Alienware m17x r3 Power issues

Question

Well first off my m17x r3 has already blue screened on me twice in the last week and 3 days since I got it, video card crashes, stupid nvidia 460m anyways, but lately it has been bouncing between Ac and Battery while still plugged in tightly to both the plug and the socket. I had an m15x that I just returned for a refund for all of its issues and spent over 2000 for this m17x r3 and I am still having video card issues with my laptops. I am really getting tired of Dell using shoddy drivers and not giving us the option to use the official drivers instead of their cracked out, stripped down versions of them. All I want is to have a laptop that works right, and ever since Dell took over Alienware, the quality of the product has taken a nose dive. I am to the point where I would rather go without a laptop(which is my life line since I am a shut in.) I just want a better solution than to have to play run around with tech support and be sent a refurbished part to replace the broken ones( I would rather new, but that is not how Dell rolls, they only use refurbished or used parts in their repairs, what kind of bs is that?) Outside of playing phone tag, which is hard for someone with a hearing problem, there is no online support for Alienware products yet, like the live chat feature they have for most other products. If I were not such a gamer this would not be an issue, but the constant freezes and power supply issues are getting to be a bit much for me to handle, and like I said this is not the first Dell made Alienware system that I have had issues with in the last 6 months.

Dusty_ashes · Answer

glad it isnt just me then, maybe they can replace our PS with new ones?

ltdorn · Answer

i have the same problem with the Power bouncing between AC and batt. It did it alot when i first got the machine. I figured it was the PS not sensing enough load, so i put the laptop in High performance and that calmed it down a bunch. Nows it back in balance and it does it real infrequently. ie when i am not actively doing something on the laptop.  i know its the PS, because if you take the battery out and it does it, the machine turns off. Hope dell at least acknowledges the problem and proposes a fix.

Dell-Joe S_be5a89 · Answer

Has this issue been resolved? I bought an M17x R3 2 months ago and it started bouncing between the AC and battery. Now it is randomly shutting itself down intermittently, whether I am using it or if it is idle. Was anyone able to get Alienware to replace the PS or any other parts?

zetta1000 · Answer

Hi mate....

I also have the same problem as you all on my m17xr3, after going through with tech support he came to a conclusion that the mother board it's faulty.

I ask for a replacement and the order has been cancelled now for 3rd time for allm

Is the last time i called DELL about the order been cancelled.Next time i will ask for a refund and spend on a ASUS i think they offer more for the money i paid for this m17. (Check the link below....)

http://www.agearnotebooks.com/asusg74sx-dh73-3d.html

EvilKing · Answer

I have had the tech people out to my house twice to repair mine. They've had to replace my keyboard, motherboard and touch pad.  My biggest problem is that my power supply won't stay plugged in and continuously falls out.  Unlike you, though, I have never had a problem reaching anyone at Alienware.  They have always provided me with great customer service when I've needed them.  I'm sorry you are having the problems you are.

EvilKing · Answer

I have had the tech people out to my house twice to repair mine. They've had to replace my keyboard, motherboard and touch pad.  My biggest problem is that my power supply won't stay plugged in and continuously falls out.  Unlike you, though, I have never had a problem reaching anyone at Alienware.  They have always provided me with great customer service when I've needed them.  I'm sorry you are having the problems you are.

zetta1000 · Answer

I got the replacement an M18x instead, thats made me mad......

The good news. Swaped power ac adaptor from M18x to the M17xR3 and had no problems since. The problem was with the power supply ac adaptor and not motherboard as the DELL tech said......

So lads, if have the same problem, use a diferente ac adaptor and check if the problem goes away.

Thanks lads.

EvilKing · Answer

Sorry to hear of your problem. I am still having trouble also, I called last week and now am waiting for them to send me a carton so I can send my computer back again. this time I am having trouble with my computer shutting itself off for no reason, as well as power cord falling out. Hopefully they will fix it for good this time. Last time they did send out someone who did fix it for about 4 months.

GOOD LUCK hope you get yours fixed

Uuo · Answer

Sounds like the same problems here. My M17xR3 was having the shutting off problem for the past few months. It would just randomly shut off every 10 to 20 minutes, but mainly while gaming (which defeats the purpose of having a gaming laptop). Alienware thought it was a heat problem, but therm temps said it wasn't and thus 'there were no apparent problems with my laptop.' Talk about frustrating. Anyways, the other night it shut off like usual but had a burnt smell this time and it won't power on now. My guess is the PS is bad (but it is anyone’s guess if the problems were related). Looks like the only smart thing I did when I bought this machine was buying the 4 year warranty with it.  I cannot wait to see what else fails. Sounds like this was not a good model to buy.

onwielki · Answer

How many watt is this m18x power adaptor ? Thanks

Locked Topics – Alienware General

Alienware m17x r3 Power issues

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