Please Help: m14x problems starting up (drive failing to be seen)

Hey all,

I just received my m14x on 5/11, and have been having problems just about every time I start it up. Let me begin by saying I am not the most handy when it comes to computer tech stuff, so I'll try to share what's going on the best I can.


Every time I start up the laptop (except maybe on 2 occasions) I see the Alienware load screen with the options to press F2 or F12.

After this, the screen goes black and the following text is displayed on the screen:
-----------------------------------------
Intel UNDI, PXE-2.0 (build 083)
For Aheros PCIE Ethernet Controller v2.0.2.6 (9/28/10)

Check Cable Connection!
PXE-M0F: Exiting PXE ROM
no bootable device -insert boot disc and press any key
-----------------------------------------

After this happens, I have tried rebooting which has worked on maybe 2 occasions (meaning it eventually started up Windows normally). Usually, though, it will display this black screen again with the above text and I will be stuck.


I've called Alienware/Dell tech support several times. The first time I called they instructed me to open up the computer and check the hard drive connection. It appeared to be loose so I was instructed how to re-install it. I did that and it seemed secure.

I thought this fixed the problem as it started fine the next time.

After shutting down and restarting again, the same problem began again.

I have since called Dell back, and now they are in the process of sending a new hard drive.



Does this sound like the new hard drive will fix the problem, or is there something else I should try/do to fix this?

I have the 500GB 7200RPM SATA 3GB/s option.

One thing to note, when I've gone into the start up utility, most of the time the hard drive is not showing up. I did happen to see it recognize the hard drive on one occasion, but other than that it always shows no hard drive being connected.


Any help or information would be greatly appreciated. Again, I don't have a whole lot of computer tech background, so please try to explain things in a not-too technical manner if possible.

Thanks in advanced for any help!

-A

 

Can you pull the hardware ID? Be interesting to know which brand HDD this is.

 

It's listed as:
Samsung HM500JJ

The item number on the Dell form:
342-2567

 

Interesting. Thanks for grabbing that. Let us know what support has to say about this. I have to look for the post but I seem to recall seeing something very similar in the 17x sub-forum for an R3. Same message except, the RAID-0 array was not being recognized (1 drive was reporting failure). After 2 restarts it would clear but the issue is intermittent and can resurface. Again, not sure on post - have to look for it.

 

I just noticed now it appears my graphics card isn't being detected?

It only displays Intel(R) HD Graphics Family and I can't find any of the information for the NVIDIA GeForce anywhere. I just tried running a game on it and it can barely keep up with 3-5 fps.

I hope replacing the drive and reinstalling everything helps, but I really don't know what's going on and am getting a bit discouraged.

 

Ugh, okay I was able to turn the computer off and back on again, and it somehow started up and ow shows my graphics card and appears to be working.

I'm not sure what all is going on with the computer but I'm really hoping the new HD fixes things

 

Let us know what happens... hang in there.

 

I'm having the same problem. Got my m14x today. It logged for in for the first time, i used it for a little bit and turned off. Next time i turn it on, it shows this message.

What procedure should i take?

 

Happened to me. : never set your laptop to power save mode, especially on battery.

 

What did you do to fix it? Cause it seems my HDD is dead... :/

 

I plugged it again and set my power mode to balanced. Shut down, turn back on.

Wait, are you saying that your M14x won't boot when it's plugged in?

 

Mine has always been plugged in when I've used it.

Right now it seems almost random if it will find the hard drive.

I hopefully will have a new drive Monday or Tuesday and we will see if that fixes the problem.

 

its early and was out on the beer last night but that sounds like a network boot..................is your HD set in the bios to be detected before your network card? I would be inclined to get the screw driver out and check the sata connector if not.

 

It normally is set as the first thing to check on start-up before the network card. Most of the time since it's not showing up in the bios, the network card becomes the first thing and that is the error that's showing up I believe.

I have already unscrewed the back and removed the hard drive and reinstalled it. It was randomly recognizing the drive (one out of every ten start ups about) but now it's just not recognizing that it exists at all.

I'm planning on waiting until the new hard drive is here on Monday or Tuesday and installing that one to see if it fixes the problem.

 

Same thing happened to mine.

Bought a new OCZ Vertex 2 120gb. I just got my m14 2 days ago and haven't been messing around with it. So I checked bios and booted up to Windows no flaws at all. So i replaced it with the SSD.

On bios shows the SSD detected, so i proceeded in putting in the Windows OS CD to install. During setup SSD is detected, and once it got to the point where its installing Windows, a pop up came up saying invalid device? So naturally I exited from install.

Press F2 on bootup and checked bios, no HDD detected. Rebooted again now i got this "_"blinking in the top left corner that was there forever. Finally saw the Alienware logo and i pressed F2 again, again it was taking forever. Then i had the same message:

Intel UNDI, PXE-2.0 (build 083)
For Aheros PCIE Ethernet Controller v2.0.2.6 (9/28/10)

Check Cable Connection!
PXE-M0F: Exiting PXE ROM
no bootable device -insert boot disc and press any key

So removed my SSD and installed my external HDD adapter and tried it on my desktop. Not detected. Great, killed the SSD? So i replaced the original 500gb Samsung HDD that came with it and returning it back. But i was wondering if the laptop caused that failure or is it just the product itself?


Also is anyone having a problem detecting their microphone? For some reason, Vent, Skype, or any other programs i have can't detect it and i ran the audio setup and still wont work

 

It killed your SSD? Mine came with the Seagate 750GB and i'm going through the same problem. I though if i got a new HDD it would fix the problem, it doesn't seem to be the case. :/
Did you return it?

 

yes i did, just returned it back and got a full refund. but im using my stock 500gb Samsung HDD that came with my M14

 

My problem is with the stock 500gb Samsung that came with the system. I'll post if putting in the new replacement Samsung drive fixes anything when I get it.

 

I replaced the drive Monday (they sent a Toshiba) and things seemed great for a few days with no problems.

I just started up my laptop this morning and got the same message:

-----------------------------------------
Intel UNDI, PXE-2.0 (build 083)
For Aheros PCIE Ethernet Controller v2.0.2.6 (9/28/10)

Check Cable Connection!
PXE-M0F: Exiting PXE ROM
no bootable device -insert boot disc and press any key
-----------------------------------------


I'm going to call Dell again today but am not sure what to do. Is there a way to fix this for good or am I going to have to ask for a replacement laptop?

 

Just got off the phone with tech support.

They are going to send a technician to replace some parts (the motherboard and another hard drive/connection). They should be here early next week so I hope this solves the problem.

Does this sound like it might fix the issues? Would replacing the motherboard and another hard drive/connector do anything?

I don't know enough about computers or whats going on to really tell if this could do much.

 

i would ask for a replacement laptop.

I wouldnt be happy with them replacing the motherboard on a brand new laptop

 

I told them that's what they should do (replace the laptop) but they are claiming they can't until they try this first. At this point I guess I can only do what they want since they won't listen to my request.

 

I can't believe this crap.. new laptop and they will replace the motherboard?

Force them to give you a new laptop replacement dude..

 

Got exactly the same problem after owning the m14x less than a week
The standard drive seems to hang at boot or gives a crashdump during winlogon ...

Anyone solved the issue? maybe remove the RST drivers?

 

Got the exact same problem here.. Owned my m14x for less than 5 days.
Harddrive does not get recognized or even worse i get crashdumps during the windows login

not happy.

 

I know this may be grave digging but i am really cause if the original poster ever got a solution and if the tech who repaired it actually made a difference

as i am having similar but worse issues

 

I got various crashes at login, had the m14x less than 7 days. Dell wanted to send a technician out to replce motherboard and hard drive.

Mine seem to fail updates, freeze. Fail to boot. Restart and take an hour to be usuable. I knew it from the moment I first got it. Took 2hrs to be in a usuable state. ( by that I mean actual do anything I wanted to do such as download or run a program I selected ) Was just whirring away like it was folding.......................

Told them to get stuffed. Legally you can return it for a full refund. Why would you want to accept a repair on a new laptop.

In the end, they replaced the laptop. I got mucked about being transferred from one dept to another. I also got £84 from the purchase price for the inconvinience.

Had to wait about ten days for the replacement.

All good now.

 

Pfff.. This happened too me too... I've owned dozens of laptops without any issues, and sure didn't expect this to happen on such an expensive item,

 

This is the same error message (one of the error message) I had during the period where I receive like 10+ BSOD in a weeks to 10+ in a day! And long story short after I call Dell, they told me that my HDD is going to fail so then they dispatch a technician to replace the HDD, and after the replacement, I never encounter any BSOD (HDD relate) or any of those error since then.

I also do notice that if I leave the laptop idle for more than 30mins, the problem will occur.

 

I got the same error. But when i installed RST it just dissapeared. Seems like the m14x can't get a stable SATA III speed. I just hope someone will find the solution for this...

 

Same here as had a few issues with my c300. Seemed specifically when exiting a low power state. In the end I disabled any hibernation and standby. Forced the laptop to shut down or stay in high power/ balanced.

Not had a single problem since.