M17x Black Screen

Hello all,

This morning I turned on my M17x, after a Windows Update last night, and noticed my screen was a lot darker than it usually is. (My laptop has been running great...no issues at all and I have been extremely happy) After checking/changing the settings, I could not get it any brighter, so I decided to try uninstalling the update to see if that would help and if that was the cause. I uninstalled the first update (said no to restart), and started uninstalling the second. During the second update I thought I would check if I was in Stealth Mode (I don't know why) - I changed the mode and then checked it again to see if it was enabled....it said it required a restart, so I selected "ok" not thinking that I should wait until the second uninstall was finished. After restart, I had a black screen with no Alien logo and I couldn't see my mouse. I even tried F8 for safe mode but nothing happened. I eventually called Dell/Alienware support and they had me try a few things including holding the power button for 2 minutes and then restarting, and then he asked if my scroll lock, cap lock or number keys were on at start-up. Since they weren't, he had me remove the memory card, battery and a/c adapter to see what would happen after powering up again without the memory card - the scroll lock and cap lock did come on blinking and the number lock is solid. I guess from that he determined the motherboard and video card are bad. Since I no longer have the warranty (yeah, I know...I just didn't have the extra money to renew when it expired ) he went on telling me what he could do and how much it would cost. From what he quoted me, I could purchase a new laptop!

Anyway, I really only know the very basics about computers - and I do mean the basics. So, before I even begin to think about having to repair/replace, I really could use some opinions on if it does sound like I need to replace the motherboard and video card or what else I could try.

Thanks in advance!

Edit - I forgot to add that after an update months ago, my screen was darker when I restarted, but I was able to brighten it a little and it eventually fixed itself.

 

Is it possible to boot of a disc so you can reinstall windows?

 

I cant try it. I am willing to try anything at this point to avoid a $1000 charge.

I searched around earlier to try finding something online about the problem, and of course after I post here I find that if the scroll lock and cap lock are blinking, and the number lock is solid, that I need to replace the video card and system board.

 

You cant or can? If you can just try it.

 

Oops! Typo...I can try it. Sorry!

 

Blinking Scroll Lock and Caps Lock while the NUM Lock is solid means that the Video card is preventing the system from starting.

Now give us some more info and we'll see if something can be done before you go spend on something for nothing:

-is your laptop a M17x or M17x R2 ?
-list your main specs.
-have you opened it up recently?

 

It's the M17x.

I opened it a few weekends ago to just clean out the fan - pulled the dust out.

This is the only information I currently have. The specs sheet is on the desktop and I thought I emailed a copy to myself when I first received it, but I am unable to locate it.

Base,Notebook,Alienware,Red WXGA-AG,M17X
Software,Certificate Of Authenticity,W7HP64,Alienware
Information,DHS,High, Value
Information,Wireless AW1510
Card,Network,AW1510,United States
Software,W7HP64 Consumer Desktop,English Dao/bcc
INFORMATION,WIRELESS, BLUETOOTH,370
Software,Alienware OS-CUSTOMIZATION
Software,Alienware AVATAR7
Software,Alienware AUTO-UPD,ON
Processor,Core Penryn T9600,ANW NBK
Software,Quick Fix Engineering,W7HB32,Consumer Notebook
Software,Creative Camera,Consumer,W#3,Factory Install
Software,Alienware WINDOWSTYLE,Default
Software,Alienware POWER,High Performance
ACCESSORY,ALIENWARE, M17X,ENGLISH
Media,Resource Dvd,Alienware,M17X
Information,CHASSIS,Red,M17X
Bracket,HDD,FOAMKIT,M17X
Liquid Crystal Display,17.0 Wide Extended Graphics Array Plus,Alienware,M17X
Adapter,Alternating Current,240W,Delta - Ac Adapt World Wide
Card,Network,370,Foxconn,Consumer Notebook,Dell Americas Organization
Information,Artwork NAME-PLT,Generic,M17X
Cord,Power,125V,2M,C13 United States
Software,CYBERLINK Powerdvd,8.0,Alienware
Software,NERO,9 Alienware
INFORMATION,DIRECTSHIP,FLEXTRONICS
Dual In-line Memory 4GB,1066MHZ,DDR3,2X2G
Battery,Primary,85WHR 9C,Dynapack International Technology Corp
Hard Drive,250,7.2,FreeFall Sensor,SGT-CAS,INS
Software,Alienware WALLPAPER-CO7W
Software,Alienware RSS-FEED,ANW-NEWS
Shipping Material,PACK M1740
Software,Alienware COMMANDCENTER
SOFTWARE,ALIENWARE,ALIENFX,RED
Software,Alienware TIME-ZONE,CENTRAL
Label,Intel,Notebook,C2D,Rebranding
Card,Graphics,M98
Service Install Module Software,Alienware,M17X
Software,W7HP64,Digital Video Disk Drive,Multi-Language,Alienware
Dvd+/-rw,Sony Nec Optiarc Inc.,BARE,Alienware
Software,Alienware CYBERLINK,YOUCAM
Keyboard,Alienware United States,England,M17X Dao/bcc
Tuner,Software,TVT11 NTSC,Advanced Television System Committee