Issues with Touchpad Driver and other problems with Alienware

Question

I've had my Dell Alienware Area 51m R2 for over 30 days now. I would return it if I could. My first issue was the VGA fan overheating. The tech came and replaced the heatsink. He had trouble replacing the cover. The error went away but the machine still gets very hot when I play the Sims 4.

The next issue was that my touchpad stopped working. I uninstalled the driver and the touchpad works but its very slow. I installed the most recent driver from Dell thinking it would help but the touchpad stopped working again so I uninstalled it again.

I feel I got a lemon for a computer. I'm waiting for the next issue to arrive. I will let you know.

crimsom · Accepted Answer

Hi @dotwitt thank you for sharing update and providing additional information.

Between 09 May 2021 and 13 June 2021 the Area-51m R2 has been with you for 35 days.

We already know that OEMs are trying to mitigate the Intel CPU's Plundervolt vulnerability, even though this vulnerability is not being exploited. Now the Intel CPU runs very hot at about 100ºC (212ºF, boiling point of water). All the parts in the laptop enclosure will age faster at this elevated temperature, especially the aging chemistry in the main battery. This is the unexpected design flaw to which you refer, and Intel has no solution.

Dell are now installing the AMD CPU in their gaming systems. You could raise a service request because your Area-51m R2 undervolting has been locked out, and is clearly not the advertised gaming laptop. Although Dell says the first 30 days are on approval awaiting your acceptance, there are problems with this new Area-51m R2.

IMHO, you and Dell should reconsider customer/user acceptance of this problematic 35 day old, new Area-51m R2.

Mary G · Answer

This is a user to user tech forum, not Dell Support. Contact support again directly to continue with your problems.

dotwitt · Answer

It is? So I (as a user) cannot post at all on this forum? Doesn't seem fair.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @dotwitt  thank you for sharing update. The Alienware Area-51m R2 is supplied with a first year basic warranty. How many Service Requests has there been during the first year?

dotwitt · Answer

I purchased my Dell Alienware Area-51m R2 around mother's day, may 9. I've had two issues. One with the fan and now another with the touchpad. I'm not sure the fan heat during game play is an issue but it is annoying for a "gaming" computer.

I've purchased many computers from a Gateway 386 to a Lenovo Yoga. This Dell is the first computer that I experienced significant issues upon purchase.

The service department from Dell has been excellent. I think however there is a design flaw in this model.

Alienware

Issues with Touchpad Driver and other problems with Alienware

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