Dead on arrival.

My Alienware M17x-R3 is absolutely dead on arrival, the package arrived 10 minutes ago, I opened it up straight away and when I press the power button nothing happens, I said, ok, maybe no juice, I plug in the charger, the charging litght isn't even on so I try to power button again, nothing happens.
I flip it around press the button on the battery turns out its full of juice like the M14x I received a while back and returned.
I just can't believe that my computer won't power on, I was ready for it to have some problems if I am unlucky but this one obviously never went through quality check otherwise its impossible for a laptop not to power on.
The package is intact, it wasn't hit or dropped during shipping so I just don't know what to do, I am really dissapointed.

Claudiu

 

Call Dell and ask for a replacement with some upgrade, RAM/HDD/CPU/GPU or maybe a bag you should at least get something!!

 

I already paid for a stinking bag but if they make me wait few weeks again then im definetly getting some upgrade or my money back. They have been nice about me returning the m14x and paying extra for an upgrade but still a laptop dead on arrival in my book is the worst thing you can get.

 

Call them and have a tech come out. It maybe something as simple as the power button ribbon wasn't connected properly. This happened to me when I removed the bezel containing the power button on my M17X R2 and failed to plug it back in securely. You could try to check this yourself by removing the power indicator bezel carefully. Look for a teardown video on youtube if you want to try it yourself. It isn't that difficult to do.

 

Well if its that, its an easy fix.

Video: ‪Alienware M17X R3 Swapping RAM - Easy guide on changing RAM on the M17X R3‬‏ - YouTube

 

Since i notest it doesnt turn on that was the first thing i thought about because i use to do computer repair not too long ago. The thing is one of the support rep made me take out thr bottom and take the ram out and put it back in. I knew that would do absolutely zero but i did it anyway. He daid i should get a refund, didnt offer to send a tech guy to my house to repair it, he did offer for me to ship it to some place to get it repaired but i will be honest and if itd something major i would like to see and get a refund and get another one, maybe get some upgrade as well.
I was suprised though dell would trust somr randomer like myself to open it up and screw around in there.
I was thinking about opening up the rest and try to see if thr cable is connected to the button but im afraid thst they might not give me a refund.

 

I would say it is more probable than a mobo failure. But it could be either. Normally a hardware failure would produce an error code, beep or LED message using keys like caps, num lock, scroll lock. But if the internal power supply was bad on the mobo, then you probably wouldn't get any indication.

 

Is this a new machine? With what type of warranty? You should have in home repair after remote diagnostics, if you are in the states. Not sure about other countries. Call them back and ask for a tech to come out. Or ask them about the power button connection and see if they will walk you through it over the phone. They should have no problem with this.

It's usually harder to get a refund from Dell then it is to have someone look at it or ship it back. I'm surprised they offered this.

 

Im in ireland, not sure about their policy here but im pretty sure they only have a support rep or something in the UK. I dont really want to talk to five reps again until i reach somebody that is qualified to walk me through the process. I will have a shot at it myself but at this point.... I dont know, it might be a motherboard failure as well.

 

If you follow the teardown video and are careful not to damage the bezel or leave any huge scratches, there is no way they would know you did any snooping around in there. But if you are uncomfortable doing any of this, then just return it.

 

I just had the idea to plug in my ipad into the esata/usb comb port which was to my understanding that it is the one that charges even when its off and the ipad is charging so power is going through it, so its most likely the power button cable no?

 

Open up and look at the connector. Will take you like 5 min.

 

Could be the cable, maybe it came loose during shipping. It is possible.

*EDIT* Heck, sometimes when tearing down my laptop I won't connect something as secure as it should be, and just flipping the laptop back over makes it come loose a tiny bit and it won't work. Ribbon cables and connectors are very touchy.

 

I did it eventually and it looks like one of the wires is out of the connector that plugs into the mobo. probably thats the problem but i dont think i can just ut it back... I probably need a new part wirh a new connector.
In the process of opening it up i got the feeling that it might be a refurbished unit or like srnt back before, i am a bit experienced but i might be a bit paranoid as well...

 

Put it back in if you can. If it looks to go into there then chances are it does. The way they bend the cables and not every cable is the same, it is fairly easy to figure out what goes where.

 

The ribbon cables are pretty easy to connect. The problem is the locking arm that holds them down are cheap. Check to see if it is broken or if it actually snaps down on the cable. If you get a POST, you know that was the problem.

 

Its not a ribbon, its a connector and one of the wires is pulled out of the plastic encasing of the connector.

 

Ah, different problem. If you can insert it back into the connector, I would give it a shot. A thin piece of electrical tape may help hold it in.

 

I managed to push the wire in the slot with a pin and it powers on, this solution is obviously temporary, do you think if i call customer support i might get them to send me a new power button vable part to replace it myselg without shipping the whole laptop? It would probably take a week or more to ship it and get it back but if they just srnd me the part i can use it until then.
I see no problem with them sending the part, they might though.

 

If it powers on and doesn't show any problems after moving the laptop and cycling power, it may hold for good. So you might not have to do anything else.

If you feel that it will not hold, then give them a call. The problem is, I'm not sure they will be too happy that you opened it up and fixed it yourself and this may void your warranty if tell them. I would proceed by calling them up and telling them that you are certain that a power cable is loose inside because you can hear it rattling when you move the laptop. You've also done some research online and found similar problems with this model. Then have them walk you through opening the bezel and you can claim to discover the problematic cable then. Then ask for a replacement cable in the mail or for a tech to come out and fix it for you. If you can get them to let you open up the laptop, you can ensure your warranty will remain in tact without giving away that you already opened it and found the problem.

 

Ghost, that is exactly what i've done, I told them that I am pretty sure its not a problem with the mobo and that it might be a power calbe or something and he walked me through the process and then I said that maybe he can send me the part through the mail because im afraid it will not hold over time. He will send the part tomorrow so will be here on monday.
Meanwhile I am happy on my brand new alienware and I will keep it in sleep instead of shutting it down so when I open the lid it will power up, this just to make sure I dont have to open it again until monday when the part comes in.
I am still surprised that they would let some randomer like me open up the laptop as far as they did because other companies are very anal about their warranty but I guess its mostly because they don't have so many service centers and maybe if you buy an alienware you know a little bit about computers already )
Anywayz, im happy it worked out ok and I am not upset anymore even though I may or may have not gotten an upgrade if sent it back but that meant maybe even 1 month until I get another one.
Maybe this thread will be helpful to somebody else if they get the same problem even though the rep I talked too this time said this is a very unsual problem and never happened as far as he knows....

 

Glad to see it worked out for you. Hopefully you will get the part and be able to replace it with no trouble. If you've ever had a tech from Dell (their partner service) come to fix your laptop, you would quickly realize that you know as much about computers as they do. Usually it is a good experience but for many users, techs do more damage than good.

Please take time to add to the reputation of all of the posters who helped you with this issue.

Install some games and crank that beast up.