M18x R1/R2 - Creative Use for the Empty Mini-PCI Slot (WIHD socket on systems without WIHD)

Yeah, it really sucks that the Alienware 18 does not have an eSATA/USB combo port like the M18xR1/R2. To me that's really a basic necessity and USB 3.0 is not an adequate substitute for eSATA.

 

Dito, usb 3 latency and frequent disconnect @ high speed really make me miss that esata.... 400gb backup via usb with acronis takes 5 hours ....

 

yeah i will figure out the best place... was hoping to go trough a vent in the back perhaps .... i will order the parts and see

 

That would be the best thing, using the bottom part of the chassis between the left GPU exhaust vent and CPU exhaust vent. It's unfortunate that the area there is solid instead of a vent opening like the M18xR1/R2. It would look better (balanced) and make it potentially easy for something like this kind of mod. Using the DMC slot in the 18 (I understand it is bootable, unlike the M18xR1/R2 DMC slot on USB) as a port for eSATA is a really brilliant idea.

 

i agree with everything, just adding one thing that if DMC runs off usb 2.0 lane then max speed is what you'll see with a usb 2.0 port, and it is technically a usb. thats an if because i don't own AW18, only m18x R2 and R1.

@mr fox I heard for AW18 theres a lot of space in the optical drive to fit two HDD in height at 9.5mm each? if thats true its amazing what I can do with that thing lol. how much space are between keyboard piece and the chassis ended on bottom of optical drive in the AW18?

 

I think a member of our community already found the DMC slot is bootable and SATA3 6.0GB/s port. I can't remember now which person it was. I should test my spare mSATA in there and see if it works.

Not nearly as much space. I don't know exactly as I have never measured it. Maybe you can get a rough idea looking at my AW18 teardown video or look at the teardown photos I posted on the first page in the Alienware 18 Owner's Lounge.

 

Gentlemen, i've got a couple of questions about all this on an AW18:

I have an Intel 6300 wifi card in my system because i have a router that supports it at full speed. This means i do not get bluetooth, unfortunately. I've been thinking about what i could do to add bluetooth back in to the system, and to see what else i could do with this DMC slot.


So far, my favorite ideas have been:

1) Double USB port adapter, split between USB Bluetooth and ???
2) eSata port (can this work with the above solution?)
3) Internalized game pad adapter (xbox 360)
4) PCIE splitter?

Dell sent me a Killer Wireless 1202, so i know i could just shove that in and hope for the best as far as wifi, while at the same time gaining back my bluetooth, but i had to swap it out for the 6300 some time ago for a combination of both speed and compatibility with my router.


any opinions?

 

What system do you have? New Alienware 18, or M18xR1/R2? The older machine has a separate BT module that does not need to be integrated with a WiFi card. There is a USB port on the motherboard for that under the palm rest on the left side.

If you have a new 18, you can use a USB mini-PCI card in the DMC slot like shown earlier in the thread and slap a USB BT micro-dongle in there.

 

I have the new 18. I read through this whole thread trying to get a solid grip of how well a BT micro would work in the system, and when i found out that eSata might also be possible, i became a VERY happy camper. Just need to decide which way to go at this point. I figure that using the double USB would work out the best overall, but i have no idea what else i'd use the extra port for.

 

Well you can get tiny external bluetooth emitters that you can leave plugged in.

 

Get a small USB flash drive like a SanDisk Cruzer Fit 32GB or 64GB and put it in there to store stuff like downloaded programs and drivers. That's what I am using in my internal USB port. With the dual USB you could have a mini-BT in one and the flash drive in the other one. The internal USB card might be bootable in the 18 (I have not tried it) because the DMC slot is made differently than the older machine. If that is the case you can use it for flashing firmware, too.