*XPS M1730 Problems/Dell Replacement Issues*

Doesn't matter if a single 5870 is faster than two 8800, you had two cards, you should receive two cards. You could also tell them that nVidia cards have Physx build-in, wich is also very important nowadays.

 

The rep said that if i wanted dual 5870 I had to pay for the second one and then he gave me a discount if I decided to buy it from him. I told him to go and check with his supervisor about the fact that I wanted dual 5870 when I previously owned 8800GTX in SLI. He came back and told me that they would not give me the 5870 crossfire as an exchange. I then decided to buy the upgrade as the discount he gave me on all the extras was good.

The note about the PhysX is noted. What does the 5870 have to equal the PhysX? Will the 5870 be able to use PhysX? Should I go for the Nvidia instead?

If i decide to call back and try to speak to another rep, what number should i use? I only have the number to this specific rep.

I do not know about you other readers but if you look at my original spec. and on the new one, does it not seem pretty fair that I pay some extra to upgrade it? Of course I would like to get everything for free but I am getting upgrades for approx 1000£ and paying 350£.

One thing that bothers me is that Alienware/DELL have an offer that ends on the 20th. Free dual graphic cards when u buy a new computer. Does that count for me too!?

Oh, and another thing, I paid for the upgrades over the phone using a creditcard while I spoke to him.

 

Hi all,

I just got my new system specs for a replacement. Can you guys let me know if I'm getting ripped or if this is a good replacement? I'm mainly worried about my video card. I'm going from 2 to 1 apparently but with the same overall memory?

OLD SYSTEM:


XPS M1730 - Intel® Core蒂 2 Duo T9300 (2.5GHz/800Mhz FSB/6MB cache), Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate Edition
Unit Price: $3,824.00
Quantity: 1
Total Price: $3,824.00

-- XPS M1730 --
-- Intel® Core蒂 2 Duo T9300 (2.5GHz/800Mhz FSB/6MB cache)
-- [223-6308]
-----------------------
-- System Color --
-- Bone White
-- [310-9523]
-----------------------
-- Memory --
-- 4GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 667MHz
-- [311-7447]
-----------------------
-- LCD Panel --
-- 17 inch UltraSharp TrueLife Wide-screen WUXGA
-- [320-5788]
-----------------------
-- Video Card --
-- NVIDIA®SLI蒂Dual GeForce®8700MGT with 512MB GDDR3 Memory
-- [320-5790]
-----------------------
-- Hard Drive --
-- Speed: 160GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) Free Fall Sensor
-- [341-6244]
-----------------------
-- Operating System --
-- Genuine Windows Vista® Ultimate Edition
-- [412-0946]
-- [412-1056]
-- [420-5769]
-- [420-5924]
-- [420-6436]
-- [420-6815]
-- [420-7401]
-- [420-8143]
-- [463-2282]
-----------------------
-- Adobe Software --
-- Adobe® Acrobat® Reader 8.1
-- [420-7468]
-----------------------
-- Combo or DVD+RW Drive --
-- CD / DVD Burner (DVD+/-RW Drive)
-- [313-5591]
-- [420-8183]
-----------------------
-- Sound Options --
-- High Definition Audio 2.0
-- [313-4217]
-----------------------
-- Wireless Networking --
-- Intel® PRO/Wireless 4965a/g/n Mini Card
-- [430-2582]
-----------------------
-- Office Productivity Software (Pre-Installed) --
-- No Productivity software pre-installed
-- [412-1397]
-----------------------
-- GAMING LCD --
-- Logitech® GamePanel Display
-- [320-5789]
-----------------------
-- Anti-Virus/Security Suite (Pre-installed) --
-- I chose Security with Value, Plus,or Premium Warranty Bundle
-- [464-6328]
-----------------------
-- Primary Battery --
-- 85 WHr Lithium Ion Battery (9-cell)
-- [312-0603]
-----------------------
-- Warranty & Service --
-- DellCare Premium

-- Bluetooth and Wireless USB --
-- Built-in Bluetooth capability (2.0 EDR)
-- [430-2655]
-----------------------
-- Physics Game Accelerator --
-- AGEIA PhysX蒂 100M Processor
-- [320-6171]
-----------------------
-- Dell Digital Entertainment --
-- No Entertainment software pre-installed
-- [464-9572]
-----------------------
-- Processor Branding --
-- Intel Centrino Core Duo Processor
-- [310-9348]
-----------------------
-- Labels --
-- Windows Vista蒂 Premium
-- [310-9516]
-----------------------
-- DataSafe Online Backup --
-- DataSafe included with DellCare Service bundle
-- [988-0089]
-----------------------

NEW SYSTEM:
1 224-8107 Space Black - Anodized Aluminum
1 310-0173 Airborne Documentation, System Exchanges,Factory Install
1 313-8569 Slot-Loading Dual Layer Blu-ray Reader (BR-ROM, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)
1 313-8792 AlienFX Color, Quasar Blue
1 313-8944 5.1 Channel Audio
1 317-3654 Intel Core i5 520M 2.4GHz (2.93GHz Turbo Mode, 3MB Cache)
1 317-3663 4GB Dual Channel Memory (2x 2GB DDR3)
1 320-8856 17-inch WideUXGA 1920 x 1200 RGB LED (1200p)
1 320-8990 1GB GDDR3 Nvidia GeForce GTX 285M
1 330-6175 Standard Nameplate
1 330-6348 Automatic Updates: On
1 330-8812 Alienware M17x 150W A/C Adapter
1 342-0667 320GB 7,200RPM SATA-II HDD
1 410-1883 Adobe Acrobat Reader 9.0 Multi-Language
1 410-2458 MCAFEE Pearl MUI, 15mth,With Media
1 420-6436 PC-Restore, Dim/Insp
1 420-9519 DATASAFE ONLINE 1.1 5GB
1 420-9691 DataSafe Local BackUp
1 421-1304 CyberLink PowerDVD 8.0 Software
1 421-1305 Nero 9 Media Burning Software
1 421-1360 Steam and Portal Factory Installed
1 421-1398 Genuine Windows 7 Ultimate, 64bit, English
1 421-1721 Soft Contracts,Banktec Care,Alienware
1 421-2261 Alienware Command Center, M17x
1 430-0628 Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR
1 430-3739 Intel Ultimate N WiFi Link 6300 a/g/n 3x3 MIMO Technology
1 464-7384 Exchange

 

Hi all,

I've had some problems recently, it all started with my M1730 getting graphics artifacts so dell sent an engineer round with a refurbished graphics card, motherboard and heatsink. The fitter then rounded off most of the screws in my laptop because he never had a proper set of screwdrivers etc and left, went to use it and it kept locking up again....... Another few hours on the phone to dell and it seemed to be working ok.

Tried to use it a couple of days later, more problems this time the screen just kept going black anytime at random, rang dell more time and money on the phone and another engineer visit for another graphics card, gets it all fit and leaves again.

After some testing and benchmarking that evening more black screen and lock ups, rang them and told them I was not spending anymore time trying to fix it and I wanted it replacing.

So after a week of thinking about it they have come back to me with this offer, I can have it replaced for a simular spec Alienware M17x but I'm going to have to pay the difference in price? Just wondered if anybody else had any experience of this? should I realy be paying to get my system replaced?

Thanks

 

Seeing you have 8700GT SLI, it is a nice exchange. If everyone who got 8700GT SLI gets same treatment as those with 8800GTX/9800GT SLI, then that wouldn't be fair. They also upgraded your dvd to bluray and upped your hard drive and wlan. What more can you ask for?

 

Definitely was a nice surprise to see blu-ray there. What about the processor? I'm noticing the guy behind me went from T9300 to intel i7, whereas I'm going from T9300 to i5. Think I should make a fuss or live with what's good enough anyway?

 

Their policy is like to like or sometimes better. You have a dual core cpu and so is the i5. They usually give better cpu when they compensate you for loss of other parts(i.e. going from BD burner to BD rom because they no longer have BD burner option). The i5 is much better than your t9300 so I think you got a very nice replacement overall(+ all those extra upgrades which most others didn't get). You might want to look for some 920xm ES if you want true quad core performance. It goes for as low as $350-400 these days.

 

Anyone that had their system successfully replaced that could tell me how long it approximately takes before the new laptop arrives from that they have had their first specification sent to them?

 

Bak, I'd suggest you try arguing about the processor. I had a similar issue with my exchange over a year ago - tried handing off a P8700 instead of a T9600. Speed-wise, the P8700 was equivalent. However, the cache size was smaller (6mb vs 3mb). I made it a point that this was not "equal or better", as the P8700 will not perform as well as my old T9300 processor. While that's the previous processor generation, it wouldn't hurt to argue that point!

 

Big thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread. It's given me the ammo I need to go to battle with Dell, even though I feel like I have a rock-solid case with it being smashed to pieces from a fall.

 

Hi,

Looks like I am having the same problems as a lot of users here so I'll summarise. I bought my XPS M1730 3 years ago (warranty runs out soon). I had an RMA replacement in Jan 2008 and had no problems for almost 3 years.

A few months ago it developed heating issues, and power issues which made it shut down a lot. They replaced the motherboard and graphics cards, these then broke (1 or both) and were replaced several times. It then went back to the depot for three weeks, it seemed like they had lost it at one point. Then it came back and developed more problems (shutting down again). An engineer came out last week to replace the graphics card again. It didn't resolve the issue and he said somebody could come out to replace the motherboard this week.

I said this was not acceptable as after 5 or 6 attempts the same problem still existed. They then offered me the value of the laptop toward a new laptop. they valued it at £936 (30% depreciation).. it cost me much more and they are undervaluing it.

They are now also saying I have to spend £440 toward the new laptop, ontop of the quoted value minimum or the deal is off. This doesn't sound right. Has anyone else in the UK had similar problems with Dell, and what did you do to prevent this misstreatment?

Regards

 

Called mine in yesterday, expecting a return box today. The tech said they would send me a refurb m1730...I suppose if the specs are different I can roll that way. I don't see how I can argue it, although I will try.

 

Just call dell i have had over the last year 2x motherboards, 6x graphics cards, LCD, 2x Memory, 1x CPU, 2x Harddrives, Cooling parts x2 etc they wanted me to send in the unit in i refused this service and said i have heard all sorts of problems with this service and want a replacement. The representative was really nice and is escalating to the replacement department and said it would take 1 week and will get back to me but couldn't promise anything. Do you think they will replace unit? will they actually call/email me?

 

if i extend my warranty on my m1730 now and get a warranty replacement will the warranty be transferred to the new machine hopefully m17x? also will is have a different service tag?

 

As soon as you return your oldy, they will transfer your existing warranty onto the new service tag.

 

^^ Yup...Might take a week or so!
make sure you keep record of the shipment of laptop being sent back.
I didnot did it once and shipped it with prepaid bills and later Dell didn't received it.
Noone know where the system went.
I had to go through lot of troubles for this.

 

thanks all now just have to wait until next thurs to make sure i'm getting system replacement my rep will ring or email me. it better be a alienware lol

 

9/10 it is AW.

 

Hi,

It looks like I am going to get a replacement for my M1730.

Mine had a X9000 extreme processor in it.

They are replacing with this.

224-8107 Space Black, Anodized Aluminum 00001
310-0173 AIRBORNE DOCUMENTATION, SYSTEM BOARD..., FACT 00001

I have tried to find out what processor is going to be in the new system and its isnt listed yet. Does any one know what they are using for the X9000 replacement?

thanks

 

They usually switch an extreme for an extreme..

 

How do you find out if order no is created?
like

"They are replacing with this.

224-8107 Space Black, Anodized Aluminum 00001
310-0173 AIRBORNE DOCUMENTATION, SYSTEM BOARD..., FACT 00001"

will i get email first from rep?

 

When I log into my account, go to bottom of page and click product support, then on the left click dispatch status, enter your service tag and dispatch number. If any thing is there it will display, mine is currently "Parts Ordered"
then it list what i posted below that

 

Wow...That would be sweet if they do....

 

where do i get dispatch no? if put in service code it shows previous repair parts

 

I got mine from the Dell rep, while on the phone.

 

did yours take 1 week to approve? my rep said she will get back to me in 1 week as she had to forward it to the right department? under Support & history status what does it show up as?

 

Yes, it was right at 7 days.

And I didnt get a dispatch number until then.

 

Awesome thanks for your help dude very happy now fingers crossed m17xr2
the graphics pci bus on the m1730 runs @ 16x and the m17xr2 graphics pci bus runs @ 8x is this the new pciexpress 2.0 standard? will it be faster then the m1730?

 

There's every reason that you should be getting an extreme processor. Insist on this if they give you anything less.

 

No problem, hope you get some answers soon, the wait is frustrating...

No clue on the spec differences from old to new. All I know is I have read the M17x is an awesome machine.

I loved the M1730 when it worked right, and it did that for a little over 2 years. Then once it was repaired, it was never the same ...

 

yeah i love it too but its been repaired 7 times only to have the same problem over & over plus extra probs! the x9000 & 9800GTX Combo is truly awesome but i have had enough at least dell are trying to make us happy

 

Thats what I thought too.

I do wonder how the I7-740QM or 840QM would stack up to it...

 

i had a extreme x7900 basic config so will i get extreme cpu as well?

 

The actual leap in performance from one older platform to another will be obvious. It can be argued that even an I7-740QM would be an upgrade. However, when I say what I say, I speak strictly of economics and the policy on replacements. Something of equal or better value, but this isn't hinged on the convenience of what your old machine is worth after years of use. They honour this by matching the specification based on what they have to offer out of their newer line of machines. So an extreme processo in an M1730 from its time--when it was worth an arm and a leg--should still get the individual an M17x with dual cards and an extreme CPU to boot.

In short: yes. There's aways room for people to argue otherwise, and there have been people on this very website who've paid Dell for these swaps. However, I know for a fact that a majority of people have gotten equal exchange parts for their systems -- extreme CPU for extreme CPU. At the time when you got the X7900, it was probably the best of their offerings. Likewise, you should get the same with what they have to offer for the M17x.

 

they did upgrade me to a x9000 & 9800gtx sli but i assume the spec for m17x will be based on original specs.

 

You got the X9000 because you had the previous best processor before the X9000 was released. If you really play your cards right, you can actually ask for the best spec for your next machine. Your CPU would have to be extreme, no doubt.

 

Dell has approved my replacement. Rep said she will email through details in about 1 week.
When will i know specs etc? dispatch No etc
I hope they don't try and replace with another XPS because i will saying about SLI setup, extreme cpu, HD screen, bluetooth, Bluray Writer, etc and only want a m17xr2

 

It will take a few days probably to get the dispatch #. You can call Dell back in a few days to see.

I would be surprised if you know the specs right away. I still dont know mine but I do expect an update probably tomorrow.

They told me it takes about 10-15 days to do the exchange. Thats more than likely working days not calendar days.

I hate waitng...

 

Dell have just emailed me and offered a XPS 17 lol what should i state in the email as response as this machine has 445m GPU and no where near as good as m1730

OMG this machine http://configure.ap.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?oc=t510712au&c=au&l=en&s=dhs&cs=audhs1&model_id=xps-17

 

well, they tried
reply with exactly what you have stated here..

• ridiculously weaker GPU
• no SLI/CF option
• no 1200p screen (correct me if i am wrong)

i might have forgotten other things, but the bottom line is - do not agree to that swap.
Be polite but firm.
Good luck!

 

I did just that and now have to wait. I mentioned that it was marketed as a gaming machine and that it was SLI capable amongst other things. Also rang tech support and was told i can only email rep in regard to replacement. I just want a machine equivalent (SLI, 1920x1200 LCD, etc) to what i have now for gaming! 4 weeks now with faulty m1730 and it now doesn't turn on
The cheek of them offering a $1599au average laptop for a true gaming m1730 lol

 

Well, spent a portion of my morning on the phone with Dell. A dispatch tech will be contacting me in the next two days to schedule a time for the tech to come out here and replace 'parts', including the mobo and video card, which seems to be standard procedure based on these forums. The phone rep told me to contact Dell about a week after the parts are replaced to let them know if I'm experiencing any symptoms or problems similar to the ones I've been having now. He told me if I was experiencing the symptoms, I'd be able to get a replacement system.

I had the option of a replacement system today, but he told me it would take between 3-4 weeks, but since this is also my work machine, I couldn't go off the grid for a month. Based on a number of the problems I've experienced with my M1730, I'm pretty sure I'll be experiencing the symptoms again, so I will hopefully be able to get a replacement system while I have at least a somewhat working machine to hold me over in the meantime.

 

Ace stuff right there. People should follow this straight but no nonsense attitude. It isn't equal by any standard. You need dual cards, you need your 1200p screen, and you need your extreme CPU. Go back to the drawing board, Dell.

 

Hey all thanks for your help so far getting a little frustrated having no laptop to use. I have responded to the email with return procedures and agreement and stated the machine is not a equivalent or better speced machine

Missing

SLI (2x graphics Cards working together)
1200p LCD
LightFX
Extreme processor (multiplier unlocked)

Update after waiting patiently i have received an email with quote attach and have accepted offer

Alienware M17x Cosmic Black Base (Direct)
Intel® Core? i7-940XM Processor (2.13GHz, 4Core/8Threads, turbo boost up to 3.33Ghz, 8M
cache)
ExpressCard Slot, (DOES NOT SUPPORT PC CARDS)
17.0" UltraSharp? WUXGA (1920x1200) RGBLED Display with TrueLife?
Alienware Generic Nameplate
System Driver
System Resource Media Kit
Internal 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 Extreme Edition Label
8GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM(2x4GB)
Dual HDD Bracket
RAID 0 (Striped Disk Array)
500GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
500GB 7200RPM 2nd SATA Hard Drive
Slot Load Blu-ray BD-R, BD-RE / DVD+/-RW Drive with DVD+R double layer write capability
SLI(TM) Dual 1GB GDDR3 NVIDIA(R) GeForce(R) GTX 285M
Integrated Stereo Sound
Dell(TM) Wireless 1520 802.11n Half Mini-Card
Dell(TM) Wireless 370 Bluetooth Internal mini-card
AlienFX(R) Illuminated Keyboard (English)
Microsoft Patch for WIN7
Genuine Windows(R) 7 Home Premium 64bit (English)
Windows(R) 7 Home Premium COA Label(ANW)
Genuine Windows(R) 7 Home Premium 64bit DVD Media (ANW)

Dell is making me a very happy customer

How long should it take to get dispatch no?

 

Dan, glad they are taking care of you, gives me hope for my future with Dell! I hope they get that machine to you asap.

 

Yes i am extremely happy with the outcome. Good luck with yours mate keep us updated
i have checked dell and mine is sitting at work in progress stage

 

Looks like you did real well.

I dont believe I am going come out as good as you. I dont have official specs yet, but the rep said it work have the I7-740QM.

My unit was purchased refurbished so I think that is why.

They did say they would be supplying a new unit, not a refurbished one.

Once I get the specs I will post.

 

I checked my status via dell chat support. Looks like they approved me for a replacement, but the order # has yet to be generated. The tech gave me the 'refurbished m1730' line, but after reading this thread, I know that it's not set in stone.

 

Well it appears my replacement shipped out today and will be here tomorrow.

I still have no idea what the specs are except the processor...

 

wow that was quick mine is still in production being built. I hope to get it before christmas
my gift from santa