The ATI Radeon X800 (M28) in my 2.5 year old Alienware Area-51M 7700 laptop died. ATI, Nvidia, and Sager weren't able to help. I haven't been able to find a part on eBay or through a local computer store. The only thing Alienware is willing to do is have me send the computer to them and for a total of some $975 install a motherboard & video card. If anyone has any leads on a compatible part please send me a PM. I'll be away until Monday but appreciate any help.
I hate to say this but you maybe SOL. Alienware was bought by Dell about a year and a half ago (03-22-06). Also if I am not mistaken the video card is part of the motherboard and not an add-on. I hate to say this but you maybe SOL. Alienware was bought by Dell about a year and a half ago (03-22-06). Also if I am not mistaken the video card is part of the motherboard and not an add-on.
I don't know about the model you have but most of the newer laptops with graphics chips of high end ATI or Nvidia usually have a separate card. I know my 7 year old Dell laptop has an old Gforce 2 Go card that can be replace if you can find them. I would most likely invest in a new laptop instead of trying to find the right card. Those things can be hard to find and expensive.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Oct 24 2007, 01:37 PM) [snapback]529799[/snapback]</div> JimN: Alienware has a trade-in program for $200. Just in case you are thinking about getting rid of it and buy another Alienware laptop.
Dont pay $900 for service. I checked Ebay completed auctions and your model sold for $600 another for $670 http://cgi.ebay.com/Alienware-Area-51M-770...1QQcmdZViewItem
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JimN @ Oct 24 2007, 11:37 AM) [snapback]529799[/snapback]</div> Most laptop video is on the motherboard and not separately replaceable (Toshiba Satellite Pro 6100 had a separate card, available only from Toshiba). If it's the case that the video has actually failed you'd be farther ahead to get the hard drive imaged and get a new laptop.
Thank you all for the responses. Remove 4 screws on the bottom of the case & 4 screws on the heat sink and the video card pulls right out. Contact is made through 2 white pin connectors. Although standard formfactors have been applied to hard drives and RAM it doesn't apply to video cards. If I decide to scrap the unit I should be able to get more than $200 for the parts. Maybe buying another unit and combining parts is a viable option. I appreciate the alternate viewpoint.
