Damn Techs :(

My Alienware M11x r2 had a problem. The screen was slightly slanted due to the right hinge lifting the screen higher than the left.

Imageshack - Left Hinge

Imageshack - Right Hinge

So I called up Alienware - spoke to them and they said they will send a tech round with a new screen, even though to me it looked like it was a loose screw.

I watched the tech for most of it - turns out it's not a loose screw but the hinges are just not aligned properly. He popped in a new screen with the hinges, same issue. So maybe my chassis is somehow higher on one side? I don't know.

The problem was though, after he left, I then noticed my laptop doesn't shut properly like it used too. In fact, the lid once all the way closed is a few good mm above the chassis.

Laptop After Repair =[


It used to look something like this - No gap at all.
Before he caused this problem, it would shut nice and perfectly. I'll fetch a picture now.

I've had the laptop for around a month now.
Just 3 questions.

Is the above right hand side hinge 1/32th of an inch bigger than the left normal?

Also anyone have any ideas to fix my now raised lid?

I'll probably argue for a replacement m11x r2 - has anyone done this? if so how long did it take?
Also can I just put my HD from this laptop into the new replacement laptop?

Cheers for any help.
Joel.

 

I had the exact same problem on two R2's which i sent back straight away for 2 replacements. The third still has a noticable gap but a lot smaller which I will live with. The rest of the unit was ok ish. Still touching screen/keyboard etc but by the time a perfect unit(if one would ever turn up!) an R3 would be out!
I got Dell to extend my warranty for free so now its 2 years. I also got £100 compensation.
I dont think you will ever get a unit with the exact same size gap each side. If you do you will probably find the screen still touches the key board.
I believe from reading a lot on this forum that perfect units are few and far between.
Personally I have had too look past some minor issues(for now) and look at the bigger picture knowing ive got the longer warranty.
It is fast, OC's to 166 CPU good OC on GPU and games brilliantly for what I want.
I would not accept the gap you have and push for another unit ASAP or at the minimum another screen.
The turn around time on my replacements was quite quick and took approx 8-9 days from the time it was agreed.
Another thing is it seems to depend who you get at the end of the phone, if you are not happy hang up and get someone else. Try and get someone in the escalation team as they have more powers to replace and compensate.
good luck and take no prisoners

 

All of those pics look quite normal (normal for Dell and m11x laptops that is) to me.

 

I think what you had was perfectly normal. My has about the same gaps although I never really thought to measure it before as everything works fine. No creaking, no seperation, no problem at all. I have had mine 4 or 5 months now and take it to work and use it every day for hours. I have no hinge issues. I think both of my Alienware laptops are some of the best made I have ever used and I have had IBM/Lenovo, Sony, Acer, Gateway, Dell, HP and Compaq.

 

See i would be complaining if my laptop looked like yours did originally, mine has always looked like yours - i've had a grand total of nine screens on my unit - I would just call in and say the replacement was bad quality, and ask them to try again - Also i dont know about your unit but mine was missing some screws causing issues to arise, whereas my first two faulty hinges were due to lack of screws - i just moved them around til i got what i wanted.

 

9?!?!?
Like... nine?!?!?!
Man, that is a record!!!
Either you are very picky or service in your area is really bad

 

I'm on my third screen (which also has problems) and both replacements I've had have gaps like that. My original screen had no gap. The tech tried to tell me that it was because of stiff wiring and the gap will close over time, but I think it might just be because he did a bad job rewiring.

 

My laptop also has uneven spaces just like yours, but I will wait until my hinges actually break before calling for a replacement.

 

You actually had a good thing going and ended up "normal".

 

Sorry for the lack of responses, just got home from work.

I turned the laptop upside down before going out for 6 hours. The screen gap seemed to decrease. So I might do the same again, or put something relatively weighty on the top. Hopefully it might do the trick.

My new screen however does have a smaller gap than the last one which I can live with- and the it passes the paper test so the keys aren't on the screen. Though while he was trying to get the keyboard out.. by looks of things he's managed to push the "foil" under the space key and by looks of it, stretched it causing it to curve it under it and scratched it- so light shines through..

Thank you for the information. Was you able to keep your current Alienware m11x till they came and brought you a new one? or did you have to send it away?

Thanks for the advise as well.

By looks of things no screws were missing. Though this guy tended to try and pull stuff out to find where the screws were than to use a more peaceful method.

Yup, and it's pissed me off.

Tempted to demand my screen back, and a new keyboard- then ask to fit it myself.. But I doubt they will let me. =[

 

Hi
I did keep each unit whilst I waited for the new ones. The 2nd unit BSOD and never booted again so there was a period without any M11x which was a bit harsh.
I have attched photos of my hinges now so you can see the gap is nearly the same size.

LEFT
http://yfrog.com/n6photo1wqj
RIGHT
http://yfrog.com/nbphoto2vqj

 

Thanks for the comparison- my new monitor looks like that now.
It's good to hear you kept it.
I'll contact Alienware tomorrow regarding a new keyboard and if I can manage to get my lid to shut properly.

 

Is it just me, or does it look like it should with the gap? The first picture when the lid is completely closed makes it look like it lacks the little rubber pads that keep the lid from shutting fully. Mine doesn't shut entirely, but it has absolutely no hinge issues and stops on the rubber pads like it should. I bet those keys were completely mashed against the screen in the first picture.

If anything I wish they had slightly larger rubber pads, that would solve a lot of issues.

 

Ehh nvm my post, didn't read it over good enough before posting

 

You can add them (they are very cheap)

But add them in the superior part of the lid.
Don't add them in the bottom part so as your hinge will not be stressed.

I have included two small soft rubber pads, one in each superior corner, works great.

 

Cool, this is exactly what I plan to do when I get mine. I wondered if others had done this yet. I would rather have a very small gap so there is less chance of the keys leaving marks on the screen.

 

I will try to take a picture later (at work now...). You can also use a see-throught skin protection on the screen. I didn't do that, but with skin and/or two soft rubber pads at the upper part of the lid, you will be free of scratches, marks etc... Skin may be a little expensive... but pads are cheap and you can find them in any office store.

 

Just emailed the Alienware person who I've been in communication with during my laptop getting repaired. Hopefully I'll get a new replacement keyboard and my original screen back and hopefully he will allow me to replace it.. gotta hope right?

 

I have serious doubts that you'll ever see your original LCD panel again. It's very likely been shipped off to a Dell parts depot to be refurbished and put back into the supply chain.