M17X R3 8 beeps no boot. :(

I tried to turn on my m17x r3 but the screen didn't light up, then i put an external screen in the HDMI port, and the external screen started and i could see the vbios for my GTX 780m by svl7 and johnkss posted but after that it started beeping, i tried to remove the GPU and insert an HD6990m i had from my m18x, but it was the same, then i tried to remove the GPU and reset the Bios by removing the cmos battery and brigde the cmos battery connection,but still the issue remains. Some of the times i tried to boot the screen lit up but didn't show anything.

Is there anything i can do?

 

have you used EVGA precison software?

 

Ahh, the 8 beeps of hell. Sadly there isn't much you can do. I had exactly the same problem with mine a few months ago. The 8 beeps is pretty much the same as the 7 beeps of hell. Once you get it, the mobo is likely dead. Nobody knows what causes it. That's the problem with these R3s/R4s. The board just decides it doesn't want to work anymore.

Still, keep it trying. You may get it going again.

 

Is there a way to confirm its the motherboard? Cause 8 beeps usually meen LCD or GPU failure, but i have tried to blind flash stock Bios without GPU in it, so it should boot with internal graphics, but no luck....... But the backlight in the screen light up when i power on but doesnt post anything it just starts its 8 beep cycle, but before i order a motherboard or an LCD it would be nice to confirm which part is defective??

 

I am 99% sure that it's the motherboard. My one had literally the same problem. 8 beeps, keyboard and screen light up. Replaced the board and it's all good now. Don't waste your money on a screen. The screen rarely goes bust on these systems.

 

Does anyone have a good source for M17X R4 motherboards preferable in Europe?

 

Your best bet is Aliexpress. Motherboards on ebay tend to be very, very overpriced.

THTXT is the part number for an R4 board.

 

Before you start throwing away money, be advised:
1. Nonturbo flex support enabled in the BIOS can cause 8 beeps. remove CMOS battery and power drain to reset BIOS settings, or blind flash.
2. Dead dGPU can cause 8 beeps. I would pull the GPU out, and try to boot with CPU/iGPU only. If it works, your GPU is fried. I'm more certain this is the case.
3. Faulty motherboard can cause 8 beeps.

 

I have tried the steps you suggest Raidriar, and i ended up ordering from here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321959759920?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

OMFG i have just installed my new M17X R4 mainboard, but the problem is the same...........Screen light up, but doesnt post anything and i get the damn 8 beeps, i have tried with and without GPU in the machine...........I cant believe it doesnt work. Can it be anytrhing else than the lcd then.........And can i plug the screen from my M18X R1 in the M17X mainboard to check before i spend even more money.

 

And just to be sure, if im going to buy an new LCD panel, should i then order for the R3 or the R4 model since its an R4 motherboard now? R3 LCD panels are cheaper i believe??

 

I have filmed the issue, as you can see the backlight on the screen turns on but nothing shows, and then the damn 8 beeps.......And its both with eGPU and without.

 

Is your LCD cable connected to the correct port? I can see the laptop posts (try pressing caps lock a few times and see if the caps lock light changes to confirm), so it should be something with the LCD cable or the screen most likely. If I were you, I would try another screen with cable from your other laptop and go straight into the BIOS, not letting it to boot into Windows. There were no reports of corrupted screens on R3 as far as I am aware, but just to be on the safe side.

 

Yes, it is connected to the right port.....The port for the 120hz screen is different so my cable wouldnt fit in it. If i plug in an HDMI monitor i can get the backlight on the external monitor to turn on while the laptop screen turns completely off, but it still doesnt post anything on the screen.......just 8 beep cycle.

Here you can see the backligt on my tv is on while connected to the laptop via HDMI and the laptop screen is total black, when i pull the HDMI out of the laptop, the laptop screen turns on backlight but nothing else happens. Im really lost on this issue........

 

Did you try another screen from your other Alienware yet? If you remove the screen and plug any LED screen with a standard connector, it should work. When I was flashing my screen back to working order, I used the 14' screen from HP DM4-3002 and it worked fine. Also just to be sure in troubleshooting, when you press caps lock a few times, you should see caps lock light turn on/off if the laptop posts.

 

CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK lights does turn on and off when i press em while the laptop is powered on. I havent tried my m18x screen yet, was looking for at thread that confirmed it is the same 40pin connector on the lcd so i can use my m17x cable. Do you know if thats the case?

FYI: i have ordered a new LCD cable to be sure it isnt the problem.

 

Both M17x R3 and M18x R1 are using 40 pin screens.

 

It is the LCD, connected another screen today and it booted right up. So im ordering a new LCD, is there a specific brand there is better than the other?

 

If will be easier to get the whole screen/bezel assembly for R3 or R4. They are the same I believe, the screen is glued to the bezel. If you want to replaced the screen alone, you will need a heatgun to separate them properly.

 

I have actually had an idea about removing the glass, and get a laser cut Black aluminium frame instead, maybe its the time for me to realize that idea.

 

If you decide to mod the screen , I have the screen itself that is just sitting collecting dust. Can hook u up with a cool price. it's the 1080p 3D 120hz screen , but of course you don't have to use the 3d function.

 

Damn i allready ordered a new LCD, and have started the modding proces.

 

It is most likely the EDID on the old LCD is broken (by using EVGA PrecisionX or something else that tries to overclock your LCD).
You should be able to repair it by re-writing the EDID on the LCD. There's a thread in the main Alienware forum that shows you how to do it with a linux boot disk.

See http://forum.notebookreview.com/thr...levo-lcd-panels.779449/page-158#post-10090770 for a potential fix, if you are up to it. It entails switching screens while it's running, and flashing the EDID from linux.

 

Finally my custom bezel is finished, but i have one question, the alien lettering in the buttom of the screen isn't lit, it will light when ever i turn on the laptop or awake it from slumber, but then turns off again and i cant seem to enable it in the Alienfx control panel? Any ideas??

 

WOW That looks incredible!!! How or where did you get that done? Can you provide any more pics and details. I always wanted to do something like this. As far as the backlight for that awesome logo you made, try removing and reinstalling command center.

 

I have a mate working in a machine factory, so after i removed the plastic glass, he measured the black edges and all of the angles degrees, then he just drew it in an AutoCAD like program and let the laser cutter do the work, the lettering we found online, it took 3 attempts to get a perfectly cut bezel, and then it was just to let the companys painters paint the aluminium bezel in the Color i wanted........i then used double adhedsive tape and a rubberised glue called Sugru to install the bezel.

I will provide some more and better photos soon.

 

Talked to my mate today, he will try to send me the file from the machine used to cut the aluminium bezel, then i will upload it to the forum and then maybe it can be loaded to a similar machine where you are located. No reason not to share the file if its possible.