Plastic strip above keyboard doesn't fully snap into place between hinges

This isn't a big deal, more of a mild imperfection, but I'd like to fix it, if possible. It is the plastic strip above the keyboard, the one with the Alien head that serves as a power button in it. Not sure if there's a proper name for it.

Anyway, the flat part of this strip successfully snaps into place in all spots. But the round part that goes in between the two hinges does not quite go down all the way. I can push it down just a tad bit more, but it pops right back up. It doesn't look bad, or anything. Like I said, just a mild imperfection that I'll fix if I can. So I thought I'd post about it in the off chance that anyone else has experienced the same effect and found a way to snap it all the way down into place.

I have also read that the hinges on this unit are kind of notorious for breaking, but the hinges themselves are fine. I'm talking about the plastic cover between them. Can anyone relate?

 

Did it come that way or did you remove it? If it refuses to clip in the middle then call Dell and ask to have it replaced.

 

Honestly don't know how it was originally. A tech replaced the screen due to a dead pixel and embedded fiber. I noticed this little glitch when I was cleaning off his smudges afterwards. I've taken it off to examine it, see if it was broken, but it appears to be fine, so I don't see what a new one would do. Guess it's worth a shot, anyway, if no one else has experienced this.

 

I have this problem with my M17X after a tech replaced my GPU fans last week, one side of the top strip will not seat all the way. I just noticed this yesterday. I think I can call Dell and have them send me one.

 

Given none of the edges on both the plastic cover strip and the base have not been burred (Dell says, "Use a plastic scribe to gently pry the hinge cover up."), you should be able to 'tap' it down (Dell says, "snap the cover in place"). Check none of the screen cables are restricting clean connection of the plastic strip with the base.

M11x Hinge Documentation

Given both surfaces are clean and unobstructed, you should be able to tap the plastic strip down as a new plastic strip will not help if the original was snapped in place before and it is not currently damaged.

I'm not afraid to cover the plastic strip with a cloth and 'tap' it with a small mallet. Only attempt this if technology holds no fear for you, otherwise you should contact Dell.

I had no problems removing and replacing my hinge cover. Was surprised how 'sealed' the connection between the base and cover becomes after I 'snap/tapped' it back into place.

I did use a plastic scribe though.

 

Tis the same on mine - after I fitted the new aerials it just won't click back in the same, probably burred connections nothing I can do and cosmetic issue only but it still urkes me.

 

To anyone who may be interested, I called Alienware tech support about this plastic strip, and they sent me a replacement after I explained that it would not snap all the way into place. The item number is 9Y58M which might help because 2 of the 3 people I talked to on the phone had a hard time figuring out what I was talking about.

Anyway, it arrived today, and I compared it with my old one. It turns out that 3 of the tiny protrusions on the underside were, in fact, slightly chipped. So slightly that I couldn't even tell without a comparison. And the new one does, indeed, snap firmly into place at all locations. It was just a minor cosmetic flaw, but it irked me, too. More than I knew, in fact, because I am surprisingly pleased and relieved that the new one works. So, moral of the story is to call for a replacement piece if yours doesn't fit properly. It should be about $8 if not under warranty.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Always good to hear this kind of detail.

 

Is this for a M11X or M17X?

 

11xR2, black, not silver (might affect the part # I mentioned)

 

I am having that problem with my M11x R1 would that be the same piece number?

 

I don't know, I've not owned an R1 and am not familiar with any design differences, sorry. If you call Alienware, though, they should be able to figure out what you're talking about if you describe it well enough.

 

Just tell Dell it's the plastic part with alien head power button. This explanation never failed me.

 

I spoke with Dell customer support and they are sending me a new cover. They are also having a tech come out and install it because the last tech messed up and a cable is blocking it from connecting properly. I also think some of the covering has come off of the cable and may need another screen altogether, the first tech was in a hurry which caused him to make this mistake I do believe

 

Make sure to check everything the tech's doing if you can, especially the wifi antenna and the wire that connects to the power button. I would make sure they are routed separately.

 

Failed me a couple times. Well, not really failed. But they still weren't sure of what I was talking about and even thought I might have been referring to the LCD assembly for some reason. The third guy I spoke to seemed to have English as his first language, and he understood me right away.

 

I justed called to get a replacment for my M17X R2, the last tech that repaired my Laptp, kinda broke it, it will not seat properly, almost, but not perfect.

 

Same tech as b4 came out today and when he first completed it the touchpad did not work. Second try and it is all good.....so far, lol! At least the back snaps together and it looks like new. Now will it stay that way? I still have almost 8 months of warranty left thankfully

 

I suggest extending warranty if you can afford it

 

That sounds like exactly what my tech did when he replaced the display on my 11xR2. Like I said in another post, though, I couldn't even tell that 3 of those tiny latches were broken at first. He also put an inch-long scratch on the bottom of the system somehow (runaway screwdriver?), but it's always out of sight, so pretty much out of mind.

Seems like getting a technician who has actually done work on your model before and knows how to complete the process flawlessly is a rare thing.

 

I've seen worst.

To get to M17x's LCD panel replaced, you have to unscrew 2 screws that's attached right by the hinge. I felt plastic that was attached was way too lose after my LCD was replaced.

The field tech just pulled the plastic attachment without taking out the screws. I knew something was up when the guy said it was hell to take it off. This lead to about 4 LCD replacements by Dell trying to figure out what I was complaining about LCD assembly parts being loose and making noise.

These guys really do need to use the manual, but for some reason, they refuse to use em.

 

For Dell contacted field technicians an Alienware is very much a rare thing, not to mention the M11x in particular. I've spoken the 3 different Dell techs here in the Dallas area and only one of them had ever worked on an M11x. He''d done a motherboard replacement back in early June (had to be an R1). The other two hadn't even heard of the M11x. All of them said there are no dedicated Alienware techs and that they'd have to consult the service manual in order to make sure they were doing things right.