The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Blinking Num Lock, CPU upgrade

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by martini5470, Dec 14, 2010.

  1. martini5470

    martini5470 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I upgraded from T9800 to Q9200 last night. I followed Moo's guide, which was super helpful btw. However, after putting my M17x R1 back together and starting it I get steady Scroll Lock, steady Caps Lock and Blinking Num Lock. Screen is always blank. :confused:

    Also, looks like the Touch pad is Off, but I doubt that would prevent the computer from loading. I looked at the LED error codes, but couldn't find one that represented my pattern. Please help
     
    martini5470, Dec 14, 2010
    #1
  2. devoidx

    devoidx Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    17
    Messages:
    124
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I had a similar issue during the re-paste of my CPU and it scared the &*%^ out of me! :D

    Check and double check all the ribbon cables (Control Panel, Palm Rest, Keyboard) are connected in addition to re-seating you Display Cables.

    After re-seating all of the above my system booted without issue.
     
    devoidx, Dec 14, 2010
    #2
  3. martini5470

    martini5470 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Thanks for your help. I'm going to take it apart tonight and try to re-seat everything again. My suspicion is that CPU may not be fully locked or my touch pad is causing the problem.
     
    martini5470, Dec 14, 2010
    #3
  4. TurbodTalon

    TurbodTalon Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    1,392
    Messages:
    3,147
    Likes Received:
    158
    Trophy Points:
    131
    If I'm not mistaken, that is the one of the keyboard ribbons or the LCD connectors. I don't think it's your CPU man.
     
    TurbodTalon, Dec 14, 2010
    #4
  5. martini5470

    martini5470 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    The keyboard lights up, however touch pad is off. Normally it would light up as well. Do you think touchpad could be causing this? Also my screen is blank, but letters "alienware" at the bottom of LCD are lit.
     
    martini5470, Dec 14, 2010
    #5
  6. EntityX

    EntityX Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    42
    Messages:
    522
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Did you take out your CMOS battery and let it sit for a while?
     
    EntityX, Dec 14, 2010
    #6
  7. martini5470

    martini5470 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    Nope.. is that a standard procedure after replacing your CPU?
     
    martini5470, Dec 14, 2010
    #7
  8. EntityX

    EntityX Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    42
    Messages:
    522
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I always take out the CMOS battery whenever I add/remove hardware...

    Give it a try and see how it works, the CMOS battery is located right above the battery bay and and you just have to remove the bottom cover to get to it, should only take you a minute to do so
     
    EntityX, Dec 14, 2010
    #8
  9. kenny27

    kenny27 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    294
    Messages:
    919
    Likes Received:
    167
    Trophy Points:
    56
    If you touch pad is not connected properly it will not start check all your ribbon cables etc
     
    kenny27, Dec 14, 2010
    #9
  10. DR650SE

    DR650SE The Whiskey Barracuda

    Reputations:
    7,383
    Messages:
    8,222
    Likes Received:
    182
    Trophy Points:
    231
    If your not getting an image on the screen, reseat your screen connectors. I'm 90% sure that is your problem. Been there ;)
     
    DR650SE, Dec 14, 2010
    #10
  11. martini5470

    martini5470 Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    11
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I got it fixed by doing the entire process all over again. Not really sure what was the cause, but it finally works. Thanks for all your help
     
    martini5470, Dec 14, 2010
    #11
  12. devoidx

    devoidx Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    17
    Messages:
    124
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    The ribbon cables, in particular, are a pain in the ^&#%. The slightest misalignment stops the system booting. My heart skips a beat every time! :)
     
    devoidx, Dec 14, 2010
    #12