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28327
June 27th, 2014 17:00
Having some problems with my Alienware m18x-R2
Hello. Almost two years ago, I purchased my Alienware m18x-r2 on sale during Black Friday (in 2012). For the first year or so, it ran perfectly, of course up until the point my warranty ran out.
One day, my Alienware suspiciously crashed and wouldn't reboot - not even in safe mode. Additionally, I was unable to restore to a backup, and so I was royally screwed, losing all of my documents. I ended up re-installing windows and doing a complete wipe of this computer. I then learned that my "M18XR2_RAID1" is completely messed up, though I'm not really sure what this actually is? At first, both Ports on this Array (excuse me if I'm using the wrong terms here, I'm guessing based off of what Intel Rapid Storage Technology is showing) were messed up, and both of them were "rebuilding." This is what was happening when I couldn't restart my computer originally, after the initial crash. Since then, "Port 0" has rebuilt and is all fine and dandy, but "Port 1" is in a constant state of "Rebuilding." Every now and again, it finishes "rebuilding" and it says something along the lines of "at risk." and there's a button to press that will reset it to normal. About 5-10 minutes later, the "at risk" thing comes back, and the reset to normal button is also back. Here's a picture of what IRST is showing at the moment: http://imgur.com/lpug4o3
Since this initial crash, my Alienware blue-screens/crashes multiple times without notice, and is very clunky/slow feeling compared to what it was when I first had it. Additionally, playing games such as League of Legends, DotA2, Diablo 3, and Call of Duty, I've been experiencing many FPS issues and moments when the game will just completely freeze for a few seconds before returning back to normal. This never used to happen when I first had this computer. Everything used to run perfectly!
Things I've done so far:
-Completely re-installed windows.
-Update all of my graphics drivers.
Sorry if some of what I've said isn't completely clear, I don't know a lot about specific parts of a computer/what they do, etc. I would appreciate any and all help - I really want to be able to use my computer without it crashing randomly, 24/7! Thanks in advance, and please let me know if you need any specific information. This is my first time posting on any forums asking for help with these issues, so I'm not sure what information I should include. Anyway, thanks again!
-Alex
Tesla1856
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June 27th, 2014 19:00
Run PSA/ePSA (outside Windows) to test your hardware.
Run manufacturer supplied test program to "long test" your harddrives.
If all that passes ...
Install a nice 256gb (or larger) SSD as boot drive 1 and clean install Windows (and drivers in proper order). NO NOT install Intel-RST (just use Microsoft HDD drivers). You can also install main programs and untilities and maybe even a couple of your favorite games. Leave plenty of room on this drive always. Machine will be very fast.
Keep the best of the original spinning drives (HDD) as drive 2. Use this for your data files, music, and large games.
See my favorites for Clean Install and SSD docs.
SepeVo
11 Posts
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June 27th, 2014 21:00
Thanks for the advice. Are there any other options other than purchasing and installing a new ssd? I'm not very technical in regards to hardware. If this is my best option, what are your recommendations for an SSD?
Sorry for all the questions, but as you can see I'm fairly uneducated haha. Thanks again.
Alex
Tesla1856
10 Wizard
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June 28th, 2014 00:00
You should be able to press F12 to get to Diags Partition. That should check your hardware. Anything broken will have to be fixed first.
No guarantees, but getting rid of Intel-RST and the RAID-0 setup (having 2 HDDs do the work of one) ... should help your system run more stable (since it's just a laptop). Installing the SSD will give you the RAID-0 speed back but on a much faster and simpler config.
If you can't do the work yourself, learn how to, get a friend who knows computers, or a qualified technician to help. You might also be able to get back on Dell warranty.
I can't walk you through every little step in a forum thread. However, if that was my laptop ... what I have suggested is what I would do. Good luck.
SepeVo
11 Posts
0
June 28th, 2014 00:00
Thanks for the advice. Where can I find PSA/ePSA? I've never heard of these programs before. Are there any other options other than purchasing and installing a new ssd? I'm not very technical in regards to hardware. If this is my best option, what are your recommendations for an SSD?
Sorry for all the questions, but as you can see I'm fairly uneducated haha. Thanks again.
Alex
SepeVo
11 Posts
0
June 28th, 2014 01:00
Gotcha. Thanks for your help Tesla. Currently running ePSA Pre-boot System Assessment and this is what I'm getting (it said to provide this info to a technician):
_____________________
Error Code 2000-0151
Validation 65652
Msg: Hard Drive 1 - S/N X2BRT6NFT, incorrect status = 3E
SMART Predictive Failure
_____________________
Every piece of hardware except for Hard Drive 1 has a green checkmark beside it, so HD1 is definitely messed up.
Last question - if I was to look for an SSD, what brand would you would recommend? You said you would get rid of Intel-RST, so would you then not go for an Intel SSD? I don't know much about SSD's, so any direction would be much appreciated.
Thanks again for all the help!
Alex
SepeVo
11 Posts
0
June 28th, 2014 01:00
Gotcha. Thanks for your help Tesla. Currently running ePSA Pre-boot System Assessment and this is what I'm getting (it said to provide this error code and info to a technician):
_____________________
Error Code 2000-0151
Validation 65652
Msg: Hard Drive 1 - S/N X2BRT6NFT, incorrect status = 3E
SMART Predictive Failure
_____________________
Every piece of hardware except for Hard Drive 1 has a green checkmark beside it, so HD1 is definitely messed up.
Last question - if I was to look for an SSD, what brand would you would recommend? You said you would get rid of Intel-RST, so would you then not go for an Intel SSD? I don't know much about SSD's, so any direction would be much appreciated.
Thanks again for all the help!
Alex
Tesla1856
10 Wizard
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17.9K Posts
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71.1K Points
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June 28th, 2014 11:00
Looks like that drive is bad. Remove it. Clean install Windows to the existing one or to a faster SSD.
The info you need it here:
http://en.community.dell.com/members/tesla1856/favorites/