Any Computer gurus?

[bronze_10]

Are there any computer gurus here that can help me trouble shoot an old Alienware laptop so I can use it for video editing? I got so frustrated with it that I stopped messing with it over a year ago.... but now I think it would be the best computer I have for graphics and editing.. it's a little trick if u have never messed with alienware.. it has two different graphics cards that can be switched on and off and blah blah blah... I'm getting a headache already!

 

[Speedling]

So whats the issue?
Typically with two cards you can combine them to make a stronger one.
Got specs on the thing?

 

[bronze_10]

@Speedling well... The hard drive was doing some kinda resource storm thing and was running none stop. I read some stuff on it on line and they said the best thing to do would be to change the hard drive so i did. the i load the windows software on it and it works ok but none of the alienware stuff is on it and I am pretty sure the large 260M video card is not active. So i figure I need to update the windows software.. when I do that the wireless card shuts down and will not activate... the only way for it to connect is to run the recovery program and reinstall windows. I use computers all day and I can change hardware components but the software!!! uggh.. i have the specs on it at home. I am sure it is likely something simple but i cant figure it out. I can get you that when I get off work. Its prob 4 years old or more..

 

[Master-Spud]

I would suggest trying to find some updated drivers from Alienware... Since sounds like it's a drivers issue more so than hardware or software.

 

[Master-Spud]

But Ya would need to know the model and such to find them, generally on the bottom of the computer on a tag.

 

[bronze_10]

Yeah i tried that.. i installed every driver they suggested.. but with every install the wifi would shut off and nothing would bring it back.. the only way it would connect is through a cat 5 cable.

 

[Speedling]

Try a manual install of the video card on your fresh windows. Then windows may recognize it and upgrade it. It is probably defaulted to the on board basic one.

 

[bronze_10]

Ummm.. ok.. let's just pretend for the sake of conversation that I didn't know how to do that?

 

[Speedling]

Then lets also pretend that i am working the last 7 hours and don't have time to post on the internet. ..
Someone help me out with driver download and install directions here

 

[Master-Spud]

Are you installing drivers through windows updates or actually going to the Alienware website and downloading each specific driver?

 

[Master-Spud]

For just the video card, could try going to Nvidia.com and going to their driver download page and downloading the one for your operating system.

 

[bronze_10]

@Master-Spud the large video card is a Nvidia but I can't download any drivers from their Web site... when I put in the card type it says I must go to dell's Web site due to it being a alienware computer... when I go there and do the Dell diagnostic program it gives me a long list of updates and drivers to download.. . I have down loaded all of them.. restarted each time prompted... and when it all is done the wifi card doesn't work and the 260m won't activate.. I'll dust it off and fire it up and get the specs for it..

 

[Master-Spud]

Hmmm odd... And can't reinstall the WiFi drivers at the end? Sorry always hard to troubleshoot computers when they aren't physically in front of you lol

 

[Speedling]

Start menu
Run
Type: devmgmt.msc
Look for the video cards and wifi hardware and report back.

Also, if your keyboard has a shortcut for the wifi being turned on/off try it once and see if it is defaulted off after updates.

 

[chess]

I can login to it via teamviewer and troubleshoot if you want...

I'm mcse CCNA and pmp lol

 

[bronze_10]

@chess that would be great... is there anything I need to do on my end? It's not plugged up or turned on yet but I can have that done in like 10 min.

 

[Billy Marlin]

The real question is how much ram does it have, what OS is it running, what processor, and how much drive space? The next list of questions what type of video are you working with and what software are you using to edit? Working with GoPro Videos and FinalCut pro on my MAC eats up every little ram I have on my older MAC. Started using another video editing tool to do my trimming of videos then import and convert them in Final Cut. Think I am finally going to order a new desktop machine with i7 processor and all the ram I can. Laptops just don't typically have the ram to do video editing all that well. The nice video cards in the alienware are great for gaming but when it comes to video editing ram, processor, and disk space are what you really need plenty of.

 

[bronze_10]

@chess... my number is 919 278.8603... text me... I just turned it on and hooked it up

 

[bronze_10]

I want to defend myself a little... I can normally figure stuff out but this damn thing has whipped me..

 

[Speedling]

I want to defend myself a little... I can normally figure stuff out but this damn thing has whipped me..

Admitting it is the first step to recovery!