Dell can't get my M1730 (T7700 8700M) working properly. Tech support has been the worst I have ever experienced. I suspect an entire M1730 line is faulty.

The facts are that the issue is not fixed and the technicians want to try another round of hardware replacements... this time the motherboard and hard drive. It is a fact that this problem started when I first turned SLI on a month after I purchased the computer but the problem was intermittent. I've had progressive technical support calls since and have now been able to replicate the problem nearly at will... with the new hardware that was replaced yesterday afternoon.

I have high doubts that another hardware replacement will actually fix the problem because the problem points to a hardware incompatibility. This will be the third attempt at replacing hardware in this machine. I suspect the video card that was replaced is still the problem which is why I suggested that the T7700 with the 8700M, possibly certain manufacturing lots, may be the culprit.

So keeping track of things...

The first hardware replacement was a hard drive ribbon cable and was suspected to correct the video hiccupping and FPS fluctuations.

The second hardware replacement was Video card, CPU, heat sinks and fans and I watched the technician replace them. The tech that was sent to the house was a rock star BTW!

I wanted to point out that originally when I brought this problem up the technicians had the hardest time pinpointing a consistent configuration that would show the problem. It turns out however that heavy use of the video card is the trigger. With SLI turned on the problem shows heavily and is easier to replicate, with SLI turned off the problem is hard to detect unless heavy graphical use can be performed. The problems even happen on a clean installation of XP with the Dell drivers and Firefox only installed. The problem obviously also occurs frequently with games because the games that I have SLI and non-SLI tax the graphics the most.

I wanted to note that I have 3 Dell laptops and 1 Dell desktop at home so my commitment to Dell quality should show. My Latitude 810 is technically slower than my XPS but performs better in games when the XPS performance problem shows itself. The Latitude does not have SLI so I can't compare the two machines when SLI is turned on.

K,
here is what I need you to do. I'll need some information from you that doesn't need to be on this public forum, I need to you click on the "innapropriate?" link and in the box, tell the admins you need my email address. that I have authorized you to have it. email me your service tag and a good way to contact you to discuss this case.
thanks,
mat

Well... I think the Admins are asleep at the wheel.

I sent an email to customer_advocate@dell.com with my information. I'm sorry that I did not hear from the site Admins but I think it's great that there are people at Dell who genuinely want to help. I asked for my information to be sent to you, Matthew, or Robert. (who also offered to help when I responded to another post)

So I haven't heard from the Admins... still. Let's hope I hear from someone today but I won't get my hopes up.

K,
let's try this a different way then. send an email to Customer_Advocate@dell.com and put attn Mathew S in the subject line.
they will get it to me and I'll emial you back.

I've sent an email as requested. Thanks

Well looks like we may not be able to connect. There is no response from the Customer_Advocate email.

It seems as though the Dell gods do not want to connect us. Use this:

[removed]

Contact me at [removed].

So Dell cannot repair this machine after the third repair and are replacing it with a "completely new" laptop. I'm crossing my fingers. Until I get the new laptop my M1730 is sitting unplugged doing nothing.

Maybe Dell will replace your M1730 with the new Alienware M17x Gaming laptop. Please let me know if they do? Thanks and good luck.

Also can I replace my broken m1730 for a alienware m17x with my dell complete care warranty? Thanks!!!

DELL SUCKS! My m1730 is dead and no one at Dell will help! They tell me to shell out another $500 for a MB. They know this a known issue!

Don't buy Dell!