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    Dead M17x R2

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by [0]range, Aug 26, 2011.

  1. [0]range

    [0]range Newbie

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    Hey guys I had a tech come over today to swap out my R2's screen. When I started it up everything seemed fine and the tech left. But when I tried to play a game I had bad performance. I checked crossfire and it was off, catalyst said it was a problem with the bridge.
    So I opened the computer up and reattached the X-fire cable and then I put the laptop back together. Well, when I pushed the power button one fan came on and that was it, no lights, no video, no nothing. So I opened the laptop back up and noticed the power cable to the hinge cover was misseated. So I tried to open the slot to allow the cable to fall out, when the retaining bracket just broke off o.o
    So I'm going to need a new hinge cover, but on top of that the silver metal connectors on the power ribbon are all messed up.
    So I need one of those too -.-
    It seems, however, that those are EXTREMELY hard to come by. Besides an Asian seller on eBay I couldn't find any. Does someone here know where I could find the ribbon? I would hate to have to wait 2 weeks for it to come in.

    I'm also worried about the motherboard, seeing as only one fan came on. Do you think it might've shorted? I'm still in my return period but I'd hate to loose this machine.
     
    [0]range, Aug 26, 2011
    #1
  2. DR650SE

    DR650SE The Whiskey Barracuda

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    Check your display plug to the motherboard.
     
    DR650SE, Aug 26, 2011
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  3. [0]range

    [0]range Newbie

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    Yeah I thought of that as well, but its secure. The problem must be with the power ribbon and hinge cover.

    Does anyone know a place that sells the ribbons from the US?
     
    [0]range, Aug 26, 2011
    #3
  4. ACHlLLES

    ACHlLLES Notebook Virtuoso

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    OP technically broke it, but it was lead by incompetent tech putting the system together. I don't see why not calling Dell and ask for the repair for the system not working properly after a tech visit.

    I don't think that's a bad karma.

    OP, if you are in doubt messing with an expensive system, don't do it, or do enough of research before hand.

    Good luck.
     
    ACHlLLES, Aug 27, 2011
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  5. Iceforge

    Iceforge Notebook Guru

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    Broke the ribbon cable ? I know your pain man, unfortunately that seller from thailand is the only one with inverted 16 pins cables I could find as well and the shipping did indeed take about 2-3 weeks, they work perfectly however.
    You can still power on the laptop without the hinge though, the power_sw pin is one of the middle ones in the upper row of pins on the MB connector.
    Short that with something like a clip and the laptop will power on, risky but if you're really desperate to power it on it's worth a shot, it worked for me dozens of times but it's really a pain not to have a power button.
     
    Iceforge, Aug 27, 2011
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