M11x LED issues: "ALIENWARE" not lit.

I have an M11x R1.

Here's the story:

So, I got one of the m11x's with the misaligned hinge issue. Yesterday, a technician came to my house with a brand new screen assembly. During replacement, he broke a cable connector and the result was my touch pad would not work. He had to order a new board.

The logo was lit at this point.

He came back today to install the board and when he was done, the battery meter on the underside and the "ALIENWARE" logo on the front just above the hinges do not light up at all.



That may be too much information, but I was wondering if anyone has come across this problem before and/or has any ideas on how to fix it.

I just installed the latest command center, so I don't think it is a software issue.

I would like to try to get this fixed on my own if possible, I'm not sure the guy knew what he was doing half the time. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks! =)

Camp

 

Ask for LCD another replacement.

Sorry for your bad experience, but I would've told the field tech to call Dell himself, and request parts that need to be fixed.

If that doesn't fix it, it's probably the mobo.

As for the battery meter, make sure the screws are all the way in, and push the button like you mean it.

At this point, I would expect the worst and ask for LCD, and mobo replacement. If you are not happy with how it was put together after the replacements, just ask for system replacements. You take a chance of getting a refurb, but I think it's better than a system that has been raped by a field tech who didn't know what the hell he was doing.

Btw, I had similar experience w/ M1730, and M11x. Both ended up with multiple part replacements because they would come in, and replace a part, but break another part in the process. I was offered replacement on M11x, but I didn't take it since I didn't think it was a big deal and didn't feel like installing all the crap I have on it. The M1730 only needed GPU replaced, and it ended up with 4 consectutive field tech visits because each of them breaking parts. On the last one, I told the field tech to call Dell and ask for the part HE BROKE, and the rep on the phone just told me I'm getting M17x, and I took that one.

 

We must have had the same tech. =P He came fixed what I needed him to an broke something else in the process each time.

He ordered a replacement mobo, but he didn't install that, I guess he thought there was no need for it.

I'm gonna let him come back one more time to see if he can fix it, if not I may request a refurb. Hopefully he doesn't bow my keyboard anymore either. >=O

Thanks for the advice.

 

More than likely he forgot to plug back in the alienware logo light cable under the palm rest (near the lcd screen).

 

Call Dell again, ask for a replacement, and complain about the quality of the repair service that you got. Ask for a different service tech, and they should give it to you.

The techs that come out to provide service do not work for Dell. They are independent shops that typically contract with multiple OEM's (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc) to provide local service to customers. If you ask Dell for a different tech, then they will specify that either a different tech is sent out to you, or they will contact a different repair shop altogether. It is in Dell's interest to do this as much as yours. Every botched repair that the tech makes costs Dell money.

 

The Markness: Nice guide you found there. I'm going to let the guy come back one more time because he is a nice guy, but I'm pretty sure I could be a better tech with 2 or 3 days practice. I don't want to take any chances with my warranty at this point, so I'm gonna wait a few days before I try any of that. I saw him take the machine apart and it didn't look really that bad.

Kent: you are right, he is contracted. If anything come up broken this time around, you can be sure I'll be talking to Dell. =P

Thanks again for the responses. This little ALIENWARE light is important stuff. >=)

 

Well.

The tech came back with yet another screen. After he installed this one, none of the AlienFX lights work now. I talked to Dell and they offered me a system replacement.

Does anyone have any experience with system replacement? Is there anything I should know before I talk to them about my specs? I'd like to maybe get an i series processor out of this deal somehow.

 

I highly doubt you will be able to get any kind of upgrade. The replacement/warranty is intended to be used to protect your investment, not as a free upgrade program.

The only possible way to get any kind of upgrade is that the warranty will guarantee to either repair or replace your laptop if there is some kind of failure. Dell is only obligated to replace your laptop with the same laptop, or another model of equal or greater value. The only possible way for you to get a different model is if Dell decides that a total system replacement is necessary, and they do not have enough replacement M11x R1's to give you.

Considering that the M11x R1 is still being sold, and that there are plenty of parts and replacement units available, it is highly unlikely that you will ever get any kind of "upgrade" on that particular model. You usually need to buy a laptop that is near end-of-life in order for this to happen.

 

Wow... I ordered my M11x a few days ago thinking I was purchasing quality. From the sounds of all the hinge issues, it seems like we're not. I would hate to drop 1,1000 on a darn netbook that is poorly built. I spent 3x more on a netbook than most people do expecting 2 things from Dell, quality and performance. It sounds like these models are lacking in the quality department.

It also sounds like this issue has been around for a while. Instead of fixing the issue on newer models, Dell decided just to contract out shotty repair work after the known issue occurs.

This is my first Dell computer, and so far, I'm nervous.

 

sounds dumb but have you tried power draining? lol

someones touchpad light wasn't working so he did the power drain trick and it was all dandy again

 

Kent: I'm fine with a system with the exact same specs. I was just hoping to get lucky.

Velhauder: I wouldn't be worried. The M11x is a great system, and besides the tech Dell contracted to fix my hinge, I have no complaints.

danyune: Actually I just was talking to Alienware and the rep told me to do the power drain (the system wasn't charging after tech visit number 3 today). The power drain fixed that issue, but still no lights. ='(

 

It's probably mobo then. Very possible the field tech broke something in the process.

I was offered a new system replacement after a couple of field techs pretty much raped my brand new m11x when they were replacing the LCD, but I didn't take it since I felt there was nothing wrong w/ my system after it was properly fixed.