8 beeps at post

Hi guys I'm having a problem with my month old R4. When I start the computer it gets to the Alien head and then 8 beeps and shuts off. I called Dell and explained everything; he was quite nice by the way,and he's sending a tech out to install a new system board and display screen. I reinstalled W7 and everything is fine now except I can only run on integrated graphics.In device manager I have the 7970M disabled but if I enable it and reboot there's a message in the general tab of the 7970 saying "Windows could not load the device because it reported a problem Code 43" Anyone could give me some advice? Could it be the graphics card? The ATI is showing up in the bios along with the Intel 4000.

 

Hi Reffler,
Did you installed the Intel 4000 driver? Which version of the 7970M driver did you installed?

 

Hello, I installed the 7970M driver from the Dell website. Doesn't that install the integrated Intel 4000 at the same time? Thanks

 

Not really, try to uninstall the AMD driver in full, restart. Then, install the Intel 4000 and restart; finally install the AMD once again. Turn off, turn on.

 

Hmm, I don't know why the replaced the system board for 8 beeps? That signifies an LCD failure. Must be SOP for that sort of hardware failure.

 

Not so much. I've seen agents who take the initiative to send out more replacement parts than needed to get an onsite call resolved. They are NOT allowed to do it, but they'll do it anyways from time to time.

 

Really? Wonder why they would send out more parts than they're allowed to?

 

Maybe because they actually care?

I had one that was doing diags on my faulty video card and said, 'just a couple more tests so I can decide if I should send a motherboard along as well just in case'. FWIW.

 

This all started while I was running Vantage with my Gpu overclocked moderately.The computer shut off like it sometimes does with these crappy AMD drivers.When I restarted I got 8 beeps before the Alienhead and then it shutdown again. I tried to restart a few times with the same result so I removed the bios battery for a few minutes and when I restarted my 7970 driver was disabled in Device manager. I enabled it and it shut down. So again took out the bios battery and 7970 driver disabled again so now I'm running on intel graphics.So now they are sending me a system board, Lcd screen and video card.To top it all off when I first started it this morning I had a message before the startup screen saying "The AC power adapter wattage and type cannot be determined. The battery may not charge. The system will adjust the performance to match the power available. Please connect a Dell 240W AC adapter or greater for the best system performance" This message is with the AC adapter plugged in. Also I spoke with a different tech last night and told him my 7970M is occassionaly not showing up in Device Manager and in the Bios it sometimes says " ATI GFX not detected. I am at my wits end!

 

That sucks. With what you are experiencing something has failed that could be the mobo or the vid card. Probably not the display panel since you do see stuff on it OK so with all three they have to get lucky. I'm betting it is the ATI card but the power adaptor thing is strange. Dell PSU's have an extra wire that the laptop uses to detect the V/W. If this is not connecting right you get that message.

When did they say they will come out to fix it? Or are you just getting the parts and doing it yourself?

 

The tech who is handling my case thinks the AC adapter message has something to do with the motherboard. No I am not doing the repairs,they are sending someone out to my house with a motherboard,LCD,and video card. All that money they may as well send me a replacement

 

That AC problem would make sense with a motherboard issue just strange to have all the video issues as well that point to a failure of that card. Maybe just the mobo? I think that is why they are sending it all.

A replacement would make financial sense for dell but this is a sub-contractor that applies a '3 call-out' rule to a replacement offer. You are getting your 3 calls in one, and they get paid.

Glad to hear you are getting them to do it - no comebacks if there is still a problem - and you can just ask for a replacement at that point - hope it doesn't come to that

 

Guess what.Now my time and date keep changing in the bios and the clock in the tray.According to my bios it;s 8:28PM on July 16,2018. Oh will it ever end

 

Think you just need to turn it off. You have a very sick alien, just don't let it phone home . And keep a record of how long it is unusable for, for ammo IF there is any further issues.

 

Turning off my Falienware, using the wifes computer. Thanks MickyD.

 

You're welcome. You know it's the kindest thing to do, you've given it your best shot -

'CLEAR! - thomp; I think we're loosing him doctor...'

You have to try to inject a little humour, cos I know you'd rather try out it's capability as a tennis racquet right now

 

Ha Ha latest from Failenware theyr'e sending me a mobo, video card,LCD display and a 240W power brick. Boy they didn't make any money from my purchase.

 

This is just too funny - if it wasn't so annoying for you. I wondered if they would include the brick as well.

Dell are loosing out bit what with all the parts logistics and engineer time but the engineering company

Forum seems to be having a little fit atm. All my email links in the last 20 mins or so have an unregistered domain in them:
C:\Users\Mick>nslookup forum.prod.notebookreview.com
Server: dsldevice.lan
Address: 192.168.1.254

*** dsldevice.lan can't find forum.prod.notebookreview.com: Non-existent domain

 

Well my video card is on backorder till the 19th. I installed Windows 8 Release Preview and am still running on Intel Graphics.I got rid of my calendar,clock gadget and tray clock as they won't keep the correct time.Also I reflashed the Bios but that clock keeps going back to zero at reboot.So Failienware has decided to send me a power brick, LCD screen, motherboard and video card. Oh I'm not getting 8 beeps anymore.

I don't believe this. Just yesterday Dell told me the Video card was backordered till the 19th. Not 2 minutes after my previous post the Dell tech called and said he'd be at my house between 10-12 with all the parts.

 

Not real sure I'd be insulting the company that is going to fix something you very likely had a hand in breaking. Most businesses would tell you to get lost if you admitted to overclocking something and it breaking on you. Just some food for thought, hope you get it fixed right when they come out.

 

Thanks for the advice and thank you for your service to our country!

 

Wow, your service techs are definitely better than mine. The first gentleman I had was very nice and extremely knowledgeble. The other two not so much. They ordered everything piecemeal: first the power brick, then the motherboard, then the center control cover, etc. After four days of work, and they couldn't get the thing to turn on, "well maybe you left it unplugged for too long and batteries all dead."

That was the day I decided no more WWTS techs. But it's good to know there are better techs out there...just in different states.

 

For sure!!! I have had some that really go the extra mile like the guy that went away and 'built' a configuration I was asking about being valid. "I'm sure I can find the parts to try that" he said. He did call back, unfortunately to tell me it did not work but wow!

Another one started shouting at me that my problem was windows and they do not support windows - he then hung-up on me - *ick!

I have a simple tactic when i realise I'm talking to a dumbo. 'Sorry something just cropped up, I'll have to call you back'. Wait 30 seconds and call back - instant new tech

 

So the tech guy came and replaced the mobo,graphics card,power brick with power plug and LCD display screen. I have to say a big thank you to Dell for taking good care of me and for going the extra mile to make sure everything was right.

 

Good news! Case closed - I hope

 

That is AWESOME!