Alienware M17x R4 Error codes: 141 and 187 and 8 Beeps

I'm having a problem with my computer giving me the error codes 141 and 187. To give a little more context, the problem first started back in 2013 when my computer started show a black screen right after the Alienware logo. I remember fixing the problem temporarily by moving the display to a different angle (and rebooting), or by connecting a monitor (the lcd screen would turn on after connecting it to a monitor).

However, I decided to upgrade it from windows 7 to windows 10 like a week ago. Right after upgrading, I started noticing that windows was hanging on and off for a couple minutes every now and then. Naturally, I thought it was a driver issue, I found different solutions, but none worked. Thus, I decided to do a clean install of windows 10. After I reinstalled it, I also cleaned up my computer (it was too dusty and temperatures were high), I cleaned up the keyboard, fans, and the heat sinks with a duster and isopropyl alcohol, then I proceeded to clean and replace the thermal paste on the graphics card and the CPU. I built all my computers (except for this one) so i know the proper procedures and precautions to properly clean a system.

Unfortunately, after everything was done and the laptop was turned on, It suddenly turned off when i took it off the counter to place it on my desk. I'm sure I placed everything back carefully and correctly. So right after turning it on again, I went into the BIOS and performed a diagnostics test, every thorough test passed. I resumed using the computer and it turned off again, this time giving me a loop of 8 beeps right after turning it back on, no screen display, nothing.

I decided to call dell just to find out that 8 beeps means that there is a problem with the lcd. They advised me to drain the power from the laptop by unplugging it, removing the battery, and holding the power button for 20 secs ( I held it for 40 secs just in case). Unfortunately, that didn't seem to work. I also tried replacing the graphics card carefully and nothing. I tried to look for damaged ports/parts and couldn't find any. Again, I'm sure I didn't do any physical damage (cleaning and re-pasting is simple).

Surprisingly, I ended up trying to turn it on yesterday after draining the power again, and it did. I performed another test, all passed. However it keeps on rebooting randomly, especially when I move it (even if I don't move it and just type on it, it resets sometimes). And in some cases after it resets the screen wont turn on (no 8 beeps anymore), and connecting a monitor wont fix it either. The laptop still hangs, yet it's still usable. (I'm typing this on the laptop)

Basically I don't know what to do anymore, I don't know how to fix the black screen problem, and the hanging problem. Why does my laptop make 8 beeps sometimes regardless of the successful testing? I tried placing the LCD cable again and no fix. Also, why does my laptop reboot randomly after typing or moving it? Any help would be very appreciated since I cant send it in for repair. I'd like to do it myself due to the cost.

Here are my Specs:

OS Name Microsoft Windows 10 Pro

Version 10.0.17763 Build 17763

System Model M17xR4 3D 120hz

Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3740QM CPU @ 2.70GHz, 2701 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)

BIOS Alienware A14

RAM 16.0 GB

NVIDIA GTX 680M

Here is more info from the reliability history:

Problem signature
Problem Event Name: LiveKernelEvent
Code: 187
Parameter 1: 1
Parameter 2: 0
Parameter 3: 0
Parameter 4: 0
OS version: 10_0_17763
Service Pack: 0_0
Product: 256_1
OS Version: 10.0.17763.2.0.0.256.48
Locale ID: 1033

Problem signature
Problem Event Name: LiveKernelEvent
Code: 141
Parameter 1: ffff9c81ad7e4220
Parameter 2: fffff8005fbabc3c
Parameter 3: 0
Parameter 4: 424
OS version: 10_0_17763
Service Pack: 0_0
Product: 256_1
OS Version: 10.0.17763.2.0.0.256.48
Locale ID: 1033

Both shown as hardware problems.

 

Might be the GPU going out .... What I would advise you do is to run on integrated graphic. To do so you have to follow the steps below since you have a 120HZ screen.

1) install unlocked bios via USB bootable drive ( to enable you to change the graphic settings )
2) get back into bios and change graphic setting to either IGP or SG mode and shutdown laptop
3) remove 680m and reboot and just run on integrated graphic.

If it runs smooth on just integrated graphic , the 680m is the problem and need to get it replaced.

 

Thanks for your reply. I was thinking it might’ve been the lcd cable or GPU, I’ll try doing that.

 

Hi Metal,

Also worth adding since you have the 120hz screen you wont be able to use it with the onboard graphics. Only way you'll get it to boot without the 680m is to unplug the edp panel cable and boot from an external monitor on hdmi (possibly dp / vga). I also have a feeling you have to be in pure uefi mode for this (legacy support disabled). I guess that wont really help you diagnose whether its the 680 or the lcd cable that's at fault but once you're booting off hdmi you could change the graphics setting back to peg / sg and test the 680 with the hdmi output and if all's good you know its the lcd cable. Since you are getting random reboots though my money is on the fault being with the 680m.

Javers