It look like they use the same method for QC an Inspiron laptop to check the Alienware...

Yup. I told the tech support, it's supposed to be like a BMW of laptops. Why is it so shitty? Answer the f****** question.

Tech supports said tomorrow technician will show up at your doorstep. Outta boy.

I also noticed my battery wear is @ 10%, so might want to put in a request for that too

Still a nice laptop though. Love the side lights. A couple of Apple users at a cafe were like "What the hell is that with side lights???"

This post has been edited by Enclave Recruit: Dec 2 2018, 12:37 PM

I get this a lot. At a cafe, office and client's office. But god knows the thermal on this thing.

This post has been edited by Zelz92: Dec 12 2018, 10:08 AM

very rare drag this tank to cafes coz need to bring that extra power brick along, as if the laptop not heavy enough. hhaha. still macbook is the best for cafe

The 13" isn't that big to lug it to a cafe. Great for the time when I decided to go home after rush hour.

Indeed too big and heavy. Even when the Light FX is off, it still attracts attention. Planning to get Microsoft Surface Go for mobile use.

Talking about Light FX, have anyone tried the Unilight program by HunterZ? https://github.com/HunterZ/UniLight. I Own Logitech G502 mouse and the program syncs Windows colour theme with the RGB mouse perfectly. But the Alien Light FX doesn't seem to be changing. Installed ACC V 5.2.17.0 on my machine.

This post has been edited by Zelz92: Dec 14 2018, 04:32 PM

Hi sifu here, do you guy know how to set 2 units pcie ssd for Alienware 15 ? My original setting was first pcie ssd as OS, normal HDD as data drive. Today I just bought another pcie ssd and thinking to set as gaming drive, but Windows won't book-up after I install 2nd SSD. System just stop at "ALIENWARE" word. Do you guys got any idea ?


Ok, I found the solution:

Alienware default BIOS setting for harddrive is RAID operation that allow user to install 2 units same 2280 SSD for running either RAID-0 or RAID-1. If we want to run 2 difference size SSD , we need to switch from RAID to AHCI that allow all SSDs to run separately. Following is step to switch from RAID to AHCI controller:

1. Click the Start Button and type cmd
2. Right-click the result and select Run as administrator
3. Type this command and press ENTER: bcdedit /set {current} safeboot minimal
4. Restart the computer and enter BIOS Setup
5. Go to Advance Setting, Change the SATA Operation mode to AHCI from either IDE or RAID
6. Save changes and exit Setup and Windows will automatically boot to Safe Mode.
7. Right-click the Windows Start Menu once more. Choose Command Prompt (Admin).
8. Type this command and press ENTER: bcdedit /deletevalue {current} safeboot
9. Reboot once more and Windows will automatically start with AHCI drivers enabled.

Hope this will help for anyone who thinking to add additional PCIE SSD into their AW.

This post has been edited by Alan Chong: Dec 15 2018, 10:11 AM

Great to know.

I am planning to fill up my M.2 slots. Currently running old school 5400 RPM HDD. Planning to get the WD Black 500 GB for PCIE Gen3x4 Speed & Intel Optane to accelerate the existing 1Tb storage. and maybe throw a 500 GB mini SSD in the mini-slot in the future. I'm wondering if the SSD + Optane cofig works. Will the Optane run at SATA3 speed or will it work at all? I've seen comments on Dell's forum that if you put one PCIE Gen3x4 SSD, the other SSD will run at SATA3 Speed. Wonder if it works the same way with Optane.

Edit:
WD Black 500 GB will be the boot drive + installed applications.
1TB + Optane will be the storage drive + steam games directory.

This post has been edited by Zelz92: Dec 17 2018, 03:56 PM

I not sure how Optane work, may be set at "Intel Rapid Storage" application.

Well, update about the Tribunal thingy with Alienware.

After 4-5months, back and forth with their CS to build up a case and get evidence (which it work by the way).

1) Many attempts at resolving my issue.
a) Ask me to check this and that which I did. (Documented the email and stuffs)
b) Reply their CS with the required checks (Printscreen etc)

2) Beginning of December, I have documented enough evidence.
a) CPU ain't attaining the specified clock speed. (Max: 3GHz)
b) Temperature still hitting 100 Celsius after 2 heatsink and fan change and 1 motherboard change.

3) Wrote an email to the CS stating:-
a) I will complain about Dell selling me a product which does not performed to the specified/advertised performance to the Tribunal court.
b) Dell is not trying to resolve my issue in an timely manner (Been unresolved for 4-5months).

4) Dell tried calling me which I refused to answer as I cannot record it for evidence.
a) CS sent me an email saying they will make a full system replacement.

5) Dell seem to tried to stall stating end of life crap of current system parts.
a) Fired another email stating so what is Dell going to do now with this end of life crap.

In the end, today received a quotation with my system replacement specifications and Dell upgraded my GPU from GTX1070 -> GTX1080 with everything the same as current system.

TLDR
From my experience, no used complaining to Dell/Alienware since it doesn't do crap(if it does, congrats to you. You just hit the jackpot).
Advice from me:-
1) Gather up evidence
a) Run benchmarks test/In game test:
i) Monitor temps
ii) Check CPU GPU clock rate.

2) I read from other forums that Dell will approve system replacement if Dell can't resolved your issue for 3 times.
a) So just suck it up and let Dell "fix" your issue and monitor.
b) Try to ask for system replacement then.

3) Worst come to worst
a) With your evidence gathered, fire an email to CS stating you will go the Consumer/Tribunal court.
b) They will immediately try to call you etc to resolve it.

Hopefully it will help somebody.

Finger cross the new replacement system doesn't have too much of an issue.

Thanks very much for the long write up. Scary to end up with such a problematic product.

Hello guys, i had a M14x R2 which i bought few years back (approx 4-5y), just out of curiosity can i upgrade those hardware like graphic cards etc? cos alot of games my pc cant really support..

Hello sifus of Alienware. Can your recommend me on who can I refer to service my laptop. Tried contacting Oscar but seems that he didn’t do the service anymore and got no respond from him. Im trying to replace my battery and also service my laptop. Prefer the northern region one. Thanks

Sysnapse Malaysia at Georgetown. Original parts but is cheaper by alot.

Thank you sifu for the information. I will have a look later this weekend

smart quay technology at ict komtar oso not bad.. kang tao parts got la.. ori 1.. penang less than 10 hv

All the sifu, need some assistance. Got an old M17x from 2014. There's a motherboard issue and Dell doesn't have the motherboard anymore.

Any idea where I can find one? The processor is i7 and still kicking strong when the computer decides to boot up. Just the motherboard problem, laptop doesn't post and only posts and gets into OS after many restarts.

Appreciate any help!

have you replaced the cmos battery?

m17x has been eol for a long time. i guess it's beyond economic repairs. it's better to just get new units instead.

Ahh, that's too bad. Computer is still faster than the Vostro I just bought. LOL
I try the cmos battery again.

R3 or R4? Mine m17x-R4 still running and pretty sturdy haha. Try to reset 1st (unplugged the battery and removed the cmos battery), press power button few times then connect everything again.