mmskate13

i started out gaming with classic super mario bros, and duck hunt with my dad. Those were the best days :')

The title says it all! What forums you were a member of, likes you had, hobbies, etc. Personally, I didn't join pc gaming 'till recently, thanks to some friends at school who taught me the ropes. Prior to PC gaming, i was a PS3 player. Then I started hanging out on youtube as my favorite website, and learned about a little game called "Crysis." I was so fascinated by how real it looked, and the physics and how open it was, but i didn't think I'd ever be able to play it. I started to get into modding for PS3, tried my hand at learning to hex-edit, wasn't very successful (although i would like to try again ), and ended up just mimicking others. Modded games on the PS3 such as MW2 with USB's, and tried to come up with mods for games like Just Cause 2. That was back in the good ol' days where you didn't HAVE TO jailbreak to get any mod. There was a challenge to it, and that was the fun part. From modding PS3 games, i got into some online games on my old Inspiron 1501. The games were pretty fun, and I played stuff like (don't mock me lol) maplestory. After playing legitimately, I started to want my old ways of modding again, and I got into Maplestory exploits/hacks. I joined one of the 3 rivaling forums for Maplestory hacks, and was angry at how nothing was personal. I moved to a smaller forum, which was only a few weeks old, and got my start learning how to make my own Trainers and copying already-used scripts, but never publishing anything admirable. After a few months of gaining respect, I rose to a super-moderator there, and had quite a few close friends. After our forum rose in popularity, people from other forums would come over and leech things from the infamous 3 without giving appreciation. Our forum was DDoS attacked, and went down. After 2 unsuccessful attempts at changing the name of the forum and keeping old members, and an uprising by one of the oldest forum members who i joined with, the forum was lost forever. Now that Jailbreaking was the only thing people did for PS3's i couldn't return there either. For a while I was bored compared to the past, and kept learning more about computers. I started out at NBR, and started to get really frustrated there as well, because it reminded me of the first Maplestory hack forum I joined, but with more corruption and false-data. Almost every day I would check YouTube for newly uploaded videos of the Alienware M14x, and thats when I first encountered Stevenx. From his videos, I became really intrigued by the M14x, and he seemed to be the only person to show things for what they really were. I heard about how he was banned from NBR, and sympathized with his dislike towards the forum. Then, from one of his signatures, I learned of T|I. At first I just browsed the threads. After I became really serious in buying an m14x, I joined T|I, and met all the awesome people here. I'm still learning, but I'm making my way, and never would have gotten thus far without T|I and especially people like svl7, mw86, and stevenx, who are always glad to give a hand; as is the rest of T|I, even if the topic isn't on computers and technology. So, there's my story, now time to hear yours

wow, thanks unreal, extremely helpful lol. If i may ask, will you please go into depth on your occupation? You sound quite interesting! To answer your question, I am currently in high school, sophomore year, and go to a pretty prestigious school, which I am really grateful for. My school is ranked within the top 25 of the US, and is divided into 7 academies, mine being an academy of science and technology. Our average SAT score is 2230, and my GPA freshman year (although I know colleges do not care much for Freshman Year) was a 3.995 / 4 (we don't use a system that goes above 4 since all of the classes are honors/college or ap/ib level). So I am looking to try getting into these more difficult fields, although i do have to work more on extracurriculars. As a reference, 10/12 applicants for Princeton for my school's senior class made it in, and many more into colleges like Columbia / Yale. Unfortunately, I do not know of many other students that share my interests, specifically on the Astronomical side of science. This could actually be helpful though if i do decide to seek a career in that field. On the other hand the school teaching staff is a pretty fantastic resource, other than in the computer field (they all teach web programming, which isn't exactly what I am after) . I think i'm going to see the following teachers more: A physics teacher who teaches a 2 hour long "projects" class where we discuss the issues and possible rewards of space travel, specifically to mars. I took a previous Project class with him on the physics of building bridges, and an elective about astronomy. Another physics teacher who has an M.S. from PennState. This teacher is one of the coolest teachers i have ever met haha, and he does fun things like an extra-curricular projcet involving sending a weather balloon to outer-atmosphere, and designing a measuring device to take a sample of something (i can't remember what lol). I wanted to take join that project, but the slots were filled.. Hopefully he can help me out and describe to me what exactly each field in the physics/engineering department does, rather than the vague descriptions online. Apparently, he contributed work to the U.S. Navy's massive railgun system attached to war vessels to launch attacks from 126 miles away at sea. And I currently have a teacher who organizes the research at my school and helps the students prepare to submit research papers to intel's ISEF. She's the teacher helping me do my cellular biological research right now. I think i'm going to ask her more about her job before she went into teaching. Thanks again for your help, and i'm looking forward to hearing about you, i'm really curious now

grats again on joining T|I ! Have fun with your m14x, be sure to check out different tweaks for performance / optimization in games

hhahhaha I love this video, my friend just showed me it and i died of laughter.. CINNAMON NOOO!!

Wow thanks for all the tips you guys. Really great to know people who have some experience in life. Definitely going to have to consider quite a few things. Thankfully, the guidance center in my school is having talks with everyone about these types of topics, so between their help and T|I help i think everything will go just fine

Basically bring the whole desktop market's good attributes of Customization, maximum performance, cost effectiveness, etc. Straight to laptops. I think that would be pretty epic. All we would need would be to produce the shell of the laptop similar to how desktop cases are made. I mean, all it would take would be designing it once, running a gajillion tests while keeping it private, calling for an international patent, and market to current desktop case producers. We get control over the production in some of their factories, they get a share of the company. Now let's make a couple hundred million dollars! /wishful thinking.

@Ninjahunter, Thanks for the input, any bit helps! And yeah, I know that basically all of those fields require 4+ years :/ But hey, knowledge especially has its costs.

Hey, i'm currently a little lost. Not sure what i want to shoot for as an occupation. (Fireman football player cop hurrdurr!) As anyone in the US, and most people outside of it know, we are going to shit. I'm worried that seeing as I'm not as knowledgeable and wise as some other people in this forum due to a lack of life experience, I might make a decision to embark on the challenge of learning the ropes of a job in college, and that job having no seat in the work force or collapsing altogether. I understand that the most important thing to choose when picking a job in your life is doing something you love, but it is pretty important to be able to support those who you love. That said, here is an EXTREMELY general group of topics im interested in. - Astronomy/Aerospace Engineering? - I'm so fascinated by space. I've taken some courses and electives on it, and i'm excited to be speaking to some astronauts and aerospace engineers from the US, Japan, Russia, etc in these upcoming months through an elective at my school. The different challenges like storage, safety, radiation, and propulsion interest me very much, although i would prefer to stay on the science side (viewing and solving problems) than the engineering side (designing and fabricating the solutions). I would look into getting a Mechanical Engineering undergraduate seeing that it would leave me open for a wider range of jobs, and the courses for Aerospace i could get through elective courses in college, plus you need higher degrees in it anyways, and you can jump from ME to AE in higher years. - Medical Research Field? Eh, this one isn't too much of an excitement. I'm interested by the field now, but i'm not sure i will be 20 years from now. Doing cancer research at my - Nuclear Engineering? - Pretty complex stuff, but again, I'm pretty interested in it. Stems from one of my astronomy electives, I researched viable nuclear energy propulsion techniques. Worried about positions in the field, but then again with its new increased safety measures, France has 75% of its energy, and US has 20% of its energy coming from nuclear reactors. Would probably get the ME undergrad in this situation too, if possible. Need to research that more. - Computer Sciences Field? - This one is ridiculously broad. Problem is that the US doesn't do much computer engineering or sciences itself. :/ No matter which field i choose i could keep computers a hobby. That's it for now, I'll update as I go along.. Need to finish some things. Comment if you have any insight, and thanks in advance

it just seems like the government doesn't understand that welfare can't cover all of America.. and unfortunately it looks like at this rate something like that could happen within our lifetimes.. Issues are just being ignored.

Unfortunately, ninja is right. There aren't many things our age group have left to do that we know we will be able to continue doing ~20 years from now. Everything is in the air D: Right now, the best and most stable job i can think of is working with the NYPD. There are so many loopholes to that system.. 2 of my cousins will be working there pretty soon, and they told me within 3 years they will be making $96,000. Also, medical coverage is like $3 a day for them, for life. Not to mention if my cousin jumped on a loophole a little earlier, he could have had a full pension by his lower 40's. Pretty ridiculous. Also, any TD bank and other banks and places like Walmart require an NYPD officer on hand at all times, which means my cousins can work overtime whenever they want and make $30/hr. Meanwhile there are doctors trying to find medical breakthroughs and scientists trying to advance our world's technology struggling to get grants to work on their projects.

Shelving units = my life. Just saying.

I also moved Michael, and I have to tell you that we got rid of a LOT of stuff on the way here, but once we got here we got A TON of stuff rid of, and i couldn't be happier. Go through literally everything, and if you don't need it, get rid of it. Keep mementos of the past that you really like, not the mementos that are "sort of i guess so" important. Consolidate!! That's my advice, and good luck!

Congrats Sarge! I'm glad to see you finally getting your dream pc! Your really going to love it! I have a feeling you'll fit in just fine here, you seem like a really cool guy, and i hope everything works out for you!

Ok, all you do is download the driver, switch out the .INF file like stated previously, then go to your Device manager (run devmgmt.msc, or access from control panel) go to display adapters, select the 460m, choose driver, update driver, browse my computer, let me pick from a list..., highlight your graphics card, then click HAVE DISK, browse to the folder that has the driver area where you swapped the .inf, then click on any of the .inf (it doesnt matter which because it takes the whole folder anyways, i usually click the one i switched, which is usually nwvi or something), click ok, and then it will say something like its not verified, just click ok through that. and ta-da your drivers are installed. Of course, you should delete your previous driver before installing. to do this go to add/remove programs and remove only the ones with the version that you are running, not all of the nvidia programs. then you have to run the driver's exe once, let it fail so your gt460m appears again in your device management (it disappears after you remove the driver initially) and then follow the instructions above. have fun

Well, how bout we be the next Steve Jobs and get that done in our lifetime? T|I brand switchable components? It would increase sales for high-end mobile GPU's and CPU's, so they'd love it. -Just my dreaming

Maybe it will be a new "high-performance gaming accessory"? my hopes aren't too high, but i'll probably tune in.

Also, to explain further what Svl said, the ESD equipment looks like this: All you have to do is clip it to something metal and the charge will get grounded. It works the same to touch the metal object with your hands every now and then. The ESD mats are just a mat the computer goes on that absorbs the static electricity. If you dont want to buy one, a Rec center nearby might have these, if not check local community colleges.

Took the liberty of getting the link myself, I see what Ptolemaio was saying when he removed the Ad part.

I am trying so hard to resist the urge to squeal in surprise. A TRUE battlefield player... reminds me of Battlefield 2 <3333 (not bfbc2) .. good ol' days

anyone know how hotter the higher-end cpu's run on average compared to the lower end such as 2630qm? especially in m14x, but also elsewhere

ehh...now i'm starting to lean towards m14x but trying to get an upgraded CPU...hmm... Starting to remember that I probably won't have enough money to get a nice upgraded GPU anyways, and have a 6870m.. now that is a good gpu.. but the odds of me getting the m17x aren't very likely... I'll keep everyone updated. I have to have chat with a tech guy to "verify my problem".. in other words.. he'll go into device manager from his computer and see that "eveything is working properly" and then proceed to attempt to understand what i am saying for an hour.. -sigh-

What exactly is a lemon law? and [MENTION=5]Brian K.[/MENTION] Thanks, I didn't know that about the m17x. I thought it was less since the graphics require more energy even when optimus is in use. You guys have any guess as to what GPU/CPU/Screen they would include if they did offer that? Plus.. idkk.. it is still very large..I would be caring this laptop to and from school on a nearly daily basis.. I just wish the gt555m's gpu wasn't soldered on.. then it'd be a lot easier decision...

Hey everyone, mmskate here. I need to ask you guys what you think Alienware will do about my situation. Please read the story below and weigh in with comments, I really need the advice. I am contemplating calling and arguing with dell, because this might be my 3rd replacement m14x. Story thus far. 1st Computer: I ordered the m14x right before i went on vacation to the shore. We made specific orders to delay the shipping until we returned. Alienware did not listen, even though the rep promised me he wrote it down, AND we double checked after we placed the order. We come back from vacation, and my $13xx computer is sitting outside under a small overhang. duh f-? So I start opening the box and realize a corner of the box is quite damp. I'm extremely pissed at this point. So then I use the computer for a few days, (while benchmarking ) then I call alienware for a replacement because i fear internal components would be damaged and not live as long as they should have. They agree, and send out the next computer 2nd Computer: This one arrived pretty punctually, not many complaints there. They upgraded me from intel 6205 wifi to intel 6250 wifi for free since the 6205 was discontinued on the website. I open up the computer, and there are 3-5 dead pixel areas (white) either consisting of one, or as many as 5 dead pixels in a cluster. One of the white areas was very noticeable. I am outraged at this. I call them, and tell them that i am pissed off (not in those words) and they apologize and agree to send me a new one. 3rd Computer (Current): This one has been working fine, and I've had it for a few months. However, I haven't been taking advantage of the webcam until recently. I tried calling my sister who is at college, and she said my webcam's microphone sucked. I was surprised, so i called her on the phone while video chatting. I thought skype was just acting up, but then i checked all possible ways to change settings in control panel, on the status bar, and in skype itself. Nothing worked. Updated drivers and retried process. Still didn't work. Google'd for similar problems, and whaddaya know, it is a repeat of the m11x hinge issues, but for microphones. Everyone had the same conditions, where they found the microphone just not working. They all either called for a technician, (who replaced the ENTIRE screen because the microphone is embedded) who usually ended up doing more damage, OR they called alienware and ordered a replacement for the build-quality being sub-par and the microphone being broken on first-use. So, now i want to try to figure out what to do. First question, would be calling dell or calling for a technician. I'm leaning toward dell itself because i'm worried that I won't be home when the techy takes apart the computer, to see what he screws up. Also, I'm a dell preferred account holder and a long time buyer (in the family). The next question, is if you guys think that Dell would allow me to step up from m14x to m17x. I know either way that if I can get a replacement, I will argue until I get some sort of upgrades. Given the circumstances above, do you think they would give me an m17x, and if so, what stats do you think? My current m14x specs are in my description, although they are for an old replacement, the specs are the same. Lastly, even if i did get the option to get the m17x, i'm not sure that I'd want it. I love how the m14x can get up to 6 hours on battery life, and yet still max out almost anything i give it. But I am worried about how long this will last. Whether it lasts 1 year, or my prediction of 2 years, an m17x will last much longer if higher spec'd. This is where the question above comes into play. Depending on how well of a deal I get, i may or may not be getting the m17x. Lastly, even if I got a not-so-amazing GPU, i would still be able to switch it out myself (or with a tech-guy's help) with another GPU later on. So, dearest T|I family *yes i said family*, please help me out EDIT: Making sure I'm clear.. this will be my 4th computer due to issues.

Nice work as always StevenX I'm also curious about this as well. Also, what brand was your last paste?