Alienware won't detect monitor with HDMI

My Alienware isn't an M17x but I guess they are probably similar, mine is an x51. As the title says, my Alienware doesn't detect any monitors. I tried this monitor and it won't work, I also tried my T.V. It won't work. I'm using my brand new HDMI cable. A weird thing is, when I plug in the HDMI to the computer and turn it on. It doesn't say anything about a missing HDMI cable. But then when I unplug it from the computer it says "No HDMI cable detected". So it's like it can detect the monitor, but for some reason it keeps as a black screen. It did this when I first bought the computer. But after a few hours of waiting it worked. Now I have been waiting and it's still not working. It's not the monitors fault either considering it didn't work on my T.V either. Also I used my PS3 on this monitor with the HDMI and it worked fine. Is there any buttons I have to press on the keyboard upon start up? I saw once someone said press Fn f6 or something, but it never worked. Please help...

 

am not very familiar with your system but am sure it has a vga have you tried using a vga cable to get into windows and then try to change the CCC or Nivedia control panel options again i dont know your system whats the specs of the machine??? i know your system is a mini tower have you checked the bios options ???

 

It doesn't have a VGA actually. This was a birthday present from my mom (I'm only 14). We went to the store the other day because our last HDMI cable broke (it was bent). I tried to get her to buy me a DVI to VGA cord. So I could put the DVI on the computer with a VGA attatched from that to my monitor. But she didn't think my computer had any DVI plugs (which I knew it did) but she made me paranoid so I was just like "Okay let's just get the HDMI" because I thought it would work again .

I'm not the best with computers, I don't know what a CCC or BIOS or any of that. But my only options on my monitor are "Auto Select, DVI-D, HDMI, and VGA". But when I actually have the computer turned on with it working like I do now with another computer obviously there are brightness settings and a bunch of other weird stuff. And I can't do anything except the Auto Select and the listing of those things when I have my alienware on. Just a black screen with nothing else.

edit: I forget the exact specs. But I know it has a good processor (70+ FPS in Minecraft) 6GB Ram and it's an X51. on the back there is stickers that say intel inside core i3 (I think thats the processor) and thats all. there are 6 usb ports on the back. 2 in the front an ethernet port. hdmi port. dvi-d's I think they're called. audio ports and of course the power port.

 

well if you could find out what graphics card you have we could tell you what driver you need. I would update your GPU drivers and see what happens.

 

What are GPA drivers? And how would I update one? And by graphics card you mean like NVIDIA or AMD. I'm not completely sure what it has.

 

am sorry for confusing you in anyway like "bigtony" said if you could find out what graphics card you have that would be great and we can help you get this fixed. have you tried another HDMI cable.

 

yes he means like nivedia or amd. there pretty straight forward to install we will guide you through if you need us to

 

Lol I don't need any guide, because I wouldn't be able to install anything if I can't even connect to my computer without a black screen.. That's my whole problem.. I turn it on when it's plugged into the monitor with the HDMI. Black screen, nothing even shows up at all. But I'm using NVIDIA I'm positive about that. I had an HDMI cable a few weeks ago that was working. It didn't work, then it broke a few days later. Then I brought a BRAND NEW HDMI cable then tried it that day, no luck at all. Still no luck. Are there any buttons I should press when it's starting up?

 

your going to have to find some way of getting it connect it to some form of port eg hdmi or DVI i think you said you had try DVI if you got it theres no other way to fix this issue without connecting it to some form of a screen. i need the model number for example i have a GTX 580M it should be on the delivery note when you first got the system. DID you buy any upgrades for the system is it all STOCK parts if it is i can find out what card you have.

 

Thanks for the help, I'm going to call the support place

 

am sorry i couldn't do more for you its just if you cant connect a screen i cant help. Support wont be able to do much as well most likely they will replace your graphics card that's the only outcome i see. If you need any more help dont be afraid to send me a private message or even talk to some of the alienware REPS on this sight heres one http://forum.notebookreview.com/member.php?u=508848
again GOOD luck

 

Thanks man, I talked to the guy on the phone. He said I needed a big HDMI to small HDMI. He never really asked me what the problem was. He just told me that was what I needed, all I told him is the screen was black and it wasn't turning on correctly. They are sending me that.

 

strange do you have a micro hdmi socket on your monitor because i see no reason why you would need a HDMI to Micro HDMI unless your monitor is Micro HDMI

 

Nope. But my computer has one

 

well that's your problem i wish u made that clear at the beginning of your post i could of told you that within seconds and saved you the phone call

 

Oh ahaha sorry. I never even knew what it was before. I thought maybe I had to press a button on the keyboard or something on startup to make the computer detect the Alienware or something . Anyways thanks for the help. The cord will arrive in a few days/weeks.

 

ok what i did was, unplug hdmi cable from laptop and monitor. now plug in hdmi cable to laptop, then to the monitor.

 

Great ENJOY