[Resource] Index of Links to Helpful Threads and Posts

[Mr. Fox]

Below is a compilation of popular links for the Alienware Community so they are easy for everyone to find. I will add to it as necessary. Anyone that wishes to link to this post in their own signature, please feel free to do so. Since we cannot make every good thread or helpful post sticky, if you have a suggestion to include in this index, please post a link and I will consider adding it to the list.

ALIENWARE LAPTOP TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Help! I am new to the forum... what should I know?

[Quick Tips] Power Drain | Clear CMOS

[Quick Tips] Cleaning Dust and Lint from Heat Sinks and Fans to Restore Performance

*OFFICIAL* M18x Owners "Are my CPU/GPU Temps OK Thread" - Ask Questions/Get Help Here

[Guide] Mr. Fox's M18x Tear Down Video - 3-Pipe CPU Heat Sink and 7970M CrossFire Upgrade

[Quick Tips] M18x R1/R2 GTX 680M SLI Upgrade - "What do I need for this upgrade?" (includes part numbers)

[Quick Tips] GPU Driver INF Modding for 'Aftermarket Upgrades'

Upgrading the M18x R1 to an M18x R2 [More Discussion]

[Fix] How to fix flickering caused by SLI cable failure (or prevent yours from failing before it does)

[Quick Tips] Replacing The M18x LCD Cover (Aluminum Lid)

Killer Wireless Discussion Thread - Look for Solutions and Ask Questions Here

Sound Blaster Recon3Di Discussion Thread - Look for Solutions and Ask Questions Here

How do I install newer NVIDIA drivers on my old M17x ("R1") with GTX 260M and 9400M?

Why is my AMD 6990M showing up as 6970M or 6900M Series? Did I get what I paid for?

AMD 6990M CF or NVIDIA 580M SLI? Please help me decide on a GPU (Red vs. Green *OPINIONS* for those struggling with what to buy)

Clash of the Titans: GTX 680M SLI and HD 7970M CF (Red vs. Green *FACTS & EVIDENCE* for those struggling with what to buy)

AMD 6900M Series - Overheating and Thermal Shutdown (Alienware / NBR Teleconference)

AMD CrossFire Guide: Getting the Most from Your Radeon Mobility

How to Enable AMD Overdrive on M17x/M18x

AMD Video Driver Clean Installation Guide

[Guide] Curing Shorted Support Plate - GTX 580M (Error Code 43 - Revision FF error)

M18x: NVIDIA GTX 580M Throttle Fix - No vBIOS Flashing Required (Also nice for overclocking on the M17x R3)

M18x: NVIDIA GTX 580M SLI vBIOS Flashing Instructions - Link 1 of 2

M18x: NVIDIA GTX 580M SLI vBIOS Flashing Discussion - Link 2 of 2

M18x: vBIOS Flashing Kit for 580M Download

[Conference Call] Nvidia GeForce GTX 580M 78C° Throttling [SEE POST #191 and later]

[Solution] Alienware M18x: GTX 580M SLI DPC Latency Problems

[Guide] M17xR3: vBIOS Flashing to Fix Throttling

Another solution: A guide to fixing the M17x R3 580m thermal throttling (controlling temps)

[GUIDE] Installing and Overclocking the AMD Mobility 7970 in the M17x R3,an illustrated guide

M17x-R2 + GTX 580M + SLi

[Guide] Installing AMD Radeon Mobility 6970 / 6990 in your M17x R2 (Single GPU and CrossfireX)

Alienware Laptops: Beep Code Table | Dell Support - Beeping at boot? Try this first [LINK #1] [LINK #2]

HELP! M18x 8 Beeps Switching from IGFX to Dedicated GPU <<< Don't panic - read this and fix it

Alienware M17x R1, R2 and M15x LED Behavior Prior to Proceeding with No POST troubleshooting [Flash Codes versus Beep Codes]

HOW TO: Setting Up On-Screen In-Game CPU and GPU Performance and Temperature Monitoring Tools

M17x/M18x: Adjustments for Excellent Sound Settings

New M18x Owner Initial Setup Questions - GTX 580M SLI

CPU and GPU Pasting Discussion Thread - "To paste or not to paste, that is the question."

[HOW TO] Update SPD with Thaiphoon Burner

[Quick Tips] Installing Windows 8 "The Fox Way"

[Quick Tips] Making Windows 8 a Good Product

[Guide] HOW TO: Clean Windows 8 Install (Driver Install Order) Guide for Alienware Systems

HOW TO: Doing a Clean Windows Installation, Setting Up an SSD drive or RAID0

HOW TO: Restore the Alienware 'Look and Feel' after a clean install of Windows 7

HOW TO: Clean Windows 7 Install (Driver Install Order) Guide for Alienware Systems

How can I improve my SSD performance?

Quick Guide for Manual Fan Control

*Official* M18x CPU Overclocking Thread - Learn How and Share Tips Here

[Guide] Using ThrottleStop and Alienware TactX Keys to Change CPU Speeds On-the-Fly

Stubborn GPU and CPU Throttling - Enhancing Performance of non-Extreme Sandy Bridge CPUs

What are the factory overclock BIOS settings for 3920XM?

M18x: Upgrading to 2920/2960 Extreme CPU (XM/QS/ES)

Blind BIOS Recovery process for all M18x R1 in case of corrupt BIOS (If you own an M18x R2 see the link in the first post.)

How to recover from a bad BIOS Flash (Phoenix BIOS ONLY)

[SOLUTION] You want to play RAGE but you want to keep AMD 11.9 official drivers

M17x-R1/R2 Part Number Quick Reference List

M17x-R3 Part Number Quick Reference List

M18x Part Number Quick Reference List

Official Dell/Alienware Level 3 Engineering Docs (Covering Many Topics)

HOW TO: Create a BOOTABLE USB Flash Drive to flash firmware updates under DOS

[M17x/M18x] I am getting popping sounds and static from my speakers. How can I fix that?

[*Resolved] "Prototype Test-NVIDIA Confidential" Error Message [See posts #283, 319]

Sleeves, Backpacks and Cases that would fit the Alienware M18x

Notebook Coolers for the M18x - Which one is best?

*M17xR3 & M18x* Internal Speakers not working after using Optical/external audio out

HDMI Audio In/Out Issues - Look for answers and ask new questions here

HDMI Video In/Out Issues - Look for answers and ask new questions here

m18x Screen Calibration - profile included (also works for M17x R3/R4)

Prolonging Alienware Laptop Battery

Where can I buy a spare AC adapter for my M18x? How much does Dell charge for them?

Dell Phone Directory (includes Dell Spare Parts & Accessories 800.357.3355)

USEFUL THREADS FOR ALL FORUM MEMBERS All members of the Community are required to know and comply with forum rules. The information on how to search the forum is especially useful, as it should help members find information quickly, avoid creating new threads to ask questions that have already been answered in another thread, as well locating appropriate threads to participate in an established discussion.

Forum Rules - *PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING*	HOW TO: Search the forum - *PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING*
Reputation Points/Power and User TitlesForum Guide and "How-To"	Why can't I send private messages or create signatures?
How To Properly Insert an Image Into Your Post	NBR Marketplace

[Mr. Fox]

So, I am opening this thread. I still have it linked in my signature so it will always be easy to find.

Any suggestions on new links to add to the list?

[johnksss]

looking good.

[juliant]

Nice... Very useful thoughts. Already added in my sign

[Alienware-L_Porras]

Awesome thread Mr. Fox! thanks for the effort and time. +1Rep

[ltcmdrQ]

Good one Mr.Fox, very handy indeed!

[alcaloide]

So precious this thread... Thanks a bunch!!!!!!

[Mr. Fox]

Just added this link to the index: *M17xR3 & M18x* Internal Speakers not working after using Optical/external audio out

[Mr. Fox]

Added a link to this post:

I run with c-states disabled most of the time. Enabled, it allows your CPU to slow down when not under a load and cool down. You can disable it in BIOS and re-enable it in Windows with ThrottleStop by checking the PowerSaver and C1E boxes. If you want your screen shots in CPU-Z to show your max clock speeds without having to run a background app to create a CPU load, you need to have c-states disabled.

Look at the screen shots closely. The only thing I changed was checkboxes. The CPU max speed is the same regardless of the settings. The only difference is the CPU is not running wide open 24/7 with c-states enabled.	With ThrottleStop, you can also run your CPU at maximum overclock, then create up to 4 profiles to run it at different speed thresholds lower than the maximum based intended use. I have set macros with my TactX keys to shift between ThrottleStop profiles on the fly.
	The video below shows how programming the TactX keys with macros allows you to toggle through the CPU profiles.

Attachment 85551 | Attachment 85552 | Attachment 85553

[sunster168]

One of the most helpful threads I've come across. Thanks Mr.Fox for your efforts!