I am getting desperate with this M17X R2!!!

I bought this laptop for "cheap" 2 weeks ago.
It came with 4GB RAM, I7 620m, singleHD5870m and 2 HD's.
I noticed that the raid config was not longer in use, and W7 was installed on one of the drives only (AHCI mode). OS is W7 Ultimate.

The previous owner seemed to be a smoker so I immediately opened it up, removed A LOT of crud and dust and gave GPU and CPU a desperate repaste.
And I think I made the first error here: I did not check if the laptop was working 100%. I immediately went to the cleaning.
Reassembly went fine, booting too but I wanted to install an SSD instead and so far I haven't been able to do so. The only thing that 'works' is to clone the SSD and then use it.
Working is a big word though. I get constant BSOD with a few returning error codes, mostly system service exception 0x....3B,0x........A,0x......7E, System irql not less or equal erors etc....

What have I tried so far:

* 2 SSD's and 3 mechanical ones
* 2 W7 Alienware install DVD
* Win 8 DVD
* Win 10 USB
* Ubuntu and Solus USB
* Different RAM sticks and Memtest (only 3 passes though) on the original stick with no errors
* Onboard diagnostics with no error

The installation always freezes and also the laptop.
With windows 10 installs, it always BSOD's with System service exception, the 7 installs BSOD with these 3 or 4 returning errors or they lock up before the install screen.
Yesterday, suddenly the laptop did not recognise any HD or SSD I tried, and when turning it on, the fans were full speed, the screen became brighter and then the AW logo screen appeared.
Removing the HD's fixed that and after leaving the CMOS out for 30', the drives were appearing again but still full of BSOD and couldn't even boot in safe mode anymore

I hope this is readable because there is so much going on with this laptop
I removed the battery since it is dead and it seemed to also mess up the laptop when I turned it on (fans at full speed, screens becomes brighter and then the laptop turns off)

Could the GPU cause this? In one of the few occasions I got to boot in W7, CC could not launch due to errors and I couldn't remove CC through Windows. The 5870 was detected in device manager without exclamation marks.
I succeeded in removing it yesterday with an older version of DDU but since then I can't even get into safe mode anymore
I also noticed on 2 occasions that before a BSOD, I saw some thick horizontal bars (colored) in the top half of the screen
Is the motherboard or the CPU failing??

Sometimes I think, I caused something when repasting and disassembling...

Any ideas on what is going on?
Can't post the minidumps since I can't get it to boot anymore unless maybe I put the SSD or original HD in my other laptop.
I do remember from Bluescreenview that I saw a lot of ntoskrnl.exe+7fd00, ntfs.sys and fileinfo.sys

 

Does it ever work stable with the "original" HDD and respective OS install?

Kinda sounds like its getting SATA errors all over the place.. Are all SATA interfaces OK(clean pins, and no bent pins)?

Also, did you try upgrading the BIOS version to the latest available?

 

Bios is A10 which is the latest I believe.
It used to boot at first without an issue but now even that one is starting to bsod all the time.
I didn't test it thoroughly with the original hd since it started acting up right after the clean.
Should have done that before the disassemble.
Will retry this weekend with the original and spray some contact cleaner on both of the sata ports.

I also tried Raid install but also Bsod.

Seller of course says it worked fine
Well it might be...

Some screenshots from the errors.



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I would tear it all apart again, do another deep cleaning, and then, try to have it working out of the chassis.

 

Could be GPU's failing

 

I thought about it too but can this cause this whole bunch of different bsod's?
I just had another new one but I was too late to take a picture.

The original hd can't boot either anymore, not even in safe mode.

I really don't want to order stuff randomly to find the problem. I bought it for 180€ but I already had to buy an 240w adapter and a new gpu fan because sometimes it sounds like a coffeegrinder?

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A small update: the cloned SSD gives BSOD all the time, even when trying to boot in safe mode.

With the original HD, I got into safe mode twice but eventually it BSOD when doing sfc /scannow.

I managed to take some pictures from Who Crashed...



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Remove the GPU and have it run on integrated?

 

Can the r2 do that? I know my cpu has integrated graphics but I thought I read somewhere you can't do that on an R2

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R2 doesn't have iGPU enabled, given it was mainly designed for Nehalem (No iGPU).

Have you tried using a different dGPU and installing a new version of your OS?

 

Try setting the sata option to raid in the bios as I bought M17x R2 that had a problem like this where it wouldn't boot at all until trying this option.

 

As said in the first post, I think I tried everything I could think of when it came to installing another OS. Just setting it as Raid and then try to boot.
It boots in ahci mode but only with the original HD and in safe mode. And even that is getting harder now.

I ordered a used 5870m yesterday with a return option in case the gpu is not the cause.

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Have you tried leaving it in the BIOS for 10 minutes to see if it is stable and doesn't freeze?

Tried restoring BIOS defaults?

Are you able to move the HDD into a different slot?

 

I have been in the bios for a few minutes to check all tabs and it stayed fine.

Cmos battery removed, default settings, other bay. I tried it all

It's back in the box for now until the gpu arrives.
If it's not the gpu, I am going to sell it for parts because a new motherboard is not worth the costs I would put in it

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GPU shouldn't be causing BSOD during installation since it doesn't reach 3D clocks.

It sounds like a hard drive issue, but you said you have tried different drives...question is, are the drives you tried the ones it came with or you did try a working drive from different computer?

CPU or MB seems less likely since you can get into BIOS, run onboard diagnostics, memtest, etc.

Really weird situation.

At this point try the GPU you get, be sure to remove the old ones (if there's two). Hope that fixes your issue.

 

I tried the 2 mechanical hd's that came with the laptop, another spare mechanical one (it might be bad I don't know), a used Vectrex 4 SSD and a new but cheap Intenso SSD.
The Vectrex is currently in another system and I installed Windows on it without a problem.
I installed W10 on the cheap new one without a problem but installing it in the Alienware gave a system service exception bsod

I hope it's the GPU. It shows the same symptoms as the 9800m GTX in my M1730 when I enable SLI.

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So I installed the new GPU and still the same.
I think it's pretty safe to say there is something with the mainboard?

I have putten more than enough time and Euro's in it.

Going to sell it as is for parts and hope to recover some costs.



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Well, ataport sounds suspiciously like an interface to the (S)ATA disk, so I would say that something is fishy with your SATA connectors..

And the 7E error points to the hard drive, aka the windows couldn't load what it was expecting to load to boot.

Either the SATA ports are all corroded if this happens with all ports, or there is some dirt causing noise on the SATA lines.

Create a live boot pen drive with ubuntu and use the laptop running only from the USB.

 

Tried that before with Solus and Ubuntu and the system would lock up on booting.

Today, after some testing, it started freaking again. not recognising hd's anymore, screen getting brighter before the aw logo appeared.
Removing the cmos battery helps it but this isn't really normal...

Edit: finally made in in Ubuntu with a live CD. Seems to work like this so wondering what to do next...?

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Funny thing, and that could be the case here, as I am about to dissasemble mine I was thinkinking of giving every contact a good contact spray and cleaning...and I was wandering would it be wise to do so?

 

Have you tried doing the pre-boot diagnostic on your hardware?

 

Yup, and no issues found
I suppose there is way to test the sata controller?
This is what I got from both the original hd's in Ubuntu




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The second image shows a fubar HDD with 46 bad sectors, and you can click on the small icon with the two cogwheel(next to the right arrow and the - buttons) from there you have a menu with an option called Smart Status or Smart Data, click on it, there is also a benchmark option.

Given that one HDD has bad sectors the other might be damaged as well, you can buy a new SATA SSD with 500GB for 50-60€.

 

I have a new ssd that seems to have issues too so I will put that one in and check it also in Linux one of these days.
I don't have other spares except an older mechanical one but that one also seems to freak out the laptop.

How big is the chance the controller and/or both sata ports are defective?

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The SATA controller is usually on the chipset, and the SATA lines usually have caps to remove DC on both ends(near the chip and near the SATA connector), so it would be pretty strange to have all SATA interfaces damaged, but doesn't look like that.

Also, your ubuntu live pen not working might be related to the software used to create the live boot making the pen GPT(aka UEFI) only, and your BIOS might not like that, I usually use Rufus and make it MBR so it will boot in any hardware.

Install your SSD, boot into ubuntu and do a couple benchmarks of the SSD using the disks utility.

 

Yesterday I was able to boot into my Ubuntu live usb (I also use Rufus) . That's where the screenshots come from. So that works
Will try the ssd monday.

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Try out the benchmark in ubuntu then, and post back the results, might help nail now any hardware problem(if there is any), if not you can then start digging into the command line to see if we can discover from where the errors come from.

I would suggest that you try all SATA ports, it might be a bit repetitive work, but its to make sure everything is OK with the mobo.

 

Ok thanks for the help so far.
This will have to be done in between things

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Ok, I again spent too much time today on this turd....
Some screenshots from the SSD in bay 0 and 1
Installing Ubuntu seems impossible. I see errors but my Linux knowledge is 0.
These errors show up with the SSD and another mechanical drive.
Somehow I got Windows to run again and it fixed a lot of stuff after an sfc /scannow but suddenly started all over again. I was running w7 update and installing IE11 when it crapped out.
I am getting close to throwing it out!!!

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Try taking the CPU out of the socket and examining that. Maybe it has bent or broken/missing pins. If that is OK, try removing the WiFi and BT modules and see if you still have any BSOD issues.

 

I know this is probably a trivial solution but are you sure all the latest drivers (especially chipset drivers) are installed? Very crucial to have those or else it will do all kinds of crazy behavior. My M17x R2 will bsod on lid close without proper drivers

 

Well it doesn't even boot properly into Windows nor can I get in the W7 Installation menu so I doubt it's that.

Removing the BT and WiFi card was my next plan.
I think I already inspected the cpu but did see nothing wrong. There is a new gpu fan incoming one of these weeks or months so I'll recheck it when I open it up again.

Yesterday, I was able to get into W7 install but without any HD installed.
I tried the same today with XP, Vista and W10 but to no avail.
Trying to install Ubuntu 16 on the ssd as we speak.

This is sooooooo frustrating.

Edit: Ubuntu 16 installed and booting from the SSD.
I wonder if I would try a reflash of A10 bios with a bootable usb....
I wonder too why Ubuntu installed and Windows refuses.

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Going to throw the towel in the ring sadly....
This laptop had beaten me.
Ubuntu 16 installs like a charm, installs updates, reboot etc everything ok.

I try to turn it on the next day and nothing but the blank purple screen and no more booting.

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Did you try with another GPU?

 

I ordered another 5870m but still the same. Unless it was also faulty. I returned it

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Another thing crossed my mind...
Could the freefall sensor be defective or failing causing bsod?
Sometimes the original installation starts repairing itself leading to a boot into desktop. This happens when I swap the ssd for the mechanical one again.
Then I get the message that the sensor has detected a new hd and needs to restart.
After that it never completes the boot and freezes or gives BSOD.

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Looks like your mainboard.

I'd say your mainboard is damaged but before that, try changing the cpu to half thread and see if you can bypass the BSOD. If you can bootup into safe mode but not in windows, then Id say your cpu is cactus. Also check the cpu pasting which is critical.

I have a m17xr2 motherboard if interested.

Good luck.

 

This weekend I managed to install W7 without a problem.
But then the same problem when I power down the laptop and then boot it again: all kinds of bsod.
This happens too when I install Ubuntu: installs, updates, reboot,...without issues but when I power down and then turn it on, it refuses to boot.

I ordered a new cmos because I want to rule that one out too.
I removed the main battery because it's dead and it made the laptop go crazy sometimes.

I don't have a spare cpu to test so how can I be sure which of the two it is: mainboard or cpu?

Good to know you have a spare. I suppose you live in the USA ?

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Go with the cpu first.
Mainboard is more $$ so aim to fix the cpu at all costs before going mainboard.
No not in USA but far from you nevertheless.

 

The thought of spending more Euro's.... Will look for a cheap one then but first wait out the cmos swap.

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Well it was not the cmos battery :/
Maybe someone has a spare cpu for me.
If that is not the issue, I might turn to you for the mainboard
Can't be much else.

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There is quiet a few cheap motherboards on aliexpress
https://www.aliexpress.com/w/wholesale-m17x-r2-motherboard.html

I bought mine from ebay at a premium.
Best to go with a 920xm or 940xm and see if that does the fix. Quite a few on eBay at good prices.
Unless you did something to the motherboard during re-pasting, I doubt it could be faulty.

Hope this helps.
Typed on Alienware M17X R2

 

A friend has a non-working Asus laptop with first gen cpu so gonna try the cheap option first
The thing is when you import from outside the EU,you can have an extra 33% import taxes.Suddenly it's not so cheap anymore....

I don't think I did something special when I repasted.
Maybe ESD...

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Well after not looking at this turd for a month, I wanted to lose some time again so I started it up.
Installed an ssd and wow, Windows 8.1 installed without an error.
Suddenly during last reboot before the final setup of Windows, BSOD.
Tried to reboot a few times but only BSOD and one time a 0x9E error
Last attempt, I suddenly got the 'missing operating system' message. Wtf!!!
I forgot to check if the ssd was still seen in BIOS.
Installing Windows again on another ssd now and I put in 1 stick of 4GB RAM instead of 2x2.
Will see how it goes.

Totally without a clue what is happening....

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Perhaps you have discovered the reason for this. I wonder how frustrated the person was that sold it to you at a low price?

You may have an issue with the SATA controller, the port on the motherboard or the interposer.

 

Of course he said there were no problems when he had it....

So this morning I turned it on again after a succesful install yesterday of W8.1 and drivers and some updates. I only disabled the free fall sensor.

So first boot: bsod after login screen. Second time again. Looked in bluescreenview and one was caused by Avast so deleted it. The other one was caused by ntoskrnl.exe error 0x3B.
In safe mode, everything works.
Did an sfc /scannow with no issues.

Rebooted and then a lot of BSOD's ranging from fltmgr.sys, storport.sys,fileinfo.sys....system service exception,...

I have someone willing to send me 4870m and a cpu but I have the feeling these are not the issue...

And when I say cheap, it was still 180€ but around here, this is cheap.


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Is this on a HDD or SSD?

 

Happens on two ssd's and hd. Sometimes I am able to install Windows, drivers, updates but when I shut the laptop down, the next boot is never possible. Bsod, freezes,.... Yesterday it even happened on a fresh, update- and driver less install of W7

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Sold the damn bugger. Glad I got rid of it, even though I lost money on it...

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