Alienware 15 Running Super Slow

Question

I'm not a big computer guy, at all. I do most of my gaming on consoles now, but I like playing Starcraft here and there. So my graphics are at an absolute minimum, something my old 2008 Toshiba i3 laptop could handle without a single issue, and every single time I see an opponent's unit/get in an engagement, I immediately drop to essentially no frames at all. Ran Dell tests, not a GPU problem, memory problem, overheating problem, anything. It essentially happened overnight, one day it worked perfectly, the next it was a $1500 paper weight. Ran virus scans, nothing. Updated drivers, nothing. I would essentially log into my computer, and the fan would immediately start running at medium-high, I wouldn't open anything, and the fan would run all day without any program being open. I have no idea what could be affecting my performance this much, to the point where it gets blown out of the water by a $200 machine. Sounds like an overheating issue to me, but I pretty much know nothing about computers. Any ideas?

dio85 · Answer

It sounds like the same issue a lot of us started to get this month

en.community.dell.com/.../20007565

en.community.dell.com/.../20007538

Is it the same for you? I've been struggling with the same issue for a couple of days since I need my system to work but I haven't been able to pinpoint the issue

fuyiman · Answer

Hi ‌, also same for me. Just received my new Alienware 15 R3 yesterday, and am so disappointed. It is so slow, I cannot believe it. I am thinking to update the BIOS as there is an update on dell, however, a little worried something else will happen. Really was not expecting the laptop to be this slow.

Alienware - Rodrigo · Answer

Hi,

Please update the Bios to the latest version (click here for the download link). If you continue to have the same issue after updating to the new Bios, please send me a private message (use the “send message” option in your inbox and look for my username) so we can look into it.

fuyiman · Answer

Hi ‌, I have the same issue. My AW 15 R3 is only 3 days old and struggling with performance. I've updated to the latest BIOS, but no real improvement. What could be wrong? I practically have nothing installed in my PC, but it is so slow. Please help, thanks.

dio85 · Answer

Please keep us updated with your case, like I mentioned, I have been struggling with this issue myself for a couple of weeks now, I just upgraded the BIOS for the second time as recommended and my graphic intensive programs (games included) still run extremely slow.

I really don't want to do a full system restore, unless that's the last resort, I have way too many files to back up at the moment and reinstalling my software would take me a handful of time, and I need my system to work, then again I can't use it to its maximum capacity because of how crippled it feels.

I really find it ironic that this started to happen the exact month the warranty expired, I'm pretty upset and disappointed with the brand to be honest, and I had just switched from ASUS to this because I heard good things about it.

I might run an ePSA overnight to check if something is wrong with my system.

fuyiman · Answer

Hi ‌, I understand your frustration. I just got it less than a week ago, and I realized as soon as I used it that it was slow, to the point where it is absolutely non acceptable. I never had such a bad experience before. I've had another Alienware 5 years ago (M14X R2) and it is still running well, much better than my AW15 R3, which just makes no sense. I just ordered a Samsung 850 EVO SSD and will give it a try. I really do not feel like returning it and wait another month to receive a new one. I really hope it will work. If nothing works, I will return it and ask for another one. Just hope it won't be the case, and if they do send another one, I do hope it will work out of the box. I was expecting an amazing machine, and not expecting to have to install a new BIOS, new drivers, ... without any improvement.

Alienware - Rodrigo · Answer

Hi,

Overall slow performance issues are usually related to the Hard Drive. Try running an ePSA/Diagnostic test from the Boot menu list (tap the F12 key when you turn on the system to access the Boot menu). If no errors come up during this test and your system has the latest Bios version, please send me a PM with your Service Tag so we can look further into this.

Alienware - Rodrigo · Answer

Hi ‌ Yes, please send me a PM and we will look into it.

fuyiman · Answer

Hi, I will try same. Can I PM you as well ‌. Thank you!

fuyiman · Answer

Thank you

dio85 · Answer

Hello, Apparently I can't send you a PM (Not to hijack fuyiman's thread or anything, it's just that apparently our system has the same issues, my system is an R17 though)

I ran the extended ePSA early this morning, it took four hours, there were no errors, the system has been updated to the latest BIOS twice and the performance is still abysmally bad.

Additionally, if I try to run the 3D Vision Photo Viewer program, I get an error message that says "Primary display's adapter doesn not support NVIDIA 3D Vision", that did not happen before. Is there a way we can look into it?

fuyiman · Answer

I am happy to know I am not the only one ‌. I hope we can resolve this issue quickly as it is quite annoying.

Alienware - Rodrigo · Answer

Hi,  To send a PM, please go to your Inbox and select the 'Send Message' option, then look for my username.

Locked Topics – Alienware General

Alienware 15 Running Super Slow

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