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    Alienware 17 screen issues

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Mathew Reed, Aug 30, 2015.

  1. Mathew Reed

    Mathew Reed Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm having an issue with my screen, I'm sure it isn't the screen or lvds cable as I have tried them on another system, I'm afraid it is the motherboard but at 500$/a pc I just want to make sure. When I boot up it distorts, sometimes with up to 4 ghost images or just black with the backlight on. External screen works as it should. Bios and all drivers are up to date. Ideas?
     
    Mathew Reed, Aug 30, 2015
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  2. Mathew Reed

    Mathew Reed Notebook Enthusiast

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    Mathew Reed, Aug 30, 2015
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  3. scarastisis

    scarastisis Notebook Consultant

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    Windows 10? If so then It looks like your one of the many people who had their screen destroyed by windows 10. It sucks I know I was one of the first who had their screens die. Chances are it's probably not the motherboard just the screen. If your handy enough you can replace the screen for about 80 dollars. See mr foxes thread about windows 10 killing lcd panels you can read all about it


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    scarastisis, Aug 30, 2015
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  4. Mathew Reed

    Mathew Reed Notebook Enthusiast

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    My other system hasn't had this issue and I swapped this screen and ldvs in my good system with no issues, which leads me back to the motherboard. This system was updated from W7 to W10, the issue started this past winter before W10 rolled out.
     
    Mathew Reed, Aug 30, 2015
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  5. scarastisis

    scarastisis Notebook Consultant

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    Might be the graphics card, try swapping it if you have another system and see if that fixes the issue. If it's the graphics card that's having a problem, it probably won't be cheaper to replace then the motherboard, but it'll be a hell of a lot easier to change out then to rip apart the entire system to replace the motherboard


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    scarastisis, Aug 30, 2015
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  6. Mathew Reed

    Mathew Reed Notebook Enthusiast

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    I did notice when I took it apart the heatsink was debonded from the card so the only other issue I could was the fan was so blocked caused the card to overheat and the depending is a good indication. Can't switch the cards to the other system. One is an amd and the other is nvidea
     
    Mathew Reed, Aug 30, 2015
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  7. scarastisis

    scarastisis Notebook Consultant

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    If their both Alienware 17s then you can swap both the card with the heatsink for the card to test it out. If not then try booting with the Intel integrated graphics if you don't have a 120hz screen. Or you can try booting the computer into diagnostics mode. Keep hitting f12 on boot just like trying to boot into bios except with f12 for boot options. In boot options one of the options will be diagnostics. Run that see if anything comes up. This won't work if you running a 970m or 980m


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    scarastisis, Aug 30, 2015
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  8. scarastisis

    scarastisis Notebook Consultant

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    If it is the graphics card that died you can replace it at upgrademonkey for something that fits your budget or upgrade to a 980m by talking to woodzstack on this forum.


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    scarastisis, Aug 30, 2015
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