Can't turn on my M17x R2

so i just received my 7970m in the post so i open up my system and put the new graphics card in there and then i did a quick check to see if the computer ran with only its core facilites (cpu,gpu,hdd) and it did.

I reassembled my system and now the system won't turn on. the ribbon cable holder on my power button cover/hinge has been broken a while but if i electrical taped the thing into place then i could still press the button and start my system however this doesn't work anymore.

Any ideas on whats gone wrong? i seem to be led to believe the cover/hinge or the power flex cable has somehow gone faulty.

 

W779M | Refurbished Alienware M17x Center Control Covers

Here, might as well just spend $20 and get a new cover. That will fix the problem with the broken ribbon cable holder. Remember to be very careful when removing the ribbon cable, damn thing gets wrecked if you sneeze too hard. When plugging into the new(er) cover, make sure the end of the ribbon cable is aligned properly. I can't tell you how many times the Dell techs screwed up my system (couldn't get it to power on) because they didn't align the ribbon cable end properly so all the connectors weren't making contact. I then went in after they left and fixed the alignment. It's tricky. If you plug it in and it doesn't work, then you need to move the cable end in the holder ever-so-slightly to the left or right. Those contacts are about 1/64" so the smallest adjustment can make or break it. Be patient. One good way to tell if the ribbon cable itself has gone bad is to inspect it for any folds or kinks. That particular ribbon cable should have one curve towards one end where it connects to the power button, but that should be a gradual curve and not a fold or kink. Any folds or kinks and it's a good bet the filaments inside the cable have been broken.

 

hmm i think there's 2 folds in mine, i'll take a picture later today when i get round to opening the laptop again.

edit: uploaded a picture of both sides of the cable.





You know where i can get the cover/hinge part in the uk for cheap? if i buy it from the parts people they charge 40$ for shipping when the item being sold is only 20$

 

Try eBay. You will need to ask the seller specifically if they are including the ribbon cable with the control cover. I've been burned that way before.

 

on ebay its £50 which turns out to be more than the parts from america, i'm gonna give dell parts a call sometime next week when their open and see how much both parts are. Judging from the pictures and the multiple folds in the cable does it look like thats broken aswell?

 

It depends on the fold. Certain bends are put in there by the factory so the ribbons can fold down and out of the way when the covers are installled. I know the control cover's ribbon cable should have one factory bend in it. What you need to look for is if there are any more and/or if any of the bends have a sharp crease in them. A fold with a sharp crease in it is a good sign the ribbon was kinked.