R3 Keyboard Backlight Issue

So I noticed just yesterday the keyboard backlight color I've been using for just under a year seems to be malfunctioning, which is odd...

It's light blue. When I switch to other colors I do not seem to have this issue. (So Far)

The blue keyboard illumination flickers then shuts off. Occasionally it turns back on. Flickers then turns off or dims. I can still see this color under the keys, but again, it does not light up the keys all the time (More like 35% of the time). When I switch to any other color the keys become lit again.

On a side note when I use AlienwareAlienFXTester.exe

And set the LED's RED/GREEN/BLUE/WHITE etc.
All of the backlight components change to their respective colors
except the alienware head, which stays whatever color I set it as in Alien Fx. It was explained to me that the Alienware head should also change color via this test. Can anyone confirm?

It was also brought to my attention that this is an issue with the Alienfx board
or the indicator cover for the power button is defective.

I'm wondering if this is merely an issue with the backlit keyboard
cable not being plugged in all the way.
Granted, if that was the case I figure that all the backlit colors
would be affected in the same way and not just this light blue color...

I figure this must be the result of some shady craftsmanship from Dell/Alienware, because my rig is kept in mint condition. I bought a stand for it so it doesn't lay flat on my bed or anything else (restrict airflow/fan) with additional cooling when I run games. It has never been bumped or dropped. It looks as good as the day I got it.

UNFORTUNATELY my original 1 year warranty ran out on the 8th of this month and it will cost me another $220 to get this fixed (A warranty extension.)

So needless to say I'm quite pissed off...
The Alienware technical rep I spoke with said it is very uncommon for this to happen. Whether I believe that, I'm not sure. I could only find one reported incident on Dell's website with a refurbished Alienware.

Is this a common malfunction?

I was looking at this manual - Documentation

To see if I should try and fix it myself, but I don't know if I want to..Lest I accidentally break something. Hardware is not my strong point. Nor even any guarantee that I could fix it myself even if I saw what was wrong.

So I guess I have 3 options at this point.

1.) Pay Alienware $220 - Can't really wait too long on this as they are discontinuing the M11x.

2.) Never use that color and pray the other colors or backlighting in general does not fail.

3.) Contact my VISA and opt for extended warranty insurance coverage. (I do not even know what would happen with this scenario as I've never used the insurance on my VISA.) but VISA companies will cover an additional 1 year of insurance on electronics from what I gather. Do they pay Dell or do they just pay for someone else to fix it? *Shrugs*

Whatever the case, I'm never buying Alienware or Dell ever again. The fact that this clunked out within the same month that my warranty ran out is not a sign of quality to me. Also, I am disappointed with Optimus.

If anyone here has any feedback I'd be welcome to hear.

 

OK, i hear what you're saying, and it sounds like this :

1. Your laptop is in perfect condition yet "shady craftsmanship" is to blame for an issue arising 1 year after purchase.

2. You're very happy with your product, you will simply never purchase Dell/Alienware again because a single issue occurred again after 1 whole year of ownership after the warranty expired.

3. Your only actual issue is that the warranty has an expiry date and they will not indefinitely fix your laptop for free until the end of time.

Now @ your actual issue, yes it does most probably sound like the ribbon cable is simply lose, caused by CHIP CREEP from the vibrations of your HDD & Cooling fan, as well as the cooling pad you use for your laptop. It's alot easier to blame the company you bought it from 12 months ago for issues which arise today... I mean what are the chances they were caused by the person who has been owning and using it for the past 1 year?

Worst case scenario you need to buy a new keyboard, easy $50 from eBay.

 

If I spend as much as $1400+ on an electronic device I expect it to last for more than a year before it starts to require repairs (especially being that I take very good care of it.)....I don't think It's unreasonable to say that most people would agree with this point. If I should expect to be replacing components within the first year or soon thereafter I would NEVER drop this kind of cash.

My desktop runs flawlessly - which cost a bit more than half the price of the notebook and I've been using it every day for the past 6 years..
Come to think of it, no other desktop I've owned has had a malfunction within the first 4+ years that I've owned it. I definitely felt I got my money's worth.

So yes, I'm going to equate Alienware/Dell to poor build quality. Sooner or later this will be my HTPC and I'll look for a more reliable notebook/laptop with a better warranty.

I guess you forget about the hinge issue with the R2...

 

All good points... but for EVERY laptop brand out there. Laptop lifespan is shorter than desktops and that is if everything goes perfectly (ignoring variables).

You have learned this lesson: for expensive items warranty matters. Whether it be a car, tv, or even laptop. There is a reason extra warranty costs, well, extra. Its because there are likely more issues encountered over the life of the item. Excluding of course warranties for marketing - like "lifetime" brake pads.

Again, to be clear: it sucks for you. It really does. But it is not brand specific.

 

So it turns out that the keyboard itself was defective.
No loose cables...
Glad I didn't bother to take it apart.
QUALITY

 

When I got my M11x R1, the keyboard broke the very first day! Was it expected? Hell No! But you know, crap happens. My wife's iPad goes all up with issues sometimes and some would say Apple as the best of the best in terms of quality (highly suggestive...).

My best advice, do yourself a favor and buy better warranty next time, at least 2 years. As for this issue, save yourself the trouble and just Ebay a keyboard for FAR less than $200+ that Dell wants.