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The m5550 appears to be now discontinued.

post #1 of 44
11/28/07 at 2:32am
Thread Starter 
I just checked the Alienware web site and the m5550 isn't posted anymore.

Correct me if I am wrong, but the Area 51 m5550 appeared to be Alienware's longest running product line, at least w/the laptops.

Now that the product is discontinued, I wonder what will happen w/my left over warranty on my m5550, should I need it?


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post #2 of 44
11/28/07 at 2:50am
Long Live the m5550i!

As long as you have the warranty. AW will cover any problems you have with it...
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post #3 of 44
11/28/07 at 12:46pm
It was unfortunate that AW couldn't upgrade the GPU.

However, I'm thinking of extending my warranty, since I'm not able to sell it. (make the best of it) What do you guys think? I wonder if they would let me extend the warranty as well...
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post #4 of 44
11/28/07 at 12:55pm
No wonder the price was going up at the end.
Supply and demand.
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post #5 of 44
11/28/07 at 1:49pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spartan-117 View Post
It was unfortunate that AW couldn't upgrade the GPU.

However, I'm thinking of extending my warranty, since I'm not able to sell it. (make the best of it) What do you guys think? I wonder if they would let me extend the warranty as well...

Other than the GPU, everything else is upgradeable. The CPU -> T7600 (2.33 GHz Core 2 Duo), the memory -> 4 gb w/a Bios upgrade (rev. 2.07W), and the HD -> SSD.

I've got a T2500 2.0 GHz Core 1 Duo cpu, so I hope to upgrade it to a T7600, where I should see a noticeable improvement. You need the new BIOS 2.07W to see the Core 2 Duo's if you originally got a m5550 w/a Core 1 Duo, which came w/BIOS 2.02.

With the memory prices being so cheap, I also plan to upgrade my memory to 4 gb. I already know that Windows will only see around 3.5 gb. You again need BIOS 2.07W for the m5550 to see more than 2 gb.

As for the HD, I'll have to wait a while for an upgrade to SSD. Hopefully w/in the year the prices will start to drop to affordable levels w/them.

As for a graphics card update, hopefully Alienware will offer an upgrade. Cross your fingers. It would certainly help Alienware to show that they don't abandon their customers.

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post #6 of 44
11/28/07 at 2:21pm
Does the 4 gigs show up on Windows Vista Home 32 bit? I only have 2 gigs and I'm thinking of going for another 2 gigs. My bios is upgraded already.

will they let me extend my warranty, now that the m5550 is discontinued??
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post #7 of 44
11/28/07 at 2:27pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spartan-117 View Post
Does the 4 gigs show up on Windows Vista Home 32 bit? I only have 2 gigs and I'm thinking of going for another 2 gigs. My bios is upgraded already.

will they let me extend my warranty, now that the m5550 is discontinued??
I know w/XP, it only sees 3.5 gb. I don't know about the 32 bit version of Visa. That still gives you 1.5 gb of extra memory.

As for the warranty, I don't know.

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post #8 of 44
11/28/07 at 2:30pm
Due to the limitations of the 945 chip set, Vista will only see about 3.3gb of that. Still beats 2gb.
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post #9 of 44
11/28/07 at 2:52pm
That's a bummer, why would they allow 4 gigs of ram when the chipset only see's 3.3 gb? Better off just buying an extra gig is putting it in. Can you do that? Can you mix one 2gig ram and 1 gig ram for each of the two slots?
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post #10 of 44
11/28/07 at 3:01pm
Think future. If you go ahead get the 4gb now, when you get your m15x and order it with 1gb, you can take the 4gb out of the 5550 and stick it right in the 15x.
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post #11 of 44
11/28/07 at 3:16pm
You will not be able to upgrade the warranty....have you tried selling it on ebay? You will probably be able to sell it easier now that it's gone from the website...
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post #12 of 44
11/28/07 at 3:16pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spartan-117 View Post
That's a bummer, why would they allow 4 gigs of ram when the chipset only see's 3.3 gb? Better off just buying an extra gig is putting it in. Can you do that? Can you mix one 2gig ram and 1 gig ram for each of the two slots?

There are only two memory slots on the m5550. You could go w/a 2 and 1, for a total of 3 gb, or the 2 and 2 for a total of 3.5 gb. I would recommend the same memory brand for both memory cards.

The 64 bit version of Windows (XP and Vista) does see all 4+ gb, if you wish to use it. I don't know about drivers though.

I've got XP Pro x64, maybe I'll try it, but I'll need a Core 2 Duo cpu before I can do that. I don't believe the T2500 Core 1 Duo cpu that I presently have supports 64 bit.

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post #13 of 44
11/28/07 at 4:04pm
I noticed that you use g.skill ram, are those any different from stock Samsung brand that AW offers?
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post #14 of 44
11/28/07 at 5:23pm
Quick note: Samsung is not the only brand AW uses. One of my 5550's had Samsung, the other had another brand (don't remember which).
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post #15 of 44
11/28/07 at 5:25pm
You have two m5550's?
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post #16 of 44
11/28/07 at 5:37pm
Yes, one for gaming and work. The other for home security.
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post #17 of 44
11/28/07 at 5:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Spartan-117 View Post
I noticed that you use g.skill ram, are those any different from stock Samsung brand that AW offers?
I originally ordered my m5550 w/just 512 mb memory and immediately upgraded it to 2 gb, for a lot less than than what Alienware wanted.

The original memory that came w/mine was made by Patriot. and as such, I went and put the same brand in. The memory failed after a month. I got it replaced from the the place I bought it, w/the same brand. After around six months, it again failed. This time I went w/another brand, G.Skill, and so far so good, no problems w/it.

So from personal experience, I would stay away from Patriot and go w/the G.Skill.

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post #18 of 44
11/28/07 at 6:45pm
Thanks I'll go with G Skill then. I'll just look for the ones that you put in your signature GoHack. Which nvidia drivers are you using for Vista? Right now, I'm using the ones from this forum, mobileforce drivers, and they are the best so far. I'm wondering which drivers you guys use for gaming??

will this work for my m5550?? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ILL-_-20231135
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post #19 of 44
11/28/07 at 7:07pm
That is the correct RAM for the 5550.

Can't say about the drivers for Vista. I shelved it and went back to XP. No regrets.
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post #20 of 44
11/28/07 at 8:59pm
i have had really good luck with G.Skill memory alot better than some brands that die on you in a month or two...
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