Alienware M17x R1 Boot Issue/s?

So, I recently purchased a used m17x r1. Knew it was not functioning ahead of time.. (got it cheap)
At first, it wouldn't boot to bios, got past that. Now I have an issue that I'm not sure of a workaround.

I cannot boot windows from the install disc..gives me the
PXE-E61 Media Test Failure... check cable
PXE-MOF exiting Nvidia boot agent
Operating system not found..

Now I've also received a bsod when booting win 7 from an external. It boots to the point where the colors swirl then it shuts off.

I've looked high and low. Tried setting up raid, changed it to ahci, rearranged the ram, moved the hdds around, etc.. nothing.
I don't know if its an mbr issue, or something with the hdds, but you would think if i put a new drive in, it would boot?
Everything else is fine. I've run the diagnostic from the boot menu, and nothing turned up.

It has 2 500gb WD 7200rpm drives, q9000 cpu, sli 280m, 2x2 gigs ram

I could be missing some things at the moment..frustration has taken over :/ But thats what I have for now.

If anyone has any suggestions, please throw em out there.. I'm looking for anything to get this up and running.

Thanks!

 

Well, I know the PXE message means it's trying to boot from the Network adapter. Try checking the boot device order in the BIOS. For initial setup for installing windows, it should be CD-ROM (Removable Drive), then Hard Disk Drive, then then whatever else it lists 3rd and on. If it gives the PXE errors still, then try disabling the network devices in the boot device order. Third option would be to reset the BIOS. I would do this last. Try changing your boot order first.

 

Yes, that's exactly right, but remember that if you reset the BIOS, the SATA configuration has to be changed back to either ACHI or RAID, depending on the configuration.

Here's a guide on how to install windows 7 on Alienware systems, hope it helps.

 

Thanks for the responses! I have the network set as the last boot device. And I've set the disc drive to boot first. I have tried setting up Raid and also just put it to ahci. I have also disabled the nic? If that's what disables the network boot. And I have unplugged the CMOS battery, if that resets it as well. I can also add that I have tried booting windows from another drive from another laptop, and still get the windows lights swirl and then crash. Talking to someone else, they mentioned that maybe the sata drivers and/or the disc drive might be missing. Not sure how I would install those if that's the issue other than a flash drive. Finally, I have tried installing with the original vista cd the laptop came with and an extra 7 disc that I have with no luck. Sorry for the mass of text. Thanks again for the help!

As for an update. I have tried booting and installing windows 7 and vista from a flash drive. Also Ubuntu. When it loads up, I'm presented with a command prompt as follows:
C:\>

Not sure where to go from there..

 

Hmm. Is the flash drive listed in the boot device order? If it is, then make sure you put it above the HDD's for the initial setup. What you might also have to do is his F12? at POST to enter the Boot Menu, which will list a whole bunch of boot options like boot from CD-ROM, or Removable Media (USB Flash Drive). Just out of curiosity, which BIOS version are you running on your R1?

 

The flash drive is listed in the boot device order and I had tried moving it to the top of the list as well as hit F12 to reach the boot menu. I did not set it to removable media since it had showed up as a usb device when recognized. Odd though, when I enable raid (striped or mirrored) it has the model name of my disc drive where as in ahci it only labels it as dvd rw. I've tried booting from the usb and disc drive accordingly with both ahci and raid on. I was receiving an error that the Operating System was not found, but only in RAID when trying to boot with a disc.

As for the bios, It's flashed to A07, which is what the previous owner put it to. They tried to upgrade the cpu to the qx9300, the bios wouldnt recognize it, so they put the q9000 back in and put A07 on. I have not tried flashing the bios or anything. The cpu is back in and seated correctly as I have already taken the machine apart to check..even reapplied thermal paste. No issues putting back together as I had gotten as far prior trying to boot. Everything is recognized in the bios too. The only other error I will get on occasion, and seems to be only when I first try messing around with it, is that the overclock has failed, press F2 for system settings... or something like that. After loading setup defaults in the bios and changing everything back, it goes away.

Still at a loss as to what the issue is.. Thanks again

 

Alrighty. Couple more questions.
First, you said you bought the notebook used and it didn't work when it arrived. It wouldn't boot to BIOS but you fixed it. What was the original problem and what did you do to fix it?
Second, what happens when you put in the Windows 7 Install disc? Regardless of how the hard drives are set, etc., are you able to enter Windows Setup from the disc? I've heard that some older models have problems trying to install windows from a USB device. Why it trips, or what the work around for the flash drive install is, I don't know.
Have you tried running the PSA at POST? Or does the system not even get that far.
One thing you can try is to remove hard drive number 2. Leave hard drive one installed in HDD 0 bay. Then try to boot to the Windows 7 install disc and see if everything installs fine. If it doesn't, swap hard drive 1 for hard drive 2. All's were doing there is to try and see if one hard drive is bad, or if the SATA controller is faulty when you have both hard drive installed. If you can't get Windows setup to launch from the disc with either hard drive, then the problem could be the optical drive or the motherboard. Not a whole lot of options to go with right now, but we'll narrow it down.

 

First it wouldn't boot to bios.. The lights would come on, but just a black screen. I believe I just held the power button and plugged the power cord in or unpluggled the CMOS battery and plugged it back in to reset it. Simple fix.

Second, if I boot from the windows disc, it gives me the pxe error. I'm not able to enter set up at all. Not sure what you mean by PSA at post?

Third, I have tried switching the hard drives around as well. I could give it another try moving them around and changing the setup in bios. But I've already switched them and tried one at a time.

Thanks!

 

PSA means Pre-Boot System Assesment. Its the diagnostics test option at the bottom of the boot menu list (Hit F12 at POST). It tests the CPU, Memory, and chipset.
Thank you for the clarification with the Windows disc. What does your Windows Product Key sticker on the bottom of the R1 say. Windows Vista Home, Windows 7 Ultimate? It should state which version of Windows is licensed originally for the unit. You also said you tried installing Vista from the disc that came with the system. Is the Vista disc that came with the system say Alienware or Dell or Microsoft on it? And the extra seven disc you have, it gave the same PXE error as the Vista Disc, yes?
I'm just trying to get a read on what verison of Windows the notebook came with originally. It sounds like the Vista disc is meant for Windows Vista workstation...where the installer would only contain core files and the notebook would required to connect to a local server to download the OS image.

 

Ahhh yes, I ran the diagnostic already. Twice actually to be sure, and fully at that. No errors. The vista disc is from Alienware. It has Alienware on it.. And I'm pretty sure it's home premium 64 bit. I'll have to verify once I get home. And the windows 7 disc gives me the same error. That is 64 bit ultimate. And I'll also have to check the sticker when I get back.

 

Ahhh...'kay. So here's my next brain-dead idea. Your BIOS boot tab should look similar to mine (I have an R2). Move Removable Devices, USB Storage and Network to the bottom of the list and disable all three of them. Then move CD/DVD to the top and Hard Drive second. Now hit F12 at startup and from the boot options select the CD/DVD...just make sure the Alienware Windows Vista disc is in. You'll know if it works because it will ask you to press any key to boot from CD. If that doesn't work, it's defnintely a motherboard issue. With those three options disabled it should give you the default to boot to HDD or CD. If it still gives you a PXE error then the BIOS are not controlling the motherboard properly.

 

I did exactly as you stated, and still received the error... Both trying raid and ahci to see if it made a difference. Still the pxe error, and no ability to "press any key and boot to cd"
I suppose my next question is, if it is the motherboard, what would be my best bet in terms of finding one, and the exact one I need?

Again, thanks a bunch!

 

Although, if the motherboard was no good, wouldn't that prevent me from entering the bios and changing any settings?

 

True. But you stated you had to do a CMOS reset to fix whatever was preventing the system from booting to BIOS. That might have reset the BIOS to a point where they will at least POST, but the BIOS chip can still be faulty or the BIOS themselves, whcih is what I think is wrong. Just like when some system's RAM goes bad but the notebook doesn't give off any LED or beep error codes. PSA only test the CPU, RAM and chipset.

As far as getting a motherboard, you will need to look on your existing one for the Dell component sticker and get the part no. It will be five letters & numbers like K9V45 or something like that. Then you can search Google for that part no. In the case of the R1, the replacement motherboard might be an updated version from the one you have and will likely have a different part no.

I wonder if your CD/DVD is working correctly too? Obviously you are able to insert and eject the Windows disc, yes? It's just something I though about right now. That if the system does not detect any OS's on the HDDs and the CD/DVD drive isn't working correctly, could it then default to a network boot device even though it's disabled?

EDIT: You have taken out the HDD's and tested them on a different system to make absolutely sure they work, yes? If that is the case then the problem is narrowed down to the optical drive or the motherboard. To narrow it down even further, try and get an external USB optical drive to boot from and see if it boots from the Windows disc that way. You will have to re-enable the USB storage and/or removable devices in your Boot Order and raise them up past the hard drives on the list. If that doesn't work, then 95% sure the motherboard is in it's death throws.

 

I was thinking about that, trying an external usb optical drive to see if it would boot... But I can insert and eject, would that still mean there could be an issue with it?
I just have to find someone with one as I don't have one :/
And yes, I put those hdd's in other laptops, hell even installed an os on them..and used them as an external drive.. they work. Only thing I could think of is if I can pull my desktop optical drive and somehow hook that up to the laptop? Idk, otherwise I have to try and get my hands on one.

 

Also, Is the part number on the motherboard itself? Just wondering if I have to take it apart just to find that.

 

Just because the drive accepts and ejects the discs doesn't mean its fully functional. I found that out when I got my R2. The optical drive it came with would take and eject discs, but it wouldn't read them. So I can say that even though it may mechanically function, it still can have a problem.

You could try to hook up a desktop optical drive to you notebook. You'd have to get the adapter to go to USB...or better yet, get a SATA to eSATA cable, provided your desktop drive is SATA and you have the eSATA port on the R1 (which I'm pretty sure you should). Then all you would need is to get a cheap power brick to power the optical drive. That's what I did. I got a cheap power brick from Fry's years ago. It outputs to SATA or 4-pin Molex. That way I can hook it up to whatever I need to external power.

The motherboard's part number will be on a small white sticker (1/2" x 3/4") stuck directly on the motherboard. I'm not sure where but on mine, you have to remove the keyboard, trackpad/palm rest, and the motherboard cover in order to see it.

 

Is there a possibility that the hdd cable that connects to the motherboard could be loose or bad? From what I've read, that can cause the pxe error. Also, not sure if I mentioned this before, but I had pulled both drives, tried installing windows on them and then putting them back in the laptop. It would try and boot windows, but it would hang on the initial loading screen where the colors swirl (for 7) or the bar loads (for vista) then crash. Idk if that would mean anything. I'm just trying to get an idea before I go out and buy a mobo and optical drive replacement. I think I just need to snag a sata to esata cable then. I should be able to just power it off the desktop, or no?

Also, from what I've found, the part number for the mobo for this machine..per google searches, and answers from other threads on here has turned up this as the part number: F415N / 0F415N.
Not sure if that rings a bell or sounds correct.

Thanks for bearing with me!

 

Hey, this is computer engineering. Theoretical physics and rocket science have easier answers than this.

I wouldn't know about the part no, but if it comes to you needing to order a new one, definitely take a look at the sticker on your current motherboard...just to be sure.

Technically there is no HDD cable between the drive and the board. The HDDs just slide into the SATA connectors which are soldered to the motherboard. There was a problem with the R3's sata connectors, they were prone to wear/corrosion and could fail with time. So it is possible the connectors have gone bad. But as they are soldered to the motherboard, you would still have to replace the motherboard...unless you want to buy new connectors and try soldering them yourself.

Definitely sounds plausible, as you tried to, (and successfully?) loaded Windows onto your HDDs using another system, then transplanting them into the notebook, and it would freeze halfway thru startup, yes?

In one of your earlier posts you said that if you set the drives to AHCI, then the optical drive would show up as CD/DVD/BD-ROM? But if you set it to RAID, then the optical drive would display with it's brand & model in the name? That can indicate the SATA controller is going/has gone bad. I'm not sure if there's a test to check that, though.

 

Haha, true. I had successfully loaded windows onto the drives and it did indeed freeze during startup. And yeah, the change in drive setup did label the optical drive differently. Hmmmm. I'm guessing it's a safe assumption to say I need a new mobo then.. Would eBay the best bet to find parts reasonably priced, or do you happen to know of a particular site?

 

eBay would be a good bet. Since it's an R1, there won't be a flood of motherboards to choose from. The upside is the price should be very reasonable. You can always haggle with the sellers a little bit.

 

So, I was thinking, is it possible that the bios was flashed incorrectly, and that could be causing these issues? Or does all this not sound like symptoms of a bad flash?

 

It very conceivably could be. But as far as getting it to flash from a USB thru boot is another story. Doesn't mean it can't be done, and it's definitely worth a shot. Just don't hold out any high hopes.