GetFound

Does anyone object to adding this as a link under http://forum.techinferno.com/alienware/79-alienware-windows-customizations-restore-alienwares-look-feel.html ?

I finally donated today! Maybe I can get on with you guys and start to un-suck. I havent gotten much game time in yet. I'm not buying the expansion, so I hope we have some of the standard maps loaded... Im GetFound in game...

OK everyone, WHERE THE HECK ARE YOU?? lol. I dont see anyone but me in game or mumble... and I'm at work

Well aw sent a new mb and proc, 2820. Still flickers like a modified on hd3000... ugh. Calling back and asking for 2860... Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

New 2820qm on its way to correct graphics issue. Not the 2860qm I hoped for but working is working (-:.

Not sure about finance teams involvement, but the manager approval is instant. What may take a day or 2 is generating the specs for the replacement. My last replacement was all done in one long phone call, he didnt hang up until I approved the specs. Feel free to call back knowing that getting your specs is possible, some techs are just lazy...

The 5870's are great cards! Push the system after the work with at least a 3dmark run... Honestly for the work I do and the games I play, I dont miss the RGB like I thought I would. The M18x's wled is still a great screen, even out of the box. I started with an M1730, loved it, was a beautiful laptop. Until the video card overheated to the point the didnt shutdown and the heat warped the case and finally the whole system froze. (was it a bad sign that I ordered it in April 2009 and Dell discontinued the laptop in May 2009???) Then I got an M17x R1 pretty well maxed out. That was a turd, 2 replaced in 2 months. Then I got an M17x R2 and Loooooved it. Then 3 months and the first one died, 2 weeks in second one died, and 3rd one lasted 6 months. All different issues. Now I have the M18x in my sig and this thing is a BEAST! I still would have been happy to if they would have just fixed my R2, but this thing is sweet. I really like the jump to sandy bridge. (-: Good luck with the work, either option in good working order and you should be a happy camper!

@DanXbix, I foresee a new laptop in your future! The 285's arent just out of stock, they were discontinued due to overheating. An early welcome to the M18x... Be firm and polite and you will be taken care of!

I had the stutter up until the day the replaced my cards with 5870's. As much as a pain as they can be, the warranty is sooo worth it! Best wishes!

My 2820's hD3000 graphics are messed up. I wonder if they will replace with the 2860??? That would be niiiice.

Jimbo, have you updated your OCZ firmware yet? I was getting daily BSOD's before I updated. I thought it was video at first because of the crash logs, but turned out otherwise. http://forum.techinferno.com/alienware-m18x/1211-ocz-vertex-3-vertex-3-max-iops-firmware-update-bsod-fix.html

OCZ has released a new firmware update that helps fix random BSOD's with their sata III drives. 2.15 Issues resolved since version 2.13:  Fixed a rare condition that may cause Windows Blue Screen error when the primaryconfigured drive woke up from either a SATA slumber mode or S3/S4 modes  Fixed a rare condition that may cause Windows Blue Screen error when the drive was configured as primary with OS installed  Fixed a corner-case issue that may cause the drive to stutter or Windows freezing screen when a media read error occurred  Further improved robustness of Secure Erase operation to prevent possible low-level data structure corruption  Significantly improved TRIM handling to enhance system stability OCZ official site OCZ Technology OCZ firmware update instructions Bootable Tools for OCZ SandForce Driven SSD's OCZ bootable firmware update tool ocz_fwupd_1.642.12.04.zip I have had success with this update to 2.15, no more BSOD's and the drives seem more responsive in my M18x. (if thats possible, lol)

OK, a week shipping isnt too bad. as long as it works and isnt busted open im good with such a cheap price. I hope they have more since you got the last one Jimbo...

@Erich86 A few questions/suggestions I have are: 1. What USB devices are plugged in during boot? My Dell inspiron boots super slow if I have my external WD drive plugged in to usb. Unplug it and its fine. As a matter of fact unplug everything except the power cord and see how it does. 2. Go into the bios and reset back to factory default. my coworkers m17x wouldnt boot at all if usb was selected as first boot device and there was a non bootable usb device plugged in. (see #1) 3. What BIOS version are you on? You may want to flash to A03. Not that there is some magic fix in A03, but it will "reinstall" the BIOS. I have had this fix odd i/o issues. 4. Tried removing/swapping memory sticks? Like michael said above, trey removing 1 stick and then swapping them. Re-seating them may even help. If you are not getting any bsod's I dont know if this is the issue.

I just searched and dont have the anytime upgrade available. @mw86 If you would be willing to create an ISO I would super appreciate that! I have an FTP you could upload to. That would be awesome for me, however slow for you. Just let me know.

Jimbo, Let us know how that charger is when it gets in. I was about to pull the trigger, but I'm leery...

The problem is some of the integrated windows features such as customized windows media player are not on any other disc than the windows disc that came with M18x.

I need help guys. My M17x had 7 ultimate on it but the M18x replacement they sent only has 7 home. They told me to just use the 7 ultimate disc that came with the M17x. There are some customizations, specifically to media player that are on the M18x disc that the M17x disc doesnt have. When I called for a new disc (oem) they sent a retail disc!!??? That doesnt help at all. Can anyone help me get to the M18x 7 ultimate iso? Not asking for anything illegal, but PM me just in case its against a forum rule. Thanks....

Can someone post a link on how to overclock these non extreme cpu's?

No one? I know we have creative owners on here...

Yeah, I thought it was oK. If I try to push it in any game it artifacts really bad and blue screens... gotta call back tomorrow.

AW did a good job this time. They only sent the primary card but luckily that was it. Case closed. The onsite tech was happy, I already had the laptop open - old card out. All he had to do was insert card , tighten down and test. I even put it back together for him.

I did have to call back. This time another girl fixed the warranty and scheduled the part replacement. I did request both cards be sent just in case. We'll see.

UGH, I created this thread for a reason apparently. My primary video card failed Saturday. I called to get the part on its way and they forgot to transfer my warranty after the last replacement. So since that system was of course down, I had to wait until today to place another service call. I got the girl that works there and she has always been very helpful. The warranty transfer department was closed but she is going to call in 2 hours with them on the line and help me out...