*OFFICIAL* Alienware 17 R2/R3 Owner's Lounge

Sorry guys, i had a mistake thinking this is Aw17 R1 thread. I realize only now reading your comments to my photos. Apologize.

So now...to make my work not uselessly, let's start a game...who guess the name of games in the photos?

 

So it stinks you have to send it back, but what did you think about the sound? I know it was a big concern for you.

 

It did sound a little muffled, but when I listened to music, it wasn't actually as bad as everyone made me think. I EQ'd it a little bit and I was happy with it.

 

Ok so I have actually been asked this in private tells so I will share my procedure for migrating my OS to the SSD. First is to make a recoverable USB with the alienware respawn software. Once that is done (check the drive to ensure files are present, I used a 16gb drive), shut down the system and power off.
Install the ssd into the first M.2 slot (if you don't have screws installed, You can request them from alienware but I sort of borrowed one of the panel screws temporarily). Disconnect the 1 Tb drive and reboot the PC and enter the bios. The boot menu starts defaulted to the UEFI, you need to change this to legacy boot. Once you are in the legacy boot menu, change the boot order to usb first, followed by Drive 2 (i believe that is what it was, going off memory). Connect your respawn usb that you made previously and reboot system.
Alienware respawn did it's thing for me without much input to be honest, and just did it's thing until it said it was complete. Now when I initially rebooted the system did not boot. Kept trying to go to the LAN boot option. Went back into the bios and changed the boot sequence from legacy to UEFI boot, and success I am booting into windows. I had to reset up windows as if I had never logged on before, and once that was complete I went into admin tools, verified that the respawn had actually recreated all of the partitions that were present on the initial hdd install with recovery 8 gb or so at the tail end of the drive. I then shut down the system, reconnected the 1 tb drive and started system up. The system continued to boot correctly with the ssd and not the 1 tb drive so I'm assuming that my boot order was retained. Only thing that I may go back and do later is move the ssd above the usb but for now it's not an issue.
I think i disconnected the primary battery each time, but I might have gotten lazy when i reconnected 1tb lol.
As far as original contents still being on the 1 tb drive, yes they are still there. So far I have left them as I wanted to be 100% certain that my install was solid and I'm getting pretty close to that. And I just went ahead and created new folders and whatever steam / origin / uplay games i had already installed I could just simply move them to another folder and reinstall on the new os install.

 

I have bought the new Alienware 17 2015 model. I then heard about the 180W psu problem and having heard Frank Azors comments that anyone who calls in will get a 240w psu sent out to them, I rang Dell. As I'm in Europe I had to call Dell Europe and they told me that while customers in USA are getting the 240w psu, there has been no official word down the chain of command regarding the issue to them so they would not issue the 240 psu even though I told them that the head of Alienware had stated we are entitled to the 240w.

The agent then took control of my system and installed 3 programs on my computer, Tech Power GPU Z, Core Temp and Heaven Benchmark, after running the benchmark test I emailed him the results.

I have just received an email back stating ''My technical supervisor reviewed the results you sent us and there does not seem to be any fluctuations in the clocking of the GPU or the memories''

Where do I go from here? I thought there were independently verifiable results about the throttling and after what Frank Azor stated I should get a new 240w Psu?

Thanks for your help.

J

 

Their tests didn't prove whether or not the CPU was throttling though, which can also reduce your frames per second. If I was in your shoes I would flat down refuse to keep the laptop if they don't send you the 240W adapter - especially as it's been proved that performance is improved by using the 240W, and this has been promised by Frank Azor. I would threaten to return the laptop, and if they didn't send me a 240W, I would actually return the laptop and buy from a competitor that doesn't stifle their machines!

 

Correct, actually from my personal experience computers here in Europe works like in America, in strengths and weaknesses.

 

Different regulations in the EU. If they supply a 240w then the CE marking is invalid. It would need resubmitting for a change of power draw. Not even sure if a 'customer request' circumnavigates this problem like it does in the USA and Canada?

All you can do is buy a 240w (or a 330w) PSU and retest. Even if you show it improves you can't get around 'working as designed'

 

Ended up doing the chat as well for the same item. Saved me $12. Thanks!

 

Glad you guys were able to get the savings back! Always happy to help out!!

 

Thanks Robbo, I emailed them your response and got a call today saying they had got word through the chain of command at Dell that they can courier out the 240w psu now to customers.

They also asked me to rerun the Tech Power GPU Z, Core Temp and Heaven Benchmark tests after I get the new 240w psu and email them the results next week.

It should be here on Tuesday. Good result but its disappointing to hear so many people are not getting the 240w psu.

Keep trying and you will get it!

 

I ordered the 970m with mine... you think I should fight for a 240w PSU?

 

Apparently the issue with the 180w psu is only throttling laptops with the GTX 980M

 

Isn't the beta bios update supposedly fixes the throttling issue for good?

Mine's out for delivery today so can't wait to sink my teeth and claws in this!!

 

I've only had mine a couple of weeks but its a beast, your gonna love it!

The bios update allows you to use your battery power to overcome the throttling issue but there is no guarantee that this won't shorten the lifespan of the battery.

If you've got the GTX 980m, insist on the 240w psu to be on the safe side.

 

So I guess they want to build me a new laptop and I can send my less functional one in. Then it's another 2-3 week wait.
I seriously, after all this crap I went through with the company, don't think I'm up to doing it again now. I hope you guys enjoy your laptops, I know I didn't get the chance to really enjoy mine.

 

Can you say something about the noise of the fans under load? Is is more a high pitched or deeper sounding noise?

WHAT? They are going to use the battery as an additional power source? If they do something wrong, at least a new power supply for each owner should be in order.

 

If you order the 980M version you can request a 240W adapter - that's been promised by an Alienware Manager Frank Azor. Should really just be shipped as standard with the 240W, rather than having to ask for it!

 

But you have to know that there is problem first to ask them to fix it. They should fix it by themselves! And not by using the battery as a power source, this will (imho) shorten the lifespan. Additionally, proper testing the system would have shown those kind of flaws (e.g. ghosting for the AW 15 with 1080p screen).

 

I've not seen a person outside the US get this request fulfilled. AW claim they do not know about it and cannot supply a part not listed. Many reports of this and the reps have picked some of them up. Shouldn't be this difficult when you have the top man making a statement but it appears only for US/CAN customers so far .

 

Joostdela, a new user above in this thread lives in Europe, he's just had his 240W approved apparently.

 

That's good then. I was back to my regulatory and compliance hat . UL certification may well allow a customer to request a part that is not approved and not affect the cert. But the CE mark rules may well see it differently. By supplying, even after the fact, they are implying the part is approved for use on the model, which it is not and why they had to come up with all this battery boost nonsense.

The local countries get to decide if they want to join in. At least we are seeing some of them complying with the request.

Edit: Just looked at the post you referred me to. They have asked for test results so it is a beta test and OK to supply maybe? Jeez, anal I know but this is the type of people sitting over the shoulders of all decision makers nowadays that direct things.
.

 

I have bought the new Alienware 17 2015 model. I then heard about the 180W psu problem and having heard Frank Azors comments that anyone who calls in will get a 240w psu sent out to them. I did try to change my charger from 180W to the 240w psu but they said i can NOT do that there is no option for that its only come with the 180w psu. Did anyone got the 240w psu????

note : (my English is my second language )

 

Yep, read the last couple of pages of this thread, the answers are there.

 

thanks guys I'm getting one

 

Thank you for the photos, have fun with it, it's amazing.

@fahaed120 Did they give you 2 PSUs? Btw I was told by AW Khan (and also by Dell Italy) that receiving directly the 240w is not possible and we need instead to ask for PSU substitution once laptop arrives, please decide a fixed procedure and apply the same for both US and EU users, actually we all have the same issue regardless of the country in which we live the hardware is the same, equity and 240w PSU is all that we ask.

 

yes sir i'm going to receive the ALienware 17 which come with the 180W psu and also with the free tablet and yesterday they sent the 240W psu. i have NOT revived anything yet they all coming Monday mmmmmmmmm i can't wait

 

Here's my quick take on the AW17 R2 I got yesterday.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/alienware-17-r2-quick-review.771355/

 

Congrats on your new system!

 

@Fragster
Is the touch screen on the aw17 r2 def an ips screen?
Thx

 

Found a set of beautifully shot photos of the new aw17 r2 with the default 1080p screen.
Source: http://www.dgtle.com/article-9281-1.html

172107l85uu95z9ufsg0gy by ObserverJLin posted Feb 15, 2015 at 6:12 AM

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174901s3h8qcxce0e88hsq by ObserverJLin posted Feb 15, 2015 at 6:37 AM

 

Yessir...touchscreen gloss panel.

 

Just installed Skyrim-Legendart from Steam. Can't run it at all...comes up with the "Play" splash screen but when I click play, it looks like launching but then goes back to the same screen.
I've already deleted and reinstalled the game twice now. Running the exe in admin mode, etc. Still running the factory stock build so not sure if there's any firewall or virusscan stuff blocking the launch ......

Lame.

 

Thx for reply but I know it's glossy but wanted to confirm it's IPS because on the config page it is not advertised as ips as with the aw15 models.

 

You installed DX9? It doesn't come installed with Windows 8 or 8.1

https://www.microsoft.com/en-ca/download/details.aspx?id=35

 

^ Yeah..thats what it looks like. I've spent almost 4 hrs and cannot get Skyrim to launch (no errors). I downloaded Half-Life and it works totally fine. Lots of DirectX related issues under Win8 (64 bit) for Skyrim. I've just given up at this point. Wasted $15 on steam for Skyrim.

I'll get BF4 today and hopefully, that plays fine. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction but DirextX is a mess with Skyrim right now (under 64 bit OS, reading from the Bethesa forums).

 

Skyrim works for me, and I also have win8 64-bit. Feel free to PM me if you need any info - I'd be happy to provide it.

 

Phew....gotta love Win8. After almost 2 days of trial-n-error, fixed my Skyrim issue...discovered that both EXE's in the local Skyrim steam folder needed to be run as Admin under the shortcut properties. Previously, I had only done that to the main TESV.exe but not the SkyrimLauncher.exe. Once I did the change to both shortcuts, it works totally fine now.

Game looks gorgeous on the AW17 even without mods ...I'm gonna play it a little bit and then start experimenting with the Nexus mods.

Happy fraggin'!!

 

Hey guys! Was hoping you guys could help me out and answer some questions. I am interested in getting the R2 with the 970m. My questions are, does this model come with optimus? Is the screen on this version an IPS? Where exactly are the speakers located, the front or back? Is the sound quality good? Are the temps good? Thanks a bunch in advance.

 

Yes it comes with Optimus. The touch screen comes with IPS. Speakers are located At the front just like previous aw 17. The rest will be answerd when I own one.

 

Internal component temps are very good - have a look at my review. Both versions of this laptop come with an IPS screen.

 

Optimus can be disabled on Alienwares, right?

 

I'll have to check when I get home, but I don't think Optimus is available on AW machines.

 

Optimus cant be disabled in the new AW17 R2.

 

Turns out my machine arrived with a missing/corrupted recovery partition, so I couldn't create a recovery media (as I wanted to do a clean install on a new SSD).

Called Dell, they're shipping me a USB recovery disc, will arrive within two business days. One call, no hassle, immediate offer to ship the USB key.

-1 for the poor quality control, +1 for customer service.

 

Finally ordered mine. After three generations of AW.

Squirrel-main_1531675a by moymoy.oguzhan posted Feb 17, 2015 at 1:19 PM

 

I'm thinking of ordering a 17 here soon with 970M and touch screen. I can get it for 1650 shipped after tax from dell (Only tried one rep so far) Basically 100 off. Or i can order from HID evolution have it shipped immediately for 1640 no tax and 100 ebay bucks... Hmm.. What type of deals was everyone in here getting from Dell. I am going to try another Rep soon just looking for a baseline.

 

Don't, buy another laptop brand. Eurocom is a better choice.

I've went through hell with my Alienware 17R2. It's totally not worth it. No tech person has given me a straight answer. The resolution expert promised me since I went through hell for my laptop with so many issues before it got delivered (the laptop came delivered half functional, it had issues with blue screens etc) she would see what she can do for me. She told me they built it and had it shipped, even without me consenting to have it shipped. So now I have a laptop coming to me to an address I won't be here for. Nobody confirmed anything with me. The tech support person was supposed to call me.

Buy from this company as a last resort please. If they were good in the past, they clearly aren't now, they've screwed me over so many ways and I can't count how much this has affected my anxiety disorder.

 

I'm sorry to hear that. I have ordered from Dell in the past and owned a few alienwares with very little problems. I would be happy they are at least sending you a new machine. I am not looking for another Sager or I would go with the Batman. All of the Sager's(Clevo's) I have owned have had to be sent back for repairs within a month of owning. Out of all of the laptops I have owned they are the only ones to require this.

I also want the touchscreen, why I don't know, but other than Lenovo(Never again will I order from them) no other gaming notebook comes with a touchscreen.

Thank you for the input!