...alienware DOA..help

nacalamari

Junior Member
May 30, 2005
3
0
0
hey guys, i tried to avoid the hassles of typical computing by going with an alienware computer...but it seems evil microsoft can even beat them. I recieved my new aurora 5500 yesterday essentially DOA. blue screens and random restarts galore when using anything from control panel to half life 2. heres the system specs...

athlon 4000
2x 512 corsair pc 3200xl xmsx ...the super low latency kind
abit av8 mobo
WD raptor 74 gig 10k rpm
Deskstar 250 gig serial ata
lite-on 52x dvd/cdrw combo
Nec 16x dual layer dvd
ATI Radeon x850 XTPE...this was bought from new egg and installed after the drivers were removed from the previous POS card they included in there.

i did some research on alienware's forum's and there is one suspicious article regarding highend systems and their power supplies- alienware FAQ page
im looking at my alieware specs now and it says i have an enermax 460Watt supply, but when i set up the system i know i selected the "alienware" brand power supply, assuming it was a safe pick. stupid me...

i came to you guys cuz everyone knows we know more then the techguys that pick up the phone half the time..

the most recent blue screen posted these errors:
Stop: 0x0000008e (0xC0000005, 0xBF80112E, 0xBO9805E8, 0x00000000)

Win32k.sys- adress bf80112e base at bf800000, datestamp 422511a2

begining dump of physical memory
physical memory dump complete
 

meltdown75

Lifer
Nov 17, 2004
37,548
7
81
welcome to the forums. :)

EEK! sorry to say this, but for the amount of $$ you spend, their support should not only have to show up and fix the problem OR provide you with a WORKING system free of delivery charges -- they should give you a back rub while they're there. i mean, part of the reason people spend that kind of $$ is for the support package.

i'd return it if i were you. demand a new, working PC immediately!
 

nacalamari

Junior Member
May 30, 2005
3
0
0
yea i definitly will be...they delayed my order for a few days because they identified a problem with the operating system and claimed they fixed it. apparently not. they have some sort of 30 day money back policy which i may look into, but for the price, which was not as rediculous as it may seem- 2400, i was very impressed wtih the entire package. if someone can help me identify what the bluescreen error actually means, that would help alot!
 

Buxton

Member
Dec 4, 2002
30
0
0
I agree, there are too many things to check out. You paid good money for a working computer, demand that they give it to you.
 

meltdown75

Lifer
Nov 17, 2004
37,548
7
81
if you google your error codes, or at least the "0x0000008e" - you may find that there is a wealth of knowledge pertaining to that specific error code. even Microsoft's own knowledge base contains insight into a lot of the errors you may receive.

initially, looks like perhaps you have a bad stick of RAM, but don't quote me on that. if you feel up to it, you could always try booting with one stick of ram, but i'm not aware of Alienware's policies on tampering with the guts of their systems while they are under warranty. the last thing you would want to do is void your warranty on a system that has already displayed defective behaviour.

good luck!
 

Alaska

Member
Apr 25, 2005
74
0
0
From Microsoft MSDN

If the problem is associated with Win32k.sys, the source of the error might be a third-party remote control program. If such software is installed, the service can be removed by starting the system using the Recovery Console and deleting the offending system service file.

Check the System Log in Event Viewer for additional error messages that might help pinpoint the device or driver that is causing bug check 0x1E. Disabling memory caching of the BIOS might also resolve the error. You should also run hardware diagnostics, especially the memory scanner, supplied by the system manufacturer. For details on these procedures, see the owner's manual for your computer.
 

rise

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2004
9,116
46
91
meltdown is right. it could be many things but probably ram.

stop errors i had to look at a while ago.

anyway, as everyone says, you paid for a working system so i'd call alienware.
 

nacalamari

Junior Member
May 30, 2005
3
0
0
thanks guys, i was just looking for some advice because i dont have time today with the holiday to call them..but i definitly will
 

VicodiN

Senior member
May 6, 2002
576
0
0
I agree with the rest... For that ammount of money, return immediately... You shouldnt have to worry about fixing anything that you just bought - again- for all of that money.
 

tRiPpiNxSaV

Senior member
Jan 31, 2004
271
0
0
yup as everyone already mentioned, return it because you shouldn't have to troubleshoot it yourself considering the cost....

especially BSOD because there are too many causes to name.....
 

Emultra

Golden Member
Jul 6, 2002
1,166
0
0
Get a new one without paying shipping costs. You didn't pay for stuff that was broken.