Alienware M17X R2 Beeping rapidly

I have an Alienware M17X R2 and I spilled pop on the keyboard. I immediately turned it off and removed the battery and power. I took it all apart and cleaned it and left it to dry in front of a fan over night.

The next day (today) I put it back together and when it got to the "loading Windows" screen it beeped very quickly and loudly.

What does the beeping mean?
What should I do?

 

Hello, TimothyK and welcome to NBR.

How many beeps do you hear? Was the laptop still posting when beeping?

 

You have a key stuck down. In fact, you probably don't, but the membrane under one of the keys has gunk in it from your spill and is triggering sends.

If you can get into windows, try to fire up Notepad to see if you can identify which key it is.

 

The beeping is continuous.I didn't want to leave it on for long because the beeping sounds like a serious problem.

Should i leave it on longer to see if it makes it past "loading windows" screen?

 

If it's only beeping once you get in or close to Windows starting up, then I'm fairly sure it's a stuck key mate. If it was something more serious, it wouldn't post or start to boot Windows.

So, while it sounds terribly serious, it actually probably isn't. Try to get into Windows and see what happens. If it's a key like the Windows key you may suddenly see a bunch of crap as the windows menu opens and closes over and over, but at least then you know where you're looking. You could also try running your hand over the keyboard hitting and every key to see if you can un-stick it.

 

ok, I turned it back on and it beeps rapidly for a few seconds then said "no operating system found"

it went to choose operating system screen. But enter doesn't work, nor does the up key.Should I try again to clean the keyboard or try to get a new one?

 

Ah now that's a very different issue. If the computer is making it all the way into Windows but beeping, that's keyboard. If you're not getting past POST - as it now seems you aren't, then you have something serious up. You would need to make a note of how many beeps you are hearing in order that you can then look up what that number of beeps means in terms of error.

I think you're way beyond broken keyboard now though - possibly a memory problem, maybe even motherboard. Hope you have accidental damage coverage .

 

I re-cleaned the keyboard and it made it to windows and all seemed normal.I tested out all the keys and only backspace doesn't work. I'm going to clean that key and then try again.

 

Tim, how many beeps in succession and what is the pattern (e.g., short - long etc)

 

Yea, is the beeping still there? I think it was a stuck key causing the beeping.

FWIW, I took my wifes keyboard on her old toshiba and ran it under a facet under hot water and allowed it to dry and it worked like a charm. It's just a pain to remove keys.

 

Remember, if you clean your keyboard/parts with liquids (water, alcohol etc.) make sure they are dry first before powering up your system!

@froogle: good call on the stuck keys.

 

The beeping started again after cleaning the keys a 3rd time. It beeps rapidly there doesn't seem to be a pattern. basically ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' is the pattern. Should I use water to clean the keyboard? (i have been using 99% rubbing alcohol).

 

There is loads of led's and electronics in the alienware keyboard, I would NOT use water on it.
better to buy a new keyboard in your case

 

Well, I suppose, if your going to be buying a new keyboard, using water wouldn't hurt as you'd have nothing to lose, since the keyboard is already being replaced. But I would let it dry out for 2+ days, in front of a vent or something.