Hi TYR4NT.

what happens if you enter the BIOS Settings after Cold Boot? do the Buttons work in there?

try following:

disconnect all Cables.

remove Laptop Battery.

hold Power On Button for a Minute.

i hope it helps.

Hi there, thanks for the reply. 

I'll try when I get back home in a couple of hours and post results. :-)

Hi ‌,

Send me a private message with the service tag so I can review your case.

Thanks for the reply :-) 

I purchased the laptop off eBay on a last minute auction. After much deliberation I decided to send it back today and buy new. 

It's a shame because if the keys worked as advertised it would have been an absolute bargain! Managed to pick up a 15 R3 (new model) brand new with a 4 year service or replace guarantee so happy with that. 

Thanks for your time and I'm sure I'll be back, hopefully with a more positive story about my new purchase. :-) 

Hi there, how do I send you a private message?

I've just received a brand new Alienware 15 R3.. Same issue! Only the letter 'P' that I've noticed not working but still hugely unacceptable for a £1700 machine straight out of the box. 

Any help greatly appreciated as I really don't want to have to send a second one back :-( 

Thanks in advance 

Just hover the cursor over my username and click on Message.

Private message sent. 

Problem goes away after a few minutes but is the exact same issue as the year old 17 R3 I purchased on eBay and returned. 

From what a computer engineer friend has said, I believe it to be an alienware software/driver issue. 

Any help shedding light on the problem would be greatly appreciated. 

all you have to do is try to use it outside Windows. as i already mentioned in BIOS Menu for Example.... or USB Linux.... or USB DOS.... or whatever works. does it fail the Test, then it's a Hardware Problem and if the Button works outside Windows then it's a Software Issue. i thought you was going to try this when i told you that for the first Time. now you have a different Laptop with the same Issue. why do you Guys always ignore Suggestions or give up so fast i really don't know.

The first laptop was factory sealed with a tamper evident sticker over one of the screws. I didn't want to void a warranty and waste £800 on a second hand machine so I sent it back. New laptop is a day old and can be replaced so why would I open / remove anything? Both systems work with a wireless keyboard so if it's a hardware problem, dell/Alienware will not be getting any more of my money because they clearly struggle to build a reliable machine... 

Looks like I'll be sending another one back 

Try this - https://www.passmark.com/products/keytest.htm.

It will help you diagnosis if its a hardware or software issue.