Lighting Problem, need help

Hi, i just bought a refurbished R3 m17x a few weeks ago. Only problem i have is the Alienware logo on the front and Alien head on the back only will light up when i partially close my laptop...Just wondering if this has happened to anyone else...I even disconnected everything and took the battery out and still can't get it to light when fully open. I really didn't want to uninstall and re-install the FX since i heard horror stories about ppl not getting any lights to work then. I would appreciate any help since i am new to the Alien family being this is my first Alienware

 

Welcome to the forums. Great name there! My first inclination would be to say that it is some sort of mechanical problem if it only activates when the lid is at a certain angle. What angle do the lights activate at, exactly?

 

Thank you for the welcome and for answering me...It lights at about 45 degrees angle, both the Alienware logo and head logo on the back. Also the head logo on the back lights up only white. From what i read it supposed to change into the same color as the head on the front. This is Dells refurbished model, and everything was supposed to be tested and working on it...I just hate the hassle of packing it up and sending it back to be fixed for 2 light problems, i was hoping to find a way to fix it myself.

 

You'll notice that I'm NOT an R3 owner...so take what I say with a grain of salt. In the R1/R2 the lid/display assembly is connected to the motherboard by two flex cables. If one of those is loose or skewed it could cause what you describe. I lost the backlight for my display due to this problem and only had to reseat the plugs on the mobo to fix it. To check you would have to open the open the lappy and remove (at least) the keyboard to check this. Not being an R3 owner I can't tell you the details of the teardown or how hard it would be. As for the software....I would think that could cause it too. You could just reimage the hard drive with the system disks to check this and that SHOULD minimize any chance of making the problem worse. I always do this anyway when buying a refurb/open box machine as a way to make sure the install is a clean one from the start. Remember that this procedure will wipe any software or data you have stored on the hard drive!

Just a guess....bet it's a software issue since this is a "new" machine. And yes Dell is famous for delivering refurbs with issues. Remember that this is a bootique/hobbyist computer. These goofy little probs crop up frequently. Learning how to fix them is part of the deal and we are here for you to help. I would 1) reimage the HD 2) check the plugs on the mobo and if neither procedure works 3) send it back to Dell...where it MIGHT come back with more probs not less! or 4) if I scared you off with the lecture that these probs tend to be the rule NOT the exception....just make them give you a full refund while you still can! These machines are not for the faint of heart...but when they work right...they blow the doors off anything but the BEST desktops in performance and look cool as hell doing it! Good luck!

 

Also MIGHT be related to this thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...ks-ok-only-work-screen-light-only-m17xr3.html

 

Hi, and welcome!
If you're having issues with that, its probably as TurbodTalon said, an mechanical problem.
I would suggest you to return it to dell and tell them to make it work, as its so new.. Nothing you can fix without probably having to disassemble and check the cables / connectors yourself.

Good luck, though.


- Scott.

 

Thx for everyones replies...I hate the thought of sending it back as that is such a pain...Being i can live without the logo i guess, i'll probably just leave it..I thought it wouldn't hurt to see if this could be an easy fix...I'm not too good at taking things apart, i better leave it alone...lol...If the other lights become affected i will send it back, it still has a year warranty left...At least i now have a place to come for help.

 

Well if you purchased the complete care warranty, they will send a tech out to you, probably with a new screen to fix it. May be easier. Probably should give Dell a call and check with them.

Also welcome to the forum.

 

Thx i didn't know that...I'll call them today...

 

I'm soo glad i called...Dell is sending someone over to replace the Lcd screen and motherboard.....I was more concerned i was going to have to ship it back and wait for it to be fixed...Again thx for all the advice guys...

 

for a lighting problem? Get them to change as little as they possibly can...or there is a big chance that the tech will really mess something up

 

Yea, the lighting problem is all in the lid so they are replacing that, i can't imagine them messing up installing a whole lid, taking it apart maybe i'd be more concerned, not sure why the motherboard. Those are the only 2 parts they are ordering for me so he shouldn't have to mess with anything else.

 

I echo what SlckDude said! There have been soooooo many horror stories of what the in-home service guys did to these lappy's! Let him change the display...that's pretty straight forward. See if that fixes it. If it doesn't and you really need a mobo change I would seriously consider sending it to Dell for that. Many of these techs don't know the AW's well or not at all! We are a VERY small specialized subset of the Dell family. I'm jus' sayin'......

 

The motherboard will require a full disassembly. This is a bad idea unless you really need to change it. I can't see why they would change a mobo for a lighting problem. If the laptop works fine otherwise, tell them to leave it alone

 

Thats what i'm going to suggest then first, just to change the display first...I found it odd also about the mobo since the lid seems to be where the problem is to begin with and nothing else affected. Lets hope the display fixes it, i'm getting a bit nervous now. We pay too much money for these things to have them screwed up, and at the same time, we pay enough where we should expect EVERYTHING to be working on them as well..Glad i found this site.

 

Well guys an update.......The tech was awesome, he only worked on Alienware.....he really helped me alot......The Lid had a short which caused the light problem in the Lid...There were other problems he detected, so now i will have to have the laptop sent to dell for a total makeup, or another laptop if they cannot fix it. So its back to my Sony Vaio for a few weeks till i get my precious Alienware back.

 

Well I hope it's completely shot so you get a free replacement *thumbs up*

 

hope you get it back soon. My rig is getting a new screen and media bar here in the next few days, lets hope I get a knowledgeable tech