware is owned by dell, they may or wont honor the complete care warranty I purchased when I ordered the computer orignally, is this true/false?

3. Am I in fact getting a like for like exchange? I like alienware's but I really love the 1730 design...

4. If I have no choice and take the m17, is it possible to pay to "upgrade" components (like the cpu, etc) while its in the production stage?

Thanks in advance!

 

The 260's are at least on par if not slightly better than the 9800's, although you could argue the fact that in your current laptop you have a dedicated physics card, and that your new one doesn't. Therefore the 280 GTX's would be a fair swap for 9800's and a physics card.

I'm not sure about the warranty, it should just carry over but you'll have to phone and ask to confirm for sure.

Components wise, the alienware model is superior (the hard disk though is only 5400rpm, insist on a 7200rpm one)

I agree about the m1730 design, I really do like it

Its worth asking if you can upgrade the processor to quad core for a few $$$.

 

check my sig for my original and replacement.

 

Tek, thank you for your reply, I called dell and they are going to swap out the video card for the 280's since I was able to show to the tech that the 9800's GT (not gtx) performed still higher using 3dmark06 benchmarks. I'm not overly concerned regarding the HD, its twice the space and I have a 80gb SSD drive that I plan to use for my OS and the other for storage/apps/etc. I am warming up to the alienware, but I will sorely miss the G15 LCD this thing has, however from what I hear the M17 doesnt get nowhere as hot as the 1730's. So that is a huge plus!

I need to figure out how much it would be to upgrade to the quad, they said it was already in production and so any changes would be impossible they say...I am not sure who I would need to speak to in order to get pricing, any ideas?

 

Hehe, that is a nice rig mate, I think you got the quad though in lieu for the blu ray no? I really cant complain, my T8300 is going to be replaced by a more efficient P8700, I am satisfied with that, but of course I would be hugging tree's if they gave me a quad lol

I think them giving me the 280's without much trouble is enough for me to purchase a replacement warranty for an additional 4 yrs. Now if the wife wont pass out over the 527$ replacement warranty extension price!

 

I just reported my m1730 issue of artifacting on my graphics card and they said they were going to replace it with an 8800m card, when i asked if it was refurb they said yes in online chat, eck. Guess i'll see what happens in a couple days.

 

Hrmm, what warranty do you have? I didnt think they were still giving out replacements for the 8800.

 

My Warranty page says I have
Description Provider Start Date End Date
Next Business Day, Includes Nights/Weekends QLX 5/16/2009 5/15/2011

XPS Technical Support DELL 5/16/2009 5/15/2011

I have a X9000, 8800sli, all other specs minimum

 

Hrmm, ok, so they are going to replace your part by next business day?

 

I guess supposedly, last time my video card went out it took a couple days to ship the part to the tech and a day for him to get to my house to install it.

 

The tech just called me and said he had the part today and scheduled to visit me later today, guess i'll see what happens then.

 

check out gpu z to check the model and let us know.

 

Just installed it, it came up as a 9800M GTX and in GPU Z as a 9800M G92 Revision A02, I inspected it before he put it in and didnt see any signs it was refurbished (ie, checked the fans for any kind of dirt). So looks like its a slight upgrade from the 8800m
Tested it with Fur Mark, it still idles at 70C and while testing goes up to about 96C, which is what the 8800m did as well.

 

yeah thats what they gave me. they had already oked my replacement so I didnt get to run any benchies or anything.

 

Clax, dont you need to change your sig?

 

Hey guys, I seem to be in the same boat as a lot of you.

Just to preface, I'm running Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit and have dual 9800M GT's.

A few weeks ago I started getting random BSODs that were being caused by the video card/drivers. I thought this was because I had installed nVidia's latest drivers (195.62). This is when the device manager started reporting code 43 for both GPUs. I tried installing my old drivers, the current ones again, even beta drivers, etc., but none of them fixed the problem (I took thorough measure each time to completely remove the old drivers, etc.).

Most of the time the code 43's would remain, but sometimes it looked like everything was normal... until I would enable SLi, which upon rebooting would either bring back the code 43's or cause a BSOD at some point which would also bring back the codes.

I contacted Dell chat support yesterday about the problem and they asked me to run their "diagnostics," which I did and they didn't turn up any errors (big surprise). I rebooted and fiddled around with nVidia's current drivers some more and randomly the code 43's disappeared and I could enable SLi without any issues (first time this happened since the codes began). I hoped -- in vain -- that this was end of my troubles, but later last night the screen started to artifact horribly bad and I had to reboot -- still no code 43's at that point though. The screen then later showed more artifacts for a second time, flickered a bit, and went blank and I had to do a hard reboot -- still no codes though. Then the system finally BSODed randomly and the code 43's returned.

I thought initially it was just a driver issue, but with all I've read here and the artifacting/BSODs, I'm thinking more and more that a core fried. I had my M1730 hooked up to an external display for a couple week period over Christmas, and I think having the lid closed caused the temp of the GPU's to climb way too high.

In any case, what do you guys think? What did Dell do for you guys to determine that indeed your graphics card had failed?

 

Leahy,
Over Dell Chat I simply told them the graphics were artifacting/lines across the screen occasionally and they replaced the GPU. I didnt say anything special that shouldve convinced them otherwise

 

I was to trying to avoid the inevitable.

 

Sounds good.

I just don't want to have them try and troubleshoot it and waste both their time and my time when I've done everything I can just short of replacing the card.

 

So I just finished chatting with Dell and they want to replace the card. They're shipping the part to me and letting me replace it myself, which is kind of a pain but I'd rather do it over one of their technicians and the agent said it won't void the rest of my warranty.

The card is supposed to be here in 2-4 business days, hope that's true.

 

Wait hod did you get to keep your old rig, get it fixed, and get a new one!?!

 

The replacement should have arrived with a pre-printed shipping label and instructions. Typically, you package your old system in the box the new system arrived in.

I strongly suggest you contact Tech Support or the rep you were dealing with on the M1730 replacement issue. If you do not return the M1730, believe me - they are going to end up billing you for the M17x.

 

FWIW It took Dell over a month to contact me about organising pickup of the 1730......

 

After two weeks I got a shipping label in the mail. still had the original box packed it up and sent it out on Thursday. The return person called and asked where the 1730 was told him it was in the boxing stage.

 

Ahahahahahaha!!


Nice one!

 

claxdog that is f'n priceless. Hahahaahhahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

Don't ship it for another week and when they call back, tell them their order has been delayed due to a shortage of of Blu-Ray drives.

 

well im now waiting on dell's call tomorrow to see what happens.. they have a service call out for me to have motherboard, heatsink and my 2 8800gtx's replaced! the dell tech did say that there is a shortage of the cards in the world at the moment and that there was only one in stock at the moment so i will have to wait for a 2nd card to become avaliable? i thought the card was all one piece on the 8800m sli?

 

Kevin,

In the M1730's they were one piece but in the m17's they are in fact two separate cards

see chapter 18 or page 80 of 104: http://redirectingat.com/?id=525X83...cs/systems/M17x/en/M17x_Service_Manual_EN.zip

 

Kavin,
Maybe he meant to say that there's only one unit of the 8800m SLi, which you're getting. You know, lip-service from the rep. to Make you feel exclusive and special as a customer.

 

For those of ya that have recently gotten replacement m17x's, about how long did it take to receive after the order was put in for it?

Mine has been sitting at status of "in production" and ETA of "Data Temporarily Unavailable" for 3 weeks now... I haven't heard a word from dell in that time either.

Just wondering if I should call them for a update or continue being patient.

 

Hey chevy,

My request for replacement was placed on 2/4 and I called dell today and its still in the building phase. Dont trust what the website says, in fact try this procedure I found in the following thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=457512
-----------------------------------
How to tell your ~REAL~ dell order status !!
I know their is already a good post on this, But I figured I would clean it up a bit.

STEP 1 : First Call - 1 - 800 - 283 - 2210

this is the tricky part that no one has explained.

STEP 2: LISTEN, there two different answering machines you can get! Both will get you to where you need to go, but they both require a different # to be hit!

A: If you hear music for a split second when the call is picked up HIT #3
B: If you don't hear music HIT #4 (even though it says hit 3 for tracking, trust me)

STEP 3: HIT #2

STEP 4: HIT #1

STEP 5: HIT #1

ENTER YOUR #'s AND THATS IT!!

Look below for a explanation of the different stages

below is courtesy of Spliner from the post
http://forum.notebookreview.com/show...ell+wiki+order

>In Production Stages (Must call the 800 number to get these >sub-categories):
>
>Kitting: This is when Dell picks your parts, throws them in a toter (square >padded bucket) and sends it down the assembly line to be assembled.
>Build: This is when Dell actually puts together your laptop. Some customers >have been stuck in the build stage for months. If all of the parts were not >available in the "Kitting" stage, then you might end up in a time warp with >this stage. You'd think your laptop would stay in the "Kitting" stage if all of >the parts were not there, but this doesn't always seem to be the case.
>Testing: This stage is where the system undergoes rigorous testing. This is >also the stage all the software are loaded on the system. monocapt 8/15/07> Assuming everything goes well, testing is reported to >take no more than an hour or so before you will progress to the "boxing" >stage. If the first round of testing fails (loading your software/etc fails) >then your laptop will go to the EMR bay where >troubleshooting may begin with other laptops and systems. It is unknown if >this stage will be noted with a different stage result than "testing" at this >time.
>Boxing: This stage is misleading. The automated support line will tell you >this is when you are being prepared to ship. In reality, more is happening. >Usually your laptop was built outside of the US in Malaysia or somewhere >similar. In the boxing stage, your completed laptop is boxed up in a smaller >box, then taken to an airport where it is shipped to the US where it can >then be boxed up with your accessories and shipped. Generally this stage >takes AT LEAST 3 days. Reports lately have said four days is normal, mine >actually shipped in 3.5 days of "boxing". Some customers have reported >being stuck in the boxing stage for weeks. Other customers have called >dell, asked a rep, and found out that their laptops weren't even in the >"boxing" stage at all even though the automated line says they were (see >note). It has been suggested as well that your laptop >could be sitting on a pallet waiting for enough pallets to be filled to justify a >plane ride to the USA. With the recent shortage in parts, this may be the >very thing that is delaying your shipment. It is obvious that this stage is >the most vague of them all. How long you will be in the "boxing" stage >seems to be undeterminable at this point. If your luck holds, it won't be >more than 3-4 days. Even though this stage seems the longest, it usually >means that your laptop is built, and in a box on a pallet somewhere. You >can breathe easier that all your parts are installed at this point and it is >only travel time that is ahead of you.
>Note: It has been mentioned (and confirmed by at least one person on this >board) that people who have called the Dell reps have been told that their >laptop wasn't in boxing at all, and that it was still being built. My guess is >that they (meaning the non-english speaking reps) are confusing "build" >with "In Production" (because the "build" stage is a sub-category of "In >Production") and that your laptop is in fact in the boxing stage as the >website told you. These reps likely don't speak the greatest amount of >english anyway, so watch the website (seems to be the most accurate, >even if it is delayed a few hours), and call the 800 number >(1-800-433-9014, only works in the US I am told) for more detailed updates >of the order status page on the web.
>Shipping: The stage in which we all want to be! It's pretty much self >explanitory, your laptop is being shipped via Dell's carrier of choice. There is >still room here for your order to be delayed, but it's not usually likely unless >Dell gets your shipping method incorrect. It is also evident that it takes a >day or two to get your tracking number. The Dell order status page won't >update with the tracking number right away. Even though Dell "ships" it on >a specific date, that is the date they sent it to the carrier. The actual >"ship" date from the carrier can be the next day if it's late in the day, but >just keep your fingers crossed that your shipping date is accurate.
-----------------------------------

 

well today my mobo, physix card, heatsink and gfx card got replaced... all parts were refurbs.. im getting funny lines on my display when im hooked up to my external display tho when im playing world of warcraft

 

PS My replacement for my 1730 under complete care was submitted on 2/4 and using the automated system it indicates to ship 2/25...*crossing fingers*

 

Well, I really don't know what to do. Here is the thing. Dell XPS M1730 never was produced in my home country, Brazil, and the original owner bought the product in the USA. I got the international transfer ownership filled in, and Dell assured to me that if the product has a 3 year - warranty, it has a global warranty. One year use and the product was perfect, untill I got code 43 for one of the GPUs.

So Dell Brazil now tells me that since the product is not produced, and never was produced here, they can't do anything for me. They can't change parts, they can't give me a refund, and they can't even change the laptop for another one. In other words, I'm really screwed.

 

Thanks Rarenomad, according to that my M17 was ordered on the 2nd and is in the build mode, no estimated ship date from the phone system either though.

 

Do NOT trust the date in the automated system. It can change from call to call one right after the other. The status should be accurate, though.

 

Called this morning, looks like its now 2/26, still build mode here also. I have a feeling it will move a day for every day that passes...

 

Yeah I'm starting to realize that. The first time I called yesterday it said there was no estimated ship date, a couple hours later it was gonna ship on 2/24 (today) this morning it says 3/16

 

Hi All,
I seem to have similar problems to everyone else.
I have an M1730 with 8800m gtx sli w/ newest drivers, windows xp 32 bit.
Whenever I try to run a program that would require any openGL for rendering (Rhino 4, parts of AutoCAD, Google Earth, Sketchup, etc.) I get a BSOD error 0x0000008e. When I turn off one or both of my graphics the error goes away so I know the problem is with the cards. However when I talk to dell support they tell me its a problem with the registry and that i need to reinstall my OS. I'm going to install 7 in a few weeks anyway but I'm pretty sure that reinstalling the OS won't solve the problem.
Is there a way I can get Dell to admit that I have a bad graphics card before having both of them completely fail? Thanks for any help

 

well this is fun. my laptop was repaired with refurb parts only a few days ago and im already getting artifacts and heat problems!!!! dell xps tech support here i come again!!

 

automated system now saying march 4th lol

 

all i am now getting from dell is we can repair your system! this is starting to annoy me! is there any way of getting higher up the chain than dells XPS support in the UK???

 

Just wanted to chime in with my experience since there is a ton of negitive stuff in this thread...

I had my 8800m GTX sli regularly overheat and crash (display drivers would crash which windows would recover, no BSODs, the SLI option disappeared from my nvidia control panel). Called up Dell's regular support line, transferred me to their 'xps' support person (on Monday 2/22), explained I had tried multiple drivers with no effect, had no SLI, etc. This is the second time I've had this issue (previous issue corrected back in April of 09, by the same exact tech who came out this time actually hah). Sucks that I had the same issue twice, but both times it was resolved for me within 48 hours.

Dell rep dispatched a new card w/ a tech, it arrived on Wed. 2/24, and they gave me 2 9800m GTX cards, brand new. Used the computer for about 6 hours last night with zero problems.

Not sticking up for them or anything, even though I do have a thing for Dell (I've had my share of issues with getting support on my xps730 in the past), but if you've got a problem it might not be all doom and gloom, sometimes it does work out.

Anywho, if you've got a 1730 w/ issues I wish you the best of luck..

 

Since November 09 ive had an on going issue with my M8800 GTX graphics card.Dell have now changed the graphic card five times and still the problem is unresolved.ive told them i want a m9800 GTX and they have told me that this is not an option.I have been promised a new mother board and this was not sent with the engineer and dell just keep fobbing me off with promises.They offered me a full refund or a new graphics card and i choose the card but as this didn't resolve the problem i asked for my money back and they said this is not an option and they wouldn't have offered me the full refund.Dell constantly tell lies and fob you off.i will never buy a dell lap top again.Dell have told me there is notthing wrong with the M8800 GTX and the game im playing is not compatible with this gaming machine(ive never heard so much bull in all my life.) My warranty stated on site repair but dell wanted to collect my xps which i had reservations about i,e: coming back damaged.My reservations were met,my lap top came back with damage just as i suspected.They said they would repair the damage and this was a lie to.

 

What do you know...I am having the same problems!

Now before I say anything, I have been a loyal Dell customer for about 10 years, with Dell computers for our family business, and at home. So my story is that my 8800M GTX cards in my 1730 have been pretty much defective, showing BSOD, crashing drivers, black screen after booting to windows, etc... And it also doesn't help that I had keyboard issues, media button issues, and so on before my cards blew out on me.

I called tech support, been calling them for 3 days straight, 1-3 hours each time. First they offered troubleshooting, which they said was the OS problem... I have loaded dozens of OS's and still same problem. So long story short, I explained to them what "SLI" was and how it works with my graphics card. After hearing my explanations, they finally understood that the problem was in the cards. So they told me they were going to send the same part to a technician, and which he will install it in my computer.

So I wait for the technician, comes late, but a cool guy. When he opened the replacement box that Dell sent him, I saw that it was in fact not a graphics card, but a physics accelerator... I told the tech my problems and he too was dumbfounded on how Dell could send him the wrong part to install after clearly explaining my situation to Dell. And guess what, after he put back my computer with the new part in, I am getting the same problem!! I talk to my technician, and he agrees with me and said I deserve satisfaction after pouring more than $4k in my system, not to mention warranty extensions. He "demanded" that I contact Dell to either get a fix, or a replacement system, and to keep going till corporate if my issue isn't solved.

So I'm back on the phone with Dell, again at hours on end, and eventually I talk to customer service/tech agents. After being transferred around, and explaining my situation for about 30 mins, the agent then goes that Dell sent the correct part. Is it just me, or are the tech support guys at Dell just plain computer illiterate? They keep insisting that they sent me the "graphics card", and when I tell him its not a graphics card, he calls me a liar. After 40 minutes of arguing, I direct the agent to GOOGLE. I tell him to type "128MB Dell Physics Ageia Card For XPS M1730" in google web search and he tells me that is the part Dell sent. So now, I tell him to google "8800M GTX SLI" and tell him that is called the graphics card, and the part in my system that needs replacing, and he seemed confused. After being on hold for 10 minutes, I ask to speak with his supervisor.

Now this is where things start to get going. I explain my situation yet again, but this time the person that I speak to thankfully knows the difference between computer parts. Long story short, he apologizes for the inconvenience and for the last tech agent. I tell him I am furious and extremely displeased with the service Dell has been giving me lately, and told reminded him of my Dell loyalty. So I am up front with the supervisor and tell him I either want a system exchange for all the problems Dell has continously caused me, or a refund. The guy simply tells me that a refund will be near impossible due to the fact that my computer is more than 90 days old. He offers me a system exchange, and after talking about it, he gives me my dispatch number. I told him he may have just saved me from ending my purchases with Dell products, and he seemed to be content. He tells me it will take 1-2 weeks to get the system exchange approved, and 1-2 more weeks to produce and ship the computer.

Now my questions are, what are my chances of receiving an Alienware m17x as an exchange, and do you think they will upgrade some components for free due to my situation as reconcile for their errors? I mean, I do have pretty much all high specs on my computer, with the exception of my processor:

-Core 2 Duo T9300 2.5 GHz processor
-Nvidia 8800MGTX SLI with Ageia Physics Card
-4GB DDR2 Ram
-Blu-ray drive (was upgraded from DVD burner)
-320 + 160 7200 RPM HDDs
-Avermedia TV Tuner
-Intel 4965 A/G/N wireless card

Do you guys think I can haggle out either an i7 processor or ATI's Dual 4870s? From what I understand, i7s come with a 8-in-1 media card reader, but the core 2 duos do not, where my 1730 has the reader, but again I may be wrong. I just want to hear your thoughts.

 

You'll get either 260Ms or 280Ms if you are lucky. Not going to be able to haggle the ATIs. Consider yourself blessed if you get the 280Ms, I'm one of the few that managed it. Just make sure you get SLI, some poeple have been getting single cards and having to go through further nightmares to get the SLI setup. Processor seems to be an up in the air thing if you don't already have an Extreme processor. Some end up with Extremes, some don't. RAM-wise, you'll get 4GB of either 1066 or 1333. Honestly there's very little difference between the two so don't argue over that. Drives.. you're kind of going to just have to see what you get because that's an oddball combination that not many people have.

 

If you're in the UK, I can give you the email address of the tech support guy, and his supervisor who were both extremely helpful and knowledgeable. They sent me out a new card next day and the engineer fitted it at my work.

I realise you've already had cards replaced 5 times, but its worth talking to these guys as they may be more sympathetic and helpful?

 

Well actually, I would never accept 260Ms nor would dell provide them since they are not the equivalent of the 8800MGTX. The 260s would go to people who have the 8700 SLIs, but the minimum Dell would give me is the 280GTXs, so I wouldn't consider myself lucky since that is what Dell should provide. So that is why I am asking if Dell would provide the ATIs since I have a physics card, which is not part of the GPU when I purchased my computer.

 

That's the argument you can try to use, but in all honesty the 260Ms do outperform even the 9800 GTXs. You could also try to argue the lack of a PhysX processor, but in the end you'll get what they give you or they'll eventually offer a refund instead, depending on who you talk to. Truth is, they're only required to give you equivalent or better of your own setup, not a comparative to what you deserve because you paid more than someone that only bought 8700s.

 

sorry guys, didn't read the whole thread but i understand that dell are replacing the defective m1730 with m17x-R1 (the one with NVIDIA boards ??) ?
Where's the logic ? it's been proven that those suffer from DPC latency issues, so what, they replace, you complain, they replace for R2 ? (the one with ATI cards and rgbled screen)
Just curious ...