Alienware amplifier issue

Question

I've already called tech support which I refuse to have touch my system again. So don't suggest I call tech support. I haven't had my amplifier dock connected to my 15 R2 (purchased in october 2015) since december or january, until now. Original issue. system locks up when booted with the dock connected about 5~10 minutes after it's fully booted into windows without doing anything on it.  Steps I took to troubleshoot: 1. Repair install with the updated amplifier software from the dell support site. 2. Updated video card drivers.  Issue I'm reporting is since the 2 steps I said above didn't work, I uninstalled the dock software, with intentions of reinstalling it.  On the reinstall, it says that the software isn't compatible for my system. This is both with the dock connected and without. Sorry for the wall-o-text Reason I refuse to have tech support touch my system.  First time I had them touch my system, I was having issues with updating the graphics drivers. tehc was remoted in using citrix. My background at the time is that I am an IT systems admin/engineer. Working for BP I knew that doing anything with the graphics drivers while remoted in with citrix causes windows (doesn't matter what version of windows) to BSOD. I stated this with the tech. Tech ignored what I said and cause my system to BSOD 3 times before I hung up and eventually. (Not really a tech support issue, but a dell support issue over all) When I purchased this system, I specified with my sales rep that I wanted the MID TIER model of the 15 R2 (skylake just release and was one the first models to have it) 2 weeks later it got downgraded to the lowest tier model. Called to see what could be done. Waited on the phone for a total of IIRC 6 hours, before I got someone on the phone. My sales rep even said that was insane.  Wifi dropping every 5 minutes. card was replaced. Still have the issue but not every 5 minutes. Got fed up and ran a 30 foot CAT5 cable to it. Motherboard fried. Left it on at home, because I remote into it when I'm at work. burnt circuit board smell, sparks when unplugging the power adapter. Motherboard was replaced.  Now the current issue. On the phone I stated what I have done to try to fix the issue, and that I ONLY wanted the software to be installed back onto my system. tech goes in does what I have done, which was fine at first (sometimes you need to verify the issue) but then the tech does it 4 more times. I requested a call back, because I too was remoted into it from work (I use 2 different remoting software, that's not citrix). NEVER got the call back. Called again the next day, requested another call back. This time it was a different tech. Tech upgraded my graphics drivers and then did some the same thing as the previous tech, then messed with something in windows to cause it to BSOD and then boot loop. I hung up and had to do a system restore, which made me lose 4 days worth of work in CAD files. The system restore brought back the dock software and other than updating graphic drivers, I haven't done anything since and have only plugged in the dock once after the restore. Still locks with the dock.  It works fine with without the dock, but considering that I do CAD work, the GTX 965m has it's limitations. If I got the actual mid tier model as I requested it wouldn't be so much of an issue. I have a GTX Titan in my dock. Tested my locking up issue with a Nvidia Quadro FX4200 that I had laying around, and tested the titan in my friend's tower PC to see if was the card that was the issue. Works with FX4200, but that card has lower performance that the 965m.

1anon · Answer

Reason I posted is it, going to be a real issue for those that have an amplifier and want to do a clean install of the laptop, which I want to do, once my SSD come, and can't know. I've wasted over 7 hours on this with tech support, when they clearly don't know what they are doing (with this issue)

Namol04 · Answer

Is it possibly overhearing?  Seems like the R2 has some weird bugs with the AGA.  Did you try installing the desktop drivers with the amp connected?

1anon · Answer

Quoting my original post 'On the reinstall, it says that the software isn't compatible for my system. This is both with the dock connected and without.' And 'It works fine with without the dock, but considering that I do CAD work, the GTX 965m has it's limitations. If I got the actual mid tier model as I requested it wouldn't be so much of an issue. I have a GTX Titan in my dock. Tested my locking up issue with a Nvidia Quadro FX4200 that I had laying around, and tested the titan in my friend's tower PC to see if was the card that was the issue. Works with FX4200, but that card has lower performance that the 965m. '

1anon · Answer

and now I've realized that the USB on the AGA aren't working. Using my Quadro in the AGA, system booted up and plugged something into the USB ports on the AGA are not work. It is powering my USB device though.

Locked Topics – Alienware General

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